Carnival Cabaret

By Kathryn Reed

The face of Carnival Cabaret lives on even though his voice has been silenced.
Hunter – his legal and stage name – did such an incredible rendition of Cher that it was hard to know it wasn’t her, let alone it was a man in those outrageous costumes. Hunter’s image is being used to advertise the current show at the Horizon. He died in 2005 from a head injury after a fall during a rehearsal in Southern California.
“I still don’t think I’ve replaced him,” said Dan Gore, producer of the female impersonation show. “Hunter was a special act, a special person.”
Steven Andrade may not be the permanent Cher.
Carnival Cabaret returned to the Horizon hotel-casino in the fall after going dark in 2004. The initial nearly four-year stint at Stateline made it the longest running show on the South Shore. The casino has extended the current gig through April.
“My goal is to stay as long as possible,” Gore said. “I think we left prematurely.”
Many people also associate this show with Gypsy (aka James Haake) the 76-year-old grandfather who emcees the event. Even if you don’t want to hear the music of Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick or Prince, Gypsy is worth the $26.95.
His routine is part drag queen, part comedy, part interaction with the audience.
Anyone who has seen Cher live will agree Gypsy rivals her in the number of wardrobe changes. His attire is full of Versace gowns and Jimmy Choo shoes. (That’s the same footwear the “Sex and the City” gals wore.) He credits Barbara Parina at Side Street Boutique for keeping him so well attired.
His humor crosses the line a bit, so best to leave the kids at home. Talking about how the seam in nylons hits male body parts is just an example.
Self-deprecation is the norm – such as needing to shop at Home Depot for makeup and saying, “The only reason to dress like this as an old man is for the money.”
Gypsy’s humor is timely, with some Sarah Palin jokes thrown in before the governor went back to Alaska in defeat. In between each of the musical acts Gypsy converses with the audience. Insecure men should not sit near the stage.
The original show had seven performers, this time there are nine.
“There are endless possibilities. We are always working on something else,” Gore said. “We’ll be constantly changing.”
Gore said his contract with the current management at Horizon gives him more control over the show. Last go-around one of the performers was in transition – that’s something Gore won’t allow now that he calls all the shots.
With the diversity of impersonations, the show provides a little bit of something for everyone, as evident by a table of four locals who all had different favorites. Some liked “Parton” strutting in from the back of the room with a buxom out to there, another liked “Midler” – why pay Vegas prices to see her for real?
The finale will make you think twice about gay men dressing as women, but more important, about accepting each others differences.
Original cast members include Patrick Ross as Streisand and Midler, and Tony Celestine as Ross and Warwick. New to Tahoe are Frank Moore as Prince, and Kevin Wiley as McEntire, Parton and Garland. Shows are Tuesday-Sunday at 8pm and 10pm.