There's a good reason why Las Vegas is called the "Entertainment Capital of the World." Since its Rat Pack days, Las Vegas has been inextricably associated with legendary shows and entertainers. Say "Las Vegas" and it's likely that showgirls in elaborate headdresses and Elvis impersonators will come to mind.
Today, the Las Vegas entertainment scene still has plenty of its classic glamour, but it has evolved to include so much more. In addition to the iconic Las Vegas entertainment staples, the destination offers a lineup of award-winning magicians, Broadway-caliber productions, world-renowned concert headliners and unique-to-Las Vegas production shows.
What's New
To celebrate and honor Frank Sinatra's 95th birthday, Wynn Las Vegas has a limited engagement of performances of SINATRA Dance With Me in the Encore Theater. SINATRA Dance With Me follows four couples as they fall in and out of love at a swinging nightclub. By special arrangement with Frank Sinatra Enterprises and The Sinatra Family, SINATRA Dance With Me features original recorded masters of Frank Sinatra?s voice backed by a live on-stage, 17-piece big band. The show is scheduled to run through Jan. 29, 2011.
The Tiffany Theatre at Tropicana Las Vegas, now managed by Eagle Group Holdings, will become a premier entertainment venue in 2011 as part of the resort's renovation. First to appear in the theater will be "Yesterday" A Tribute to The Beatles. Founded in 1986 by John Lennon impersonator Don Bellezzo, "Yesterday" has performed their critically acclaimed Beatles tribute show "The British Are Coming!" for audiences around the world.
Comedian and Impressionist Greg London has opened his show "Greg London's ICONS" at the Riviera Hotel & Casino's Mardi Gras Showroom. Along with his cast of talented singers, dancers and the ICONS band, Greg London aims to please the audience with his iconic renditions of music greats including: Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Ozzy Osbourne and even Kermit the Frog.
The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino has announced a new production show, Country Superstars Tribute, in the Gordie Brown Showroom. The fast-paced, concert-style event, featuring a world-class live five-piece band and some of the biggest names in country music history, treats guests to the sights and sounds of America's heartland. The 75-minute production features impersonations from the hottest stars in country music such as, Brooks & Dunn, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich and Keith Urban
Celine Dion has announced that she will return to Las Vegas March 2011 to begin a three-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The brand new show, centered on classic Hollywood movies and stunning visuals, will premiere on March 15, 2011 featuring 31 musicians, including a full orchestra and band. After five consecutive years of sold-out shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Celine embarked on a year-long worldwide tour in 2008-2009, visiting five continents, 25 countries and playing to more than 3 million fans. Following the conclusion of the tour, and after taking a year off to enjoy some valuable family time, Celine is preparing for her triumphant return to Las Vegas in 2011.
The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil have joined forces to create touring and permanent shows based on the music and songs of Michael Jackson. Special lifestyle projects, including a Las Vegas nightclub, will also be developed. A rock concert arena-type show will open Dec. 15, 2011 at Mandalay Bay with tickets on sale now. This will be the largest-ever music show touring North America and around the world for four non-stop years. The second show will have a permanent home in Las Vegas and will open in 2013 at a location yet to be determined.
Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil has opened at ARIA Hotel & casino at CityCenter. This harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music is a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley. Created in the image of The King of Rock 'n' Roll, the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music and features significant moments in his life and selections of his timeless music.
Steve Wynn and Garth Brooks have announced that Brooks will perform in the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for a series of special engagements. In the midst of one of the most successful careers in music history, the award-winning country music artist retired in 2001 and moved back to Oklahoma to raise his children. The announcement officially marks Brooks' return to the stage.
Broadway
In 2006, The Venetian debuted "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular." The show is permanently housed in a $40 million theater. The 95-minute production includes never-before-seen special effects, a jaw-dropping reproduction of the Parisian opera house where the story takes place, and all the beloved songs from the original Andrew Lloyd Webber production.
