Las Vegas Shows Reviews

• Ronn Lucas Las Vegas Tickets

By DW Grant

In Ronn Lucas´s world anything can argue with you; dragons, microphones, socks, feet, bare hands, and even some audience members. The 90 minute show, on stage almost everyday at 1 PM at the Thunder Room at the Excalibur Hotel is a fun world for both children and adults.

Ronn Lucas is not your average ventriloquist and his performance is not your typical dummy on a hand show. For 40 years he´s shared his world in command performances before three presidents and the queen of England. He has also appeared with David Letterman and Jay Leno, and on Night Court, Nip and Tuck, 1 vs. 100, LA Law, and his own TV show.

He has been awarded numerous accolades, including “The World´s Best Ventriloquist,’ by The New York Times and The London Times; honored as “Entertainer of the Year,’ by Gold Cabaret Awards and “Ventriloquist of the Year’ by the American Society of Ventriloquists. Lucas is also a two-time winner of Showtime´s “National Laugh-Off’.

Strangely enough Ronn Lucas grew up on the same central Texas plains as three other prominent ventriloquists, Terry Fader, Jeff Dunham, and Jay Johnson. “Must be something in the water,’ he explains.

For children Ronn offers ´scorch,’ the teenage dragon, trashing-talking his master and singing songs like “Teenager in Love’ and rapping other teen favs.

There are some slightly blue jokes for adults in Ronn´s world, flying over the heads of most kids, and some silly body humor that a young one or two may catch and giggle over. Scorch warns parents in the show´s opening minutes, before he is rushed off stage, “If mild language used by 3rd and 4th graders on the school grounds offends you then maybe you shouldn’t be at a show in a casino…’ Okay, so Scorch says “heck,’ “hell,’ “Belly Button,’ “Nipple,’ and “Henderson.’ You have to forgive him; after all he is just a teenager.

But the afternoon really belongs to his collection of partners, some he brings out of a trunk and some he brings up from the audience. Buffalo Billy flirts with the ladies in the front seats and duets “Row Your Boat’ with Ronn, even though Ronn tries to warn him a ventriloquist can not duet with his dummy. Amazingly they do it anyway, and we can´t help but love it.

Ronn pulls Chuck the Punk out of a trunk, but the whole acts pulls itself apart and Chuck is forced back in to the dark but not obscurity. We won’t forget him.

And then there is a signature Ronn Lucas classic bit. Pulling a member of the audience onto the stage Ronn dresses the “volunteer’ up like a puppet, with a hat, and bib with a tie, and a puppet mouth. It makes hilarious magic for the audience and humiliating fun for the participant.

The last set is a tribute to Ronn´s grandfather who first shared ventriloquism with him many years ago, via an ordinary sock and a hand. It´s funny and touching and as creative as any performance I have seen in Las Vegas.

After the show Ronn shares free autographs and photos with anyone who will line up just outside the theater in the company store. In the store he shows an unusual grace and warmth with both adults and children.

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• American Superstars Las Vegas Tickets

By Guy Chapman

Elvis Presley. Tim McGraw. Rod Stewart. Christina Aguilera. Michael Jackson. These five names are considered to be some of the most popular and well-known acts in the music industry. Each artist on their own is able to command a sizable ticket price when going to see them in concert, but on the Las Vegas Strip, there’s a way to see all five of these acts in one show… or close enough to provide an entertaining spectacle of lights, dance and song. With the “American Superstars” show at the Stratosphere, this production showcases an entertaining group of tribute artists that provides a concert that wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

“American Superstars” brings together a concert experience that provides a musical journey like no other, covering five decades of music through a handful of diverse genres from pop, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. As the stage lights shine brightly and the band warms up to kick off the hour and a half show, each tribute artist works the audience to entertain the crowd with a selection of their respective singer’s musical highlights.

