Christina chiaravalloti/viewHost Jay Robert Joseph serenades a woman in the audience during a July 3 performance of the local talent showcase "Hit Parade" at the Suncoast Showroom, 9090 W. Alta Drive.
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Cruise ship entertainers. Broadway veterans. Up-and-coming performers, as well as some from the Strip. The Suncoast regularly hosts such talent. And, the show is free.
At 2 p.m. each Thursday, the Suncoast's 500-seat showroom presents "Hit Parade," offering up a nonstop platter of vocal and musical talent.
The show is the brainchild of Ed Mathews, co-founder of Desert Productions.
"I get calls from every act on the Strip," Mathews said.
Appearing at a locals' casino "gives people a little taste of their (Strip entertainers) show," he said.
Some residents have latched onto "Hit Parade" and made it a regular part of their weekly schedule.
"I've been coming every week for a year," said Carol Fahler, a retiree who lives in Summerlin. "They always have a new entertainer."
"If I have to make a doctor's appointment, I make sure it's not on a Thursday," said Marie Carrero, also a Summerlin retiree and "Hit Parade" regular.
"Their singers are phenomenal," said Sue Clark, who lives in the northwest part of town.
Barbara Alpers of Summerlin said she makes it a regular Thursday outing with friends.
"We go have lunch and then see the show. We wouldn't miss it," she said.
When "Hit Parade" began in April 2006, it featured people who were amateurs, such as those studying with vocal teachers. It evolved to the point where every act now is a performer by profession.
That includes the "Hit Parade" band, which opens the show and brings a Big Band feel to the show. The band's members include Dennis Mellen on keyboard, Fred Watsein on bass, Gary Olds on drums and vocals, Jiggs Hemsley on brass and Preston Hodge on piano and vocals.
Jay Robert Joseph is the regular host, and Terry Lynn Pershing is the hostess, or, as Mathews said, "She's the glue that holds our show together."
The talent that followed the band during the July 3 "Hit Parade" included Gary Oakes and Lou Garcia, who have appeared on Broadway. Oakes was in "1776," and Garcia was in "Ilya Darling" and "Zorba."
Singer Lynn Steinhurst also performed. She was in the cast of "Hats!" at Harrah's.
Past performers have come from "Barbra and Frank: The Show That Never Was," "Menopause the Musical" and the Las Vegas Tenors' "Shades of Sinatra."
The Suncoast gives out free tickets at the box office for that week's "Hit Parade" on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Monday at noon. Patrons need only show a Club Coast card to obtain tickets; joining the slot club is free.
"By Tuesday, they're all gone," the producer said. "By doing that, they get the people to come here twice."
Youngsters sometimes are part of the show. Tanvi Bahagat, 8, took the microphone during the July 3 show to tackle Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All." Powerhouse singer Ellie Smith, 11, closed the show with the national anthem.
Because it's a loyal crowd and the show runs every week, Mathews said he has to rotate the entertainment.
"The hardest thing is to top ourselves each week," Mathews said.
'HIT PARADE'
* When: 2 p.m. Thursdays
* Where: Suncoast Showroom
* Tickets: Free tickets given out noon to 8 p.m. Mondays at box office
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