Wayne Newton

By Caroline Fontein

Wayne Newton is no stranger to the spotlight. He started performing in Vegas when he was just 15 years old. Fifty years later, the star is still shining five nights a week on the Las Vegas Strip. His charm and endearing personality as an entertainer have earned him the moniker “Mr. Las Vegas.”

Newton’s new show, Once Before I Go, at the Tropicana takes audiences on a journey through the performer’s illustrious career. As the show starts, a bus rolls out on stage and out hops a performer portraying a young Newton. He’s approached by a booking agent who sets him up with his first gig headlining in Vegas. Then smoke fills the stage and the real Newton appears wearing a black tuxedo.

He opens with “Viva Las Vegas.” A live 20-piece band that performs from a moving platform and three back-up singers accompany the iconic performer. During the show Newton sings “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” “Danke Schoen” and other popular songs, but Once Before I Go isn’t a greatest hits concert. Instead it’s Newton talking with the audience about highlights from his career, including some of the legendary entertainers he performed with.

Newton recalls a memorable performance on "The Dean Martin Show" and screens are lowered above the stage to play footage from his appearance. He reminisces about another notable television performance with Sammy Davis Jr. This time a screen is rolled on stage next to Newton. He performs his part of the duet live while the screen displays Davis singing back in the 1960s.

Although Newton’s voice is not what it used to be, his story as an entertainer is timeless. He explains another poignant moment from his career about how a fellow Vegas headliner’s distraught note inspired the song “The Letter.” As Newton sings the song video clips are played revealing that the note was from Elvis.

Midway through the show Newton trades his black tuxedo jacket for an army jacket, and video clips from his various USO performances play on screens above the stage. Guitar in hand, Newton and a down-sized band perform some upbeat tunes from a flatbed truck, meant to resemble how troops might see the iconic entertainer sing overseas.

People know Newton as a singer, but he’s also a skilled musician. During the show he explains that when he was younger, his grueling performance schedule prompted him to learn how to play instruments as a way to entertain while saving his voice. He can play 13 instruments and incorporates some of these into the show.

A natural entertainer, it's obvious Newton loves every moment of his show. His down-to-earth approach is why he's the darling of Vegas entertainment. His enthusiasm returns to the crowd tenfold, who live it up at every turn.