The biggest challenge of successfully impersonating a celebrity not only resides in how well the individual artist’s respective talent can be performed, but also in capturing those personalities, the posturing, and their overall look. When you go to “American Superstars”, you will definitely see Elvis shake his hips, Michael Jackson glide across the floor with his moonwalk, and hear Christina Aguilera belt out that musical range that she is known for. True to Las Vegas style, there is also an ensemble of showgirls who provide back up dancing and vocals for the artists, as well as having a chance to individually shine between each performance. Also backing each act is a full band who rocks out each hit alongside the featured artist.

Rounding out the cast is Darren Lee as Elvis Presley, Chad Givens as Tim McGraw, John Anthony as Rod Stewart, Lorena Peril as Christina Aguilera, and Damian Brantley as Michael Jackson. The cast is very enthusiastic about their performances, encouraging patrons to join in on the fun. Their interaction helps to bring the audience into the spotlight themselves, whether it is coming out into the audience while performing, prompting people to sing along, or even some light-heated joking with the crowd. The tribute artists get into their roles with such a fun attitude, it’s easy to be caught up in the overall good time.

The finale of the show brings together the entire ensemble of artists and dancers for one last upbeat number, before heading out to the showroom lobby for a chance to meet and take photographs with the cast after the performance. It’s a unique and fun opportunity to get a memorable keepsake by sharing a moment with an accurate representation of some of music’s greats.

“American Superstars” brings a fun and family-friendly experience to any Las Vegas visit, providing enjoyable experience for any age. While paying to see a concert for “the real thing” (much less all five artists) may not be able to fit into everyone’s budget, this a great way to enjoy a group of talented singers and dancers as a “mega concert” that is a one of a kind performance.

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• Fab Four Mania Las Vegas Tickets

By Terri Feld

“Help! I need somebody…” to tell me, is it real or is it lip-synching?! “Beatlemania” redux in this incredible live performance that replicates every note in the original key. Playing nightly (Mon-Sat. 7:00pm) in the Sahara Showroom, David Saxe’s current Las Vegas production, “Fab Four Mania”, does, however, distinguish itself from the late 70’s Broadway hit “Beatlemania”. Entering the showroom off the Party Pit Blackjack lounge which boasts lava lamps, tie-dye t-shirted dealers and a Beatles soundtrack (all in full swing when the show lets out at 8:15PM), show-goers immediately get the vibe, taking a photo-op in front of the groovy, painted VW mini-bus located at the theater entrance. Beatles trivia questions displayed on large monitors stage right and left amuse and occasionally stump audience members already seated, awaiting the show’s start.

Functioning as M.C. for the evening, impersonator/comedian Paul Terry gives audiences his best Ed Sullivan, introducing the Lads from Liverpool, and padding the costume changeovers with routines that manage to evoke late-60’s colloquialisms, while also satirizing the genre with a knowing wink. The faux Fab Four hit the ground running from their opener, offering up some of the Beatles’ earliest hits while the crowd keeps busy throughout, providing syncopated claps during “8 Days a Week,” twisting at their seats for “Twist & Shout,” and singing along with many other standards.

The next act segues into psychedelic Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour territory. Crank up the distortion! While paying accurate tribute to the most recognizable hits from those years, the set might benefit even further by pulling out a gem less often re-visited, such as “Fixing a Hole,” and reminding audiences that not every song in the Beatles catalog evolved into muzak. Ringo does get his due in Fab Four drummer Tony Felicetta’s sweet rendition of “A Little Help from My Friends”.

Before the final act Steven Craig (A.K.A. John Lennon) takes to the piano for a solo “Imagine”. While all the fans in attendance heartily concurred with Craig’s heartfelt expressions of grief and outrage over Lennon’s fate, the maudlin speech may momentarily take the show’s tone down a notch more than it deserves. Remarks emphasizing Lennon’s life, rather than the nature of his death, might enhance the effectiveness of this set piece. Not to mention that “Imagine,” a selection from Lennon’s post-Beatles solo career, digresses somewhat from the “Fab Four Mania” concept. Beatles tracks such as “Let It Be”, “Strawberry Fields”, “Come Together” all aptly evoke Lennon’s personal spirit and philosophy equally well. Nevertheless, Craig’s “Imagine” gives fans an accurate and respectful recreation of the beloved classic track. And the choice not to insert any cheesy video montages, but rather let the music stand on its own, proves correct.

