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 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
My Las
Vegas Top Five Attractions for 2007
I landed at McCarran International Airport as a new resident of Las
Vegas on February 22, 2006. This was alien territory for a Midwestern
girl, used to rain and tornado warnings, deep dish pizza and
(relatively) polite and cautious drivers.
This city, which I have come to understand, appreciate and disparage at
times, has afforded me some memorable experiences during the past year;
the top five are listed below in no particular order.
At The Venetian:
Blue Man Group - These mute, azure-hued musicians have a psychologically
satisfying show featuring surprisingly predictable human behavior,
intense glares, music, percussion, color and humor. You’ll appreciate a
Twinkie before the night’s over. The dedicated Blue Man Theatre houses
the impressive set with its surreal props. There’s no spoken word, but
some written witticisms, and no one under five is admitted. Everyone
else will have a visually stunning, sometimes bewildering good time. The
neck crushing finale of audience-passed paper streamers (pounds of it on
your head) doesn’t hurt either. Well, it does, but it’s so much fun to
explain the injury the next day.
David Burke – With a philosophy of salt and eggs, the master chef with
restaurants in Chicago and New York makes a home here. Chic and modern,
the spacious interior beckons, its sleek decor includes a fountain
surrounding a crimson glass sculpture, an open kitchen, decorative salt
blocks and egg motifs in various locations. The restaurant has seating
for 50, includes a bar and lounge, and private banquet facilities for
100. The food is distinctly American: Wasabi shrimp and pretzel-crusted
crab cakes; cheesecake lollipop trees and tiny two-bite gelato cones.
There are versions of macaroni and cheese and corn dogs, and a pea flan
served in an eggshell. Have a signature blueberry martini and try to
stay grumpy. You’ll be flirting with the attractive wait staff in no
time.
Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular - This action-packed love story
features a chandelier, captivating songs, and takes you with it as it
wanders onto rooftops, into graveyards and subterranean caverns. The 95
minute production features two actors from the Great White Way: Anthony
Crivello (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Les Miserables) and Brent Barrett
(Annie Get Your Gun, Chicago) that alternate playing the Phantom. The
show grossed more than 3 billion worldwide, has been performed in 20
countries, with over 65,000 performances - and we have it right here at
our beck and call. The backstage V.I.P. tour reveals some secrets but
will leave you full of wonder at the complex technology and manpower it
takes to create the magic of the Paris Opera House night after night.
Walking the stage will give you a different perspective as well, looking
out over the empty seats and imagining all eyes on you. Get your eyes
over to The Venetian and see for yourself.
At The Wynn:
Monty Python’s Spamalot - King Arthur never had it so crude. Come curse
the French (they curse us!) with Arthur’s knights and join in the quest
for the Holy Grail. There’s a seat in the house that hides it – come and
find out if you’re the chosen one. Even the fish-slapping dance is
worked in here, and where else would you find a Trojan Rabbit and a
catapulted cow as the least effective weapons in history? This is Eric
Idle’s brainchild, written for the funds to keep his “daughter in
college and wife in collagen.” Housed in its own Grail Theatre, the
“knights in tights” tale, complete with stunning Lady in the Lake
back-to-reality songs will keep you engaged and amused until the
confetti-filled finale. The behind the scenes tour allowed me to see
several paint-can sized containers of cough drops and the interior of
the Trojan Rabbit, in whose gut the message “Eric, watch the lights!” is
eternally affixed. Maybe Idle visits and stumbles about at night. It’d
be worth a visit just to see that!
At The Orleans Arena:
Best in Show - The annual Lied Shelter benefit features adoptable
pooches, many purebred, some disabled but all adorable, in a parade of
cuddle appeal at the Orleans Arena. I saw a St. Bernard, Chihuahua,
Dachshund, German Shepherd and Golden Lab in all of their pedigreed
glory. This showcase for shelter dogs raises money and awareness for The
Animal Foundation, which serves the cities of Las Vegas and North Las
Vegas, and Clark County. Usually held in early June, there are adoptions
after the show and it’s open to the general public. Made possible by 500
animal-loving sponsors, the whole day is a family affair bringing smiles
and hugs between mammals of the two and four-legged variety. At just
$12.50 for adults, and $5.00 for kids/seniors, it’s an affordable outing
for a good cause. You know what dog is spelled backwards. You’ll see
proof of that here.
For further information:
http://www.montypythonspamalot.com
http://www.phantomlasvegas.com
http://www.liedanimalshelter.org/bestinshow.html
http://www.blueman.com
http://www.davidburke.com
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