THE FABULOUS PINK FLAMINGOS   Role: Ron   Production Info: 12/6,13,20; '04 @ Mama Rose’s Production Info: 7/11,18,25 and 8/1,8,15 '05 @ Encore NYC Production Info: 9/12,19,26; '05 @ Encore NYC Production Info: 4/24; 5/1-2,8-9,15-16; '06 @ Don't Tell Mama Author/Director/Choreographer: Russell Taylor Music Director/Arranger: David Snyder

Start with a jigger of Andrews Sisters, add a shot of Hi-Lo's, a twist of Rat Pack, and a splash of LaBelle, and what have you mixed yourself??? The Fabulous Pink Flamingos, a so-uncool-we’re-supercool male vocal trio who unashamedly sing their way through Broadway’s Best, Pop’s Proudest, Disco’s Dandiest, and Funk’s Finest. As one of the original NYC members of this new performing group, I’ve helped create Christmas merriment, Hawaiian hularity and foot-stompin' Southern Gospel in three spectacularly entertaining cabaret shows! Three singers, numerous costume changes, funny patter, bass, drums and piano: what more do you need?? Keep your ears open to find out where the Flamingos will be appearing next!   Click on this link to read more information about The Fabulous Pink Flamingos.

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Last Call at the Xmas Lounge (2004): Dan Maceyak, Michael Vaccaro, and RD perform the show opener, “Here Comes Santa”.

Last Call at the Xmas Lounge (2004): Dan Maceyak, RD, and Michael Vaccaro begin their Hawaiian love affair, singing “The Christmas Luau”.

Last Call at the Xmas Lounge (2004): What’s a Christmas Luau without a hula skirt (or three)?

Live from the Lu’au Lounge (2005): Pre-Production Advertisement featuring Lee Cavellier, Jaron Vesely and RD.

Post-show at the Encore NYC, we boys catch a breather after creating some Hawaiian hularity!

 
 

AWARDS for The Fabulous Pink Flamingos 2006 Back Stage Bistro Award, Outstanding Vocal Group 2006 Nightlife Awards Finalist, Outstanding Cabaret Revue or Group Performance

BACK STAGE, 9/15/2005 by David Finkle   Imagine the Four Freshmen (minus one) deciding to do a 1950s LP with a Hawaiian theme. Imagine a few members of the Whiffenpoofs (from any period) stepping forward to offer a hula-skirt number. Imagine the great male trio Gotham as they might carry on were they forming now. If you've been around long enough to recognize the references and are therefore able to overlay those images in your mind, you've got an idea of what the Fabulous Pink Flamingos were up to at Encore with their recent “Live From the Lu’au Lounge” show, which returns for three September Mondays.   I’m going to suggest that nothing as potentially exciting in the three-men-singing category has come along since Gotham threatened to go national a few decades back. ...From moment to moment it’s a dilly. The Flamingos are, individually, Ron DeStefano (tenor), Lee Cavellier (light baritone), and Jaron Vesely (dark baritone). Outfitted in white jackets, pink shirts, and black ties, they each know precisely what they're doing when the time comes to solo, or when it’s time to trio it up or back each other. They fit together like the proverbial hand in hand in glove—with DeStefano being a Robert Walker/Tom Hanks look-alike ready to take on the juvenile lead in any musical currently casting, Cavellier set to fill bright-fellow parts, and Vesely ideal for campus cutup duty.   Singing a variety of songs with either a Hawaiian or sea-related slant, they don’t make a false move or sing a wrong note throughout the pleasantly daffy show. Their harmonies are like waves crashing smoothly on a shore.... And the consistently true moves they execute are staged with easy inventiveness by Russell Taylor, who also wrote the amusing banter.

TALKIN’ BROADWAY, 8/5/2005 by Barbara and Scott Siegel   On two separate occasions we saw The Fabulous Pink Flamingos perform at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party. The first time we saw this comically and musically adept threesome perform, we thought they were very good. The second time we thought they were, well, “fabulous.”

