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By E.C. Gladstone

So many new shows have been opening on the Strip and in all the Las Vegas Hotels, that it seems almost impossible to keep up. I have to confess that despite my Strip-hound reputation, even I haven’t had a chance to see them all. While I do, I figured the least I could do is give everyone a quick encyclopedic list of everything I have seen and would recommend (with a few I’m aboutto see, based on strong tips).

The uniquely dark and disturbing show, "Freaks"

"Freaks" courtesy of Harrah's Entertainment

A is for affable but accomplished tiger tamer Dirk Arthur, of Xtreme Magic (two shows daily, Wed-Mon, Tropicana) as well as Australians—specifically Human Nature, the show-stopping Motown tribute singers from down under (8 PM Sat-Thurs, Imperial Palace).

B
is for The Beatles LOVE (two shows nightly Thurs-Mon, Mirage), Cirque du Soleil’s pop rock celebration. B is also for Bette Midler, whose frolicky fun Showgirl Must Go On revue appears intermittent weekends at Caesars Colosseum. Added to this list is the provocatively pungent Blue Man Group (Two shows nightly, Venetian ) and Bite, the topless vampire rock musical you’ve always wanted to see (10:30 PM Fri-Wed).

C is for Cher (who trades off with Bette at the Colosseum in her fashion-filled career review) and the elegantly erotic Crazy Horse of Paris (two shows nightly Wed-Mon, MGM Grand).

D is for David Copperfield, certainly the most esteemed magician in town, performing intermittently at  MGMGrand.

E
is for Elvis, subject of the new Cirque du Soleil show coming to City Center in December, but already anxiously awaited.

Performer Matt Goss

Performer Matt Goss courtesy of PR Plus

F is for the uniquely dark and disturbing Freaks (9 PM Tues-Sat, O’Shea’s) , as well as that other Beatles tribute Fab Four Live (5:30 PM nightly except Thurs, Planet Hollywood).

G
is for Goss, Matt Goss—who’s slick lounge show offers some Pussycat Dolls-in-training alongside moments of musical sincerity (10 PM Fri-Sat, Palms). Also, singing comic-impressionist Gordie Brown (7:30 PM Tues-Sat, Golden Nugget).

H is for darling Holly Madison, star attraction of powerhouse panty-party Peepshow (nightly except Wed, Planet Hollywood) as well as Hitzville, that “other” (homegrown) Motown Revue (Tues-Sun, Harmon Theatre).

I is for Ice (8 PM Sat-Thurs, Riviera) and Ignite (Tues-Sat, Greek Isles) two contrasting shows I’ve been dying to check out not to mention the solid stand-ups of Improv at Harrah’s (two shows nightly except Monday).

J is for Jersey Boys, the powerhouse Four Seasons tribute tale (various times nightly except Weds, Palazzo) and certainly Jubilee! the iconic showgirl revue (two shows nightly except Fridays).

K
is for , the most dramatic of Cirque shows (two shows nightly, Tues-Sat, MGM Grand) folksy and family-funny magician Mac King (two afternoon shows Tues-Sat, Harrah’s) and Knights, the stars of cartoony chivalry battle Tournament of Kings (two shows nightly, with dinner, Excalibur).

Former Girl Next Door, Holly Madison

Holly Madison courtesy of SFE PR

L is for master magician Lance Burton who’s back at his namesake theatre in the Monte Carlo (7 PM Tues-Sat). La Reve, the fantastical aerial and aquabatic spectacle at Wynn (two shows nightly) and certainly Lion King, the captivating live adaptation of Disney’s animation (8 PM nightly except Fri; weekend matinees, Mandalay Bay).

M is for the Japanese acrobatics of Matsuri (4 PM daily, Imperial Palace) as well as Mystere, the iconic original Cirque show (two shows nightly, Sat-Wed, Treasure Island).

N is for Nathan Burton, Flamingo’s funny and family friendly magician (4 PM daily except Mon & Thurs).

O is for ‘O,’ of course, the most romantic of all Cirque du Soleil shows, with a remarkable water-filled stage (Bellagio, two shows Wed-Sat).

P is for Penn & Teller, by far the most mindful magic men (9 PM Sat-Wed, Rio) plus Popovich’s amusing for all-ages Pet Theatre (4 PM most days except Wed, Planet Hollywood) and Purple Reign, the astounding and unstoppable Prince tribute (11 PM, Fri-Sun, Hooters).

Q is for Queens of Las Vegas—while female impersonators come and go on the Strip, this off-Strip revue (10 PM Fri-Sat at Freezone, 610 E. Naples) keeps on keepin’ on!

R could only be for the softly sardonic Rita Rudner, select dates at Harrah’s.

matsurt

Japanese acrobatic Matsuri courtesy of Harrah's entertainment

S is for Sin City Bad Girls, the only topless show with its own rock band! (9 PM Mon-Sat, Hilton).

T is for Terry Fator, the most impressive impressionist/ singer/ comedian/ventriloquist you may ever see (7:30 PM Tues-Sat) as well as Toros Las Vegas, the bloodless bullfights taking place at South Point Oct 23-24 and Nov. 20-21.

U is for Ultimate Manilow–Barry playing all his hits at the Hilton (Select Thurs-Sats, 8 PM).

V is for V! the Ultimate Variety Show (two shows nightly, Planet Hollywood), where I’m told you get a bit of everything, except the expected.

W is for Wayne Brady, who’s still ‘Making *&%$ Up’ with a great improv comedy/music show (9 PM Thurs-Mon, Venetian)–as well as hosting Lets Make A Deal at the Tropicana.

X means X Burlesque, showing–and we mean showing!—nightly (10 PM, Flamingo)

Y is for You, meaning all the other people visiting Las Vegas, always the best entertainment in town.

Z, finally is for none other than Zowie Bowie, the impossibly gorgeous high-energy new millennium Louis & Keely, now with a full band Vintage Vegas show (Fri-Sun, Monte Carlo) not to forget the most intimate (in every way) sexy, sultry Cirque show Zumanity (two shows nightly except Mon, Thurs, New York, New York).

Been to Vegas? Loved a show I didn’t mention? Let me know! (And keep in mind, even “permanent” shows change frequently…check ahead with your hotel)

Insider Tips: Chazz Palmintieri himself will be performing in A Bronx Tale Oct 7-18 only at Venetian; Other don’t-miss performances this month include Mariah Carey Oct 9-10 in the Pearl at Palms, and Louis Prima Jr’s a high energy, no prisoners tribute to his dad, Oct. 17 at M Resort.

Related Resources:

Veteran entertainment and travel writer E. C. Gladstone writes regularly for Las Vegas Magazine and the Las Vegas Weekly, also interviewing top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for other local and national publications and websites. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas

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Eric Gladstone

Eric Gladstone

Veteran entertainment and travel writer E. C. Gladstone writes regularly for Las Vegas Magazine and the Las Vegas Weekly, also interviewing top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for other local and national publications and websites. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

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