Las Vegas Shows Reviews

• Jubilee! Las Vegas Tickets

by Lincoln Hudson

Having observed how the Las Vegas Strip has dramatically changed over the years in order to exclusively cater to the palette of the under thirties, sometimes it is good to come across a show that makes one pinch oneself and remember the entertainment that built Las Vegas and continues to cater to adults of all ages.

One of the shows doing such is Jubilee! at Ballys Hotel and Casino. If you need a break from watching French Canadian clowns pushing life size plastic balls across the stage, then Jubilee! is the right piece of camp, topless, musical brain candy for you.

Jubilee! is packed to the rafters with some of the most beautiful women showgirls, but it is much more. This retro-Vegas show is a charming mix of vaudeville theater, topless dancing and old time music hall which makes it among the best remaining traditional Las Vegas shows that there is left on The Strip.

Comfortably sitting behind an old school cocktail table and sipping an adult beverage, I stared in awe at the plethora of beautiful female bodies that adorned the stage as well as the shere volume of glittering rhinestones and showgirl headdress atire that helped to add some glitz to the glamor that is Jubilee! The singing and dancing was excellent, the cast magnificient, and the sinking of the Titanic was a nail biting piece of old time vaudeville.

For those who have never experienced the entertainment of legendary Las Vegas and want to enjoy one of the more modestly priced shows on the Las Vegas Strip, Jubilee! is just your ticket.

• Jubilee! Las Vegas Tickets

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• Elton John Red Piano Las Vegas Tickets

by Lincoln Hudson

Stepping out onto the stage at Ceasar’s Palace one can only gasp at the enormous enigma that Sir Elton John has become. Clearly older and wiser this superb and universal entertainer has lost none of the talent and passion that makes him easily one of the worlds greatest performers.

Red Piano is a magnificient show that beautifully uses the technology of both multi-media and film to tell the story and sub text of his songs. Elton John is not just a talented rock star but he is also quite clearly an Artist whose talent also includes writing hit musicals and adapting opera’s. Most amazing of all I find is the forever deepening sub text of his songs that go back almost thirty years.

One example of this is would be the song Daniel which depicts the death of a young soldier in the vietnam war as well as Rocket man which obviously depicts a younger Elton John at the peak of his career in the seventies desending into a vicious circle of drug, work and alcoholism.

Clearly the videography in Elton John’s show makes an excellent addition to the music and as more and more rock concerts are becoming actual theatre or stage spectaculars in this day and age it is good to see certain artists such as Elton John pushing the boundaries and giving the audience more “bizarres” for their bucks.

Do I think that Elton John’s Red Piano is worth the money that the people pay for it? Yes I do, John is an Artist, Rock Star and crowd pleaser of the highest caliber and will still be going strong for many years to come.

• Elton John Red Piano Las Vegas Tickets

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• Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere Las Vegas Tickets

by Denise Almas

The circus is coming. The circus is coming! Don’t be late or you may find yourself following an unconventional looking clown instead of an usher to your seat — or perhaps someone elses seat. Thus begins the stunning and surrealistic Cirque du Soleil production of Mystere. As soon as the doors close, the ringmaster takes over and the true action begins with a baby playing ball and looking for his “papa”. After finding a “papa” in the audience, the story begins to unfold in a vibrant and visually stimulating performance.

With the exit of the ringmaster, the performers come alive with unusual costumes, dancing, and death defying acts that only highly trained professionals could deliver with poise, grace, and beauty. As music heightens the performances, these athletes fly through the air, balance on top of each other, and bring to life the mysteries of human emotion and capabilities. Without missing a beat, these international athletes perform feats such as the aerial high bar, bungee, and Chinese Poles.

Like Alice in Wonderland, this shows feels a bit like falling down a rabbit hole into a mysterious world. Though the tremendous physical acts may be the central focus of the audience, the ringmaster, the jumbo-sized baby who found his “papa”, and the clown bring a unique humor to the show. During the limited breaks for the acrobats, the “clown,” who looks more like Albert Einstein than a bozo with a red nose, attempts to play tricks on audience members. Though he has great fun before the show with throwing popcorn and giving what appears to be unwelcome back massages, this clown has no problem separating a couple in order to woo the lady. Though the ringmaster may take him off stage, these brief interludes between the acrobatic performances only intensify the feeling that you have entered a dream.

When these acrobats return, the audience is again amazed at their athleticism and sheer physical strength. These performers take gymnastics to a level far beyond any Olympic champion, demonstrating the full range of man’s physical capabilities when bravery, dedication, and training morphs into tremendous talent. These men and women are not ordinary circus performers. Instead, they are a shining example of the human spirit.

Mystere is a story of how man has changed over time, of human emotion, and of the power of life and death. This show highlights what humanity can achieve together. Though powerful themes punctuate this performance, the audience may not immediately recognize what is conveyed by the performance. Though the acrobatics may initially take away from the overall message, the memories of the dream state you enter while at the “circus” are vivid and long lasting. Because this show delivers a tremendous visual and emotional experience, it is a perfect show for both children and adults. So, take a plunge down the rabbit hole and enter the mystical world of Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere.

The critically acclaimed Mystere is located at Treasure Island. Performances are Saturday through Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

• Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere Las Vegas Tickets

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• Mamma Mia! Las Vegas Tickets

by Denise Almas

With your toes tapping until the very end, the story is both delightful and, at times, mysterious.

