August 13, 1997
, and it was like meeting a long lost older brother. He was a shy guy, but really down-to-earth. The weird thing was, to me, he wasn't just Rod Stewart, but the guy who created Rod Stewart."Mirage In Concert runs Friday and Monday at 3, 7, and 9:15 p.m. and also features facsimiles of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Elton John, Roy Orbison, and The Blues Brothers.

"These people are considered the A-list in this line of work," says Scarponi, who adds that the object of the show is not to fool the audience, but to be accurate enough for them to play along.

"We're creating an illusion," he says.

A impersonator lip-sync this is not. The performers will be supported by an eight-piece band, four back-up singers, and six dancers.

"It's all totally live," says Scarponi. "Basically I would consider ourselves actors, not 'impersonators' -- I hate that word. Or 'lookalike'. That's fine if you just make appearances at corporate functions and shake hands.

"To get up there and do the whole thing, taking the role and bringing out the character, that's more about acting."

According to Scarponi, the act fills a need for the many would-be concert-goers. Tickets to Mirage are $7 in advance at Blockbuster Video, or $10 at Ticketmaster, and include admission to the CNE grounds.

"There is one hell of a market out there that can't afford to see many concerts," he says. "A family of four can technically get into this show -- and get park admission -- for $28."