Don Rickles Doesn’t Disappoint at Potowatomi Casino

No suspense. I was placed in the second row along a wide aisle, a great seat in the line of fire from the stage. Lots of anticipation of getting picked on from my vantage point in what looked to be not a sold out house at show time.

At 8:15 ,the curtain goes up and the great sound of a pro big band, like an old time late night talk show, embraces the now full house sold out show.

A 14 piece entourage, directed by Vincent Falcone, tuning up for the show support. I thought an awfully big, expensive group for a small tour of a small little Jewish man. But, small, he was not , maybe by physical stature , but certainly not by his life and accomplishments and ability to make the world laugh while tearing their hearts out . Ladies and Gentleman ,………Mr. Don Rickles.

Now, another 15 minutes of video clips showing Don with Sinatra, Reagan, Carson ,etc….all the greats, and finally he waddles out with the help of a cane he uses (due to an infection in his leg) and with the help of 88 years of worldly keen observation of people and behaviors he starts with the insults. Afterall, we are in Milwaukee, a great place for great stereotypes. He is just as sharp and fast and witty and spontaneous and sporadic and manic as he was 50 years ago,

except for his physical limitations, and I just wanted to invite him over for a Passover dinner with cousin Mike. It would’ve been a ball! ……another ten minutes of great video clips and time for audience participation.

The guy next to me gets picked ( whew !), along with another guy in the first row, both equally fulfilling the middle class value Milwaukeean stereotype. One, the guy next to me, a Harley rider, fully attired in black jeans equipped with chain and wallet, a long sleeve Harley T shirt, beard and sun glasses and bore the brunt of Don’s fashion comments.

The other, I think was a re-born dairy farmer also not dressed for the theatre occasion. They were good sports and gave the Don a chance to perform his best spontinaeity.

Another ten minutes of video with Sinatra and such, a few songs that he sang along with more video, a total of one and a quarter hours, about 45 minutes of Don live, and then his support. A complete pro “Vegas” type show with a great legend that soon won’t be forgot. Anyways…………..