I’m beginning to plan my next (third) trip to Las Vegas and I would like recommendations on what shows and attractions I should see. Based on my research at lasvegas.com, three shows really caught my eye.
A) I really want to see at least one of the Cirque du Soleil shows. I’m not sure about which one but I’m leaning towards “O”.
B) Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues sounds interesting and isn’t very expensive.
C) ROCK OF AGES has the soundtrack of my youth and I enjoyed the movie.
On previous trips to Vegas I’ve seen the jousting show at the Excalibur, Penn & Teller and Mac King, thoroughly enjoying all shows. That was nearly five years ago though. If the shows are substantially different now then that’s wonderful. I’ll happily see them again. If it’s more of the same, I’ll pass.
I’m not really a fan of straight stand up comedy or of traditional stage magic like David Copperfield or Chris Angel. Almost any other suggestions regarding shows to see or avoid are welcomed. Please note that at least a few of the shows need to be appropriate for young teenagers.
See P&T again. The show is pretty different than 5 years ago. My personal fave from CdS is “Love” at Mirage. Beatles music and Cirque…it doesn’t get any better. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES see Criss Angel. That is a war crime. “Defending the Caveman” is pretty good, as is “Million Dollar Quartet.” If “Jersey Boys” is still playing at Paris, see it as well. Skip “Rock of Ages” and see Human Nature instead. Motown trumps metal any day.
Many thanks for the ideas. I’ve never been much of a Beatles fan but I’ve never seen any of Cirque’ shows so if that is the one that is most appealing to the group then so be it. I’m good with that.
Rather than getting into this argument, I simply say ‘Why choose?’
Indeed. We’ve seen Human Nature at least three times, and they’ve never failed to be simply amazing. Who knew 4 Aussies could sing Motown well enough that Smokey Robinson would produce their show?
Scarily, one of the best reviewed shows in town is Carrot Top at Mandalay Bay.
I’m listening to Human Nature’s Motown Record right now (thank you iTunes) and they are impressive! I’ve also ordered their concert DVD from Amazon. If that’s half as good as what I’m hearing now, they’re on the list.
If you don’t care for the Beatles, don’t go to “Love”. I liked it, but mostly because I like the Beatles.
I’ve been to several cirque shows, and my favorite isn’t a real cirque du soleil. I liked le reve, at the Winn hotel. Similar style, great acrobatics, a little more intimate and a little more exciting, at least to me.
I haven’t seen “O”.
I’ve mostly been to CdS and magic shows, so maybe I can’t help beyond that. I liked Mac King. Hated David Copperfield–it was just too obvious he was bored to be there. Don’t especially recommend Chris Angel even if you like magic shows. Haven’t made it to P&T, they are usually dark when I have to go to Vegas.
Wrong time of year, but Human Nature’s Christmas album is superb, and I fucking hate Christmas music! It’s a fun show, too. Got to meet & greet the group and Robin Meade, who I watch every morning on Headline News. It’s the little things.
I agree with that–the best Cirque show despite not being a Cirque show.
I, personally, did not care much for “Ka.” Possibly because it told a coherent story instead of being a collection of surrealist wackiness, and I found the story overly obvious.
“O” is probably my favorite of the actual Cirque shows out there.
I also liked “Absinthe” at Caesar’s Palace–but it does require you not be offended by bare breasts, by MCs making pornographic and/or racial comments, and you not mind being very crowded in.
Blue Man Group is also still a good show, though if you’ve seen them in Orlando or anywhere else in their permanent shows, you’ve pretty much seen this one.
I’m really glad to see this since my 17 yo son and I will be there in 2 weeks. Our primary focus is the Barrett Jackson collector car auction, but we also would like to take in a show. We will only be there from Thurs morning until Sat afternoon so we are a bit limited. I had really hoped to see Penn and Teller, but they take those nights off. I have a sister in law who lives in Vegas so I’ll be seeking her opinion (and hopefully the local’s discount) but would appreciate any additional ideas anyone here may have.
Seen O twice, would say the best cirque to me in Vegas. The flagship if you will. Will never travel due to the set.
Next up would Mystere, a more traditionally cirque, at Treasure Island.
I can see why some people like Ka a lot. It’s different from other cirques, and a more story based eastern stunts based cirque. I rate it lower because I fell asleep halfway through it… Never done that on any other cirque (despite wanting to during Criss Angel).
