Entertainment scene continues to evolve

The Las Vegas entertainment scene is ever-changing. Shows open and close; entertainers come and go. But in the end, Las Vegas offers a huge selection of entertainment choices, ranging from award-winning magicians and Broadway-caliber productions to world-renowned concert headliners and unique-to-Las Vegas production shows.

After a six-year run, "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular" will close Sept. 2 at The Venetian. "Phantom" completes the turnover of all three resident productions at The Venetian and adjacent Palazzo. "Jersey Boys" closed at the end of the year and reopened at Paris Las Vegas in March. The Blue Man group plans to move to the Monte Carlo by year's end.

Shania Twain, the world's best-selling female country artist of all time, returns to the stage with a two-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Twain, who joins The Colosseum's rotating lineup of Celine Dion, Elton John and Rod Stewart, will bring all of her biggest hits to her new show "Shania: Still the One," which debuts Dec. 1. Tickets go on sale June 19.

World-famous dance crew Jabbawockeez will begin performing its celebrated show "MÜS.I.C." in an 800-seat tent adjacent to the Monte Carlo's porte cochère beginning the first week in June through September. In spring 2013, Jabbawockeez makes a permanent move to the Luxor.

"Zarkana," the surreal acrobatic spectacle by Cirque du Soleil, will open at Aria with previews starting in October and an official opening slated for November. The production will take up residency at Aria after "Viva Elvis" ends its run in August.

"Mystère," the original Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas that debuted Dec. 25, 1993, at Treasure Island, recently added two new acts - a solo aerial tissue act and a high-energy trapeze finale. The new trapeze performers boast one of the few male flyers in the world who can perform the quadruple somersault, and one of the few female flyers in the world who can perform the triple somersault. "Mystere" offers special ticket prices this summer, with tickets starting at $55 if purchased 21 days in advance.

This month, Carlos Santana began a two-year run of unique performances, "An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow," in the specially reconfigured House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay.

The Las Vegas Strip has a new premiere comedy club with the opening of Brad Garrett's Comedy Club at the MGM Grand. While most other comedy clubs, including Garrett's old location at the Tropicana, are hosted in a bar, lounge or meeting space that has been repurposed, the new venue was custom-built to the comedian's specs.

Fun World Media has partnered with Laugh Factory to build a new comedy empire and the first stage of the roll-out was the opening of Laugh Factory Las Vegas, a comedy showroom in the Tropicana starring the hottest comedians in the business, from established stand-up superstars to the young rising stars of tomorrow.

Downtown, the award-winning Broadway production "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" is playing in the Plaza's historic 600-seat showroom. The men of "American Storm" also perform in the Plaza showroom, with a 70-minute, fully costumed and choreographed show.

"Country Superstars," located inside the Golden Nugget, added Cody Collins, former lead singer of Lonestar, to its rotating cast of up-and-coming country music artists performing original songs and tribute artists showcasing all the hits.

Summer Concerts

The Red Rock Casino Amphitheatre at Red Rock Resort is a popular venue for summer concerts and has just announced its seasonal lineup. The Beach Boys have reunited for a global 50th Anniversary Tour and will stop at Red Rock Resort on Sunday. Def Leppard with Poison and special guest Lita Ford perform June 23, and Toby Keith and Brantley Gilbert grace the stage Aug. 11.

The May through September concert series at Mandalay Beach spotlights some of the best names in music. Concertgoers are invited to bring their blankets and sit on the beach or wade in the surf as they listen to popular performers that include Weezer on June 15; Summerland Tour featuring Everclear, Sugar Ray, Lit, Gin Blossoms, Marcy Playground on June 30; Sublime with Rome and Cypress Hill on July 21; and Colbie Cailat and Gavin DeGraw on Aug. 18.

The Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station is an outdoor venue that seats up to 5,000. Kenny Loggins performs there June 23, followed by Foreigner on July 7 and Kenny G on July 20.

The Orleans brings several comedians to its showroom, including DL Hughley, June 8-9; Steven Wright, July 13-14; Billy Gardell, July 27-28; and Paula Poundstone, Aug. 17-18.

Headliners in the Treasure Island Theatre are Bill Engvall on June 22, Carlos Mencia on July 6, Bill Cosby on July 20 and Whoopi Goldberg on May 4.

Check the Friday Neon section in the Las Vegas Review-Journal for a complete listing of upcoming shows.