Living in Las Vegas II

Move to Las Vegas and everyone wants to come visit. Often.
And not just visit, they want to see the shows. And eat out. Often.

Or they ask about shows "is it any good?" "how much does it cost?" "do you know ......?"
Then they ask for recommendations for eating out.

The problem with both of these is that "good" is in the eye of the reviewer. Every show, every restaurant, every nightclub will have both "good" and "bad" reviews.

"That being said" (copyright every Big Brother HOH) here are some of my "hits" and "misses" - starting with our favorite shows.

Let us start with Cirque du Soleil. The first residence show to land in Las Vegas was "Mystere" at Treasure Island (oh, whoops, that "TI" now that it's back to soliciting grownups). Great show, great acts, still a reasonable price (starting at $65).
When Wynn built Bellagio, he had very unique stage constructed for "O"(a play on the french word for water "eau"). Great show, but the ticket prices went up to $150 for the good seats. Ouch. Glad we saw it the first two years (when we got in for $99). And sometimes (as with all Cirque shows) there is too much happening at the same time (e.g. water ballet below, aerialists above).
Not sure why or how the New York New York opted for a burlesque show of contortionists and thought they could call it Cirque du Soleil for adults. It's still burlesque (funny in parts) and for adults (nearly naked performers, sexual situations including homoeroticism). "Zumanity" is a good show if you are not offended by the subject matter. Try the Duo Sofa seating if you are there with a date. We enjoyed it, but I refused to take my mother (she asked, I told her what was in the show, she agreed that she didn't need to see it).
The latest Cirque show opened up at MGM in the old EFX theatre (totally reconstructed). "Ka" actually has a story the audience can follow, and while the acrobatics is amazing, the true star of the show is the moving stage. And the typical "newer the show, higher the ticket prices", these are $99-150 as well. But in this case, worth it. My mom loved it. We just all sat there in amazement afterward.
Rumor has it that when the Mirage finishes their remodeling (trying to built up to the Bellagio & Ventian standard), they are turning the old Siegfried & Roy Theatre into a fifth Cirque venue. This will feature music entirely from the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" album. Predictions? Fun and games, but at probably more than $150 for reasonable seats, it may be out of the price range for most locals to enjoy.
Speaking of fun and games, did you know that the Las Vegas troop of "Blue Man Group" is headed up the strip to the Venetian? Yup, leaving the Luxor this summer, reopening in the lower level theatre that the Venetian has been trying to fill with something quality for years. It's a great show for the young at heart. But some folks just don't get performance art. Come to have a good time and bring your sense of humor. Let's hope they keep the tickets under $100.

Do you remember the music of the 70's? Do you like to sing along with the show? We've seen "Mama Mia" 3 times (partly because a certain someone loves the music of Abba, partly due to relatives coming to town who want to see the show). It's at the Mandalay Bay, and tickets start at $45 (so what if thats just the back rows), the $75 seats are excellent, but the highest are only $100 (guess I've lived in Las Vegas too long to say "only $100").
The other "music" show, "We Will Rock You" is at the Paris and we haven't seen it yet. I heard the music is really good (and I love Queen), but the story leaves a lot to be desired. We're putting this on our list for next year, I just hope they don't raise the prices too much (currently $80-125).

Speaking of Paris, we went to see Anthony Cools (uncensored) last month. Is hypnotism real? I dunno. But it was still a very funny show (but then again, I got my tickets from a JDRF Silent Auction and not the $75 they are charging at the box office).

There are lots of magic shows in town (despite the demise of Siegfried & Roy - who's show was already getting tired back in 1998 when we saw it). Unfortunately, I can only offer my own review of three.
David Copperfield (a frequent resident of the Hollywood Theatre in the MGM Grand). Wonderful show. And I thought that even before I got selected to be a participant in the encore illusion (nope, won't tell you how it was done, I swore on David's headshot backstage).
Not sure what I can say about "The Amazing Johnathon" - it has floated around town the past 7 years between various casino venues. It certainly is funny. But in a sick joke kinda way (sicker than Penn & Teller). Currently appears to be at the Sahara.
Speaking of Penn & Teller - they are in residence at the Rio Hotel & Casino and ticket prices are still reasonable. Not to mention they gave out a ton of free tickets for people donating blood last December (you got 2 tickets, good for the entire year except during holiday times, very generous). We love "Bullshit" on Showtime. But back to Las Vegas. Yes, it's a great show. Magic act? Well, they are known for showing you how it is done, and then giving it a little twist at the end. It's part magic, part storytelling (Penn went on a bit long about how dangerous it is to juggle glass bottles from the bar). They change up the act every once in a while, but the ending is still about them shooting guns at eachother. We have one of the shell casings and think we finally figured it out, but it's still an amazing gag.

I keep saying we need to go see Lance Burton, and then Steve Wyrick was playing at his new venue in the Aladdin (which is changing over to Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino at some point in the next decade) - they spent all this money on a new stage and such and that only lasted 2 years. I heard a radio interview that he's building another new venue where he gets to keep the alcohol sales revenue and have his own magic shop & after theatre ultra longue (called "Trixs"). Then there are the Showgirls of Magic at the San Remo (which is apparently going to become the Hooters Hotel & Casino in the also near future).

Other shows we've enjoyed include "Second City" at the Flamingo, and "Marriage Can Be Murder" which is an interactive dinner theater with a who-done-it murder to solve, mysteries change every other month.

I'll give you my dining opinions at another time.