“Yesterday” (actually quite a few days ago) we continued our mission to see as many shows as possible during our stay in Las Vegas. Susie Reese and I decided that the MIRAGE casino deserved another visit for BEATLES LOVE.

The Beatles song catalogue comprises the sound of the Sixties and the memories quickly cascade into our psyche with each and every vibration. Maybe that’s why it feels so right that we are able to celebrate again the beauty, the sadness, the energy, the idealism and – yes – the love of that decade.

Three cheers for CIRQUE DU SOLEIL‘s commitment to creative excellence and the surviving Beatles‘ willingness to explore their own frantic journey to musical stardom while welcoming a unique perspective from the performing artists as well.

There may not be a more complex Las Vegas production more thrillingly in tune with its music than this one. The technical challenges remain enormous, yet this show delivers with perfection. Acrobats, dancers, roller skaters, daredevil aerialists, etc. – all of them zip, dart, bounce, sail and slither throughout the arena in a dizzying array of costumes that capture the era to a tee.

Count me a fan of the piano/bubbles scene and the “Lady Madonna” sequence in particular (no spoilers here!).

Susie used to sing a soothing rendition of “All You Need Is Love” to our “Stella” who passed a few years back. Even she was a Beatles fan! Just another connection for us.

I can’t “Imagine” a better way to reconnect with the turbulence of those times while luxuriating in those amazing songs. Truly…BEATLES LOVE is destined to become one of your favorite shows, too (i.e. if you throw the dice and plan your own Las Vegas vacation).

“Here Comes the Sun” (I’m not kidding. 107 degrees at 11PM on the day of arrival!). Whew!

Theatre Curtain Calling…Reviewing the Situation

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MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS…Palazzo (closed)

PIPPIN…The Smith Center (closed)

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True aficionados of Las Vegas all fill their bellies via the incredible buffets. However, occasionally the stomach beckons for some eating establishments not of the aforementioned variety. Chain restaurant? Fast food? Interesting hole in the wall? PINK’S...STARBUCKS…SERENDIPITY 3 (No, that’s closed to make way for HELL’S KITCHEN)
Let’s have a more organized approach, Bill!

Disclaimer: Of course, appreciation is affected by level of service, decor and other reflections of your personal taste. That being said, here goes…

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION:

COUNTRY CLUB…Wynn/Wynn Encore (closed)
MAGGIANO’S…Fashion Show Mall
BUDDY V’S RISTORANTE…Grand Canal Shoppes
GRAND LUX CAFE…Palazzo

PERFECTLY FINE RECOMMENDATION:

IL FORNAIO…New York, NY
RI RA IRISH PUB…Mandalay Bay
GUY FIERI’S VEGAS KITCHEN & BAR…LINQ
TREVI…Caesar’s
LUPO by Wolfgang Puck…Mandalay Bay
DRUGSTORE CAFE…Wynn/Wynn Encore
LVB BURGERS & BAR…Mirage
ALLEGRO…Wynn/Wynn Encore
ENCORE LOBBY BAR…Wynn/Wynn Encore                                                                                                PEPPERMILL FIRESIDE LOUNGE…The “Strip”                                                                                    JARDIN…Wynn/Wynn Encore

FUTURE YEARNINGS:

GIADA’S…Cromwell
MON AMI GABI…Paris

Oh, and so it goes.

Vacays…Roadrunners (One Gas Tank Usually Does It)

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Bill & Susie‘s Las Vegas Excellent Adventures (Part 2)
as of 8/06/18

BUFFETS:

Highest Recommendation:

The Buffet…Wynn
The Buffet…Bellagio
Bacchanal Buffet…Caesar’s Palace

Fine Recommendation:

Spice Market Buffet…Planet Hollywood
Le Village Buffet…Paris

OK Recommendation:

Cravings Buffet…Mirage
Carnival World & Seafood Buffet…Rio
Bayside Buffet…Mandalay Bay
Buffet…MGM Grand

Definite No:

Flavors Buffet…Harrah’s                                                                                                                                                                                                           Buffet…Treasure Island                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The Buffet…Aria                                                                                                                                                         Buffet…Monte Carlo

                                                                                                                                                                                           On Our Wish List:

Sterling Brunch (Sundays only)…Harrah’s
Wicked Spoon Buffet...Cosmopolitan
Studio B Buffet…M Resort (Henderson, NV)

There are many other buffets offered in Las Vegas: some downtown, some on the “Strip” and a few in the area. Reviews for all are available online.

Family members have advised that the More Buffet at the Luxor should be avoided.

All of the above buffet recommendations are subject to change. On a previous list, the Treasure Island Buffet would have been on the “OK” list, but we have decided to downgrade it based on our last experience.

Vacays…Roadrunners (One Gas Tank Usually Does It)

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LODGING:

I can’t say that we have had plenty of varied experiences in this regard. Previously, we have stayed at NEW YORK NY, DELANO (at one time known as THE HOTEL) and MANDALAY BAY. Our “go to” Las Vegas residence, though, remains – consistently – WYNN ENCORE. Admittedly, because we stay there so often, we are offered special deals which encourage us to continue our association.

The world of the Wynn hotels offers us fine accessibility, lush surroundings, a fantastic buffet, prime local shopping, a nearby budget tix location and a contemporary, comfortable room with superb service. Neither of us is a passionate gambler, so this need for others fails to impress in our case.

Vacays…Roadrunners (One Gas Tank Usually Does It)

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Final Vacation Breakfast at Jardin.

Croquet Madame and Fruit Cup for both of us. Fantastic quality and dependable service.

Nothing makes Susie Reese happier than accidentally (on purpose) dropping crumbs for the enjoyment of the garden birdies.

‘Til next time, Vegas.

