Live Performance entertainment in Southwest
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A
Zumanity
Billed as ‘another side of Cirque du Soleil, ’ this human zoo amps up the energy, contorted acrobatics and flirtatious eroticism of the troupe’s other risk-taking Strip shows. It won’t take your breath away, though. So what’s the hook? Maybe it’s the curvilinear thrust stage, uninhibited costumes or the aphrodisiacal cocktail menu.
reviewed
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B
Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey & Dean
Capitalising on Rat Pack nostalgia, the Greek Isles tries to return the old Sands hotel's Copa Room to what it was in the 60s. The show faithfully replicates the gang's routines, with the same songs, politically incorrect jokes and some embarrassing behaviour by Marilyn Monroe.
Ol' Blue Eyes may not be convincing, but you'll fall in love with Dino and the fantastic live big band. If only the crowd had more young hipsters and fewer cranky senior citizens, it'd be aces.
reviewed
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Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
This is another big cultural event, known for filling elegant venues like the Lensic and the stunning St Francis Auditorium with Brahms, Mozart and other classic masters. It's not just world-class acts like violinist Pinchas Zukerman and pianist Yuja Wang defining the season; top-notch jazz, world music and New Music virtuosos round out the menu, also available for lunch during popular weekly noon performances and at weekly youth concerts aimed at five- to 12-year-olds.
reviewed
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C
TI (Treasure Island)
Yo, ho, whoa: the shift at TI from family-friendly to bawdy and oh-so-naughty epitomized Vegas’ racy efforts to put ‘sin’ back in ‘casino’ starting in the late ’90s. Though traces of Treasure Island’s original swashbuckling skull-and-crossbones theme linger (if you look hard), the reimagined TI, a terracotta-toned resort that aims to re-create an elegant Caribbean hideaway, practically screams ‘leave the kids at home.’
reviewed
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D
La Rêve
Aquatic acrobatic feats by scuba-certified performers are the centerpiece of this theater, which holds a one-million-gallon swimming pool; critics call it a less-inspiring version of Cirque’s O. Beware: the cheap seats are in the ‘splash zone.’ The VIP ‘Indulgence’ package offers champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, as well as personal video monitors for close-ups of the performance and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
reviewed
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E
Ice: Direct From Russia
It’s a classed-up variety show of wildly unrelated production numbers – some better than others, but all expertly executed by Russian athletes. A constantly changing line-up of risky acts are thrown together on a frozen stage, where ice skaters twirl hoops, juggle balls, ride unicycles and seem to float through the air. If only the performers weren’t so serious, and the tickets so provocatively overpriced.
reviewed
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F
La Cage
In this mainstream female-impersonator revue, the award-winning Frank Marino (who cameoed in Miss Congeniality 2 ) acts as a catty Joan Rivers, dispensing naughty jokes and remarks between mostly lip-synched impersonations of Diana Ross, Cher, Liza Minnelli and others. This drag show could flop big-time, but the mostly middle-aged straight couples in the audience have smiles on their faces.
reviewed
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O
Phonetically speaking, it’s the French word for water ( eau ). With an international cast performing in, on and above water, Cirque du Soleil’s O tells the tale of theater through the ages. It’s a spectacular feat of imagination and engineering, but even true Cirque fanatics may come away feeling they overpaid for what is essentially a one-trick-pony show.
reviewed
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H
Stomp Out Loud
Bang, bang, bang. With a set constructed out of junkyard, antique and thrift-store finds, plus leftovers from Planet Hollywood’s recent renovations, this off-Broadway show invokes all things percussive, with energetic dancing and plenty of physical comedy, too. There’s no story line, but it’s so fast-paced you probably won’t mind. It’s all G-rated family fun.
reviewed
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I
Viva Elvis
Cirque du Soleil’s carnival of fun never stops on the Strip. Like the Beatles-themed LOVE, Viva Elvis is a musical journey through the life of The King of rock ’n’ roll, full of chart-topping hits and 1950s-inspired choreography. Don’t expect the high-flying acrobatics and aerial stunts of other Cirque shows, however. Stop by the official store for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
reviewed
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The Rat Pack is Back!
