Society of Seven-LV
lives up to ‘classic’ actSociety of Seven -- Las VegasOn stage 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through May 26; Outrigger Main Showroom, Outrigger Waikiki. Cost is $22.50. Call 923-7469.
Review by John Berger What's most awesome about the Society of Seven -- Las Vegas show is how perfectly the newly minted band delivers its own high-energy version of a classic SOS show. These guys are great!
Star-BulletinGlenn Miyashiro, Jonathan Kaina and Johnny Fernandez occupy the front spots in SOS-LV with the same style and charisma SOS'ers Tony Ruivivar, Bert Sagum and Gary Bautista have given the SOS since Bautista joined the group more than 15 years ago. The other four SOS-LV'ers -- Jan Luna, Richard Natto, John Salvatera and Freddy Von Paraz -- spend much of the show performing primarily as musicians but they, too, get time up front and prove themselves multi-talented entertainers.
As far as content goes, SOS-LV is all proven SOS hit material: Musical impressions, high-powered swing band and Latin music medleys, an audience-participation segment, and outstanding versions of "Phantom of the Opera" and "The Lion King."
The impressions are where the SOS-LV guys have the most opportunity to edge out beyond their mentors' material. The impressions aren't clones of the ones done by the SOS. The new guys get to do their own thing as well as some of the staple characters.
Fernandez steps out as Michael Jackson and Elvis, Salvatera and Miyashiro pair off for costumed silliness as Sonny and Cher, several guys step up to do various Muppets and cartoon characters, and all seven go macho as the Village People for "Y.M.C.A."
Luna's solo rendition of "Over the Rainbow" is a beautiful change of pace and a well-deserved showcase. It is another spot where SOS-LV adds something unique to the show.
The swing music opener establishes SOS-LV as a powerful band and acrobatic dancers as well. "Jump Jive and Wail" and "Zoot Suit Riot" set the mood for a longer look at the original big-band sound.
The group salutes the Miami Sound Machine and other Hispanic pop chart crossover artists in a later segment.
Every SOS show in recent years has included a comedy bit that brings three members of the audience into the act. The SOS-LV gives three male recruits a quick course in the hula and male exotic dancing.
SOS-LV closes with a glorious one-two punch as they present their versions of the SOS' beautifully staged miniature productions of "Phantom" and "Lion King." No group in Waikiki history has done this kind of thing better than Tony Ruivivar's SOS organization and the SOS-LV step into their mentors' roles perfectly. Fernandez, Kaina and Miyashiro trade off as the Phantom with the same finesse as Ruivivar, Bautista and Randy Abellar.
The costumes, props, and backdrop make their "Phantom" a superb salute to the full-scale production, but their staging of "Lion King" is another showroom masterpiece. The septet manipulates the imaginative costumes and elaborate props and puppets with an aplomb that does their mentors proud.
In short, the SOS has long been known for the quality and variety of its uniforms, costumes and props, and this show establishes the SOS-LV as heirs-apparent to SOS-leader Tony Ruivivar's showroom legacy in Waikiki.
Anyone who has enjoyed the Society of Seven since Ruivivar, Sagum, and the other original members opened at the Outrigger in 1969 will find the SOS-LV well worth a night out.
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