Further kudos rightfully go to FFM’s video producers. Instead of trotting out oft-seen shots such as the Beatles arrival in the U.S., or visiting the Maharishi, this show provides a number of off-beat selections. Nostalgic clips of the real Penny Lane and surrounding area expand the reminiscent quality of that number. A spliced together Beatles song medley performed by British men/women on the street proves another clever resurrection from the vintage vault.

Frank Mendonca III as Paul, and real-life Liverpool native Gavin Leslie as George round out the group along with the aforementioned Felicetta (Ringo) and Craig (John). Together these four talented musicians in their own right present the total package of looks and sound. It’s all here: Paul’s south-paw, upside-down bass, John’s trademark splay-legged stance, Ringo’s hang-dog look belying the redoubtable technique behind the backbeat, and George’s shy forays to the forefront for his ingeniously economical guitar riffs. Since the music never really went away, the songs throughout “Fab Four Mania” strike a chord with both original Beatles fans and their offspring — the perfect respite from “A Hard Day’s Night” in Las Vegas!

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• Mega Bubble Las Vegas Tickets

By Devon Brooke Clasen

Finding even a modicum of innocence in “Sin City” is a challenging feat to be sure, but a world of innocence, wonder and enchantment awaits visitors to the Mega Bubble Show, playing in the Steve Wyrick Theatre in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile shops from Thursday through Sunday at 3 p.m., with an additional 11 a.m. show on Saturday and 1 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday.

Innocuous enough, bubbles enraptured us all as wee little ones, with an ethereal and magical quality like nothing else found in nature. Eventually the novelty wears off and as we grow up, bubbles receive nary a thought… The Mega Bubble Show reintroduces us to the beguiling fascination of the bubble, which we recognized and appreciated as children and perhaps need the occasional reminder of as adults.

A family-friendly show claiming to be “unbubblievable” and guaranteeing show-goers will be “bubble-azed”, children and parents alike will delight to the playful, wholesome simplicity of the performance. A single performer, identified only as the foreign-born and heavily accented Jaro, creates bubbles and bubble constructions, large and small. Utilizing various apperati including tubes, wands and even his own hands, Jaro blows and builds unique bubbly designs. Employing minimal stage décor, Jaro lets the bubbles speak (or act) for themselves. As the show progresses, the “tricks” grow more elaborate and more impressive. When a smoke-filled bubble pops, the gracefully vanishing cloud inspires plenty of “oohs” and “aahs.” Children called up to the stage are encapsulated inside massive bubbles, surely as much fun to experience as it is to watch. Mega Bubble Show is somewhat dependent on the cuteness of the young audience participants, but this presents a challenge unto itself.

Younger kids in the audience, ranging from three to nine or ten years of age, are eager to volunteer for on-stage participation, but once that spotlight hits them, they’re rendered silent and noticeably stage-shy. Jaro’s sensitivity, humor and gentle rapport with children help lighten the inevitable slowdown. The icing on the bubble is that each pint-sized participant is bestowed with a souvenir bubble making kit.

As can be expected, bubbles are delicate, unpredictable and sometimes uncooperative. Occasionally, a bubble trick doesn’t go off exactly as planned, but Jaro quickly recovers and keeps the action moving comfortably along, lest the uber-exuberant kids be distracted and reduced to a roomful of screeching hyenas. Much of the show is dependent on vibrant lighting effects and thematic musical accompaniment, enhancing the brilliant display of bubbles which, if presented alone, might fail to keep the kids attention. During a colorful laser show finale, bazillions of bubbles literally flood the audience as the young and not so young in attendance squeal with joy, or possibly shriek with surprise from the sudsy shower they receive from above.

