No one ever said it would be easy for Rick Faugno. In fact, Faugno himself never used the term “easy” to characterize his attempt to make inroads in the Las Vegas entertainment scene as a solo headliner.
The latest development for Faugno, the onetime Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys” at Palazzo, is his gig at the Lounge at the Palms closes April 17. The 2-month pact between the hotel and him was extended for 4 weeks before it was formally announced today that both sides had agreed to end the run this month.
In his self-titled show, Faugno and his four-piece backing band rolled through a variety of contemporary classics and standards, ranging from Bobby Darin (“Mack the Knife”) to Styx (“Come Sail Away”). His skills as a tap dancer were always showcased, as was his unexpected acumen as a percussionist and pianist. The show at the Palms launched with a 9 p.m. start and moved to 10 p.m. and now serves mostly as a learning experience for the next phase of Faugno’s career.
“It’s never going to be easy, no matter how you slice it,” Faugno said in a phone conversation Monday afternoon. “To go from what I was doing in ‘Jersey Boys,’ which was safe and secure, and then expect everything to just fall at my feet — I don’t think anyone expected that right away. It’s a journey. It’s a process."
In a brazen career move, Faugno in October departed “Jersey Boys,” where he swapped the lead role of Valli with Travis Cloer for 3 1/2 years. He sought, and is still seeking, to establish himself as a star without all the artistic armament and security that a high-caliber production provides.
At just age 33, Faugno has now fronted three variations of productions tapping into his wide-ranging stage skills. While still with “Jersey Boys,” he performed “Songs My Idols Sang (and Danced)” at South Point two years ago and upon leaving “Jersey Boys” performed “Body and Soul” at the Las Vegas Hilton (now LVH) Shimmer Cabaret.
“I’ve had the benefit of doing three different shows and learning from each experience,” he said. “I always try for something different when I go out, and learn from each experience. Whatever I do next will be informed and better performer, better businessman, better everything. I think I will go out for something brand new, totally different.”
What is certain is Faugno will keep busy.
“My plan of attack is to keep looking for different gigs. I have a lot of corporate work and charity work in the near future,” he said. “That’s kind of what I’ll be doing for the foreseeable future. I’m working on some solo material that I can perform outside of Vegas, and also looking forward to returning to the Palms for some spotlight gigs, occasionally. … It’s a great venue, and I had a lot of fun doing the show there.”
Faugno adds that he might well put together a show featuring him performing alongside his wife, Joyce, herself a Broadway performer who most recently was part of the “Anything Goes” cast in New York. He’s talked of boosting the show musically, adding horns, and also tinkering with its structure.
Faugno was asked if he ever second guesses his decision not to stay with “Jersey Boys,” which has moved to Paris Las Vegas since his departure and remains one of the Strip’s top production shows.
His answer: No way.
“No, never felt I made a mistake, not for one minute,” he said. “I never question what my heart tells me to do.”
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWithTheDish.
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