BWW Reviews: Rocktellz & Cocktails: Now It's A Meat Loaf Retrospective

The concept is simple: Take a well-known singer and let that singer tell the story of his or her music. That, in very basic terms, is the concept Las Vegas producer Adam Steck has realized beautifully in Rocktellz and Cocktails, his new show at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Steck says he envisions the show running a long time with many stars at the center of the piece. First up - through November 5 - is Meat Loaf.

Showcasing his biggest hits, Meat takes us through his catalogue and tells us about himself and his music. He talks about and performs "Red Light, Life Is A Lemon, Dead Ringer, Hot Patootie, Took the Words, Frying Pan, I Woud Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That), Paradise by the Dashboard Light, All Revved Up" and "Bat Out of Hell."

Born Marvin Aday in Texas, he tell the audience that he always hated his name and, after a Levi's commercial told the tale of "Poor fat Marvin [who] can't wear Levi's," he - who as a kid was too big to wear Levi's - changed his first name to Michael. He also talked about acquiring the name Meat Loaf. Seems his father called him "Meat" and, in eighth grade, when he stepped on the coach's foot, the latter said, "Get off my foot, you hunk of Meat Loaf!" and, as all the bystanders were in eighth grade, the name stuck.

His first love is Broadway and he "considers himself an actor first." He worked with Joseph Papp in the New York Shakespeare Festival and was in the original cast of Hair. He says that, in that show, he was paid $12.75 a show "not to get nekked." And so it went for the evening. Punctuating his biggest hits were questions from the audience.

Since, apparently, audiences tend to ask the same questions, he prepared a few dozen answers and, using his iPad, coordinates those answers with video or slides. It is most impressive. Meat Loaf even answers the inevitable question: "What won't you do?" (Sorry, I can't tell, as it would be a major spoiler.)

With a robust band, backup singers and featured blondes Stacie Michelle and Lyssa Lynne, Meat Loaf's stay in Rocktellz and Cocktails is a terrific entertainment. If Steck can manage it, it would be terrific if this show found a permanent home and brought in lots of talent. The possibilities are endless and wonderful to contemplate.

Meat Loaf will be appearing in Rocktellz and Cocktails through November 5. There are VIP tickets that include a meet-and-greet and some autographed souvenirs priced at $831.60. Other tickets range from $82.50 to $170.50. Those are prices at the box office (http://www.ticketmaster.com/rocktellz-cocktails-presents-meat-loaf-las-vegas-nevada-11-02-2013/event/17004AE863E72074?artistid=735624&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&tm_link=artist_msg-0_17004AE863E72074) and include all taxes and fees. Tickets bought through Ticketmaster include an additional service charge.

Photo of Meat Loaf in Rocktellz and Cocktails by Erik Kabik.

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