Beautiful to behold, bubbles inevitably burst, resulting in a slippery, soapy mess. Several bubble machines arranged high over the audience tend to drip the bubble fluid, and bubbles broken on the skin, hair or clothing leave spotty evidence of the solution behind. Attendees should opt to dress down and prepare to leave a little wetter than they arrived. However, this interactive element of the show offers the greatest thrill to children. Unlike a two dimensional movie, Mega Bubble Show indulges kids’ instinct to get messy and incorporates them in a tangible, touchable way, which brings them to their feet with endless enthusiasm.

Parents will no doubt appreciate the relaxing qualities of the bubbles, as well as the totally enrapturing effect the bountiful bevy of bubbles has on little ones. This is not a show where kids fuss and squirm in their seats. It is a show that provides parents a momentary break from child watching responsibility, and allows them to loosen up and relive a time when they too where fully captivated by the magical qualities of the bubble.

Is it the most elaborate, exclusive and breathtaking show the city has to offer? No, but its appeal is truly in its simplicity. Granted, this is a kids’ show, but parents will enjoy the distinct un-sexiness of the show, its innocence and light heartedness. In a city packed to the gills with scantily clad showgirls, strippers and overblown production shows, Mega Bubble Show is a refreshingly pure option for any age. Taking into account that families with young children do indeed vacation in Vegas, Mega Bubble Show invites all to escape into their own childlike imagination, where the world is as uncomplicated as ever and catching a drifting bubble offers the greatest delight to be found.

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• Toxic Audio Las Vegas Tickets

by: By DW Grant

“Toxic Audio,” what the heck is that?

It’s one of best small shows in Vegas; and at half the price its just as much fun as The Blue Man Group, moves with just as much energy as Gans or Newton, and delivers just as many laughs as a night out with the Second City comedy troupe.

So, what is it? It’s Voice, and all voice. Not a sound comes from the stage that isn’t produced by someone’s voice. Drums, guitars, sax, bass, and some mysterious musical modulations come out of the mouths and noses of these performers with such amazing clarity you can then understand why the promotional icon is a guy with a microphone for a head.

It’s five singers with no back up band or recorded tracks pumping out “Autumn Leaves” in English, French, German, Korean, Scat, and Pig Latin. Its Paul Sperrazza, a “human beat box,” tearing up the audience like a mix of Jim Carey, Jerry Lewis, and that guy who almost won American Idol last year. It’s also Rene Ruiz, the founder of the group, whose credits include “Forever Plaid,” delivering a unforgettable show to a cheering audience.

Oh and there are 4 other performers making it happen for the audience too; Christine Vienna, Tim Jones, and Heather Friedman, and the “sound guy. The sound guy gets his own song during the show and definitely deserves his own sentence in this review, his name is Shannon Brady. There is no band to coordinate but he’s does a heck of job keeping five very good singers in perfect balance.

Simple, but too big for the room, Toxic Audio has been playing a weird 5:30 pm slot at The Planet Hollywood’s V-Theatre for a few months or so. I’m glad I caught it early before word of mouth got out because this show is going to play at better times and tickets are going to get harder to get. Thank god Planet Hollywood is expanding the theatre!

Toxic Audio has been traveling the country and the world since it was discovered by Disney at the Orlando International Fringe Festival in the late 1990s. It played to packed houses at the Jazz Club in Pleasure Island at Walt Disney World, and set up off-Broadway in 2004, where they won the 2004 Drama Desk Award for “Unique Theatrical Experience.” It was crowned champion at the National Harmony Sweepstakes in California in 1996, and did a brief stint at The Luxor, here in Las Vegas, in 2005. Vegas now has its own Toxic Audio troop, including two original cast members, while other “Toxics” have to travel the country. Hurray for us!

