"Hairspray" may not have lasted very long and "Avenue Q" exited even faster, but our hotels seem committed to bring Broadway-type shows to our town. The latest is "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular" at The Venetian, which I have not seen here as yet but am told it is magnificent. However, I did see "Love," the Cirque du Soleil-produced tribute to the Beatles, at The Mirage and it's a winner.
For a visually stunning and entertaining production, "Love" is in a class by itself. Add to that a theatre-in-the-round setting where the whole audience has a bird's eye view and you have the makings of 90 minutes of pure enjoyment. Last night actually went two hours, as part way through the production, fire alarms sounded and the performers left the stage until an all-clear was given some 30 minutes later.
This had no affect on the audience, who created their own entertainment during the lull, singing, doing the wave and just generally having a good time. The show itself, with its wonderful costumes that depict the scenes from each of the songs performed, the aerialists doing their thing high up in the sky and skaters on ramps going through a series of heart-stopping moves, makes for a fun and memorable night.
And of course, for Beatles fans, the music, with the lyrics of each song acted out on stage, is a special treat and I'm sure brings back many fond memories for them. At times, like all Cirque productions, there is so much going on both onstage and above, it's hard to take it all in, but that only gives you reason to go back and see it again. This, I'm sure, will happen, whether you felt you missed something or not. It's a feel-good show that, at least in my opinion, looks like it will be in our town for a very long time. Definitely put this on your must-see list.
BEATLES FOREVER
Speaking of the Beatles, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at The Venetian has unveiled a circa 1964 wax attraction of the original Fab Four. The attraction presents the Beatles as they appeared in 1964 with mop-top haircuts dressed in white shirts and ties and the collarless jacket suits that eventually became known as "Beatles" suits.
The four musicians are seated on a sofa with Paul McCartney seated next to drummer Ringo Starr, then John Lennon and George Harrison. McCartney, Lennon and Harrison are holding electric guitars while Starr holds a set of drum sticks. The wax figures will be displayed in the new "On Stage" attraction with fellow music superstars Mick Jagger, Elton John, Elvis, Bono, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, James Brown, Tupac Shakur and a host of other legendary music figures.
"The Beatles are a staple of our London attraction, but they have never been here in Las Vegas. We thought it especially appropriate to have them visit to mark the opening of 'Love,' " said Adrian Jones, general manager of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.
He added that "Madame Tussauds' wax figures were used on the iconic "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" album cover in 1967, which features the song 'When I am 64' and the lyric, 'will you still need me when I'm 64.' " Jones said. June 18 was the date of Paul McCartney's 64th birthday, and he was in Las Vegas on June 15 to see "Love." The attraction, on loan from Madame Tussauds London, will only be here until July 4 so you still have a few days to see it.
SHAKE IT, SENIORS!
You're never too old to shake your booty or anything else, for that matter. Just ask Jasmine Gamal, who has taught dance in our area for some 31 years. Beginning Friday, July 7, she will teach a new belly dancing class at the Las Vegas Senior Center. A group of seniors age 50 years and older will meet indefinitely on Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon. If you're interested, it will cost you $3 per class session -- can't beat that. If you're interested, call the center at (702) 229-6454 to register in advance. The center is located at 451 E.Bonanza Road.
Gamal, who instructs the Golden Tappers dance group, says "Belly dancing is the most fun form of dance. It's wonderful exercise. It moves parts you may not have moved in years, especially for seniors. It strengthens ligaments, improves muscle tone, skeletal structure and balance. It's creative, versatile and individual; it has no strict structure. It lends itself to what the body can do. In this way it is better for seniors -- the movements are more natural. It's appropriate for all ages, all shapes and sizes." Sounds like something I need.
If you want any info on the other activities and events sponsored by the Senior Citizen Programs Division of the city's Department of Leisure Service, call (702) 229-6454. It offers lots of great programs.
FIGURING THE WIN
Don't want to end on a down note, but I recently saw the figures for the state's gross gaming revenue for 2005. Listen to this. The Las Vegas Strip generated $6.03 billion. The Strip casinos have about 2.2 million square feet of gaming space, give or take a hundred thousand. That works out to about $2,800 of revenue generated per square foot. How much of that $2,800 was yours?
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
