With musicals, magic shows, circus shows, comedy shows, variety shows and adult shows but to name a few, visitors won’t know which way to turn.
Testing the Waters
Las Vegas has so much to choose from, that to really find out which are the most entertaining, visitors should try them all! Of course money plays an important factor towards this theory, so maybe a bit of information regarding each type of show wouldn’t go amiss.
Off or On…
One of the terms used for shows is ‘On Broadway’ This is where visitors will find the big, blockbuster shows that tend to run for quite a while, long-standing favourites, such as Chicago, Oklahoma!, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and 42nd Street. The other term is ‘Off Broadway’ and ‘Off Off Broadway’, these shows tend to be less glitzy than their Broadway counterparts. The quality of the performance, though, is just as good, and there are many excellent performances in off-off-Broadway theatres. Due to their lower costs, these shows can afford to be a little more experimental and cutting-edge with productions and themes. Examples of off-Broadway and off-off Broadway productions include one-man or one-woman shows and performance art and art-commentary shows. Advertisements for ‘Off and Off Off Broadway’ shows are not hard to find, as they can be seen right next to those for Broadway shows in newspapers and magazines.
The Categories
Due to the immense amount of shows in Las Vegas, they need to be categorised, to help the confused show goer to know what they’re ending up with! Some shows are described as ‘Major Production Shows’, a category covering all major Las Vegas productions and can include Broadway shows. Then there are the ‘Dance’ shows, full of pure dance at its best, one of which include the famous Lord of the Dance show with Michael Flatley, another category is the ‘Other Production’ shows which are the minor productions and can include Off or Off Off Broadway Shows. Another type is Magical Comedy, which is exactly what it says, magic with some comedy thrown in! There is also the ‘Stand Up Comedy’, where one comedian stands on stage pulling out jokes all night, from harmless fun to sexist jibes. ‘Musical Comedy’ is a mixture of singing, dancing, humour and entertainment for the whole family.
Another category is ‘Impressionists’, which of course most people know is the excellent impersonations of well-known people, with of course the appropriate costume accessories to really get the crowds roaring. Anyone that fancies going to a ‘Comedy Club’, will find a line-up of top-rate stand-up comedians each and every week. ‘Dinner Shows’ are shows that…well…happen at dinner! These shows are musicals with an accompanying storyline. Getting down and dirty is the ‘Adult Shows’, these shows usually combine comedy with topless dancing. Some very famous shows can be seen here including The Folies Bergeres and Jubilee! There may be one category that visitors may avoid taking the whole family to and that’s ‘The Showgirls’, old-fashioned topless shows mixed with outrageous singing and dancing acts. The ‘Girls’ Night Out’ category, is where a room full of women scream with delight at a line-up of male strippers, who rip off all of their clothes, except for their tiny G-Strings! Last to mention are the ‘Cinemas’, which need no explanation except that they host many top film premieres.
The good thing about these shows is that some of them provide afternoon entertainment as well as late evening, which is great news for those with youngsters!
Tickets
Tickets and prices can vary, with visitors paying anything between $75.00 and $220.00, depending on whether it was a major production show or not. Visitors shouldn’t find it a problem purchasing tickets, as they can usually be bought in advance at the hotel’s theatre box office, in person or via the phone. To avoid any ticket problems though, interested parties should bear in mind the time of year, the day of the week and whether there is a major convention or boxing matches occurring in town. The busiest times in Las Vegas are usually Christmas, Easter, July, August and American bank holidays. The best times to go being January to the end of April, except Easter and bank holidays, October, November and even though May, June and September are busier, they are still good times to go.
Freebies!
Wanting a free show? The Freemont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas is a multi-million pound electronic light and sound show, which occurs in the enclosed, traffic-free pedestrian mall. There are also five blocks of street performers and plenty of live music with performers such as the Hip Attitude Girls, showgirls, Star Mimes and blues guitarist Richard Torrance lighting the way. Another freebie is the Masquerade Show in the Sky, which takes place high above the casino floor and is a stunning display of floats and dancers in exotic costumes with an adult twist. Other free shows include illusion stunts at Caesars Magical Empire and free circus acts in the Main Arena of Circus Circus.
Top Places, Big Names
Want to see and listen to big names? Headliner showrooms include the Grand Garden Arena, Hollywood Theatre, Circus Maximus Showroom, Hilton Theatre and the Mandalay Bay Events Centre and present top famous singers such as Elton John, Better Midler, Gloria Estefan, Tom Jones, David Copperfield, Liza Minnelli, Ricky Martin, The Everly Brothers, Frankie Avalon and The Drifters.