CABARET SCENES, 7/11/2005 by Peter Leavy   These three young performers are out to transport everyone to their make-believe lounge in the heart of hula land. Indeed, they carry it off so well that one might easily conceive of them entertaining at some first class resort hotel not far from Wakiki Beach. Or perhaps on a luxury liner visiting tropic isles. The personable young’uns and their piano, bass and percussion accompanists smoothly manage their close harmony with the precision of a male reincarnation of the Andrews sisters, adding scripted gags with the campy quality of a ’twenties vaudeville act.   Although they’ve sited the show on Oahu, only a few songs seem to call for the strains of a steel guitar. Far from it. Anyone remember Phil Harris and his hit recording of Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)? How about Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World? Admittedly, they do present Queen Liliuokalani’s classic Aloha Oe, but it’s more than offset by a jumping MMMBop, which tickles the audience no end.   The show has been attractively staged by Russell Taylor, and Music Director David Snyder’s arrangements are very pleasing.... As the show closes, everyone in the audience receives an Hawiian lei. As someone facetiously commented, “we’re all getting lei’d.” Live From the Lu’au Lounge is a winning, easy-going show and a welcome introduction to cabaret-ites Cavellier, DeStefano and Vesely.

BACK STAGE, 12/17/2004 by John Hoglund   The Fabulous Pink Flamingos says it all. They're three multitalented, perky, loungy guys dressed in white jackets, pink shirts, and red sneakers, with more energy than a barrel of monkeys. Their show at Mama Rose's is called “Last Call at the Xmas Lounge” and the group is made up of three serious talents: Ron DeStefano, Dan Maceyak, and Michael Vaccaro. With the terrific Ed Alstrom at the piano and Sean McClowry on bass, the fast-paced show, deftly directed by Russell Taylor, is a holiday hoot. Most arrangements are by David Snyder, who also serves as alternate musical director.   While it starts out with a lot of mugging and shtick, the show quickly goes to a higher level. Not taking themselves too seriously is the key to making this delightful hour work so well. Too, they perform like troupers who have been together for ages. All three have theatre experience, and all are strong vocalists and terrific musical comics. An occasional flubbed line only adds to the fun because they make it work as they goof on each other with wide-eyed, campy expressions. Their harmonies are tight and this is particularly in evidence on “The Christmas Waltz” (Styne-Cahn) and Steve Allen's “Cool Yule.” DeStefano, a Donny Osmond look-alike, has a beautiful lyric tenor that particularly shines on Fred Silver's “The Twelve Days After Christmas,” in which he has a solo. That song, which should be a major part of every holiday season, is full of guffaws and only a part of the infectious fun that fuels this show. Dan Maceyak is goofy and silly à la John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever.” He shines in his solo on Ann Hampton Callaway's “Manhattan in December.” Michael Vaccaro proves himself a talented comic and a strong actor. His deadpan, overly serious expressions are a laugh riot. And his solo on “Hard Candy Christmas” (Carol Hall) is great. Overall, this holiday show is a cut above the norm and worth going out of your way to see. Hopefully, they'll see the potential ahead and become regulars on the cabaret circuit.

CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, 12/9/2004 by Stu Hamstra   Titled “Last Call at the XMAS Lounge” 2004, the show featured the vocal talents of three cute guys, Ron DeStefano, Dan Maceyak and Michael Vaccaro, with Ed Alstrom at the piano. I can think of no finer investment for your cabaret dollar - there is just a $12 cover for a lot more good, clean fun than a $25 cover might bring you elsewhere. Portraying a male vocal trio on tour with their Christmas show, the three lads present 15 holiday-themed songs and some cleverly funny patter. Written and tightly directed by Russell Taylor, the show is a Christmas present of fantastic vocals and harmonies. Each of the performers is given a special personality, reminding one of “Forever Plaid” and indeed they tell us that they are in the midst of a holiday tour that began in October and had already played in several clubs in New Jersey. Dressed in white dinner jackets, with cummerbund and tuxedo shirts and slacks, the trio gives their all and they have a lot of talent to give. Pay special attention to the solo sections - the individual vocals are incredible. Put them all together in the trio numbers and you have glorious sound. You have just two more chances to catch this cute trio before they “continue their tour,” on Mondays, December 13th & 20th at 10:00 pm. Believe me, your holiday season would not be complete without seeing this show!