Las Vegas Showtime!

Las Vegas: bright lights, non-stop entertainment, warm weather (we were there in March when it’s snowing in PA). Let me tell you about the shows we watched, starting with an amazing production of Mama Mia in Mandalay Bay. The staging was very clever and the high-energy cast was totally entertaining. Combined with the great music of Abba, it was an evening to remember. I’m still humming the songs! It was even better because we were able to get discounted tickets (more on that later).

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Love’ at the Mirage, a sixties experience set to the music of the Beatles, was another exceptional evening! This Cirque is more of a story than a circus, and audiences get involved as part of ‘Under the Sea’! Music alone is enough to make your heart sing. The characters are wonderful, especially the abandoned one who just wants to be loved. They have even choreographed locations for the beloved VW Beetle! Be sure to plan ahead for tickets to any of the Cirque du Soleil shows. Most are booked months, or even a year or more, in advance. The consensus seems to be that Mystere is the best, but any one of them offers an impressive evening!

For the rest of our time, we prefer less expensive shows, but no less entertaining. Two favorites were The Fab Four at Aladdin and Platters, Coasters & Drifters Show at the Sahara. (Can you tell we’re 60’s kids?) Their production was so energetic and entertaining, we loved it! These guys and girls are at least 60 years old and still putting on a rock show! (If you paid general admission, tip the butler at the door to sit up front without being stacked on a sardine table next to the stage. We gave him $ 20 and were in the center of the front row. cushy seats!)

The Fab Four took us back to the Ed Sullivan shows of the mid-1960s. We sat next to an English couple collecting Beatle memorabilia. They loved it too, and had seen the original Beatles several times in England. Close your eyes and John, Paul, George and Ringo will be with you! The costumes, gestures, and music were as close to reality as possible. And their performance is live, without sound tracks.

We also attended a magic show and The Rat Pack in the Greek islands. The hotel is one of the last original venues in Las Vegas, so it’s a bit run-down, but the shows were entertaining. Joey Bishop’s character was funny, and ‘Frank’ had the vocals riveted for the Ole Blue Eye songs.

Now, let’s talk about the inputs. A Google search for ‘Las Vegas entertainment’ or ‘discounted Las Vegas show tickets’ will take you to several sites to book early and get discounts. We saved $ 80 at Mama Mia; the Rat Pack was less than $ 25 for two. Some of the sites are sponsored by timeshare companies. If you want to hear his spiel, you can get free or heavily discounted seats to many performances. Having been that route, we said we did not want to participate in the presentation, but their operator still offered us good discounts on various shows.

If you don’t have time to plan ahead, talk to your hotel concierge. They often have special rates on shows and other entertainment. Shopping can provide you with great entertainment at reasonable prices. Except, of course, Cirque du Soleil: the price is the price of your performances. Start planning and enjoy your Las Vegas vacation more than ever.