This day had been planned for so long, it was amazing that it was finally here. My first thought as I entered the Judy Bayley theatre on the campus of UNLV, was that the spacious, open design and high ceiling of the lobby provided a suitably dramatic entrance for a Bobby Darin musical tribute. The theatre itself, which holds 550, is architecturally impressive as well with steeply angled rows, plush seating, and an exceptional sound system.
When we arrived, a table had been set up against the back wall in the center of the lobby,
as planned, for the Bobby Darin postage stamp campaign. It was a perfect place for ensuring attention! We set the poster on the tabletop easel, spread out the letters explaining why Bobby Darin deserves his very own postage stamp, and waited for people to arrive.
Would you like to help Bobby Darin get a well-deserved U.S. postage stamp? Yes, of course, were the replies. We were thrilled and so grateful to see all the people coming over to sign the letters and to talk to us about how much they loved Bobby Darin!
As we began to wrap things up and straighten our table, we noticed that a hush had fallen over the lobby. While we were excitedly counting our letters, the lobby had emptied of people. The show was about to begin! We grabbed our purses and rushed into the theatre.
We got to our seats and soaked in the scene before us. Bob Rozario's beautiful grand piano was on the left side of the stage, awaiting him. Announcer Scott O'Neil was at his microphone on the right. At the back of the stage was a huge screen that would be a backdrop for the show. Presenting pictures of the Bobby Darin CD that each song is on as well as other significant pictures from Bobby's life, it would provide a constant reminder of the man we came to remember. Now, it presented a beautiful close-up of Bobby Darin singing and this quote: "My goal is to be remembered as a human being and as a great performer."
Settling down in our seats, we could barely contain our excitement as the house lights dimmed and, unbelievably, that moment we had been waiting for was upon us.
Scott O'Neil, with a smooth and personable announcer's voice that warmly commanded attention, began the show. First, he introduced Charles O'Connor, Executive Director of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV. Mr. O'Connor thanked Bob Rozario, each musician and vocalist, announcer Scott O'Neil, and producer Lori Slinn for their part in creating this tribute for Bobby Darin. He also told us about the theatre's fabulous schedule.
Next, Scott talked about Bobby Darin's involvement with the American Heart Association as the screen showed a picture of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis - the King and Queen of the American Heart Association. We then listened to Bobby and Connie's public service announcement that was aired in 1959.
Now it was time for Scott to introduce the one and only, our musical director, pianist, and Bobby Darin's own musical director from 1968 to 1973, Mr. Bob Rozario! The crowd roared, and the screen showed an image of two gorgeous young men from 1973: Bobby Darin and Bob Rozario. As the applause died down and the talented, yet humble, Mr. Rozario took his seat at the piano, he glanced up and looked a little startled to see himself on the big screen!
Next, Scott introduced musicians Kenny Seiffert on bass, Mike Mechem on drums, and Dave Hart on the guitar. And the show was about to begin!
Introducing the first song, Scott O'Neil, as he would do for each song, told us of the significance of the song in Bobby Darin's life, its historical context, and any interesting tidbit regarding Bobby's selecting, recording, or performing the song.
Teddy Davey, one of the four Las Vegas Tenors, opened the show with Don't Rain On My Parade. His deep, powerful voice filled the theatre and started things off with a one-two musical punch and a thrilling Bobby bang.
Frankie Moreno came on stage next, offering up a triple dose of Bobby Darin magic. Bob Rozario kindly moved over to allow Frankie to sit down and tickle the ivories for Splish Splash. The energy and fun he exuded brought to mind a young and joyful Bobby Darin, rockin' out. We wanted more . . . and we got it! He began Dream Lover to cheers and hoots and hollers from the audience. He continued with a warm, delicious voice and smooth stage moves. We swooned. Not stopping there, he offered a wonderful, swinging interpretation of Mack The Knife. The show was off to a magnificent start!
Next, Scott introduced Dennis Bono. We had seen Dennis take command of the stage when he performed at his own show on Thursday, so we knew this was going to be good. Bringing to mind a classy, polished, mature Bobby Darin - complete with expressive hand movements and a strong voice - Dennis offered us a smooth and beautiful Beyond the Sea.
Denise Clemente, the only female vocalist in the show's cast, was introduced next. She did Bobby proud. With a gorgeous voice and a charismatic stage presence that connects with the audience, she gave us a spunky Artificial Flowers and added just the right country note to a swinging Things.
It was time for the fifth performer to be introduced. Carmine Mandia brought the house down with his beautiful, deep-voiced and emotional rendition of The Curtain Falls. He changed the words appropriately to be about Bobby Darin - a choice that this audience member loved. It tugged at the heart strings and struck a perfect chord.
