Las Vegas Shows: A Cheat Sheet
Sin City has come to rival New York in terms of the quantity, quality and sheer diversity of stage of shows running on stages all over town. At any time, there are about 100 shows playing on and off The Strip. But picking the right show all depends on what kind of Vegas trip you’re looking to experience. Luck for you, the cheat sheet below was created to help you sift through the overwhelming mass of shows to figure out which one is right for you.
THE “BACHELOR/ BACHELORETTE PARTY” TRIP
Vegas is one of the ultimate destinations for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and there are plenty of great shows meant to appeal to groups enjoying one last weekend of freedom before the bride or groom to be tie the knot.
Guys on bachelor parties generally head straight for the strip clubs, but why spend money on expensive cover charges, overpriced cocktails and expensive lap dances when you can see some of the most beautiful women in the world taking it all off in one of the many smoking hot adult revues playing on The Strip? X Burlesque at The Flamingo brings back the art of the tease, the stars of Crazy Girls at The Riviera live up to the show’s title after 20 years of wowing audiences, while the bodies of some of the most beautiful women in the world become canvases in a classy and artful show that celebrates the sensuality and beauty of the female form in Crazy Horse Paris at The MGM. Guys looking for a laugh along with the beautiful showgirls can combine the two at The Playboy Comedy Club at Palms, in which top of the line headlining comics are joined onstage by the current Playmate of the Month or at The Sin City Comedy Show, where hilarious stand up sets are interwoven with performances from sexy burlesque dancers.
Ladies looking for similar show are in luck as they can check out the shirtless studs in Men of X at Hooters, Aussie hunks in Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur or the guys in American Storm at Planet Hollywood, who use the power of their six packs to appeal to the more patriotic revelers. Women who want to participate in some sexy fun can sign up for Stripper 101 at Planet Hollywood, which will give the bride an opportunity to learn some pole and lap-dancing moves that she can bring back to her groom to be… which he will undoubtedly appreciate.
THE “FAMILY VACATION” TRIP
Vegas may be known as Sin City, but there are still plenty of great shows that the whole family will enjoy.
The Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah’s stars the genial and charming, plaid-suited wearing magician whose equally hilarious and mind-blowing show is catered to appeal to audiences of all ages through his use of gold fish and Fig Newtons. The Blue Man Group provides a creative and endlessly inventive night of entertainment through their mix of music, comedy and performance art, all delivered without dialogue, while Jersey Boys at The Palazzo tells the story of the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons through their timeless music that will have youngsters who have never heard of the band tapping their toes (though the language does get a bit salty at times… they may have written some sensitive hits like “Walk Like a Man,” but they are still boys from Jersey, after all).
Two of the biggest shows in Vegas are also perfect family entertainment options. Cirque Du Soleil’s collaboration with the most beloved band of all time in The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage provides a magical mystery tour through the group’s timeless hits married to eye-popping and beautiful visuals created by the famously artistic troupe of aerialists, dancers, acrobats, clowns and performance artists. Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay brings the Tony winning smash-hit adaptation of the classic movie to Vegas, with its unforgettable songs by Elton John and amazingly creative visuals brought to life by visionary Julie Taymor in a show that will leave the entire family in awe.
THE “ROMANTIC GETAWAY” TRIP
Vegas is a great place to go for a romantic getaway with your significant other, and there are a lot of shows perfect for couples playing all over town.
Couples can swoon at the doomed romance at the heart of Phantom The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian, the ramped up Sin City version of the most popular musical of all time, while those looking for a romantic night of music can enjoy iconic entertainers like Barry Manilow at Paris or Celine Dion at Caesars Palace as they belt out their all time hits. Ladies will enjoy the handsome blue-eyed crooner Matt Goss, who has made the lounge singer cool again with his weekend performances in The Gossy Room, while guys will love his sexy backup dancers in a show produced by Pussycat Dolls mastermind Robin Antin.
For couples looking for something that will get them in the mood, Peepshow Starring Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood is a fun, flirty and sexy adult revue featuring the star of The Girls Next Door that also features a strapping cast of male dancers, ensuring that both men and women will have plenty of eye-candy to enjoy, while Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity applies the entertainment empire’s winning formula to a steamy and artistic show that celebrates every facet of human sexuality.
THE “SINGLES ON THE MINGLE” TRIP
Lots of people go to Vegas with their girlfriends or best bros in hopes of meeting someone on a dance floor of one of the clubs. But there are plenty of shows where you might just bump into someone interesting in the lobby during intermission.
Penn and Teller at the Rio continue to impress with their dark humor and expert illusions in a show that’s remained hip over the years, while the raunchy antics that hypnotists Marc Savard at Planet Hollywood and Anthony Cools at Paris make those under their influence perform might just provide the perfect conversation topic to use as an opener… as long as you don’t mind being humiliated onstage for a few minutes. People always say that a good sense of humor is a huge turn-on, so prove you’ve got a functioning funny bone when you check out some of the rotating comics at The Improv at Harrah’s or at the local’s favorite Four Queens LA Comedy Club, but if you’re looking for a bigger name in comedy, try out your best Kramer impression after checking out comic legend Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars Palace. Nightclubs are a great place to meet someone, but why settle for just any DJ when you can see the world’s greatest, Tiësto, at his monthly residency show at The Hard Rock Hotel, which has become the hottest party in Sin City.
There are about 100 shows in Las Vegas playing at any given time, and titles are constantly shifting as new shows open and old shows close. But no matter what type of entertainment you’re looking for while you visit Sin City, you’ll be able to find it somewhere on a Vegas stage.