You have to like a team of singers who can improv a beat box song about Pat and Debbie Boone and who will play “Jaws” with its audience. As a matter of fact the audience is almost the 6th player in the troop. Four or Five audience members are brought on stage at different times in the 70 minute show, and singers perform in the isles just a frequently.

Toxic Audio is family friendly too, mixing it up with TV themes from “Route 66″ and “I Dream of Jeannie,” a better than The Muppets version of “Menomena,” and an eerie but beautiful surround-sound version of “Stand by Me.” They even “put the lime in the coconut” and make hacking and coughing sound lyrical. Some fresh beat box crash brings the kids back in and rounds out a great show built for everyone.

Some of these vocals are tracked on the Toxic Audio “Chemstry” CD along with other fun songs you didn’t hear in the show like “Easter Island Head” and “Paperback Writer,” the old Beatles fave, done the Toxic Audio way. Of course the CD is available after the show to those of us who didn’t get a free one for taking part in the performance.

It’s hard not to give a standing ovation to a show that already has you on your feet clapping and cheering. “Toxic?” No, I would much rather rate it “addictive.” I’m going back to see it again.

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• La Cage Las Vegas Tickets

by: Nicole “Niko” Acevedo

Believe it when you see it! There’s no need to go back in time to experience the legendary Diana Ross and sophisticated Judy Garland, and you don’t have to squint your eyes to witness the dance moves of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears in large overcrowded stadiums. Why not intimately see them all on the same evening at the snazzy zebra-striped Mardi Gras Pavilion of Vegas’ one and only Riviera Hotel & Casino?

Presented by stunning female impersonators of famous celebrity superstars such as Madonna, Celine Dion, Cher, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Judy Garland, and the mega-diva Diana Ross, you will be so enthralled by their performances that you will forget that they are in fact merely impersonating! When “Celine Dion” performed “My Heart Will Go On”, her passionate facial expressions and mannerisms were flawlessly identical and encompassed a witty charm. For a moment I was so excited to catch one of her final Las Vegas performances at Caesar’s Palace until of course I realized Bette Midler had already replaced the show.

Oh? Maybe I am at Caesar’s Palace after all… “Bette Midler” is now singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” up and down the stage!

For those with the fashion flare, you will delight in the “Gucci” and alternate designer gowns and furs flaunted by host Frank Marino while presenting each artist of the evening, not to mention the revealing and “voguish” outfits of the artists themselves. Speaking of vogue, performing “Music” and “Express Yourself” in le cabaret de La Cage, “Madonna” is the two-fold slim, sexy pop icon in the form-fitting white cowgirl suit and hat and the hysterically burly-beautiful, cone-breasted-corset expression of… well… herself.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg until the provocative “Britney Spears” allures you with her black leather outfit and gesturing dance moves, you will hope she’ll “do it again.” Finally now that you’ve forgotten that you’ve been watching impressionists, you won’t leave without additional astonishment as they reveal their deep-seated transformation in a heartfelt presentation.

Curious about the rest of these talented and seductive women and the King of Pop, “Michael Jackson”? Totaling twelve mirror image impersonators, visit these dazzling gentle-ladies of the La Cage Theater at the classic Riviera Hotel & Casino as they celebrate their 22nd year of elegant artistry, comedy, and sensuality. Souvenirs of La Cage are available in t-shirts, an 18-page photo book of all the stars from the past 22 years of production, and a 90 min. DVD of the show.

La Cage Las Vegas is so intimate in fact, host Frank Marino (as Joan Rivers) remarked that if his G-string broke they would lose the whole front row! Voted “Best Entertainer of the Year,” Frank Marino engages audiences with such comedic excitement and charisma that you are sure to laugh out loud as did the diverse group of younger and older “experienced?” persons during the evening of my attendance.

This is by far one of the most enjoyable and entertaining shows I have seen. If you’re looking for an evening of fun and laughter, great dance music and classic hits, and just an overall playful night out on the town, this is the show to go see!

