BWW Reviews: Martin Kaye 'Should've Been A Doctor'

Saturday, November 1, should go down in the history of Las Vegas entertainment as the night Martin Kaye debuted his own show in the city. And it would be smart of some producer to sign him and find him his own regular showroom.

Kaye's regular gig now is playing Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet at Harrahs. The part requires expert piano playing and the ability to impersonate "The Killer." Kaye is superb in that show and surpasses that performance in his one-man piece, Should've Been A Doctor.

Clad in black slacks, white shirt, purple tie and mismatched socks - navy and cream-colored stripes on the left foot; red, blue, green, orange and white stripes on the right - Kaye begins playing and entertaining the moment he steps onstage.

He first takes us back to his childhood when his mother (an offstage voice) talks to him about practicing piano and about being a doctor when he grows up. Suffice to say, he rejected that plan and took up music.. Of course, one cannot tell how many people Dr. Kaye would have cured, but he makes thousands of people feel great with his music.

Working with drummer Mark Ferratt, guitarist Russ Letizia and bass player Josh Jones, Kaye tore into his set with the assurance and swagger that made Jerry Lee a legend.

Among the songs this tireless performer sang were "Let Me Entertain You," "Crazy," a terrific rendition of "Old MacDonald," "All At Sea," "Sweet Caroline, "World of Accents, "Play for These People," "Great Balls of Fire," "A Little Less Conversation," "Fly Me To the Moon," "Greater Manchester," "Don't Stop Believing," "Don't Wake Me, "Army," "Lights," "Gethsemane," "Reach My Goal," "Snowman," "About You," "Billie Jean/Dueling Piano," "My Way" and ended with a "Piano Man"" medley: "Tiny Dancer," "My Life," "I Saw Her Standing There,: Beyond the Sea," "Bennie and the Jets," "Piano Man" and "Saturday Night's Alright."

The very enthusiastic audience joined in on several songs - notably "Great Balls of Fire," "A Little Less Conversation," "Delilah," "Billie Jean" and the closing medley.

A highlight of the show was Kaye's duet with Jolana Sampson on a song she wrote.

Mixed in with the songs the audience knew were some of his own compositions. A large banner on a wall of the stage paid tribute to his team, Manchester United, and he sang his "Greater Manchester" to honor the city.

Here, Martin Kaye was not a Jerry Lee Lewis impersonator (as he is required to be in Million Dollar Quartet) Here he is a polished, very talented performer paying tribute to great music and the greats who are noted for it.

As suggested above, some smart producer will immediately sign Martin Kaye to a contract and put him in a local showroom. Meanwhile, you can (1) see him in Million Dollar Quartet. For info visit this page: http://www.harrahslasvegas.com/shows/million-dollar-quartet.html?creativeproperty=LAS&source=PSx73x16082&site=google&act=INC&cmp=LAV_LASVis.MillionDollar_BMM&adg=General&kw=+MDQ_+las_+vegas&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=+mdq%20+las%20+vegas&utm_content=General&utm_campaign=LAV_LASVis.MillionDollar_BMM|INC|Brand|ENT|LAS#.VFqcPYf2TQ4

Or, you can (2), watch for another solo performance and promise yourself not to miss it.

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