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The Mob Is Alive and Well in Vegas

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The Mob Is Alive and Well in Vegas June 28, 2009 Photos courtesy Soprano’s Last Supper Sit down to dinner with a very unusual “family” at “The Soprano’s Last Supper” at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. The mob is alive and well in Vegas BY CAROLINE FONTEIN Vegas.com Some mob stops for all those wise guys and gals It’s no secret that the mob had a role in Las “the original mob speakeasy.” The décor and It’s not every day that you get to sit Vegas history. Even the city’s current mayor, dim lighting make it feel like you are sitting down to dinner with an infamous mob Oscar Goodman (formerly a criminal defense in a real mob hideout. Even the entrance is boss, enjoy his “going away” party and attorney), was a self-professed “mouthpiece slightly hidden. The menu has dishes like then try and take over his job. But then to the mob.” Here are some mob-related “Spilotro Spiedini” and “Wise Guy Alfredo.” “The Soprano’sL ast Supper” at Tropicana places to visit in Las Vegas: There are two locations: 5795 W. Tropicana Ave. and 5675 W. Sahara Ave. is not your ordinary show. • After acquiring the Flamingo from Billy Instead of just watching, “The Wilkerson, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel opened • Three years after moving to Las Vegas from Soprano’s Last Supper” lets you interact experience a mob-themed activity during “If you know anything about the the hotel in 1946. He was murdered a year Chicago, notorious mobster Tony “The Ant” with the performers as they celebrate their stay in Las Vegas. ‘Sopranos,’ the back of the Italian deli later, but the hotel built a monument in his Spilotro purchased a home in 1974 located Tony Soprano’s going away (to jail) party. Mayor Oscar Goodman and Steve is where they have all of their secret honor. It’s located in the hotel’s pool area at 4675 Balfour Dr. near the wedding chapel. This bronze statue This show has it all - singing, dancing Schirripa, the actor who played Bobby on meetings,” said Cupp. • The Tropicana was another Las Vegas is the only place that formally acknowledges and comedy from the wacky antics of the the original television series, have both Guests are seated at banquet tables Strip property run for a time by organized organized crime in Las Vegas. Sopranos as they search for someone in been guests at the show. The performers situated around a dance floor and stage. crime. In 1957 Frank Costello, a New York the audience to be the next mob boss. from “Soprano’s Last Supper” have also Each table has been assigned a family • Before opening the Flamingo, Siegel pur- godfather, was shot and wounded. While he Most people know of the Sopranos appeared with the mayor, a former lawyer name like the Provolones and the Sala- chased El Cortez on behalf of Meyer Lansky was receiving medical treatment, New York from the hit HBO series which premiered for mobster Anthony Spilotro, for various mies, which adds to the fun of assuming in 1945. He used profits from the sale of the police checked Costello’s coat pocket and in 1991. The series was based on the promotions, according to Cupp. your new identity as a mobster. The casino towards financing the Flamingo. found a tally of the Tropicana’s daily casino take, suggesting he was one of the property’s character, Tony Soprano, an Italian “Soprano’s Last Supper” was created as intimate showroom puts everyone close • The parking lot between Marie Calender’s secret owners. American mobster who struggled with a parody of the original HBO series and to the performers and the dance floor. (600 E. Sahara Ave.) and Tony Roma’s (620 his conflicting roles as a husband, father incorporates some of the same plot points The show starts with a film clip E. Sahara Ave.) is the site of Frank “Lefty” • While walking around Riviera you might and mob boss. Although the television and characters from the television show. that’s similar to the television show but Rosenthal’s car bombing which took place notice that the gaming floor looks familiar. show ended in 2007, people can still Guests have the opportunity to interact instead of picturing Tony driving on in 1982. Many people might know of this This is because all of the casino scenes relish everything they loved about the with the performers as though they were the New Jersey Turnpike and parking incident from the scene in the 1995 movie from the movie “Casino” were filmed here. show at “Soprano’s Last Supper.” Even talking to the real characters. in his driveway at home, he’s driving “Casino.” Although the car bombing scene To avoid getting in the way of real gamblers if you never saw the television show, the “My whole theme since we’ve been on the Las Vegas Strip and parks at the was filmed in Las Vegas it was not shot at and guests filming took place in the early performers waste no time letting you doing this is I want people to come Tropicana. Next a character named Silvio the actual parking lot where the incident morning hours. occurred. Instead it was shot at Main Street know what’s happening with the family thinking they’re going to be entertained Stugots, played by John Paul Raniola, • Mobster Frank Cullotta had close ties with Station. and who each character is. and they leave and they felt like they were gets on the microphone and welcomes Spilotro before trading sides and becoming a “You don’t have to be a ‘Soprano’s fans part of the family. They felt like they everyone to the show. He acts as the host • Rosenthal’s former home is located at 972 government witness. He admitted to murder- to come sing, dance, eat, party and have a were actually with the Sopranos because for the evening. Vegas Valley Dr. ing government informant Jerry Lisner at 2302 Rawhide St., Las Vegas in 1979. good time,” said Maggie Cupp, one of the they were part of the entertainment,” Raniola has been performing in the • Capo’s Italian Steakhouse is known as show’s producers. She and co-producer said Cupp. show since it opened. He explained that Ryan Sands did the show for six years on The experience starts as soon as you the interactive aspect of the show creates the East Coast before bringing it to Las enter the showroom. Performers mingle some unique challenges as an actor. 40 feet away from everyone.” also singing from a dazzling character Vegas in 2006. They also produce several with the audience, helping to set the “The biggest feat is trying to imperson- Brief scenes between the various named Dee Dee Diamond (Tony’s other interactive shows including “Joey premise for the upcoming events. In ate the specific character because most of characters (Tony Baritone, Dr. Melfri, girlfriend) who performs throughout and Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding” addition to the mafia references from the the people who come are big ‘Soprano’s’ Adrianna Lacerba, Uncle Junior, Paulie the show. At various times guests are that perform across the country and in actors, the showroom adds to the experi- fans so if you slip up they’re going to Wacknuts, Bobby Baclava and Christo- also invited to get on their feet and Ireland and Australia. ence. Tucked away behind a deli in a know,” said Raniola. “It’s not a regular pher Multisanti) are performed from the shake it on the dance floor with some Aside from appealing to fans from the little known corner of the Tropicana, The script where you come up with everything dance floor or near guests’ tables. This of the performers. Part of the fun of television show, “Soprano’s Last Supper” Cellar showroom has a sense of secrecy but you really don’t have to worry about intimate environment puts guests in the experiencing this show is just waiting is a good option for visitors looking to about it like a real mob hideout. a back story because you’re on the stage center of the action, but it also means that to see what’s going to happen next, and the performers can see instant feedback just like the TV episodes, this Sopranos from the crowd. The improvisational story has a surprise ending. part of the show enables the performers “We’re all about the guest experience. to instantly adapt each scene according My feeling with interactive shows is to the crowd response. I want people to come thinking that “You have to read the audience and they’re going to be entertained when they know what works and where to take actually become part of the entertainment them and what to do,” said Raniola. “It’s and don’t even realize it,” said Cupp. keeping them engaged and making sure that they have a good time. It’s catering to the audience in every way with this show.” As the show progresses it becomes clear that the Sopranos are searching for a rat in the family and someone from the audience to take over while Tony serves jail time. Later in the show three people from the audience get to stand on stage and demonstrate their best mafia accent in hopes of becoming the new mob boss. The segment ellicits laughs from the audience as the three try their best “mob” patter. VIP ticket holders get to enjoy a buffet-style Italian dinner that’s served midway through the show.
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