Las Vegas shows bring to mind spectacular effects, light shows and occasional pyrotechnics, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Thursday performance fit right in.

Though the dazzling staging and robust sound sometimes overshadowed the fundamental holiday message, the audience of more than 5,000 at the Aladdin Theatre seemed to love every over-the-top moment.

The group divides itself during the holiday season, with two orchestras performing nearly 100 concerts in November and December. Music director and guitarist Al Pitrelli led the Las Vegas group, which featured seven singers and included seven members of the Las Vegas String Orchestra.

Effects made the show. Numerous red and green lasers shone through fog to open the evening. Twelve long banks of lights, as well as onstage spotlights, moved above the performers, providing dizzying schemes of bright colors throughout the evening. ("It looks like 'Star Wars!' one fan whispered to her friend.)

The second half of the performance was dominated by pyrotechnics, including numerous fireworks and fingers of flame across the back of the stage that were so fierce their warmth could be felt more than 10 rows into the audience.

"Christmas Eve and Other Stories," a fanciful fable about an angel coming to earth during the holiday season, is a bit simplistic and candy-cane sweet, but its message is as inspiring as any Christmas tale.

The story was frequently interrupted by instrumental and vocal selections, including the orchestra's take on classic carols and more contemporary works. Vocalist Jill Giola's "The Prince of Peace" was an early show-stopper.

Throughout the show, lead violinist Anna Phoebe was an amazing presence. Dressed in slinky black and playing a pink and black violin, she tossed her long, dark hair as she romped around the stage and, at one point, ventured into the audience, never missing a note.

Vocalist Tommy Farese described the latter portion of the show, which featured a selection from another orchestra original, "The Lost Christmas Eve," as well as works from an upcoming, nonholiday album, "Night Castle."

The fortissimo version "Carmina Burana" may have caused purists to shudder, but it was in keeping with the tempo and timbre of a boisterous and bold evening.