Las Vegas Show Review - Bat out of Hell: The Musical

The award winning hit musical featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits

 

I’ll be honest.  I don’t know much about Meat Loaf’s music.  I did learn a little about the man himself.  I know he was an extremely caring person and was a very passionate person and musician and that he also had a temper.  I won’t go as far to say he was another Ginger Baker, but certainly a temper.  I also know he played Knebworth in 1985 with a broken leg.  Damn!

 

Of his music, I know Paradise by the Dashboard Light and, I think, that’s it.  I know about the big controversy with Ellen Foley having recorded the song but not being in the video so people naturally thought Carla DeVito was the singer, or whatever really happened.  But that’s it. That’s rock and roll folks.

 

So when I was invited to see this new musical I thought, “I would love to see what it is all about and support some of my friends in the band.”  Of course, I would.  Let me just tell you, I am absolutely glad I did and you should check this show out if you are here in Las Vegas as a resident or visitor.  I can honestly say I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.

 

Located near the check-in desk at the Paris hotel on the Strip, the theater is beautiful.  I can’t imagine there is a bad seat in the house.  The sound was crystal clear and very well mixed (My audio engineer’s brain noticed that all through the show).  The lighting was a huge highlight as well – very well done combination of colors against the gentle fog. Lighting is often a job that seems taken for granted in reviews but this was so well done, I had to mention it.

 

The music is well paced and, at times, relentless rock and roll mixed with some more gentle pieces, as you would expect to bring the emotion out when enjoying a musical.  I can say the musicians are top notch and not just because I am fortunate enough to know some of them but because they are all truly talented and play very well together.

 

The choreography is so well done and there is a lot for these talented dancers to remember.  All beautiful executed with a fairly large cast.  This is where I get a little lost.  I see on the web that every character has a name but you never get that in the show.  That being said, each and every member of this cast is important and gave 100% of their hearts to the performance.

 

I don’t know how you would define it in theater terms but what I would consider to be the four main leads were absolutely outstanding.  Travis Cormer as Strat and Alize Cruz as Raven gave incredibly emotional and energetic performances.  There were times I just wanted to run on stage and hug them and let them know it will all be okay.  Then there is Travis Cloer as Falco and Anne Martinez as Sloane who took on the challenge of acting out Paradise by the Dashboard Light, which was one of the most powerful scenes of the show.

 

Additionally, Mecca Hicks as Zahara, Je’Shaun Jackson as Jagwire, Freddy Leakoula Pomee as Tink and Mikayla Agrella as Valkrye also brought powerful performances and were the glue that kept it all together.  As I said, everyone on the stage deserves to be there and were all integral parts of the show, featured or not.

 

This is a show not to be missed and I hope you get the chance to experience what I did tonight. I consider my time to be extremely valuable and I will say this was time well spent.  Check it out!

https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas/shows/bat-out-of-hell 

 

Zumanity – The Darker Side of Cirque Du Soleil

If you want to see an amazing artistic show but want something with a bit of a naughty edge to it, Zumanity may be the show for you.  Located in the New York, New York Hotel and Casino on the south end of The Strip, across from The MGM Grand.

The music, dance and acrobatics are exactly the quality you’ve come to expect from Cirque.  The music has got some groove to it with strong funk beats backing a very powerful band that plays on a catwalk above the stage.  The show has everything from aerialists to cage fights all overseen by masters that make sure their prey do what they are told.  Intermingled with the show are several comedy sketches that I won’t spoil for you but add a great deal of levity to the atmosphere.

There is definitely a reason the show is for 18+.  Aside from suggestive sex and in your face provocative (but not actual sexual) acts, there actually is some nudity, so leave your inhibitions at the door, relax and enjoy a spectacular night at Zumanity!

www.cirquedusoleil.com

A Night at the Edge of the Water: “O” By Cirque Du Soleil

Maybe there is just something about the particular shade of blue that Cirque Du Soleil uses in their promotional material for “O” at The Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, but there is a deep coolness that touches your skin and draws you in to want to know what it is all about.  It had been about 8 years or so since I had seen the show from a seat that gave away a lot of secrets to how this masterpiece is achieved.  When I saw it again last week, I wished I had gone more often.

From what I remember about my first visit, some things in the show had changed.  Not surprising as shows are revamped from time to time.  For one, the sound in the theater is absolutely fantastic.  The music sounds larger than life and was crystal clear to this audio engineer’s ear.  The score by Benoit Jutras has some very ethnic touches among the ballads and power pieces that make a great balance and truly enhance the show.

Equally impressive is the talent on stage and the stage itself, which is constantly transforming.  The timing of the talent was virtually flawless and there are a lot of moving parts to this show.  A great deal of work goes into each and every one of these large scale productions but the water shows have another element (forgive the pun) altogether.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there is a perfect balance of music to show to comedy as a couple clowns bring levity when things are getting on the edge of too intense.

While a bit more expensive (that water doesn’t maintain itself, you know) than the majority of the rest of the shows, it remains a must see for Vegas.  For the best deals, check out www.cirquedusoleil.com and join the Cirque Club for free and doors to special pricing will be opened.

Warning… people in the first few rows may get wet…

Le Reve – A Show That Flows Like Water

Just a few hours ago, I was fortunate enough to attend my first performance of Le Reve at the Wynn Hotel.  Though the show has been there for many years, I hadn’t made it over to see it (quite regrettably).  I was thrilled I finally did.

As with all the major shows I have been to here in Las Vegas, from the moment you walk into the theater, you know you are about to see something sensational.  The setting is exquisite with a small lounge set in the middle of a pool of water, often barely visible in the mist.  The lighting changes and highlights it here and there as music plays softly in the background.

