Stage: Vinnie Favorito

Joke's on you

By Barbara Scherzer

New owners are bringing change to the older, venerated hotels that line the Fremont Street Experience. Among these is Binion's Horseshoe. Long known as strictly a gambling hall, Binion's recently made a bold move by hiring its first-ever headliner: a killer comic from Boston named Vinnie Favorito.

Favorito gets his routine going with a laundry list of items that tick him off. No time for terrorists here. His concerns are everyday problems such as $38 haircuts and the need for seven remote controls to watch one DVD. According to Favorito, other areas that need attention are ATMs and salad bars.

But then the real fun starts. Without leaving the safety of the stage, Favorito circles the room and talks to people. In a style that is reminiscent of Don Rickles, Favorito quickly learns where people are from and what their occupations are. Then he delivers his rapid-fire riffs, all the while remembering everyone and continually introducing audience members to each other.

During his act, he crisscrosses the line between impudent and brash, but at the pivotal moment softens his tirades with an impish smile or a funny look. This night he meets an exotic dancer named Amnesty and after several go-rounds ascertains that this is her real name. "What's your stage name--Debbie?" he quips. Later on, while talking to folks at another table, he inquires if they need dance lessons, quickly adding, "I know people."

His tag line is "No one is safe." Upon meeting a Mexican, Favorito asks if he resides in Los Angeles or Texas. Upon hearing that he is from Chicago, Favorito retorts, "What'd you do, keep running?" Or, when a cell phone begins to ring, this comic finds the offender in the crowd saying, "If it's important, I'll stop the show."

If you dare to speak up while he is tearing into a target, you're in for trouble as Favorito will drop that person and quickly turn on you. And sitting quietly in the dark in the back is no guarantee of a peaceful evening as he is unusually adept at meeting and "greeting" almost everyone.

Michael Close opens with a brief humorous routine. Be aware that adult subjects and language rule the room. Favorito wraps with jokes that were familiar to me. But the bulk of his solid act is impromptu and will bring laughter to your lips.