Review: Wisconsinite Frank Caliendo

Frank Caliendo is one of the best impressionists in the country and the lovely Cathy and myself went to see him to night at the Monte Carlo Casino.
Caliendo grew up in Waukesha and went to Waukesha South H.S. and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and his show showed the Midwestern flair. Everyone from Wisconsin knows the Chicken Dance song, it's almost the official song of Wisconsin and the song was played several times during the show. There were other Wisconsin references, including a small polka. However, the show is more sophisticated than that.
The night started with a 4 piece band and I think the name of the band was the Blazing Saddles, but they were given different names throughout the show. The band was good and is much better than elevator music you hear before many of the shows on the Strip and elsewhere.
Caliendo came out and started making his impressions of the presidents, Bush and Clinton. He tried Obama, but hey, Obama is tough to do- Obama doesn't have much of an unusual voice.
I loved the John Madden impression and my favorite was when Madden would change counting to one, two, three, Favre, five six...
He also does a mean Charles Barkely, Andy Rooney and a cast of characters.
His hand impression were very good and funny. His interactions with the audience was genuine and his handling of some people who wanted to hear themselves instead of Caliendo was classic. His interactions with the band were more staged but it seemed like there were some impromptu interactions.
The show is kid friendly and Caliendo did not use any foul or suggestive language and kids can go to his show.
The show was very good and funny. The show lasted about 90 minutes or so and the band played the audience out the door, which again is better than elevator music you usually get at a show.
Currently, Caliendo can be seen at the Monte Carlo Thursday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesdays off. Right now, his shows are at 7:30 on Sunday and Monday and 9:30 on Thur,, Fri, and Sat.
Starting on September 23, his shows will change to Tu-Sat and the shows are at 7:30.
For more information on the show: http://www.frankcaliendo.com/