The show takes off from there and it is a non-stop ride.  Unlike many of the shows on The Strip, there is no pre-show.  Just mood.  Once the lights go down, you will be treated to a spectacular array of dance, acrobatics and the search for love, set on a constantly changing stage and pool.

While the show is generally fast moving and serious, there are a couple spots of relief from the story line with some wonderfully timed comedic acts.  They actually play into a bit of a side story, fighting for the affection of the lead and allow you some moments to catch your breath before the next choreographed piece.

Check out when you are in town.  It will be well spent time that you will not soon forget.

Click here for details:  Le Reve

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Journey of Life: Cirque Du Soleil’s Mystere

One thing that seems to hold true for every Cirque Du Soleil show I have attended:  from the moment you walk into the room, you know something spectacular is going to happen.  The Mystere theatre at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, NV is no different and the show certainly holds up to the initial impression.

The show starts before the show starts so make sure to keep your eyes moving around the room.  Then the lights dim, and the journey begins.  The story of life is told through acrobatics, seemingly inhuman balancing, jumping, tumbling, swinging, dance and comedy, all driven by beautiful music and vocals.  As soon as you leave, you’ll want to head across the aisle to the Mystere store and pick up a copy of the soundtrack, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

The lighting throughout the show sets the perfect mood as you go through the story and you can feel how hard these people have worked to make every act play out beautifully and every song the perfect accompaniment.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly time has passed when you are introduced to the famous Alice, the Snail.

A note on the soundtrack – The available soundtrack is a live show captured some years ago. Since then, the show has gone through some changes.  There is also an early studio soundtrack that you can sometimes find on Ebay.  Personally, I think it is worth hearing both versions.

I have always found the best to be in the front two or three rows in the upper section, near the audio engineer.  You can see pretty much everything from there as the show does have things going on outside of the stage area from time to time (or well above it).  I was surprised to find that sitting right by the stage was also a great place to be.  I would have thought much would be missed from there but I was wrong.

Go to their website www.cirqueDuSoleil.com and join the Cirque Club for free and you will be eligible for discount ticket pricing.  Treasure Island is no longer part of the MGM properties and so parking is currently free at the hotel.

On a personal note, this was the first Cirque show I attended and it had a huge impact on me.  It was the beginning of the inspiration for my album Kamu Vole’.

When you come to town, make sure this one is on your list of must see items!

The Bright Side

It is so hard to be impartial when you are talking about your favorite shows, as my last couple entries probably prove.  This one, in particular, is especially dear to my heart.

Aside from having the distinct honor of being the audio engineer on this production, working with this team is nothing short of an incredible experience.  Every single person is truly a talented and dedicated professional.  From the writer and composers to the musicians to the director and producer to the set designers to the lighting team to the support staff to the performers.

On top of that, the production is fantastic.  The story and characters are compelling.  The music will stay in your head for days.  The dialog will keep you laughing and the story will not be something you will soon forget.  It is the perfect combination of humor and serious life situations.  Equally as haunting as it is hilarious.

Written by Ernie Curcio, lyrics by Jolana Sampson, music by Jolana Sampson and Martin Kaye.

Music Director and Pianist Angela Chan, Score and Arrangements Martin St. Pierre (Cirque Du Soleil, Tin Toy Cars), Electric and Acoustic Guitar Andrew Chute (Tin Toy Cars) and Bass Guitar Peter Fand (Tin Toy Cars)

Cast:
Bob Torti - Richard Hauser

Victoria Matlock - Shelly Hauser

Maverick Hiu - Aiden Hauser

Marcus Weiss - The Doctor

Scott McAdam - The Colonel / Nurse

This is currently on short run in Las Vegas but I have no doubt it will be back.  Come see it at the Cockroach Theater, 1025 S First Street, Las Vegas, NV 89104, in the Art District near The Stratosphere Hotel.

Friday, May 21^st 8PM

Saturday, May 22^nd 8PM

Sunday, May 23^rd 2PM

Thurdsay, May 26^th 8PM

Friday, May 27^th 8PM

Saturday, May 28^th 8PM

Sunday, May 29^th 2PM

Thursday, June 2^nd 8PM

Friday, June 3^rd – DARK

Saturday, June 4^th 8PM

Sunday, June 5^th 2PM Final Performance of this run.

Come see it!!!

On another note, there is still a little time left:

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A Mesmerizing Experience - Cirque Du Soleil's KA

I’ll never forget the first time I attended Cirque Du Soleil’s KA at the MGM Grand hotel (the giant green building at the south end of The Strip – you can’t miss it), here in Las Vegas.  At least ten times through the night I thought it couldn’t be really happening right there in front of me.  It had to be a trick or a film projected onto the stage.  That was even before the stage got up and moved.

From the moment you enter the theater area, you’ll know something magical is about to take place.  Ornately decorated and towering above you.  Most seats in the theater are great but some of the far side seats have slightly limited views, though they make you feel more a part of the action, being so close.  Personally, I think the best seats are in the first couple rows of the upper section, right in the middle.

As is typical with Cirque, the show starts before the show starts so be sure to keep an eye on things once you find your seat.  When the lights go out, you won’t even remember you are sitting in a large theater as the show carries you away on an unforgettable journey of music, fighting, love, loss and the evil that set it all in motion.

The music is spectacular and is performed by truly world class musicians.  This is one of my favorite soundtracks and was composed by Rene DuPere, who also co-wrote my other favorite soundtrack, which I will be covering in an upcoming blog.

For tickets, be sure to check out Cirque’s free fan club at www.cirquedusoleil.com, and see what specials they have.  Definitely a show to see if you want to experience the true depth of entertainment offered here in Las Vegas.

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