Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Las Vegas: Recommend ONE show

This is topic Las Vegas: Recommend ONE show in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=006353

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-28-2011, 06:37 PM:

So if you were going to Vegas and you only had ONE spare evening (a Tuesday) what show would you recommend?

I want to see Penn & Teller, but am not sure how that'd go over with my wife.

Anyone?

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 01-28-2011, 07:06 PM:

Definitely Elvis Presley.

Posted by Matt Johnston (Member # 5457) on 01-28-2011, 08:34 PM:

Wife and I saw Ka at MGM. Last time we were there. GREAT show!

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 01-28-2011, 09:35 PM:

Can't go wrong with any of the "real"* Cirque shows: Mystere, O, Zumanity, Ka, Love (music of The Beatles), Viva Elvis. Ka is the current tops in the "ginormous stage spectacular" category.

If the missus doesn't care for Penn & Teller (nothing lewd that I remember, but the act can be pretty (stage) bloody - tag line: "Fewer audience injuries than last year"), I'd probably avoid Zumanity as well. It is definitely the nude, sexy, Sin City side of Cirque.

Jubilee is still going strong after 30 years! It's the last of the "old Vegas" spectacular revue shows. I was a relief stagehand (backstage sound, relief spot operator and relief house sound mixer) on that show back in '82 and '83.

I enjoyed Blue Man Group for its musically elemental quirky wierdness. But there are traveling units of Blue Man so maybe this isn't a 'Vegas must see.

At the same hotel is the 'Vegas production of Phantom of the Opera. Shorter but bigger 'Vegas production values than the Broadway original.

Come Dance with Me - Twyla Tharp choreography set to the music of Frank Sinatra played live by a 17-piece band, something you hardly hear in 'Vegas anymore.

At the same hotel is Le Reve but if you're going for a spectacular water-based show, I'd recommend O, also produced by Franco Dragone. For me anyway, Le Reve played like a smaller rehash of O.

*AVOID, AVOID, AVOID Chris Angel. It may be produced by Cirque but that is a decision I'm sure they wish they could take back. Lots of ego and attitude. Too bad there's no talent in evidence on that stage. Except for Penn & Teller, all of the magic shows in 'Vegas are played out these days.

As you might guess, the town is hurting these days. Lots of good ticket prices available if you look around.

Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 01-28-2011, 11:05 PM:

I would LOVE to see Penn & Teller.
I generally despise magic shows, but these guys...

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 01-29-2011, 06:16 PM:

Fuck that. Go hang out at the Pinball Hall of Fame.

Posted by Chris Mosel (Member # 1451) on 01-29-2011, 07:42 PM:

I second the pinball hall of fame. Lots of old school pinball machines.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 01-29-2011, 08:10 PM:

I loved Penn and Teller that was my favourite show. Carrot Top was more bearable than you'd think.

I saw David Copperfield too, but he seemed a bit depressed or something.This was during height of the rape/extortion lawsuit, so it was probably that.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 01-30-2011, 12:43 AM:

When I saw Penn and Teller I was very disapointed. I really like them but the show was very boring. I would say go see The Amazing Johnathan but I'm not sure if he is still playing any where out there. He was great.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 01-30-2011, 03:11 AM:

Zumanity was a GREAT show... Can't speak of any others.. it was the only one I ever caught...

O was the big show when we were there several years ago...

Posted by Dennis Udovich (Member # 1066) on 02-01-2011, 01:54 PM:

Was at ShoWest 2 years ago and was able to see a couple of shows.
The Beatles LOVE was excellent.
Also Carrot Top was reasonable and very good too.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 02-03-2011, 05:42 PM:

quote: Kurt Zupin
I would say go see The Amazing Johnathan but I'm not sure if he is still playing any where out there. He was great.

I second, third and fourth that. He's still there, I just don't know where. He'll be in a small, crappy, possibly off-strip casino. It will be a dinky, non-fancy auditorium and you'll have a great time. He is a comedy-magician. Emphasis on the comedy. Nobody I have recommended him to has been disappointed. You can spend a bunch more for a big production, but most of them are not worth it.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-03-2011, 07:47 PM:

quote: Sam Graham
hang out at the Pinball Hall of Fame.

Can the machines be played?

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 02-04-2011, 10:09 AM:

My wife and I enjoyed Penn and Teller when we passed through Vegas on our honeymoon.

If I'm not mistaken, Penn plays music during the pre-show entertainment, but he's in disguise and not a lot of folks recognize him, although they walk right by him.

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 02-04-2011, 10:15 AM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Can the machines be played?

Yep. It's really just a pinball arcade.

1610 E Tropicana Ave.

Some awesome old machines.

Oh no! They have a website!

Posted by Kelly Skaggs (Member # 1780) on 02-05-2011, 02:08 AM:

I am pretty sure that The Amazing Johnathan is till at Planet Hollywood in The Harman Theater.

That is Penn playing Jazz Bass before the show. Make sure you go up and look at "The Box" if you go see Penn and Teller.

I have not seen Blue Man since they moved to The Venetian, but I heard the show only got better.