Putting on the riverboat hits

June Casagrande

From a riverboat off East Coast Highway, Pavarotti can be heard

ringing across the water. So can the Bee Gees and even Olivia

Newton-John. The voices sing in English, Spanish, Italian and even

French. And what’s most remarkable is that these diverse sounds are all

coming from the same mouth -- Paco Falcone’s.

The Rome native, who is billed as just Paco at Anthony’s Riverboat

Restaurant in Newport Beach, uses his range to wow the dinner crowd at

the seafood and steakhouse on what was once the Ruben E. Lee. Behind a

keyboard tucked cozily into a stage that used to be one of the booths

where patrons dine, Paco enjoys an intimate relationship with his

audience from across the small dance floor -- a place where Paco himself

can often be seen showing off moves while his electronic keyboard covers

for him.

“It’s amazing how he really just gets in touch with the crowd,

interacts with them. He has a way,” owner Anthony Pesci said.

Pesci bought the restaurant just over a year ago, but he knew right

away that he wanted to make music an important part of the Anthony’s

experience. And, since hiring Paco as his regular weekend act about four

months ago, he has become one of his biggest fans.

“I love especially how he does Bocelli,” said Pesci, an admitted

fanatic for Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli.

But Paco is quick to point out that his background in opera -- three

years of formal training -- is just part of what makes an evening at

Anthony’s a rich musical experience.

“I love to do all kinds of music,” he said, warming up with a medley

on Friday before the happy hour crowd arrived. After a graceful leap from

Pavarotti to Latin rock, he flaunted his vocal range by shifting to the

upbeat “Summer Lovin,”’ a duet by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in

which Paco sings both the male and female parts. Then, reaching even

higher musical notes, he burst into the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be

Dancin’.”

His talents don’t go unnoticed or unrewarded. Patrons often show their

appreciation in the form of generous additions to his tip jar -- once to

the tune of about $500 in one night.

“That’s always nice, too,” Paco said.

FYI

WHAT: Paco Falcone

WHEN: Friday and Saturday nights

WHERE: Anthony’s Riverboat Restaurant, 151 E. Coast Highway, Newport

Beach

INFORMATION: (949) 673-3425