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Tony
Pace returns to AC
By CHUCK DARROW Courier
Post
Spending a good portion of 2004 at the Screening Room inside
Resorts Atlantic City, entertainer Tony Pace provided a
whale of a good time emphasizing his considerable comedic
talents.
Pace has returned to Atlantic City, bringing his somewhat
retooled one-man show, "Up on the Roof," to the Atlantic
City Hilton. This time, the New Hampshire resident is
highlighting the musical side of his abilities. Not
surprisingly, the result is a similarly winning 65-or-so
minutes.
The formally trained Pace establishes his vocal credentials
from the jump, opening with a potent one-two punch of The
Drifters' "Up On the Roof" and Elton John's "Your Song."
From there, he offers a loosely autobiographical program
during which he hopscotches between straight versions of pop
tunes, some dead-on singing impressions and a sampling of
musical hijinks.
It is Pace's ability to toggle between serious and silly
that makes "Up On the Roof" such a treat. It's the rare
performer who, during the same set, can lift audience
members from their seats with a goose-bump-raising rendition
of "Music Of the Night" from "Phantom Of the Opera," wow
them with a clone-like take on Louis Armstrong's singular
style and have them simultaneously guffawing and applauding
a routine in which he sings both parts of the famous
"Unforgettable" duet by Natalie Cole and her late father,
Nat.
But nothing comes for free. By focusing so much on the
tunes, Pace has sacrificed a good deal of the comedy that
made his Resorts stand so much fun. This time, there is but
one audience participation sequence (in which he recruits
three men to don outlandish sombreros and "accompany" him as
he sings the old Jay & The Americans hit, "Come A Little Bit
Closer").
Pace is far too nimble an ad-libber to limit himself to a
single improv-with-the-crowd segment. And the only scripted,
non-musical comedy shtick involves an elderly, flatulent
character who looks like a cross between George Burns and
Larry Fine of the Three Stooges.
Nonetheless, judging from the response during a recent
performance, Pace's attention to the musical side of the
ledger suits the public just fine.
There is a downside to "Up On the Roof," but it certainly
isn't anything Pace can help. Due to budget considerations,
he performs to pre-recorded tracks. There's no question a
live band would make the program even better, as would
state-of-the-art video and staging.
One day, some casino somewhere will recognize just how rare
an entertainer Pace is, and provide the kind of financial
support others, like Las Vegas impressionist Danny Gans,
enjoy. And then he'll take his rightful place among show
business' brightest lights.
All information and events are subject to change without
notice. Please check with the establishments for more
information
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