Las Vegas Shows: Cirque du Soliel, Blue Man Group and Mamma Mia

Slot machines and Black Jack tables are only two of the many attractions in Las Vegas. The Vegas strip is filled with world-class hotels, casinos and restaurants; it is also a hub for entertainment.
 
With Nevada being the first state to legalize gambling, it’s only natural that Las Vegas has grown into the gambling capital that it is today. After the success of El Rancho Hotel-Casino built in the early 1940s, a succession of hotel-casinos was built along a two-lane highway leading from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

The Vegas Strip

This line of snazzy hotel-casinos became known as the Vegas Strip. While many of the early hotel-casinos built have been reconstructed or torn down, they paved the way for more modern varieties of hotel-casinos that exist today.
 
The El Rancho Hotel-Casino was also the stepping stone towards Vegas' reputation as the play land getaway of the world. When it first opened, comedians, singers, dancers, instrumentalists and a wide range of other performers were booked to provide entertainment for hotel guests.
 
Many of the subsequent resorts followed suit and decided to incorporate entertainment as an essential part of their resort plan. Some of the first entertainment attractions in Las Vegas were Buddy Hacket, Alan King and the Mary Kaye Trio.
 
Over the years, entertainment in Las Vegas has progressed. The Las Vegas strip has adapted over the years to provide entertainment for all ages. They currently feature some of the most famous shows in the world, including:
  • Cirque du Soleil O
  • Mamma Mia
  • Penn & Teller
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • The Blue Man Group.

Types of Shows

The entertainment provided on the strip ranges from classic musicals to adult shows featuring Vegas Show Girls. There are also comedy shows, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Wayne Brady, and magic shows, featuring David Copperfield. Some of the biggest names in music also play regularly on the Vegas strip, including Cher, Bette Midler and Barry Manilow.
 
Most of the mega-resorts are the venues for these major events and world-class entertainers. With the hundreds of show options, families are able to vacation in Las Vegas with entertainment suitable for all ages.

Musical Shows

Cirque du Soleil has a few different shows playing on the strip, including the Beatles-inspired LOVE and O. LOVE celebrates the musical legacy of the Beatles while O exhibits extraordinary human strength through an aquatic spectacular. Each show is a unique and riveting experience.
 
Musical plays staged in Vegas are also world-class and spectacular, making them nearly as splendid as their original productions on Broadway. Mamma Mia, which incorporates the musical scores of ABBA into a storyline, is an all-time favorite and success. The Phantom of the Opera is also a crowd pleaser and a must see.

Non-Musical Shows

The Blue Man Group and Penn & Teller are wonderful shows for the entire family. These Vegas shows feature comedy, music and, at times, magic to wow crowds night after night. Because of the popularity of these shows, travel agents recommend that you purchase tickets in advance to ensure that you get the best deals on quality seats.

Las Vegas Show Tickets

The cost of Las Vegas show tickets range anywhere from $50-$200 per seat. It is usually difficult to get tickets for big headliner shows because they are so popular. They sell out very far in advance and are usually quite expensive. As a result, discounted tickets are not usually available. However, you may still be able to get tickets for a sold out show by:
  • get discount booklets: You may find coupons for show tickets in the various pamphlets and booklets in hotels and casinos.  

     
  • getting packages: Some hotels offer tickets to shows as a package with a hotel room. These offers may change throughout the year, so always check around to see what is available.

  • join players clubs: Players Clubs for casinos sometimes offer special deals on Las Vegas show tickets for their members.

  • searching eBay: Las Vegas tickets are sometimes sold on eBay at a discounted price. However, this can be risky because tickets could be counterfeit, or the venue may not honor transferred tickets.
When planning a trip to Vegas, it is a good idea to buy tickets early and take note of Las Vegas show schedules. Many of the major shows are only offered on weekends in order to maximize the audience.
 
Next time you head to Vegas, be sure to take a break from the glitter and glam of the casinos and explore the strip. There are hundreds of entertaining shows to see and, while they may cost a few extra bucks, they will provide you with an entertaining experience you are sure to remember for years to come.
 
Resources
 
History of Las Vegas (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2008, from Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide Web site.
 
Malloy, Betsy (n.d.). Las Vegas Discount Show Tickets. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
 
Rounds, Chuck (2007). Blue Man Group. Retrieved March 13, 2008, from IGO Shows Web site.