Capitalizing on Rat Pack nostalgia, the show faithfully replicates the gang’s routines, right down to the same songs, politically incorrect jokes and embarrassing behavior by Marilyn Monroe. Ol’ Blue Eyes looks convincing, but you’ll fall in love with Dino and the fantastic live band. If only the crowd had more young hipsters and fewer cranky senior citizens, it’d be aces.
reviewed
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K
James A Little Theatre
At the New Mexico School for the Deaf, this unpretentious venue hosts community arts performances as well as the Santa Fe Institute's Public Lecture Series (admission free). Your neurons will fire faster than usual listening to internationally prominent scientists discuss mass extinctions, heredity and evolution, natural disasters and genetically modified foods.
reviewed
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L
Love
Another smash hit from Cirque du Soleil, LOVE started off as the brainchild of the late George Harrison. Using Abbey Road master tapes, the show psychedelically fuses the musical legacy of the Beatles with Cirque’s high-energy dancers and, of course, the troupe’s signature aerial acrobats. With 360-degree seating, everyone gets a good view.
reviewed
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M
Mystère
What Dalí did for painting, Cirque du Soleil aims to do for the stage. An oddball celebration of life begins with a pair of babies making their way in a world filled with weird creatures. A misguided clown’s humorous antics are interspersed with agile feats of acrobats, aerialists and dancers. It’s the cheapest Cirque ticket in town.
reviewed
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N
Ronn Lucas
This crowd-pleasing ventriloquist keeps things at the PG-13 level. Fast-talkin’ cowboys, a scorching dragon and other routines haven’t changed much over the years, but if vocal stunts throw your switch, this guy may be the best in town. He changes casino showrooms often; go online for current show information.
reviewed
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O
Tournament of Kings
Armor-clad Arthurian knights on horseback joust and battle with swords in a dirt arena where Merlin makes pyrotechnics fly. You’ll be expected to eat the medieval way – with your fingers. The whole shebang is popular with kids, but adults quickly become bored by the RenFair routines.
reviewed
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P
Divas Las Vegas
In this mainstream female-impersonator revue, the award-winning Frank Marino (who had a cameo in Miss Congeniality 2 ) acts as a catty Joan Rivers, dispensing naughty jokes and remarks between mostly lip-synched impersonations of Diana Ross, Cher and Liza Minnelli.
reviewed
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Q
Jubilee!
Girls, girls, girls! It’s a showgirl production that Vegas wouldn’t be Vegas without. As it started, so does it end: with lots of knockers, twinkling rhinestones and enormous headdresses on display. If you can forgive the giant helping of cheese, it’s a riot.
reviewed
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R
Mac King
Redheaded Mac has the front-running afternoon magic and comedy show in town, with lots of PG-13 laughs and sleight-of-hand thrown in. He really rides the crazy train with his bag of tricks, which includes baiting a live goldfish with a Fig Newton cookie.
reviewed
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Tucson Music Hall
The Arizona Opera (520-293-4336; www.azopera.org) and Tucson Symphony Orchestra(520-792-9155; www.tucsonsymphony.org) perform between October and April at the Tucson Music Hall.
reviewed
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World's Greatest Magic Show
Two big advantages here: you're not stuck with one performer for the whole 90-minute show, and it's family friendly. Expect a fast-paced merry-go-round of up to a dozen different magicians at this low-roller casino.
reviewed
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Lannon Readings & Conversations
These staged readings, which tend to focus on cultural and progressive issues, by local and internationally renowned poets and authors take place on various Wednesday evenings throughout the year.
reviewed
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U
Gilley’s
Yee-haw! Bring on the line-dancing cowboys and bikini-clad mechanical-bull-riding cowgirls at this country-and-western theme bar, dance hall (live bands or DJs) and Southern barbecue joint.
reviewed
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Reno Events Center
Another installment in the downtown revitalization, this 7000-seat venue hosts former and current chart toppers, comics and the occasional championship boxing match.
reviewed
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Taos Center for the Arts
In a remodeled 1890s adobe mansion, the TCA stages local and international performances of everything from chamber music to belly dancing to theater.
reviewed
