Comedian Frank Caliendo to begin run at Monte Carlo
The Strip will have a new resident impressionist in Frank Caliendo, the comedian who launches an open-ended run starting Oct. 12 as a roommate production with Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo.
Caliendo is known for his impressions of John Madden and other stars showcased on his TBS cable series “Frank TV.” He has done limited work on the Strip, taping an hour-long TBS special during The Comedy Festival in 2007.
In what is touted as a 10-year contract, Caliendo will launch his run with four shows per week, commuting from his home in Tempe, Az. He will continue his work as a Fox NFL personality during football season.
“Impressionists are an attraction in Vegas and have been for a long time,” Caliendo said Wednesday. “It’s a chance to do a lot more, a more highly produced show.”
The 35-year-old comedian said he had been in talks about a Las Vegas showcase before the May death of impressionist Danny Gans. Gans’ move from The Mirage to Encore last February was more of a factor. It freed MGM Mirage from a clause in Gans’ contract that prohibited the company from having another impressionist in any of its nine Las Vegas properties.
Beyond that, Caliendo says he and Gans were at “opposite ends of the spectrum” in terms of impressions. “I grew up loving Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams. I love to machine-gun stuff out, improvise and play around. ... It’s about the comedy (more than singing).”
“I’m 35 but I might as well be 50,” Caliendo says of his old-school tastes, which will be reflected in a band and sidekick, band leader Jon Celentano. The 9:30 p.m. show will be clean, but not marketed as a family attraction.
“I want to hit a very broad audience... It’s kind of cool to see dads come with their sons,” thanks to his signature Madden impression and his NFL spots. “A lot of times I’m introduced to the rest of the family (in the live show).
“People say, ‘I thought this was going to be all about sports.’ No, the show is for everybody.”
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.