As told through the energetic music of Abba, this big fat Greek island wedding is a comical look at how the women’s liberation movement affected two generations. Though the audience is warned of the large amounts of spandex and late 70’s garb, the music and talented performers bring to life a contemporary view of a culturally interesting time.

Having no information about the true identify of her father, Sophie, the blushing 20 year old bride-to-be, invites the three men her mother had written about in her 1979 diary to her upcoming wedding. This is the backdrop to the captivating musical Mamma Mia, a story of a young woman who attempts to find her father and her own identity at a pivotal moment in her life. Sophie’s mother, Donna, who is also unsure of the identity of her daughter’s father, is upset by the unexpected arrival of all three men the day before the wedding.

A naive Sophie mistakenly believes that she would know her own father the moment she meets him; however, deciding who her father is from appearances and personality alone proves to be a difficult and emotional task. As all three men decide to step up to the plate and walk Sophie down the aisle, Sophie faces a harrowing dilemma with her fiancee, her mother, and the three men she lured to the Greek Island where she lives.

Though the musical may tackle many important issues, it is done in an enjoyable and humorous way that will keep you on the edge of your seat through the entire performance. Three energy-packed dances follow as the cast performs three ABBA songs in bold, 70’s inspired costumes. Moved by the “Dancing Queen”, the audience enjoys singing and light dancing with these final performances. Though the story may have been told, the dancing and singing is not over when the curtain goes down.

Enjoy Mamma Mia and make sure you are the first in line for a fantastic Las Vegas evening. You may be surprised to hear yourself say at the end of the first act, “Wow. I didn’t know I was a fan of Abba!”

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• The Musical History of the King Las Vegas Tickets

by T. Feld

A shoe-polish black forelock dangles precariously over his forehead. The hips gyrate and swivel with unerring accuracy. His eyes beckon the crowd with a knowing twinkle. The upper lip curls into a familiar quiver. Showcasing a powerful vocal range throughout all the standard hits, you may think Elvis really is in the building after seeing Trent Carlini do his thing at the Sahara Showroom.

More than just an impersonator or tribute performer, this son of Italian immigrants breathes life back into the King himself by uncannily recreating the music, mood and moves of an authentic Presley performance. An audience spanning generations filled the 800 seat venue nearly to capacity at a recent Saturday night show that evoked the spirit of a genuine Elvis Presley concert, complete with screaming, swooning women rushing the stage for a chance to touch their idol.

Trent Carlini provides a true retrospective of the King’s career and song catalog, beginning with early standards such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Hound Dog”, continuing into the “Jailhouse Rock” and “Viva Las Vegas” Hollywood hits and building to the crowd-pleasing “Burning Love”. Carlini also weaves in “Love Me Tender”, wandering into the front row to romance a couple of ladies and inviting more toward the stage for a kiss on the cheek, provided they’re 21 — yes, he really does ask the girls who appear under-age!. The show includes all the King’s standards, even a spot-on rendition of “Little Sister”, the track later immortalized again by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.

Two big screens provide background footage and narrative that fill the spaces between sets allowing Carlini to make his costume changes from 50’s zoot suit style Elvis, to black leather clad Elvis, to the studded-cape King. Sometimes videos simply provide set-up for the next musical sequence, as in the Las Vegas Strip stock footage that runs through “Viva Las Vegas”.

In another interlude Carlini sends a love note to fans, revealing the double-entendre of the show’s sub-title. Using clips from his own youth interspersed with performance video, he explains his lifelong passion for Presley’s music and persona. He view’s his ability to channel Elvis as a gift. Using this gift to deliver the music and message worldwide provides fans with their “Dream King” and makes Carlini “King” of his own dreams.

A long list of accolades and honors set Trent Carlini apart from the ordinary impersonator. For the past decade he’s headlined the Annual Birthday Tribute to the King, performing with some of Elvis’ original band-mates. Global Record’s proclaimed him “Entertainer with the Most King-like Charisma”. “Legends in Concert” producers brought Carlini to Vegas in the early 90’s and he appeared in that show for much of the decade. In addition he’s performed all over the world and been featured on television shows such as “Entertainment Tonight”, “Late Night with David Letterman”, and “The Tonight Show”.

Beyond all the aforementioned accomplishments, Carlini also earned ultimate bragging rights by winning ABC TV’s “The Next Best Thing” competition. An experience documented in detail via video montage, and a title which he proves worthy of throughout the night’s performance. Carlini’s entourage includes an energetic and professional five-piece band with back-up singer, as well as a quartet of dancers with costumes evolving from midriff-baring poodle mini-skirts to feathered head-dress showgirl outfits and later, go-go boots with hot-pants.

Crowning off the evening as only the King can, Carlini dramatically annoints half a dozen monogrammed scarves with sweat and passes them out to adoring female fans flocking the stage during the show’s “Fools Rush In” finale.

Upon exiting show-goers have the opportunity to purchase scarves plus other memorabilia, as well as get a Polaroid snapped with the “Dream King” himself. Your ticket stubs entitle you to a $2.00 double shot in souvenir glass at any Sahara bar, and an extra $5.00 chip when you put down $20.00. Not a bad deal. After 75 minutes in the presence of The King, who wouldn’t feel lucky!

• The Musical History of the King Las Vegas Tickets

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• 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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