Although it always seemed logical to do so, producer John Stuart never included comedy in his long-running Legends in Concert celebrity impersonation review - now in its third year at Bally's park Place Casino Hotel & Tower.
But that oversight has been corrected by comedian Bill Kirchenbauer, whose Legends of Comedy presentation at Trump's Castle Casino Resort is a winner.
Kirchenbauer, who you may remember as the star of the ABC-TV sitcom Just the 10 of Us has assembled an outstanding ensemble of comedy look-alikes, all of whom do justice to their subjects.
Chuck Fraher gets things rolling with his portrayal of the nonagenarian George Burns. With his silver toupee, tuxedo, oval tourtoise-shell specs and arsenal of old-age jokes ("I'm glad to be here...At my age I'm glad to be anywhere"), Fraher offers a fine approximation of the late comedian.
He is followed on stage by the troupe's sole female member, Cathy Moxley, who appears as Roseanne.
Moxley's physical and vocal resemblances are right on the money.
The middle of the five performers is Bill Sacra, as Rodney Dangerfield. Sacra doesn't quite measure up to his cast mates in terms of physical accuracy, but there's no question his material is the strongest.
Sacra, who does nail Dangerfield's vocal style and various nervous tics, flies through a series of "no respect" jokes that are absolutely hilarious ("I was introduced to the Surgeon General. He offered me a cigarette"). His routine also gives Legends in Comedy a needed mid-show energy boost.
Next up is Marcel Forestieri as Jay Leno. When Forestieri makes his entrance, it's double-take city: His silver-streaked hair and jutting jaw give himn a spooky resemblance to the Tonight Show host. Like his colleagues, Forestieri also has his subject's voice down pat, as well as his mannerisms (especially that quizzical face Leno often makes).
Eddie Carrol closes the show with his rendition of Jack Benny. Carrol offers a passable facial resemblance, but Benny's mannerisms and unusual gait are recalled to perfection, as is his delivery (and, for that matter, the legendary entertainer's purposely bad violin playing).
Kirchenbauer appears between each featured turn to offer generally amusing observations about various subjects. He also generates laughs with some silly visual bits.
The six performers combine to create a highly entertaining program suited to casino audiences.