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• Stomp Out Loud Las Vegas Tickets

by Erin Guernsey

For those seeking high-energy entertainment, comedic antics and pure theatrical brilliance look no further than Stomp Out Loud located at The Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Don’t let the show’s humble opening of one lonely cast member sweeping the stage fool you as it barely gives a hint of what is to come.

Every night the talented performers take audience members on a journey through the world of rhythm and percussion. The show throws the definition of a traditional musical instrument out the window by creating magnificent sounds from the most random objects such as keys, lighters, trash cans and lids, brooms, sand, plastic bags and of course … kitchen sinks.

As you enter the Stomp Out Loud Theatre you are greeted by a kaleidoscope of junk. The theatre designers managed to make this hodgepodge of items appear to be art on the walls instead of looking like someone’s trash can exploded. The stage itself is also filled with a plethora of mismatched items which will later be creatively incorporated into the show by the cast. Another distinct feature of this production is its costuming. You won’t find any lavish gowns or fancy wigs in Stomp Out Loud. These amazing performers wear simple street clothes that allow plenty of freeform movement.

There are two segments during the show that stand out and are a true testament to the genius of the show’s creators. The first segment involves cast members each taking various lengths of rubber pipes and beating them on the stage to create an alluring sound like no other. As you sit in your seat the melody slowly creeps inside you and then leaves you wondering if the notes you just heard actually came from rubber pipes. The other segment uses different-sized boxes filled with a mixture of dried beans and ping-pong balls. The boxes are thrown and pushed around the stage in a beautifully choreographed dance that must have taken an eternity to rehearse.

One character steals the show with his impeccable comedic timing as he tries to stay in line with fellow cast members, but usually receives the short end of the broom. His hijinks are sure to keep you laughing throughout the entire performance.

Stomp Out Loud is the perfect addition to a night out with friends or a romantic evening with a date. This spectacular show will leave you exhilarated and in awe of how so much intense energy was packed into 90 minutes.

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• Folies Bergere Las Vegas Tickets

by Chuck Stanec

Raw. Provocative. Sexy. Alluring. Just a few words among many that can be used to describe Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana. If you’re looking for a trip into Las Vegas past, this is it – without the DeLorean.

When one thinks of old Vegas, they envision the big, bold shows with the tall and supple women and the huge, bright feathers that adorn them. The energy, the passion, and the colors all appease the senses as you’re engulfed into history. The transient experience makes it feel as if you can walk out of the theater and sit down with Dean, Frank, and Sammy for a drink.

Perhaps the fact that Folies has been in Vegas since the time of the Rat Pack is what gives it that timeless feeling. Folies Bergere has been a staple at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino for nearly 50 years. The latest version of which chronicles American history as well as the history of the showgirl. Folies is a whirlwind through time and space with gorgeous women and the most pristine of costumes. The dance numbers and intertwined comedy personify the fad that swept the nation in the early 1900’s - Vaudeville.

While Vaudeville was becoming an American classic in the 1920’s and 30’s, the Folies had been running in France since 1869 and did not have its first nude showgirl until 1918. Folies Bergere gained its first exposure in the United States on Christmas Eve, 1959, at the Tropicana’s Fountain Theater. In 1975, the show moved into the new, better equipped, Tiffany Theater and has remained there ever since. Also, in 1975, the reigns of the Folies Bergere were handed over to Jerry Jackson, who is still the creative mind behind the show. Most notably, Jerry designed the 100th Anniversary show in Paris in 1966.

No other Vegas show opens with a topless rendition of ‘NSYNC’s “Dirty Pop”, but this is not just another Las Vegas show. True, the opening act does tastefully depict scantily clad women thrusting their agile bodies about the stage, but there is so much more offered. A gorgeous prima ballerina graces the stage and hypnotizes the crowd with her beauty and elegance; flowing costumes that, if one sits close enough, really show the girls are having fun; one priceless stage comedian that gives himself a medal every time he completes a trick injury free.

