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‘Jersey Boys’ star Bergen sees acting, singing career blossom

Instead of taking a hit, Erich Bergen’s show business career has thrived since the “Jersey Boys” film failed to take off.

“It profoundly changed my life,” said Bergen, who played Bob Gaudio of the Four Seasons in the Las Vegas company and in the film.

His fan base has broadened and the opportunities keep coming. The White House even came calling, and not because Bergen has a leading role in CBS’ hit show “Madam Secretary.”

Late last month, Bergen and his castmates from the Clint Eastwood-directed “Jersey Boys” film were invited to a state dinner for 200 held in honor of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Bergen sat at the same table with retiring CBS anchor Bob Schieffer, host of “Face the Nation,” and Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, and his wife, Heather.

The “Jersey Boys” cast were invited because Abe told state dinner organizers that Abe loved the film.

The White House asked the four co-stars to perform at the dinner and had the tuxedos they wore during filming flown in for the evening.

After going through the receiving line to meeth President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, and having dinner in the East Room, the “Jersey Boys” performed a medley of songs from the film.

When they finished, Obama came onstage and took the mic from Bergen for an introduction.

Bergen told the story to a capacity crowd during his new cabaret show Friday at the Catalina Jazz Club in West Hollywood, Calif.

“He said, ‘I love you guys but you’ve got bigger fans here than me and he was sort of pushed aside because (Vice President) Joe Biden and (Secretary of State) John Kerry sort of bumrushed the stage like fan girls,” Bergen said.

Continuing, he said Biden said, “We love this music. This was our music. The president doesn’t know this stuff. He wasn’t even born.

“I looked at Kerry,” Bergen said, “and thought, ‘Don’t you have something in Iran you should be doing?’ ”

The surreal evening included an introduction to Abe.

“We were told earlier in the night that he was not too emotional, doesn’t say much and his English is not good. He said, ‘A couple weeks ago I told them my favorite movie was “Jersey Boys” and now you are here.’

“He started to get teary eyed,” Bergen said.

Going to the White House, he said, more than makes up for the dream he and his castmates had of performing at the Oscars.

After his show, I chatted with Bergen outside of his dressing room, where a crowd of nearly 100 waited in line for the meet and greet.

During a telephone interview Saturday, he shared some news.

He’s booked to perform at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in late December.

But he just received word that “Madam Secretary,” which was renewed halfway through the first season, has added two more episodes to Season 2, for a total of 24.

“I’ve got to call Myron (Martin) and move our show by a couple days,” he said, referring to the president and CEO of The Smith Center.

“I’m hoping we can get New Year’s Eve,” he said.

Bergen turns 30 on New Year’s Eve.

Bergen’s musical director is Michael Orland, one of the music supervisors for “American Idol.” Bergen is backed by 11 band members.

‘Texas rising’

Las Vegan Marklen Kennedy appears in and is a producer of “Texas Rising,” the History Channel’s 10-hour miniseries that begins airing Monday.

Kennedy, who grew up in Texas, plays one of the Texas Rangers.

Kennedy was a nightclub marketing executive in Las Vegas while helping open Light, Jet and Tao Beach.

Five years ago, the former doorman at Bar Marmont on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles returned to his Hollywood roots. He became one of the producers of the set-in-Las Vegas reality show, “Gigolos.”

“Texas Rising” covers the Texas revolution and the rise of the Texas Rangers. Co-stars include Bill Paxton, Ray Liotta, and Brendan Fraser.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The Stratosphere’s Top of the World Restaurant has reportedly lost its claim to being the highest revolving restaurant in the world. Dubai has a 122-story restaurant that moved past the Top of the World, which stands 106 stories. …

There are rumblings that Vinnie Favorito, whose long relationship with the Flamingo recently ended, may be resurfacing at The Tommy Wind Theater, which is located behind the Fatburger on the Strip. …

Don Cherry was paid $4,000 after his hit song “Band of Gold” was played in the opening episode of “Mad Men,” according to his wife, Francine. …

I’m in Los Angeles for a long holiday weekend. My next column is Wednesday.

SIGHTINGS

Rappers 50 Cent and Akon, sitting ringside Friday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. 50 Cent presented the victory belt to Richard Commey after his win over Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov. … Mirage headliner Terry Fator, appearing as a special guest on Martin Short’s show Friday inside Fator’s theater. One of Fator’s characters, Maynard Thompkins, who impersonates Elvis, was interviewed by Short’s character Jiminy Glick. … Khloe Kardashian, at 1 Oak (Mirage) on Friday as the celebrity host. … Former Elvis flame Linda Thompson, being treated to a birthday helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon on Friday by her son, Brody Jenner. She turned 65 on Saturday. They capped the Sundance Helicoptor tour by having a champagne picnic on a bluff within the canyon. They partied Thursday night at Tao, where Jenner and William Lifestyle were celebrity hosts. Jenner presented his mother with a cake featuring a mini Elvis. … Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, taking in Andrew “Dice” Clay’s show Friday at Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel. … Rapper Vanilla Ice and his entourage, touring the Elvis exhibition at the Westgate resort on Saturday. … House of Blues headliner Carlos Santana and wife Cindy Blackman, touring Three Square Food Bank. House of Blues volunteers packed more than 7,000 lunches for needy children in the valley.

THE PUNCH LINE

“By 2020, the minimum wage in Los Angeles is going to be raised to $15 an hour. This is great news for the members of my band.” ­— Conan O’Brien

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.

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