People say he was made for this,
Nothing Bobby would trade for this,
And to think he got paid for this,
But now the curtain falls.
.............................................................................................................
The rest of the show continued like this . . . magic moments woven together to create a living and vibrant tribute to an amazing performer. Mr. Bob Rozario's fine virtuosity as a pianist and conductor as well as the arranger of these wonderful songs shone through every note sung and instrument played. His face shone, too, with obvious pleasure. It seemed to me that he often had his eyes above the sheet music and on the vocalists. Later, I asked him about this and he said that he was enjoying watching the performers. He already knew the music!
Throughout the show, the audience, too, was very clear that they were having a wonderful time. Their loud claps and shouts and whoops of recognition at the beginning of songs and of appreciation at the end were very much in evidence and added tremendously to the excitement of this already fabulous experience.
Scott's beautiful speaking voice introduced each song, telling a story of the song and the man who chose to perform it not so very long ago. The vocalists each, in turn, brought their impressive talents, dedication, and energy to the stage to pay homage to the amazing Bobby Darin.
A note about the photographs on this page: These were taken at rehearsal the day before the show - no photography was allowed during the show. It is probably unnecessary to say that during the performance everyone on stage was dressed to the nines! You can see this in the after-show pictures on the next page.
Enough intermission . . . Let's get back to the show!
.............................................................................................................
When Dennis Bono returned to the stage to sing Once In A Lifetime, he held us captive. Again, we thought of Bobby. Again, we appreciated Dennis and his wonderful strong voice and powerful interpretation of this song.
Teddy Davey's heartfelt and deeply moving If I Were A Carpenter so affected Bob's wife Kay Rozario, a close friend of Bobby Darin's, it made her cry. In her own words, "I could see Bobby there." Guitarist Dave Hart contributed to the intensity of the Bobby moment with his very fine harmonica playing.
The energetic and charming Denise Clemente came back to burn up the stage with a sultry, throaty, and flirtatious Some Of These Days. I think I could hear Bobby whistling and applauding along with the audience. Then, she continued to please the crowd with a smart and lively About A Quarter To Nine.
The joy continued with Dennis Bono delivering a wonderful and crowd-pleasing Eighteen Yellow Roses. Then, Teddy Davey came back for Simple Song of Freedom. Audience members stood. Many were singing along! Denise Clemente came out near the end of the song to provide harmony. It was breathtaking. Can we take much more? Yes!
After that remarkable moment, Dennis returned to deliver a powerful, to-die-for Happy. He clearly reached deep into his soul to pull it out beautifully. That song, the last one Bobby ever recorded and the one that critics believe demonstrates - beyond a shadow of a doubt - his formidable talents and incredible maturity as a performer, deserves special attention. Dennis gave it that. It was deeply moving.
Everyone came back out - Carmine, Denise, Dennis, Frankie, and Teddy - to share the stage for the grand finale (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. It was a perfect song to end the show on because they, indeed, had all taken us higher and higher. The joy on stage was contagious.
Near the end of the song, Mr. Bob Rozario stood up, left his piano, and danced his way over to the performers! The audience went wild and jumped up and joined them. The moment was an amazing one. This audience member will never forget it, and I doubt anyone else in the audience ever will. It was the sweet, sweet frosting on a delicious cake of a show.
~~~~~~~~ Thank you ~~~~~~~~
Bob Rozario. Lori Slinn. Vocalists and musicians.
Sandra Jeffries, Teresa Sodaro, and Linda Diane Twersky. Everyone who
helped make this happen. Members of the audience. In Bobby Darin's own words "you are precious."
You were an important part of a tribute to an amazing man.
He was ever present throughout this show in the hearts and minds of all. He was in the music, the performances, and the photographs. He was most certainly there in spirit.
The Show's Success
Judging from the superb performances of everyone involved in this show, the turnout of hundreds for this event, and the audience response, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that this show was a great success. Everyone involved is also proud that revenue from this event went to support the arts (Nevada Conservatory Theatre) and an important charity (American Heart Association).
Many of us also hope that this event is successful in contributing to a blossoming renaissance of interest in Bobby Darin and the delicious work he left us. One clue that this did occur is that all the performers were very excited to be a part of this tribute to Bobby Darin, and many of them now include Bobby Darin's story and music in their own shows!
.............................................................................................................To see the background slides from this show, click here
.............................................................................................................Many thanks to all the performers for allowing their rehearsal pictures to be shown, and to Sandra Jeffries, Lori Slinn, and Teresa Sodaro for contributing photographs.
The following pictures were
taken during rehearsal:
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