Daily Archives: January 5, 2009

For those of us living in or visiting Las Vegas to enjoy the theatrical shows, our hearts sunk in a collective sigh of sadness as the 30 cast members from Mandalay Bay’s six-year-old “Mamma Mia” show on Sunday night took their final curtain calls to a standing and cheering ovation crowd that called it a night to their legacy of 2,200-plus shows and 2 million ticket buyers. 

And, if that’s not enough melancholy for one weekend, down the Strip at Planet Hollywood fans were stomping their feet and clapping their hands, appreciative that they were able to see the final act of the 22-month-run of “Stomp Out Loud.”

Then, for this weekend’s final coup de grace, over at the Sahara, the dance revue “Raw Talent Live” packed in the fans in to see their final performance.  By any standards, “Mamma Mia” and “Stomp Out Loud” were long-running and very well received shows, but especially so in Las Vegas, a city that continually evolves and change is the order of the day. 

But these final acts in Las Vegas may not necessarily over.  Word is that “Stomp Out Loud” may still have some life remaining, working on a potential move to the Sahara.  And “Raw Talent Live” may also be involved in the musical chair move, adopting individual cabaret acts from “Raw Talent Live” this spring at a new laser-light nightclub opening at the Palazzo.  

It appears for “Mamma Mia” the end is final.  But before the actors’ footprints were even removed from the stage floor, today the “Mamma Mia” space is starting to be transformed into hosting the Broadway hit “The Lion King,” which is planning for their preview performances on April 20.   

Also, “Peepshow,” billed as a “modern burlesque” and that plans to feature Spice Girl Mel B. and “Dancing With the Stars” champion Kelly Monaco, is making ready for its gala opening at Planet Hollywood on March 30.

And last, but not, er…,well, maybe still last is Criss Angel’s “Believe,” which starting on January 7 will mysteriously going dark at the Luxor through January 22 for a much needed Cirque du Soleil “magical” revamping.