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Lap Napkin

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Heading south down the Strip in Las Vegas, one eventually reaches Henderson, NV nearby the McCarran International Airport. Actually, only 20 minutes away, this traveler estimates.

Ethel M is the founder of Mars Chocolates. The factory and cactus garden is open all year long. At Christmastime, all the cacti are dressed up in holiday regalia and the place becomes a magnet for those who live in Vegas. No admission fee.

This guy finds excitement in touring the store with all the goodies available for purchase. Do not expect an easy time at the cash register. Bill is interested in locating a box of the original Mars bars (a favorite). The mother lode is finally in reach!

Sensory Overload…Local & Tourist Destinations Sure to Generate Ooh’s and Ah’s

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When we chose to visit Las Vegas again this year, Susie Reese and I decided that we must revisit LA REVE for the third time. As we checked into the Wynn, our first task was to consult with the Concierge to order our tickets for the “splash zone” in Row “A” (yes, we are that passionate about this show!). This became our fourth production show on our vaca.

In-the-round, comfortable seating, a huge “sea” in front of us and the opportunity to interact with these nautical athletes, eyeball to eyeball – bliss!

The show, coincidentally also at the WYNN casino, happens to be billed as “THE DREAM” (translation of LA REVE). Oh, and what a dream it is! Franco Dragone directed this extravaganza after he split from Cirque du Soleil and started his own company which excels in European and Asian elaborate events. Despite a tiff with Steve Wynn when the show first bowed, it continues to dazzle audiences. In fact, it has been voted the best production show in Las Vegas for seven straight years and counting.

The gasp-inducing aerial hijinks reverberate over and over again. The waters dance and the performers frolic as the overseer holds court over the enterprise. A love triangle at the core turns on the attractions of heavenly impulses juxtaposed with dark influences. The lady in focus is shoved, enticed, dragged and entranced by these forces until her own self-realization.

The entrances and exits from above and below can easily be labeled, quite frankly, “stunning”.

Want to see a guy dive from an ethereal height? You’re in luck. Want to observe a Spartan visual of bald guys flexing sinewy muscles while displaying feats of strength, balance and contortion? You can depend on it. Want to settle in for aquatic delight as a choreographed platoon of red-heeled, sexy ladies make their own waves? Fasten your seatbelts. Always surprising. Consistently stimulating the imagination. Oh, and a few flicks of water if you select this adventure close to the action!

Ultimately, the show blossoms to its finale. We’re already salivating about our fourth visit to LA REVE the next time we drive to “Sin City”.

Theatre Curtain Calling…Reviewing the Situation

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I wish it were different, but… For our 5th production show in Las Vegas, Susie Reese and I select CIRCUS 1903 just opening at the PARIS casino (in fact, it happens to be the 2nd performance). Normally, I would hesitate to make some of the observations that will follow for a production just gelling; however, in this case, the show has had a number of sit-down engagements throughout the country including some in large markets.

The conceit of the show is that audience members have a chance to observe a circus and its performers just as if they are erecting the tent, prepping for the event and following with the actual performance (in 1903, that is).

The show begins in a promising way as roustabouts frolic on a teeterboard. By the time the contortionist emerges from the Side Show, though, I am ready to help them pack it in and head for Poughkeepsie. I am sorry to say that the circus artists possess talent, yet when compared with the expertise of a typical Cirque du Soleil performer they would be found wanting.

What are the producers thinking? How could they think that a contemporary audience would make allowances for these deficiencies when BEATLES LOVE, for example, resides down the street. Even the technical elements of raising the tent prove to be problematic.

Of course, some worthy features do emerge from the experience. The “ringmaster” certainly proves to be a talented gentleman. Also, the elephant with baby, operated by puppeteers, appeals to the audience as well. These creations, incidentally, were fashioned by the masters behind the amazing creatures in Broadway’s WAR HORSE. Ooh’s and ah’s should have been resonating and bouncing off the canvas; unfortunately, that was not the case here. The child in me yearns to be wide-eyed, but I age – alarmingly – during these ninety minutes.

Omnipresent are the popcorn and souvenirs, but entertainment expires at the ticket booth. I expect that the theatre at the PARIS will be searching for a new tenant soon.

Theatre Curtain Calling…Reviewing the Situation

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Ok. You’re dying to hear about the shows we’re seeing in Vegas. Right?

Over the years Susie Reese and I have seen all of the Cirque du Soleil shows in  Las Vegas save one. We even have seen those that have since closed (VIVA ELVIS and ZARKANA). The one we always resisted was CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE because of the terrible reviews and toxic word-of-mouth emanating from the LUXOR Casino.

Well…now there is a new edition, CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK LIVE!, playing at that same casino, so we checked in on Sunday night, July 23, 2017 to sample the show. Mind you…in this instance the show has dropped the formal Cirque du Soleil affiliation, although it still uses the Cirque ticket services.

Sorry to say, the positive hubbub surrounding this new, supposedly “improved” show seems to be unwarranted.

If you are looking for a pulsing, rock & roll live experience with lasers, impressive visuals, pyrotechnics every few minutes and an incessant biographical review of Criss Angel’s career, you might have a perfectly wonderful time.

That is not to say that there may not be some enervating magical moments during this 90 minute production. For me, I cherish the illusion involving a flock of doves. Likewise, I am a sucker for the affecting moments involving his son’s cancer diagnosis.

Otherwise, though, there isn’t much “there” there. Having followed Anthony Hernandez with Dawn Morgan over the last decade, I remain unimpressed with most of the offerings which either were exact reproductions or slight variations on a standard magician’s repertoire.

Count me unimpressed with the “flying” finale as well.

You may see this extravaganza through a different lens because of your own journey, but the effort tastes stale to me.

Theatre Curtain Calling…Reviewing the Situation

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