Frank Marino celebrates his 40th anniversary as the longest running headliner in Las Vegas during his final Florida tour when the City of Aventura presents Frank Marino’s Divas on Friday, March 13 at 8pm at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.
Frank Marino is an American female impersonator dubbed “Ms. Las Vegas” for his longtime starring role as Joan Rivers in the Las Vegas drag revue Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas, which played at The Linq on the Las Vegas Strip until June 2018. In 2021 Marino was called “the undisputed Queen of Las Vegas and the world’s most successful tribute artist” by Las Vegas Today Magazine.
Famous for his lavish on-stage wardrobe (much of which was designed by Bob Mackie, who has also done fashions for Rivers), Marino has received two Las Vegas Walk of Fame stars and received another star when Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman honored his hard work and commitment to the Las Vegas performance world with “Frank Marino Day.”
Marino is the highest-paid female impersonator in the world bringing in over $2.5 million a year for his show Divas Las Vegas and is worth over $20 million. He was called the “Entertainer of the Century” by Las Vegas Today Magazine.
The “Legendary Divas” show is high energy and stars Marino along with his award-winning impersonation as comedic icon Joan Rivers, and an all-star cast of superstar female impersonators who not only recreate but almost duplicate the uncanny likenesses of stars ranging from Celine Dion to Cher, Donna Summer to Beyoncé, Liza to Lizzo and so many more. With music spanning more than five decades, these Divas will showcase the best of the best as they sing live.
Marino, as the show’s emcee and star, changes between every act, bringing an international whirlwind of couture to the stage with each spectacular entrance. This is the final chance to catch this must-see show unlike any other.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Marino for this exclusive Hotspots interview.
When was the first time you did drag and how did it happen?
The first time was Halloween when I was 16 years old, and I went to a club called Starz on Long Island. That’s where I met an agent that started booking me.
When did you get into impersonating famous women and was Joan the first? Either way, how did that happen?
My first was Diana Ross and I was doing it for a while when I realized I wasn’t black and I couldn’t sing. That’s when I found Joan Rivers, as she was so glamourous to me.
Joan was the perfect host for a drag show because of what she did , so I went to see her in Atlantic City and went back stage and I met producers of the show called “An Evening At La Cage’ and they were about to do another show in Vegas and asked me to audition, and I did and now I have now been performing 40 years in Las Vegas.
Do you have a favorite story about Joan?
Not a particular story, but I feel this was destined as by chance I ran into her 3 times…The first was just walking on the street in NYC, then a TWA flight where we sat next to each other and one time in Disney Land in California. Due to this, I always felt that this was what I was supposed to do…those strange encounters were not a coincidence.
You have met tons of celebrities; do you ever get starstruck?
Usually when they come into our show they sit in a booth, so I don’t really see them, but Whitney Houston came in and she sat in the front row, and I was petrified that night.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Determined, ambitious and lovable.
What do you do for fun?
I work for fun; that’s the best time of my day…when I am on the stage.
What should our readers expect from your final Florida Tour in “Legendary Diva’s”?
After 40 years I got it right as I have the perfect cast, with the best balance of old and new stars. It’s a big party from the beginning to the end and I feel I have the best look-a-likes there are in the business on this tour. And remember it’s the last time we are touring, so if you don’t come now, you will never see it again.
For more information on Frank, you can follow him at Instagram.com/Thequeenofvegas
Buy tickets online at Aventuracenter.org, by phone at 877.311.7469 or 954.462.0222 or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm and 90 minutes prior to each performance. This event contains adult language or content.
