Vegas & Broadway

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/2/19 at 11:35pm

The vegan thread made me think of Vegas, but it seems like all of the Broadway shows - Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages - have closed. Any idea if theres anything at work or have they given up?

[OrchardAndRivington]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 3:21am

Tegan Summer Productions tried to make the Marilyn Monroe musical at Paris work, and there may be some good material there, but a 90 minute fast forward through the life of Marilyn on the strip wasn't the place to spend the money. 

I'd think something like Moulin Rouge would do well. I was also in the apparent minority that thought Spiderman could actually work as a LV sit down.. there is Family Vacation money being left on the table in Vegas...I personally don't understand the draw of bringing families for a Vegas get-a-way, but since it seems to be continuing to happen, why not offer entertainment that would hold the kids interest a bit more than some of the Cirque shows.. regardless of how good they are. The few times I saw Spiderman on Broadway, almost every child was entranced by the overhead flying and fight sequences.. with the large venues that can be custom rigged in LV, they could even more impressive spectacle.

Baz, a broadway style production featuring the film works of Baz Luhrmann meshed together played for a while recently... I really enjoyed it, and if it were to be re-tooled with a clearer narrative it could work at NWS or in a smaller Bway house.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 1:11pm

RoadGypsy2010 said: "Baz, a broadway style production featuring the film works of Baz Luhrmann meshed together played for a while recently...I really enjoyed it, and if it were to be re-tooled with a clearer narrative it could work at NWS or in a smaller Bway house."

 

I saw Baz as well and just LOVED it. I thought the same about it so I did a little research behind it and found out that Baz started on a quiet road for NY as "Baz! For the Record" once upon a long time ago. It played at festivals and in California but rather then that a road to NY, it took the path to Vegas instead. Before it was "Star Crossed Love" at the Palazzo, it was set in a smaller space as a nightclub act at the Mandalay Bay. Think of that version as a small immersive multi stage show. Think how the Great Comet was when it was in the tent off Broadway. 

I agree as well that I still think that the show has some potential if they were to strip if of the showy "VEGAS" elements they put into the show once it started playing that the Palazzo. The musical is very good though. And it's creative how they weave the three stories into one show. Keeping them separate yet cross paths a some points with shared characters.

Fun fact, one of the main actresses that played Satine in Baz is now the standby for Satine in Moulin Rouge on Broadway. I saw her in the show in Vegas and she knocked my socks of. I would actually rather see a performance with her in the role on Broadway then Karen Olivo.

[OrchardAndRivington]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 7:04pm

Thanks for the extra info, Scarlet! (I was a down-low Pimpie back in the day, so I always appreciate seeing some Pimpernel love on these boards!)

The Satine I saw last summer was sensational. I am not sure if it was the regular performer or an US. I know we had an U/S for Juliet.. 

 

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 7/3/19 at 10:25pm

King Kong to Vegas STAT! I said it in the Kong thread and I'll say it again...strip down to the essential story...minimal song and dance (if any)...pump up the production values even more (not hard to do for Vegas)...have the running time under two hours...promote the heck out of it...then watch the locals and touristas flock in.
I envision it playing at Paris Las Vegas hotel. That theatre would be perfect AND management could attach a duplicate [all weather) Kong to the Eiffel tower to draw casual passersby in (lots of last minute ticket purchases on the strip).
Vegas producers...listen up!
And, yes I know about China in 2021. Vegas first for da big guy.

[MorrisLACat]

Posted: 7/4/19 at 7:14am

Off Topic: 

 

Thanks goodness for the Smith Center of the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.

Those strip-down-abridged musicals in the casinos were awful and expensive.