I’m not a big Beatles fan, so never watched Love at The Mirage. People say its good. Leaving that to your choice.
Zarkana was quite good. I could however see that one stuck in a circus tent and travel, so kind of like any other cirque. Replaced a few failed ones.
Zumanity was kind of crap. Not really a cirque show at all. But I suppose for completionist sakes, you could go and watch it. If it was cheap.
Pity anyone who has a ticket for Criss Angel. Worst show I’ve ever seen. Not a cirque show at all. Sticks some fillers in with dancing rabbits, when I saw it, and obvious magic trick (“I can see the wires”. “Oh, look he’s got really big sleeves on that robe”). Don’t take free tickets to this.
La Reve can be up there with O too. Very good. Not cirque but cirque style/related. Not a bad seat in the house too.
Others (not done many):
Rock of Ages. Well, you can see that a number of places. But if you are a rock fan, you’ll enjoy it. I can’t help feeling that a show about LA might best be watched in LA. However, no intention of visiting LA again. Could have seen this in UK.
I did enjoy Ka but it’s not one that I would see twice.
I have seen Love twice and I would agree that although the show is amazing, so many tiny details and I’d love to see it once from each quadrant because there is so much you see differently depending on your seat - if you don’t at least like the beatles you shouldn’t go. The music would overwhelm the show if you dislike it.
I didn’t love La Reve - it’s on par with Ka for me. Not terrible but not worth seeing twice.
We saw Absinthe a couple years ago and enjoyed it enough to pick up tickets to the traveling show Empire which is also by Speigleworld and is currently here in Toronto. Empire definitely suffers by comparison, not as polished, not as entertaining but the same basic premise.
Have to also put in a good word for the Popovich Pet Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Russian-trained clowns working with all sorts of rescued animals in an amazing show. Really close-up stuff, too. The theater is the size of my classroom. Anybody who thinks cats can’t be trained to do tricks has never encountered Popovich!
Seconding the recommendation for Absinthe at Caesar’s. You’ll be amazed they fit it all in that little tent. But the jokes are raunchy, so if that’s not your style, stay away.
If it is your style, wear Depends, because you will laugh so hard you’ll pee your pants.
Agreed and seconded. Hos show is cheap, hilarious and he mocks himself on every complaint you ever heard about him.
But unless he has moved recently, his show is at the Luxor.
I noticed one show missing from the Cirque shows listed: Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay. If you’re not an MJ fan, you can probably give it a pass.
Note that Zumanity is not supposed to be like the other Cirque shows; it’s far more adult and provocative, bordering on erotic.
Considering what past shows you enjoyed, here’s one: Terry Fator at the Mirage. I have also been to Jabbawockeez, but I thought it was “a good 30-minute act stretched out into a 90-minute show.”
I also fell asleep during Ka! I also found it sort of annoying. The story line was dull, and the real star of the show was the stage, not the actors. And the theater is so enormous that you might was well be watching a movie. You don’t have the intimacy that I usually enjoy at a live show.
I saw that as a magic show, not as a Cirque show. I would agree that it’s not a Cirque show at all. A lot of the magic was reasonably good, from a technical perspective, but it lacks the humor and humanity that most good magic shows have. I went to some magic show with tigers (I forget the name) and the magic was technically pretty mediocre, but the magician was passionate. He loved that he had his own show at Vegas. He loved his tigers. He was excited to be there and show off the tigers. It wasn’t expensive, and it was fun. And you got to be pretty close to (chained and/or caged) tigers, to boot. It was much better than Criss Angel.
I’ve seen a number of the Cirque shows, and I’d highly recommend seeing one (or more).
I would put “O” (Bellagio) and “Mystere” (Treasure Island) at the top of the list. Other people I’ve talked to preferred one over the other, but I’ve seen them both twice, and when I think of a Cirque show, these are what I think of.
“Ka” (MGM Grand) is good - much more of a story themed show. And the stage (to an engineering geek, like myself) is a marvel.
“Love” (Mirage) is all about the Beatles, so if you’re a big Beatles fan, it’s a must. But compared to the other Cirque shows, it has far less “amazing acrobatics” and kind of more “dance”. It’s much more about these visuals put to the music of the Beatles (just hearing these mixes of the old Beatles songs cranked up is kind of worth it).