Tropicana Opens Gladys Knight Theater with the Empress of Soul
Special Review by Linda Six
Welcome to the Gladys Knight Theater at the Tropicana. The beautiful Gladys Knight appears glittering and glowing in her black sequined outfit, sporting a sparkling silver be-dazzling microphone. She invites her guests to her musical “experience.”
Seated in a huge comfortable booth where I had a fabulous view of the stage and Gladys Knight as she shimmered and glistened, I was instantly reminded of all the reasons she became a music icon with seven Grammy Awards by breaking into familiar songs with her rich, sultry vocals. My youth, spent in the Midwest where the Motown influence dominated the airways, supplied memories of the many songs of Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Ms. Knight’s show is simple elegance. There is an intimacy she creates with her audience from the stage that is not felt just by watching her on video. Charisma can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t. Performers who have captured the stages of Las Vegas in the past had it. Charisma exudes from Ms. Knight as she struts and glides across the stage.
Humor keeps the show moving along as she shares some of her past. Special spots are when she performs an outstanding duet with her backup vocalist, Lt. Ken Young, and brings her brother, Merald “Bubba” Knight into the show. Bubba Knight spikes the performance with a joke routine. His energetic dancing reminded me that turning 60 or 70 no longer limits the abilities of a performer.
It’s impressive that she sincerely gives credit to her musicians and singers for making the show happen. Huge displays of their photo and information are projected onto the stage for each of her 6 band members and 5 backup singers. The song choices she credits to her music director ignite your emotions and moods. She’s recorded 38 albums; it might be hard to pick and choose. Among the songs are: Memories. Someone to Watch Over Me, Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First To Say Goodbye), End of The Road, Licence to Kill (Theme for James Bond), and many others.
The Empress of Soul is scheduled for a multi-month engagement, appearing Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. All ages are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $65 and $75 plus tax and applicable fees. VIP packages are also available for $95 plus tax and applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased through the Tropicana Box Office by calling (702) 739-2411.
