One man, 60 voices highlight 'An Evening with Frank Sinatra and Friends' at the Hoogland

Los Angeles native Robbie Howard began his career in television with dozens of commercials and guest appearances in shows like “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives, and “Growing Pains.” He has been headlining acts in Las Vegas for more than 20 years.

The award-winning impersonator and tribute artist brings his live production “An Evening with Frank Sinatra and Friends” to the Hoogland Center for the Arts on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The show pays tribute to one of the world’s most beloved crooners and a cast of other famous characters. Capturing the essence of Frank Sinatra, Howard stands apart from other tribute artists. He works the audience with the same charisma as Old Blue Eyes himself. The music, the comedy, the wit, and the smile are all there as Howard brings The Rat Pack era Sinatra back to life in a modern setting.

Howard shared some insights into this upcoming performance:

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How would you describe the show and what can the audience expect?

"I do over 60 voices and singing impressions, so on this particular performance, I start the show as Frank Sinatra as the host. Frank introduces his Rat Pack friend Dean Martin and from there we bring to the stage Johnny Carson, Tom Jones, Bobby Vinton, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Elvis, and many others.

I teach three men from the audience to vocally blend and sound just like the Mills Brothers. Always hilarious! I have a signature piece toward the end of the show called K-Tell. It’s one of those TV commercials where you buy and hear a compilation album called “Love Songs” with several different artists. There I go from Kenny Rogers, Paul, Anka, Wayne, Newton, George Jones, Joe Cocker, the Righteous Brothers, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Barry Manilow, and Fats Domino followed by a piece including Johnny Rivers, Merle Haggard, Cat Stevens, Jim Reeves, Boz Scaggs, and even Shaggy."

What was your inspiration for “An Evening with Frank Sinatra and Friends?”

"I wrote and directed my own show on the Las Vegas strip for 11 years. In that show, I performed all of the voices and actually several more. In 2007, I was asked to join a show called “The Rat Pack is Back.” I performed as Frank Sinatra as well as Dean on some performances as well as writing and directing the show. Eventually, I joined the cast of “Legends in Concert.” So essentially, I have married all these shows and put them into one having Frank be the host of the show."

Of the characters you play, which is your favorite and why?

"Truly, it constantly changes. I love playing Frank, especially during Rat Pack shows. I also do another show called “Barbara and Frank” I perform with a lady named Sharon Owens. It is fun to bounce comedy off of her and sing together. Additionally, I have started a new show with a friend of mine named Tom Stevens. It is called “Frank, Dean, and Friends.” It is much like what I am doing here at the Hoogland theater, but it is on steroids because Tom does as many impressions and impersonations as I do, so it is jammed packed with characters of all kinds."

What do you find most challenging about playing these roles? Most enjoyable?

"The most challenging thing is focusing in on the singing voices. There are several hours during the week where I just have to go into my little sound studio and make sure that I am as spot-on as I can be. And of course, the enjoyable part is the performance in the laughter from the audience."

Why would you encourage someone to attend?

"Because there is nothing like this -- there are impressionists out there -- but not with as much of a mixed bag as I have with the comedy, the singing impressions, and audience participation. It is incredibly fast-paced, and people are genuinely entertained."

Tickets: $32 for adults, $30 dollars for seniors and students https://www.hcfta.org/tickets. Call (217) 523-ARTS for more information.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Frank Sinatra impersonator performing at Springfield's Hoogland Center