The Fireside Theatre’s original production of "Viva Vegas" celebrates the early days of the desert phenomenon that featured an array of performers, from Frank Sinatra to Liberace to Barry Manilow to Diana Ross to Cher to Bette Midler. Each is represented authentically here by a very talented cast of vocalists while the big band delivers its melodic magic throughout the show, under the inimitable direction of the one and only Steve Watts.

Andy Kindig serves as narrator as he introduces each star with a bit of their history. He also takes his turn as a comedian when Shelly Berman, Henny Youngman or Bob Newhart takes the spotlight. His Berman and Newhart routines brought back mirthful memories.

Robin Buerger’s costumes add glitz and glamour to the fast-paced show as we whiz through 20 years of early Vegas history. The Rat Pack of Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. are well represented with "Ee-O-Eleven," nicely rendered by Cary Von Murray, "Ain’t That a Kick in the Head" by Mathew Schwartz, who does a pretty authentic Martin, and "That’s Amore" by the whole company.

The next set offers a mix of male and female stars - we are invited to relish the likes of Lena Horne, Peggy Lee and Judy Garland, beautifully recreated by Bianca Denis, Toni Carrington and Beth Mulkerron, respectively, and an intense version of Otis Redding’s "Try a Little Tenderness" as delivered by the spirited Cary Von Murray.

The first act ends with a tuneful tribute to Barry Manilow. Watts leaves his keyboard to showcase his voice with "I Write the Songs," and is joined by all the female singers for "It’s a Miracle" and "Copacabana." Schwartz and Von Murray add their wonderful duet on "Mandy."

The second act explodes with many more powerful performers. Tom Jones, Liberace, Chubby Checker and Elvis Presley join the party in memorable fashion with Schwartz, Watts, Murray and Matthew Dailey doing the honors.

Beyond these knockdown stars, we also hear Diana Ross’ "Do You Know Where You’re Going To" (Biana Denis), Cher’s "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves" (Mary Claire King), Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On" (Kristen Sweeney) and Bette Midler’s "The Rose" (Toni Carrington).

Jeff Pietrangelo blasts out a mean Al Hirt number, and John Hibler has a lovely accompaniment to "The Rose." All of the other musicians - Dave Wall, Nick Moran, Claude Cailliet, Joe Gorman and Curt Hanrahan - contribute mightily to the success of the whole. It is a melodic banquet, and the audience lapped it up.

Credit for the musical arrangements goes to Larry Moore, Kurt Cowling and Hanrahan, and overall direction to the never-failing Ed Flesch.