Legends in Concert, the organization that brought big budget celebrity impersonation — the preferred term these days is “tribute artist entertainment” — to Waikiki in the 1990s, is back at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center with an entirely new and updated “Legends In Concert Waikiki” production.

‘Legends in Concert Waikiki’ » Where: Royal Hawaiian Theatre, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center » When: 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays » Cost: $50 (cocktails only), $90 (luau), $140 (VIP, includes dinner) and $180 (Green Room, includes dinner, pre-show backstage tour and reception); $5 validated parking » Info: 629-7469 or www.legendswaikiki.com

“Legends” developed the “in concert” concept 28 years ago. Big-scale “tribute artist entertainment” doesn’t get any better than this.

Really.

“Legends” has taken over the Royal Hawaiian Theatre that Roy Tokujo built for his short-lived “Waikiki nei” show. Tokujo built the room with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, tiered amphitheater-style seating and 42-foot ceilings — and the “Legends” producers have added to it.

The stars of the show — Grahame Patrick (‘70s Elvis),  Johnny Fortuno (‘60s Elvis), Mitch Adams (Elton John), Damian Brantley (Michael Jackson) and Coty Alexander (Lady Gaga) —  perform on a bigger stage, and with better sound gear and lighting, than many “real” acts work with when playing concert dates elsewhere in town.

The seating gives the audience a better view of the stage — without having to stand — than is available in many other local venues as well.

As for the show itself, some things have changed, others remained the same, but the changes are improvements.

Johnny Fortuno performs as ’60s Elvis. (Star-Advertiser photo by FL Morris)

The biggest change, the two-Elvis double-bill, works surprisingly well. Fortuno opens the show with a collection of hits from Elvis’ early years. With the exception of “Heartbreak Hotel” they date from the early ‘60s — most are from “Blue Hawaii,” others from “Paradise Hawaiian Style.”

Patrick comes on as the high-powered show-closer with selections from Elvis’ precedent-setting “Aloha From Hawaii” satellite-live concert of 1973.

Waikiki nightlife veterans will remember Adams from his stint here several years ago portraying Sir Elton in a small non-Legends show in a makeshift venue on the other side of Kalakaua. Adams brings the same charm and physicality to his performance here but this time he’s working in a showroom worthy of his talents.

He sings, clowns and climbs on the piano as Sir Elton has been known to do. “Your Song,” “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” are the core of an engaging and entertaining set. Long-time Elton John fans will appreciate the melodic reference to “Take Me To The Pilot” that Adams uses as an interlude in “Saturday Night” — most tribute artists don’t go that deep.

Brantley needed a bit volume on his mike last Sunday but there was nothing lacking in his visual performance. Brantley recreates the magic of MJ’s dancing with “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller” and “Billie Jean.” The longer he’s on the more Michael-like he gets.

Alexander brings a new celebrity character to the local showroom scene. Waikiki has seen impressions of many iconic female stars over the years — Marilyn Monroe and Madonna in the previous “Legends” show, many others as caricatures courtesy of the Society Of Seven.

Coty Alexander portrays Lady Gaga on stage. (Star-Advertiser photo by FL Morris)

Alexander portrays Gaga with authentic panache and pop appeal while including all of Lady Gaga’s hits to date. Given Lady Gaga’s schedule these days, Alexander may be as close as Honolulu is going to get to seeing Lady Gaga “live and in concert” for a long time.

There is as always — and this is true with all theater — the need to accept the premise. Logic tells us that that that isn’t really Elvis or MJ on stage, and yet the longer each artist is up there the more believable they become. Fortuno and Patrick are amazingly close to Elvis vocally, and Sir Elton has always been more about “the show” than his talent as a vocalist per se (“Legends” requires all their star performers to sing “live” with their natural voices).

Folks in the premium table-seating area down front can count on personal contact with the stars. Fortuno gives orchid leis to several women. Adams also comes off stage to shake hands with most of the people in the lower level.

Patrick takes “meet and greet” a step beyond that. He goes out and greets all the people in the front section, then climbs on a table to sing “Love Me” to the everyone in the $50 cocktail seats upstairs. From there, Patrick goes upstairs to serenade and mingle with them while he’s singing “Suspicious Minds.” It’s a nice gesture — yes, Elvis would go!

Hula is incorporated into the program during the new “Legends in Concert Waikiki” production.(Star-Advertiser photo by FL Morris)

The “concert” concept is enhanced by the presence of a squad of black-clad musicians on stage (the music for the ‘90s “Legends” show was almost entirely on tracks). A pair of eye-catching female singer/dancers are featured prominently on several songs, four male dancers and several additional female dancers add to the visual impact on others.
———
John Berger has been a mainstay in the local entertainment scene for nearly 40 years. Contact him via email at jberger@staradvertiser.com.