03/19 Rick Michel, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Las Vegas

Rick Michel, who has performed and headlined in Las Vegas since 1981, will present for one night only his “Sinatra Forever” show with a seven-piece Big Band whose members worked with Sinatra on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station Hotel ~ Casino located at 4949 N. Rancho Drive. The show will feature original arrangements with Michel saluting and interpreting standards “Ol’ Blue Eyes” performed. Michel has been called “the closest thing to Sinatra we have ever heard” by “Variety.”

In February, Michel did a sold-out “Sinatra Forever” performance with a 24-piece orchestra at the M Pavilion. He has been a master impressionist for more than 40 years and been touring his show “Sinatra Forever” around the country as well as internationally with performances in Canada, Mexico and Chile. Michel’s song set covers everything from Sinatra classics such as “Witchcraft” to even lesser known hits such as “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” from the musical “Guys and Dolls.” Tickets for “Sinatra Forever” at Santa Fe will only be available for $15 (inclusive) cash at the door the night of the performance. Seating at Santa Fe will be limited.

Background on Rick Michel

Michel has shared the stage with many celebrities including Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, John Byner and Sherman Hemsley; opened for comics such as Bobby Collins, John Pinette, Rita Rudner and George Wallace; and performed impersonations for such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, President Gerald Ford, Tony Curtis and Steve Allen.
               
In 1994, Michel shared the spotlight with Rich Little playing Bob Hope to Little’s Bing Crosby and Jerry Lewis to his Dean Martin. Little called Michel “one of the best impressionists around today.” For Michel, a memorable highlight came when he performed his impression of Bob Hope for the comedic icon himself at the Bob Hope Celebrity Golf Classic in Palm Springs. He also made appearances in an episode of “Baywatch” playing a schizophrenic killer, and on “Entertainment Tonight,” “America’s Funniest People” and the “Larry King Show.”

In 1989, Michel moved to Las Vegas. In 1999, David Cassidy saw Michel performing his impression of Sinatra with a 22-piece orchestra and asked him to be the understudy for his show “The Rat Pack is Back” at the Desert Inn. He played the Sinatra, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop roles, and when the show moved to the Sahara in 2000, played Martin for its 25-month run.

Currently, Michel also produces his own show called “Drinkin’-Singin’-Swingin’ Salute to Frank Sinatra-Sammy Davis Jr.-Dean Martin” in which he plays the Martin role. In addition, he stars in his one-man show, “The Rick Michel Variety Show.”  You can learn more about Michel at his website www.rickmichel.com .

Giving back to the community, Michel is involved in several charity events including the Salvation Army Christmas Toys for Tots, Fox 5 “Take 5 for Kids” Suitcase Drive, Help Them Walk Again Foundation and Make a Difference Day.