Last season, the sensational Lorena Peril, along with her husband, Ray Jon Narbaitz, headlined their show, Married and Looking, at The Red Room all season. Puerto Vallarta audiences fell in love with this extraordinary couple and many returned over and over again to see them. Lorena and Ray Jon quickly became Vallarta’s MUST SEE show, as fans eagerly looked forward to Lorena’s unbelievable vocals and Ray Jon’s guitar playing and soulful singing!
After wrapping up their performances at The Red Room last Spring, Lorena returned to The Luxor Hotel and Casino to once again headline in Anita Mann’s production, Fantasy, one of Vegas’ most popular shows.
Act II Entertainment was thrilled to welcome back Lorena and Ray Jon for 3 shows only on the Main Stage, February 7th, 8th and 9th . With seating capacity of about 200, each of the shows was filled to the rafters with eager fans. On the last night of their 3 show engagement, I was fortunate to once again hear these incredible musicians.
Levi Kreis, accompanied on guitar by Ray Jon, opened the show with Brenda Lee’s, “Kansas City.” Levi, a Tony award winning artist, is currently performing his new show, How I Met Tony, at The Red Room this month.
Ray Jon then introduced the show by telling the audience about their past year in Vegas. This was especially meaningful since so many of us were interested in what they had been doing since leaving Vallarta.
Lorena then appeared on stage and together they captured our love and attention with their entertaining show. Lorena reminded us of how she was discovered on a cruise ship talent show. And even though many of knew the story, it was delightful to hear her tell it again!
During the show, Lorena performed a beautiful, traditional Mexican song. She also sang Susan Tedeschi’s “Hurts So Bad” and Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.” She cracked up the audience giving Shakira lessons to a volunteer as she sang and shimmied to “Hips Don’t Lie.” And the most delicious moment of the night was when she gave an R rated chair dance to Danny Mininni, Act II’s founder/director, as she sang and artfully performed the song, “Leave Your Hat On.”
Together, Lorena and Ray Jon sang the Phil Collin’s song, “Separate Lives,” jokingly mentioning that their new jobs don’t give them much time together. They also beautifully performed, “That’s All I Ask of You,” from The Phantom of the Opera. The audience erupted into thunderous applause for these beautiful duets.
Ray Jon masterfully played and sang, Paul Simon’s, “ Late in the Evening” and The Eagles’, “Take It Easy.” His mother, Bette, joined him on stage with her ukulele and accompanied him in the Hawaiian version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” It was so moving and well done, that it was my favorite song of the night!
They mentioned that many of their Vallarta fans came to see the Fantasy show in Vegas over the past year and they look forward to seeing more this coming year.
They also expressed their gratitude to Casa Karma for providing accommodations for themselves and Ray Jon’s family for the week of their visit. Ray Jon told me, “Georgia was a gem and her staff were pure gold!”
Lorena concluded with the Whitney Houston favorite, “I Have Nothing.” As her powerful voice soared, we were taken to a magical place. With loud applause and another standing ovation, we begged for one final song.. They ended their astonishing performance with the Stevie Wonder/ Ariana Grande duet, “Faith.”
The show was a 10 out of 10, as close to perfection as any of us could have wished for! Lorena’s costumes were dazzling and her stage performance stunning, as she and Ray Jon once again delivered a phenomenal performance at Act II Stages.
Ray Jon and Lorena have promised to return next year, and we are going to hold them to it! We love these amazing people and the talent they so generously share!
I’d like to conclude with my heartfelt belief that Lorena Peril is a remarkable musical star and is as talented and gifted as any of the major artists that we enjoy. And yet she is a humble and loving person. What a beautiful combination and probably the reason that we all love her so much!!