Like any show of its kind, Folies Bergere is not complete without its Can-Can. Every performer takes the stage in what becomes a routine unto itself. In fact, there is so much going on that one would have to view Folies 2-3 times just to catch it all. Unfortunately, like all good things, the show does come to an end. However, not before you’ve been cast through time and have been able to catch glimpses of what Vegas – and France – use to be.

The Folies Bergere has captivated the minds and imaginations of the thousands in its wake. One can be fully immersed into the show. You will quickly find yourself lost in time - warped even - through the 90 minutes spectacle. The changing scenery, slap-stick humor, and flamboyant costumes will leave you searching for words. But, that will pale in comparison because all the while, you’re still trying to spot that lovely dame that danced off with your heart during Act One.

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• Mac King Comedy Magic Show Tickets

by Bethany Dixon

In the second row of Harrah’s Showroom Theatre, ten-year-old Micah Oka says, “My favorite trick is when you tell your friends’ future with their shoe. You hold the shoe and you say: You are going to go for a short trip verrrryyy soooooon…” He pauses for effect and stares very seriously over his Harry Potter-like glasses. “Then you throw their shoe so that they have to go get it! Get it!?” Micah grins, delighted. He’s been reading magical comedian Mac King’s books for half of his life, and getting the chance to see his mentor live is making it difficult for him to sit still. His enthusiasm is contagious, and the buzz in the purple and gold theatre is electric from those who know what they are about to see.

The Mac King show at Harrah’s Showroom Theatre is a stand-up comedy magic show. Mac King includes volunteers from the audience, a few props, and a surprising camping guest in his one-man act. The show has been running at one and three in the afternoon Tuesday through Saturday since January 11, 2000. He is also known for his “Mac King’s Magic in a Minute,” the nationally syndicated Sunday comic strip that he co-creates with his brother, a graphic designer. Mac King’s particular brand of magic is extremely popular with young readers because of his line of Magic in a Minute kits that include props and easy to follow instructions. Mac King also wrote “Tricks with your Head: Hilarious Magic Tricks and Stunts to Disgust and Delight,” with how-tos on making your head disappear, poking a fork into your eye, and giving a cat “chiropractic” care. He also holds the 2004 Guinness World Record for the longest game of telephone ever played.

Looking at the audience doesn’t give you any idea of what to expect from the show. Some are dressed for church drinking bottled water and talking in low voices. Others rush to the bar to make sure they have enough libations for the next 70 minutes. There are grandmothers and teenagers, young marrieds and bachelors on an all-boys getaway. The lights dim and “If You’re Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands,” plays over the loudspeakers. Nostalgic, the trio of businessmen in their thirties behind me stamp their feet and shout hooray with the local seventy year old couple to their left. When the curtain rises, the showman faces an audience already laughing and clapping.

“Howdy, I’m Mac King,” he says with a shrug and a smile. Mac King hails from Kentucky. His twang coupled with his plaid used-car-salesman-chic suit will make your sixteen-year-old think that the show is going to be a snoozefest. But, Mac King pulls everyone in with his first rope trick, and the crowd is on the edge of their seats for the next hour. He pays attention to his audience, and they return the favor. He acknowledges the interrupting whoops and hollers when an onstage volunteer tells him she’s from Ontario, and quips, “Everyone’s a Canadian.” Another volunteer writes her name on the back of the card instead of the face, ruining the trick. “Could you come back every time and do that? It’s funnier that way,” he says.

Mac King is remarkable. He has put together a refreshingly (but not squeaky) clean show. The only PG-13 material is told so that it sails over the kids’ heads and you don’t have to worry about questions on the way home. In fact, the only question they will be asking after the show is, “How did he DO that?!”

