Name: BarryNet Message Board
Date/Time: 10/16/2021 9:01 PM
Subject: We can’t smile without Barry Manilow in Las Vegas

"We can’t smile without Barry Manilow in Las Vegas" by Ken Miller
Las Vegas Magazine, 15 October 2021

The minute Barry Manilow hits the stage at his Westgate Las Vegas residency, the connection is immediate. After all, Manilow is part of so many memories from all our lives, whether it’s a song in a movie, a song we used to play over and over in our living rooms, or even a commercial jingle that got stuck in our heads on an endless loop. He doesn’t even need to sing a note; once he flashes that charismatic smile, his fans can’t get enough.

But of course, the songs are why you bought your ticket, and songs you will get—so many that it’s hard to believe Manilow squeezes them all into a one-hour-plus show. But you won’t just hear monster hits; you’ll also get the stories behind them. For instance, did you know Manilow changed “Mandy” from its original title, “Brandy”? Or the story behind “Looks Like We Made It”? The songs take on much broader significance once you’ve learned Manilow’s process.

There’s so much to appreciate in this show, from the crazy talented band backing Manilow up to the cool 3D effect used midway through the show (everyone gets a pair of glasses upon entering the theater). The staging of “Copacabana,” the climax of the show, is particularly fun, with a large, extending platform lowering from the ceiling and attaching to the stage, allowing Manilow and his dancers to move and shimmy up above the crowd. It’s such an “only in Vegas” moment and proof of why Manilow meshes with this town perfectly.

One of my personal favorite moments is when Manilow takes a breather, gives his band a break and heads over to a piano on the side of the stage, taking the audience through some of his most famous songs that many don’t realize he wrote—in particular, the “I’m Stuck on Band-Aid” jingle, as well as “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is there.” You’ll hear audible gasps from the audience, as well as plenty of laughter. (Manilow really gets into this bit and has some fun at his expense, which only endears him to his fans more.)

And as Manilow belts out classics like “I Write the Songs,” “Could It Be Magic,” “Weekend in New England,” “It’s a Miracle” and “Can’t Smile Without You,” it’s stunning to sit back and realize that none of Manilow’s energy—or that amazing, singular voice—has been altered by time. Manilow may be 78, but you’d never know it by the way he commands the stage.

The other star of this show is the audience—“Fanilows,” as they’ve become known. Throughout the performance, they’re hanging on every word, swaying back and forth in unison or dancing furiously, but always full of energy that is absolutely infectious. It’s truly one of the most exciting, enjoyable experiences in Las Vegas. You’ll be counting the days until Manilow returns and you can get that feeling again.

Westgate Las Vegas, 702.745.3000 Ticketmaster