BWW Reviews: An Evening With Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis performed at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts Wednesday night and - for all good reasons - if you were there you'll never forget it.

When I was a little girl, my mother took mw to see him at the Palace in Manhattan. It was so memorable. Now, at 88 he is still a master of his craft. No, he cannot do pratfalls as he used to but he can entertain better than ever. He does this by singing, telling stories and reminiscing. He employs lots of terrific video clips that the audience members who saw him back in the day can rejoice at seeing again and those who didn't know him from then really responded to, heartily joining in with laughter and applause.

Among those joining him onstage - via video - were Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Henny Youngman and, of course, Dean Martin. The clip highlights included some from his Muscular Dystrophy Telethon (remember when it was the only thing to watch on Labor Day?) , notably with him talking to kids ("Jerry's Kids") coping with the disease, the time Frank Sinatra brought Dean Martin out so the two former partners could reunite and there were clips of his son Gary and of Lewis' performer dad. You felt you were visiting with wonderful people having a wonderful time.

A highlight was his rendition of the "Typewriter Song," in which he mimes using a typewriter. It was genius when he first did it in the 1963 movie Who's Minding The Store and it remains so today.

And, while much of the stuff on video can be watched on youtube watching it knowing Lewis is in the room makes it extraordinarily special. I know I never fully appreciated Jerry Lewis until I saw him that night.

The weakest part - the only weak part of the show - came at the end when he invited anyone who had a question for him to step up to one of the two mics and ask him. The line seemed endless and, after a couple of requests for autographs or photos or hugs or kisses were met with "Tell security we talked, and I'll meet you backstage," thus giving everyone in line - no matter his or her intention when they got on the line - an excuse to make a request so they'd have a reason to go backstage.

The evening ended with Lewis, accompanied by piano virtuoso Vince Falcone, singing "Somebody," from Cinderfella.

When it ended, it was impossible not to know you'd been in the presence of greatness, of comic genius and it was a pleasure. If you can spend An Evening With Jerry Lewis, be sure to do so.

And, be sure to keep up with the schedule of performances at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. In just two years or so it's become a huge and important of the Las Vegas entertainment/arts landscape. It is such an asset to our community and so great that we have it.