Vaudeville revisited: Classic Las Vegas duo comes to Lansing

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Update: The show in Dimondale has been canceled.  

It’s not often in the Lansing area that one can attend a show and see Cher descend from behind stage. Better yet, try imagining her joining Sonny center stage in a glimmering designer gown, while Bette Midler and Elton John are warming up in the back. This slice of Las Vegas could only be created by the entwined minds of the Edwards Twins.

For those longing for the drama and glamour of big city stages, the Edwards Twins are coming to the Country Creek Reception Hall in Dimondale on Sunday, Nov. 17. The celebrity impersonation duo has performed in Las Vegas, Singapore, Aruba, the Bahamas, China and Japan for the past 35 years.

“We’re basically bringing Las Vegas to Michigan,” said Eddie Edwards. “We’re considered to be the number one celebrity impersonators in the world. If you were in Las Vegas, you’ll be paying up to $200 to see us. This is a great opportunity for anyone that loves what we do to come and see the show.”

The twins' routine oozes new wave vaudeville, combining impersonations with acting and musical numbers reminiscent of ’80s Las Vegas and classic American entertainment. Eddie Edwards does all the female impersonations including Cher, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. Anthony Edwards can be found pulling off Elton John, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel onstage for audiences.

Before they headlined shows at The World Casino in Singapore, the duo got their start in local gay bars in California.

“They were the only people that’d actually have our show. We only did two characters. I did Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand," Eddie Edwards said, and his brother portrayed John, Diamond and other men. "The show has evolved a lot because of how many more characters that we do,” Eddie said.

Edwards, who does all his own makeup, said he uses his experience to teach the art of makeup to transs individuals.

The brothers take initiative to adjust the show as their audience grows and changes as well. Eddie Edwards pointed to surprise original numbers that speak to his relationship with his father and will “really hit home for the trans community.”

This new wave vaudeville act with classic Las Vegas razzle-dazzle is the fabric of American grandiose, and with classic American performances comes blackface. A subgenre in American minstrel shows, the form of entertainment developed in the 19th century included comic skits, variety acts and music performances by white people depicting ethnic groups, specifically of African descent.

The inclusion of characters such as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie are performed by Anthony Edwards with a careful hand.

“We pay tribute and respect to every character that we do. We do not do a character unless the person we’re impersonating approves it. Unless we get approval from the person, we will not perform that character,” Anthony Edwards said.

Last year, The Gamm Theatre in Warwick, Rhode Island, canceled the twins, even after they signed an agreement stating no “skin-darkening makeup” would be used to impersonate black celebrities.

However, even as people are becoming increasingly aware of mircoaggressions against people of color and the associated connotations, the Edwards Twins leave the morality of the use of blackface up to the interpreter.

The twin sensations have been entertaining and engaging audiences for 30 years on an international platform, showing that many believe the art of impersonation is not one that should be lost or limited by skin color.

The brothers current tour is taking them to rural cities across the United States, such as Dimondale and Bellingham, Massachusetts, but said performing for more conservative audiences will not affect the content of their show.

“We wanna let people know that this is a show for everybody. Straight people or conservative people are not going to be offended by anything at all. It is literally a family-oriented show,” Eddie Edwards said.

 

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