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The Kats Report
One of the more accomplished impressionists in Las Vegas is not actually performing in Las Vegas. Jonathan Clark, a popular showman in his native England and on the cruise ship circuit, has been attempting to find a room in Vegas. In which to perform, I mean.
But Clark, who has headlined in Blackpool (referred by some Brits, but not Clark, as the Las Vegas of England), and on the Royal Caribbean cruise line, is curtailed because he is applying for a work visa to perform in the United States. He was permitted one show, an invitation-only performance at the Mirage in January, which drew 1,000 curious guests.
But he’s lacking the proper documentation to make a full-time run at Vegas.
"My management is working on that right now,” Clark said in a recent phone interview. "The snag is that you have to apply, and (Immigration Department officials) make sure you show a number of certain things before you can have the visa. I’m still getting my case together.” When asked for other non-entertaining criteria he needs to meet, Clark said, "Well, I’m not a criminal. That helps.”
Clark has been working with Danny Gans’ longtime music director, Tim Manfredi, on his stage act. He says he needs to prove he is a viable entertainment commodity before he’s approved to work in the States. His act features impressions of Sting, Elvis (Presley and Costello), Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Johnny Cash and Ozzy Osbourne.
"It’s a huge ambition of mine to work in Las Vegas,” he says. "I know a lot of people say that, but I really, really love it. I’d like to think it’s achievable.”
Original article can be read HERE