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Frank Marino’s new ‘Divas’ are Adele, Benatar and Shannel

Frank Marino will discuss the topic at hand soon enough.

But first, he’s all about Diana Ross.

“Can we talk about how great she is? I mean, her voice?” Marino said Monday morning. “Doesn’t she look great? She’s still just so amazing.”

The star of “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” is a serious Ross devotee, having seen her perform more than 100 times, including Friday night at Venetian Las Vegas. “I told her, ‘I’m not a stalker, I just love what you do,’ ” Marino said as the two chatted after the show. Her response, “I know. I love seeing you out there.”

Good enough. But the more pressing matter for Marino is an upgrade to his “Divas” production at Linq Showroom, beginning March 6. Highlighting the new show is a limited-engagement appearance by Shannel of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” and the defunct revue “53X” at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas.

Shannel will perform a new number, “Bring On The Men” from “Jekyll & Hyde,” and portray Barbra Streisand and Adele in the all-males-as-females revue. Also in the lineup for the first time is Pat Benatar (played by Kenneth Rex).

Kenneth Blake’s Madonna remains, but in her 1980s era rather than her “Vogue” period. The show’s opening is being overhauled, too, with Linda Eder’s “Big Time,” starring Joseph Santellana, kicking off the production.

Marino says he’s rocking up the show with Benatar and an earlier-era Madonna to appeal to more male fans. But most of the 17 numbers and 15 characters — including Ross, Cher, Liza Minnelli and his own Joan Rivers persona — remain.

“Joan Rivers is for all time,” says Marino, a Strip headliner for 32 years. “You can’t say that about too many stars anymore. We tried using Adele in the show a few years ago, and it didn’t work. But now, she has been a star long enough to fit in the show.”

THE TRUMP FACTORY

Las Vegas’ John Di Domenico won a three-man Donald Trump impression contest during his appearance on ABC’s “The View” Monday morning. With fellow impressionist Darrell Hammond as the lead judge, Di Domenico beat a field of three faux-Trumps (the others were Bob DiBuono and David O. Friedman) and has moved on to a national “Trump Off” at the Laugh Factory in L.A. The date is to be announced. The winner in the competition the club on the Sunset Strip gets a headlining gig at the Laugh Factory.

Facing the judges, Di Domenico-as-Trump claimed, “My Secret Service detail tells me there are more than 5,000 people here today. But the press — terrible people, the press, terrible people — is going to say there are only 180 in a small studio.” Requisite laughter and big applause from “The View” crew.

ROCK OF AGES

The cast of “Menopause The Musical” is finishing the soundtrack recording for the Harrah’s Cabaret show. The CD should be available in March, says show co-producer Alan Glist. The production issued a recording of its touring company a dozen years ago, but as Glist says, “We always wanted to record the Las Vegas cast since it’s most commonly asked for.”

Also, on March 6, Cindy Williams returns to the show for an extended engagement through May 29. Williams, who played Shirley Feeney on “Laverne & Shirley,” is great to have on the scene. I’ve seen her at such haunts as Bootlegger Bistro, Tuscany Suites and Italian American Club, checking out local entertainment.

SPEAKING OF IAC

Saturday night, Frankie Scinta joined the esteemed Jerry Tiffe (whom I lovingly refer to as the Last Lounge Singer) for a set at Italian American Club. Scinta cut loose with what he professed to be a Japanese version of “Twist & Shout.” This bit has to be seen to be believed. It’s like John Belushi’s wild “Samurai” character on “SNL,” sans katana and kimono.

WHO WAS WHERE

Frankie Valli at Elton John’s show Sunday night at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Valli performed Saturday at Pearl at the Palms; among his current Four Seasons lineup was ex-“Jersey Boys” cast member Jason Martinez …. Elton John at Diana Ross’ show Friday at Venetian … Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings at Marquee Dayclub Dome at the Cosmopolitan on Sunday afternoon. Also in the fray: The DJ tandem Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, at the booth for a performance by DJ Carnage … Another Sacramento King, Willie Cauley-Stein, at Tao at the Venetian on Thursday night … Ex-Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics great Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas on Friday night at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms … Actor and one-time New Kid on the Block Joey McIntyre, at Blue Man Group at Luxor on Sunday. He and his wife, Barrett, and the couple’s three kids took in the performance and met the boys in blue goo afterward … John O’Hurley at D Las Vegas on Sunday. O’Hurley was in town for a performance with George Bugatti at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center; I well remember O’Hurley’s terrific turn as King Arthur in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at Wynn Las Vegas.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.

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