Disney Theatrical Productions and Mandalay Bay have opened the award-winning Broadway phenomenon THE LION KING at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. Mandalay Bay's production of THE LION KING is virtually identical to the other companies seen around the globe and staged with all of the same spectacular music, sets, and costumes that have made it a worldwide phenomenon. THE LION KING has extended its engagement at Mandalay Bay Theatre by 14 months through December 30, 2011.
Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical at The Palazzo, takes visitors behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The show features golden greats such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," and many more.
Production Shows
Cirque du Soleil and its ethereal combination of acrobats and special effects dazzle audiences all along the Strip. The group produces shows for a variety of properties including Viva Elvis at ARIA based on the legacy of Elvis Presley; "Mystere" at Treasure Island, which recently celebrated 15 years on the Las Vegas Strip. Bellagio's "O" is the troupe's first foray into aquatic theater, featuring a cast of 81 artists performing in and above a pool containing 1.5 million gallons of water. Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" opened September 2003 at New York-New York Hotel & Casino. In 2005, the fourth Cirque du Soleil show, "KA," debuted at MGM Grand. In June 2006 "LOVE" opened at The Mirage. Based on the music of The Beatles, the project was begun by the late George Harrison and Guy Laliberté, Cirque's founder. "LOVE" is presented in a custom-built theater featuring 360-degree seating, high-definition projections with 100-foot high digital, moving images in addition to a panoramic sound system. "Criss Angel: BELIEVE," a partnership between the master illusionist and Cirque du Soleil, debuted their much-anticipated production show last year at Luxor. Fusing together revolutionary illusions and mystical artistry with acrobatics, dance, puppetry, music and poetry, Angel reinvents the traditional magic show.
"Le Rêve," French for "The Dream," now calls Wynn Las Vegas home. Franco Dragone produced this show which resides in the Wynn Theater. Water serves as the backdrop for the more than 70 performers who move in and out of a one-million-gallon pool. The show has also introduced a VIP Indulgence Package with champagne bottle service, chocolate-covered strawberries, private video monitors and live glimpses behind the scenes during the show. The Diver's Dream Package offers a weekend of excitement, including a two-night stay in a Resort Room at Wynn or Encore, VIP Indulgence tickets to Le Rêve, a private backstage tour, SDI Certified SCUBA training session with the Le Rêve diving team and the unparalleled opportunity to dive during the live show.
For feathers, sequins, showgirls and tuxedo-clad dancers, "Jubilee!" is the multi-million dollar production show at Bally's Las Vegas. The over-the-top show recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and features no less than the nightly sinking of the Titanic on stage.
"Blue Man Group's" Las Vegas production can now be seen at The Venetian in their custom-built, multi-million dollar 1,750-seat theater. "Blue Man Group" is a colorful, interactive show. The groundbreaking performance-art trio playfully incorporates everything from PVC pipes to energetic, percussive music in their productions.
"Legends in Concert," featuring superstar impersonators, is the popular, long-running show at Harrah's.
"MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris" is a direct import from its legendary namesake in Paris, a production famous for celebrating the art of the nude since 1951. "MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris" combines sensual choreography and unique lighting effects.
Superstar Headliners
Barry Manilow has signed a two-year deal with Paris Las Vegas and AEG Live to perform 78 shows each year beginning March 5, 2010. This new show will cast Manilow's hits in a new light in the intimate and elegant 1,500 seat Paris Theatre. Including all the songs that have made him a pop culture icon over the past 35 years, the show will bring the energy, sincerity and melody of Manilow at his best to a spectacular yet personal crescendo.
Signing on as the first rock and roll resident artist in Las Vegas, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana brings "Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits" to The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino through a multi-year deal with AEG.
Rita Rudner brings her unique comedy to Harrah's Las Vegas. Rudner is an accomplished actress, best-selling author and comedian. Her show features witty commentary on topics ranging from relationships to men.