He makes us laugh by putting on his ridiculous yellow raincoat of invisibility and impresses us later when he really disappears. When the lights come up after his encore trick, Mac King waits in the lobby and greets his audience, thanking them individually.

“Tell your friends about my show,” he says, “I’d like to keep this job.” He shouldn’t worry, anyone who sees him perform will be talking about it. Mac King’s act is one of Vegas’ treasures. Signed with Harrah’s in 2000 for a two-year contract, The Mac King Comedy Magic Show has currently been extended through 2011. As they are leaving the theatre, Micah and his friends go to the stage and pick up snipped pieces of the rope from his opening trick, examining the ends. “It’s just plain, cotton rope!” “How did he DO that!?” “I’m going to keep it and see if I can figure it out!” They tie the ends together and rush out to the lobby to wait in line and ask him personally.

Mac King is exciting and funny on stage and off. He’s working with Spread the Word Nevada, Inc., a nonprofit corporation working to distribute books to underprivileged and at-risk children. Audience members are encouraged to donate a new or gently used book at the show to receive a free autographed Mac King Tricks With Your Head book.The organization focuses on giving books to keep, not just to check out from the library. “The looks on their faces,” he says with a smile, “It’s like getting a pony.” I thanked him for the interview and he shrugged like he did when he introduced himself on stage for the first time and said; “It’s not anything really spectacular…it’s just me.”

Mac King’s Mayberry-flavored show would never be considered edgy. He doesn’t have scores of special effects coordinators or body-painted dancers high-kicking in sequence. His magic doesn’t require mirrors, smoke, or caged animals. It’s glitz-free, and it’s not very Vegas. But Mac King can rely on something that a lot of Vegas performers go without: both a passion to share with the audience and a talent worth sharing. It’s nice to see a show that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. Mac King is a magician and a comedian. And the funny thing is; he’s magic.

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• Bodies - The Exhibition Las Vegas Tickets

by Mark Marino

Las Vegas has never been shy about showing off the human body, but Tropicana has given their guests a lifetime opportunity to view many bodies more intimately than ever before. BODIES is an eye widening exhibit that offers a compelling way to understand the amazing and complex layers of the human machine.

Through a process of special preservation, once dead body tissue is rubberized with a silicone polymer and resurrected to a live human form. The world of inventive science and modern medicine present itself in a museum full of real bodies and parts. The entire body is dissected and reassembled for an absolutely lucid and intriguing look at everything piece by piece. Often times these specimens are completely out in the open, allowing guests to get as close as they like and stare without hesitation into the intricate structures that belong to all of us.

The exhibit is broken down into several rooms with each one dedicated to a specific bodily system. People can literally take a tour of their own skeleton, or see the normal framework of human blood vessels standing up in front of them. From the inside out, people can witness the workings of the human heart. Watch it grow strong enough to pump every drop of blood through its normal cycle every minute we are alive. How about seeing laser cut cross sections of humans sliced as thin as a pancake?

Viewers are also given unique insight into their own health by observing the physical differences between a normal organ and a corrupted one. This is perhaps best demonstrated in the respiratory room where a healthy lung is shown right beside a blackened smoker’s lung. People can actually peer into the display and see what emphysema and lung cancer look like, this is possibly the most visually effective no smoking ad ever.

Over the course of touring each room, people may find themselves amazed at how far science has taken us into understanding the mysteries of our own body. At the same time, it is equally humbling to realize how little we individuals really know about what’s under our own skin. The decisions we make about eating, drinking, and exercise play out here in a way that leaves lasting impact and encourages healthy choices for everyone.

This exhibition is both educational and entertaining with optional audio clips for different age groups. There are also several living bodies on hand to answer any questions about general health or any of the 275 specimens on display. After this viewing, any observers will be left with a fresh appreciation for every day that all these parts come together to sustain life. This exhibition is true testament to the beauty and value of our natural curiosities and admiration for the human story.

• Bodies - The Exhibition Las Vegas Tickets

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