Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Las Vegas entertainer Frank Marino wraps up run in ‘Legends in Concert’

Frank Marino

Denise Truscello

Frank Marino, shown here with cast members from “Legends In Concert” at the Tropicana.

When Frank Marino joined the cast of “Legends in Concert,” currently the longest-running show on the Las Vegas Strip, the veteran headliner from “An Evening at La Cage” and “Divas Las Vegas” knew it would be a productive partnership. But it turned out to be better than he’d imagined.

“I joined ‘Legends’ in September 2019 and we were all stepping into unchartered territory,” says the colorful entertainer known for an iconic portrayal of Joan Rivers. “I owned my own show for so many years and then I became, for lack of a better term, an employee instead of a producer, so I was not sure if it would work. Would I be able to do things my own way?

“It ended up working out perfectly. It was like Cadillac buying Volvo and merging the two together. It was the best decision I ever made because I live in the moment, I look forward to going to work every night, and I can concentrate on what I have to do and depend on myself.”

Marino’s hosting gig has brought extra energy to the timeless musical tribute show at the Tropicana, but the collaboration is coming to an end. He’s leaving the show after the 7:30 p.m. performance on November 21, one day after his 58th birthday.

Why? It’s a bit complicated. Marino is exploring several different options for his future onstage with different entertainment companies including some big names on the Strip scene, including a sort of rebirth of his “Divas” drag production. But he’s also re-examining his goals after a challenging pandemic period.

“I was going crazy, because I’d gone 38 years of driving to the Strip every night and I always had this pick-me-up, this high [from performing] every day. COVID killed it,” Marino says. “I was climbing the walls. My house was so clean, I only had the ceiling left to vacuum. I hated it. But four or five months in, I started to like being at home and not being stressed.

“I didn’t realize how stressed I was until I realized what it was to not be stressed. If we spoke like this three years ago, I’d say I’ll never retire, I’ll work until I’m dead. But the best position to be in is working because you like to work, not because you have to work, and that’s what’s happening now.”

Marino has some more performances lined up: First he’ll be at the Italian American Club on December 3, then he’ll bring back the drag brunch version of his show for a special holiday-themed edition at DW Bistro on December 5. In January, “Divas” will tour Florida, followed by a few solo dates around the country to close out the month.

After that, the outspoken performer will be taking some time for himself. “In February, I gave myself the gift of making the calendar all white,” he says. “Not a phone call, not a doctor’s appointment. For one month I’m waking up and doing whatever I want to do. And whatever happens with all those projects will happen in March.”

It might be difficult to imagine the Strip entertainment scene without Marino, but retirement is a possibility.

“I have so many irons in the fire,” he says. “I’m asking myself, do I want to do TV? Try acting? Go back onstage? Or do I want to retire? Honestly, I’d be okay to retire right now, I just want to make sure I close every door properly. I don’t want to miss an opportunity.”