Las Vegas Spotlight: December 2009
Elvis is alive and back in Las Vegas, thanks to Cirque du Soleil! Yes, the life and music of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is the sweet inspiration for Cirque du Soleil’s latest extravaganza, Viva ELVIS, beginning December 18 at the new ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter. Directed by renowned choreographer Vincent Patterson, the show fuses dance, acrobatics, and live music as it juxtaposes major moments in Elvis’ life with his timeless songs, creating a unique portrait of one of entertainment’s greatest superstars. Coming to Vegas right in time for the holidays, Viva ELVIS will guarantee that you won’t have a “Blue Christmas.”
For those of you looking to put a little “Ho, Ho, Ho!” in your holidays, Vegas is offering up plenty of comedy this December, both naughty and nice. Two comedy legends hit the strip as Robin Williams brings his unpredictable Weapons of Self Destruction to the MGM Grand (December 5) and Jerry Seinfeld, star of a little show called Seinfeld, proves that he’s still “master of his domain” when he performs at Caesars Palace (December 26-27). Also, comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, star of Comedy Central’s aptly named The Jeff Dunham Show, brings his menagerie of characters to Caesars Palace, December 11-12.
Some of the gang from the first generation “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” are dropping by Sin City: Bill Engvall at Treasure Island (December 3-4, 10-11), Ron White at The Mirage (December 4-5), and Larry the Cable Guy at Mandalay Bay Events Center (December 12). Also this month, Rodney Carrington brings his brand of country comedy to the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, December 3-12.
It’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll this December in Vegas. On one hand, you’ve got “Hard Workin’ Men” Brooks and Dunn (December 4-6) playing at The Las Vegas Hilton Theatre, and the iconic Willie Nelson & Family will be at the Planet Hollywood Theater for the Performing Arts (December 5). Then on the other end of the musical spectrum, the flamboyant Lady Gaga brings her electronica to The Pearl at the Palms Casino on December 17-18, and The Black Eyed Peas pump it at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on December 29-30.
For those looking for some Christmas cheer, the Las Vegas Hilton Theatre is putting on three decidedly different Christmas-themed shows. Kicking off the holiday season is Twisted Sister: A Twisted Christmas (December 15-17), where the heavy metal band offers their take on holiday classics in a mind-bending spectacle. If you prefer your Christmas songs on the mellow side, there’s Wynonna, A Christmas Classic (December 19-20), where the popular country singer gives a more traditional performance of the holiday standards. And Christmas just isn’t Christmas without The Andy Williams Christmas Show (December 23-24), an evening with the legendary singer doing what he does best.
Meanwhile, for those of you who want a swinging Christmas, The Joint at Hard Rock will be jumpin’ on December 23, with the 7th Annual Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! And those of you looking to ring in the New Year on a high note have some nice options on December 31: Gary Allan at The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, John Mayer at The Joint at Hard Rock, and Maroon 5 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino. Don’t expect to hear Auld Lang Syne, though you never know…
Broadway fans get an early holiday gift, when Broadway performer Alton Fitzgerald White — aka Mufasa in the Las Vegas production of The Lion King — hosts A Benefit for the Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum (December 4). The versatile and talented White, joined by Lion King castmates Monique Midgette and Derrick Davis, will be performing an evening of holiday music, to raise money for the preservation of the Liberace Museum’s Cabaret Showroom.
Don’t worry, culture lovers, Vegas won’t be leaving a lump of coal in your stockings this holiday season. The Las Vegas Little Theater presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s Wonder of the World (December 4-13), directed by Walter Niejadlik, about an eccentric woman who leaves her marriage to embark on a wild journey of self-discovery. And Signature Productions has a holiday gift for the whole family, A Signature Christmas (December 9-10), celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with classic carols and other Christmas ditties, at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center.