The "Bad Boys of Magic" can be seen at the Rio. The "Penn and Teller" show is an edgy mix of comedy and magic involving knives, guns, fire, a gorilla and a showgirl. While Penn and Teller supposedly reveal the secrets to their tricks, they still manage to leave audiences startled. Penn & Teller celebrated their tenth anniversary of performing at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino by announcing they have extended their show through 2013.
Entertainment Venues
Classic Las Vegas showrooms may offer a close glimpse of superstars with seating to accommodate several hundred to more than 4,000 guests. Las Vegas' larger arena-style venues can host crowds well into the tens of thousands.
Event centers and arenas sell out regularly and have featured myriad celebrity acts including U2, the Rolling Stones, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Cher, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Garth Brooks and many more.
Industry veteran Darin Feinstein, of Hollywood's world-famous Viper Room, brings Crown Theater and Crown Nightclub to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in the former 3121 space. The venue's 900-capacity unique, in-the-round design features performances by some of the biggest, as well as upcoming, names in music as part of Crown Theater's offerings.
The Palms debuted a new concert venue last year. The Pearl, which seats 2,400 guests, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for recording live albums.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is a 17,157-seat special events arena that can accommodate concerts, sporting events and awards shows. In 1993, the Grand Garden made history when Barbra Streisand returned to the stage for a legendary New Year's Eve
show after a 20-year hiatus.
Performers as versatile as the destination itself have played to capacity crowds at the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center. The Three Tenors, Ricky Martin, Juan Gabriel, Barenaked Ladies, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and the Eagles are just some of the artists who have brought their talents to the Las Vegas Strip. World championship boxing and other sporting events are also held at the Events Center.
The $95 million Colosseum at Caesars Palace is the contemporary interpretation of its ancient namesake in Rome. The facility is adaptable to varied types of entertainment when these shows are dark. In addition to accommodating headliners, it can be configured to host special events, including boxing.
Similar to its Los Angeles counterpart, legendary and up-and-coming musical artists have made stops at Mandalay Bay's House of Blues, an intimate venue with a capacity of 1,800. Performers have included Norah Jones, Everclear and Cheap Trick.
The Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino is a 7,000-seat, state-of-the-art venue. The traditional seating auditorium makes the theater an ideal place to see a concert, Broadway-style production, awards show and other types of entertainment.
Hard Rock Hotel has opened an all-new premiere concert venue. The Joint features a cutting-edge sound and lighting system and offers seven luxury suites. Inheriting its name from the legendary original Hard Rock venue, the new Joint carries on the up-close and personal feel with the furthest seat in the house only 155 feet from the stage. In addition, the venue contains four dressing rooms; a top-notch green room and meet-and-greet room; WiFi access with full blogging station for press covering events; ability to transform for boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts events, corporate functions and trade shows; as well as red carpet movie premieres and advanced screenings.
In Las Vegas, concert-goers get the chance to enjoy musical performances indoors AND outdoors. During the summer, many properties showcase their performers poolside. Green Valley Ranch's Whiskey Beach, Red Rock Resort, Casino and Spa's Backyard and Mandalay Beach are just three places audiences can see musical acts such as the Go-Go's, Seal, Black Eyed Peas and Joe Cocker.
Comedy Clubs
Mainstream comedians such as George Wallace, Dennis Miller, Rita Rudner, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey, Jay Mohr and Kevin James, as well as comedy legends such as Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, and the Smothers Brothers, headline many hotel showrooms and are regulars on the Las Vegas Strip.
Comedy-magician Mac King and Harrah's Las Vegas have agreed to extend their contract for another five years. Currently celebrating his show's 10th anniversary at Harrah's Las Vegas, the contract will ensure "The Mac King Comedy Magic Show" through 2015 for a historic 15-year run. "The Mac King Comedy Magic Show" has entertained more than a million audience members in more than 5,200 shows since opening in 2000.
Comedy clubs host well-known and rising-star comedians in an intimate atmosphere. A sampling of such clubs includes:
* Improv at Harrah's
* Riviera Comedy Club at the Riviera
* Brad Garrett Comedy Club at Tropicana
