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There are two areas of the entertainment culture with which I cannot identify: performing as a superstar headliner, and dressing as a superstar headliner for that headliner\u2019s show.<\/p>\n
Those behaviors collided earlier this month at a Barry Manilow <\/strong>show at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.<\/p>\n Manilow impersonator Wayne Denton<\/strong> claims he was rejected in efforts to meet Manilow because he (Denton) was dressed as Manilow. This has sparked media coverage and debate among \u201cFanilows\u201d in the U.K.<\/p>\n Manilow\u2019s husband and business manager, Garry <\/strong>Kief<\/strong>, has not responded to an e-mail requesting comment.<\/p>\n According to a story in the Liverpool Echo (Liverpool Echo!), Denton and his business partner, Janet <\/strong>Martin<\/strong>, purchased two VIP meet-and-greet tickets valued at about $3,300. Denton wore a blond, Manilow-style wig and a bedazzled, tangerine-colored \u201cCopacabana\u201d-inspired jacket.<\/p>\n The impersonator and Martin have seen nearly two dozen Manilow shows; critics note he shows up just to get attention and (hello) media attention.<\/p>\n In the June 13 incident, when the couple ventured to the meet-and-greet waiting area, they were told by a staffer that Denton needed to lose the jacket and the wig. In an audio recording cited by the Liverpool pub, Martin responded by saying the rule was \u201cout of order.\u201d<\/p>\n A second, higher-ranking official stepped in with, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ve been instructed we can\u2019t do the wig and the jacket. It\u2019s an absolute no.\u201d<\/p>\n Denton questioned whether the wig was the primary issue (judging from photos, this is not the most flattering wig, comically obvious in a Rip Taylor sort of way). But Martin is quoted in the Echo: \u201cIt was awful, to be honest. Wayne wears his wig everywhere because he is bald. It was so humiliating. We\u2019re massive fans and we put our show together four years ago. It\u2019s a real show with a brass band and a real tribute but it\u2019s made me look at it all a different way now.\u201d<\/p>\n Martin defended the hairpiece, saying the directive was insulting because \u201cwomen wear wigs too.\u201d<\/p>\n The official reiterated: \u201cIt\u2019s actually insulting to Barry, so it\u2019s an absolute no.\u201d<\/p>\n As the recording went on, Martin said the couple had not been informed of a dress code in any of the ticket or show materials. The official answered, \u201cCome on, it\u2019s common sense.\u201d When Martin asked whether a ball cap was available, she was told the staff didn\u2019t want to \u201cget security involved.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple were reportedly informed their VIP upgrade would be refunded, but not the price of the seats. They did watch the show.<\/p>\n Members of the official Barry Manilow Facebook group were not sensitive to Denton\u2019s plight. Examples of their posts: \u201cLooks like Rod Stewart in the wig. Sounds like Cliff (Richard) when he speaks. Nothing like Barry at all.\u201d And, \u201cIf he wears this wig all the time then he needs to find a better wig. It is horrible.\u201d And, \u201cBarry Manilow\u2019s concert, Barry Manilow\u2019s rules.\u201d<\/p>\n Denton, described in reports as a Manilow \u201csuperfan,\u201d is the star of \u201cCelebrating Barry: The Ultimate Manilow Tribute Show.\u201d The 69-year-old performer has also portrayed Neil Diamond<\/strong> and John Denver onstage. Denton\u2019s next gig is at the Watergate Theatre (yes, that is the name) in Kilkenny, Ireland.<\/p>\n The venue states that the Manilow show is \u201cinspired by his recent live performances in Las Vegas and across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n The top Manilow show in Las Vegas is, of course, Manilow himself at the Westgate. He is returning from his lengthy layoff, caused by cancer surgery in December, on July 9-11. We highly recommend the VIP experience. The rules are simple: Follow protocols, don\u2019t create drama, and leave the costume at home.<\/p>\n Chesney chooses Church<\/strong><\/p>\n Kenny Chesney<\/strong> brought up a famous member of the No Shoes Nation, country star Eric <\/strong>Church<\/strong>, in his return to Sphere on Friday. The two paired on a three-song sprint: Chesney\u2019s \u201cWhen I See This Bar,\u201d Church\u2019s \u201cDrink in My Hand\u201d and \u201cSpringsteen.\u201d<\/p>\n Church is shown laughing as he forgets the lyrics to the latter song. In clips from the show, he\u2019s shown turning to Chesney and saying, \u201cIt\u2019s always good to forget your biggest<\/em> hit.<\/p>\n Those benchmarks<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Master magician Mat Franco<\/strong> surpassed 3,000 shows in his decade at Linq Hotel, marking the occasion June 7 with the requisite cupcakes and large, golden, numbered balloons.<\/p>\n \u2014 Master Elvis tribute artist Steve Connolly<\/strong> celebrated his 30th anniversary of arriving in Las Vegas in May. Connolly, who infuses his artwork into his performances, premiered at MGM Grand in 1996. He has logged 12,000 \u201cpublic and ticketed shows,\u201d by his estimate. Connolly continues to headline in residency at Notoriety Live (go to notorietylive.com for intel).<\/p>\n Cool Hang Alert<\/strong><\/p>\n On the topic of Elvis AND benchmarks, the Presley stage show at Westgate, his Vegas performance home, notched its second anniversary on Friday. \u201cThe King Comes Home\u201d plays 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays (dark Sundays and Mondays) at Westgate Cabaret. Watch for the groovers, especially in \u201c\u201dCan\u2019t Help Falling in Love.\u201d Go to westgateresorts.com for intel.<\/p>\n John Katsilometes\u2019 column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com.<\/a> Follow @johnnykats<\/a> on X, @JohnnyKats1<\/a> on Instagram.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n
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