Frank Marino, Headliner, The Riviera, Star of An Evening at La Cage

"Paging Dr. Frank Marino, Dr. Marino please." Can you imagine what might have been? In an interesting twist of fate, Frank Marino, Riviera headliner and superstar impersonator of An Evening at La Cage, shifted his career direction on one fateful Halloween night in New York, over 20 years ago.

"My initial goal in life was to be a doctor. While going to college I worked in a very large pharmacy in New York. I think I spent too much time at the makeup counter there," Marino laughs. "For Halloween, I went out dressed as a woman, and I met an agent and he asked if I did female impersonations.

"I said, oh no, I just did it for fun. I then developed a character of Joan Rivers because I couldn’t sing and I wanted to do comedy. They offered me $150 for an hour. I went to see Joan Rivers performing in Atlantic City, and she was very cordial and she let me backstage. The producers of La Cage were there, and asked me to audition.

"I got the job, went to Florida, told my mother I was not going to be a doctor and was quitting and going into show business. We then needed a doctor to recuperate her," he laughed. "We opened in Florida for a six-month run. Pia Zadora and her husband, who owned the Riviera at the time, saw the show and really liked it. We signed a six-month contract, they built the La Cage Theatre for us, and we’re now celebrating 20 wonderful years here."

Marino, now the highest paid female impersonator in the world, still looks fab at 41. He manages to dazzle the audience with his quick wit, timely humor and 17 costume changes, with 90% of his wardrobe designed by the legendary Bob Mackie.

An Evening at La Cage provides audiences with non-stop entertain-ment and wonderful humor for all ages, from prom kids to senior citizens. The fast-paced show is a great value and features 20 dead-on performances of star impersonations of J-Lo, Cher, Madonna, Whitney, Reba, Britney, Celine, Dolly and a nostalgic Judy Garland, to name a few.

In addition, a half-dozen energetic female dancers keep the explosive rhythm moving at all times. There is also one male impersonation in the show. Of course it is fan favorite, Michael Jackson, who moon walks, spins and dances his way across the stage as only the King of Pop can do.

Marino, who is no stranger to the media, has appeared on "The Tonight Show," "Good Morning America," and "David Letterman." He also has landed featured stories in People Magazine, USA Today, Variety, plus appeared on more than 20 Show Biz Magazine covers. At his recent high school reunion, Marino’s classmates jokingly voted him Most Changed.

Little known fact the public might not know? "I’m very big with family and I make sure, no matter how busy my schedule is, I make it home for Christmas each year in New York. Most proud of? "Being able to play myself, Frank Marino, with Sandra Bulloch in the movie, "Miss Congeniality II."

When asked his advice on chasing after your dreams, Marino in his hilarious, right on the money, Joan Rivers voice, snaps, "Climbing the ladder of success was even harder wearing high heels."

Frank Marino, who is a top business-man as well, is laughing all the way to the bank with his recent 10-year, 10-million-dollar contract to continue his unequaled reign as the Strip’s longest-running headliner in the fabulous City of Entertainment, Las Vegas.

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