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The very name "Las Vegas" has been synonymous with a certain style of showbiz ever since Jimmy Durante first headlined at Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hotel in 1946. Through the years this entertainment mecca has redefined itself a number of times, but one thing has remained consistent: doing things big, and with as much ballyhoo as possible.
The star power that made the old "supper club" days glitter with names like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin is echoed in this decade's return of big names to the Strip, but this time primarily in large theaters devoted to recurring concert engagements, or "residencies," by everyone from Lady Gaga to Usher. Star magicians such as David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and Penn & Teller call Las Vegas home, and drive to work each day as commuters. Cirque du Soleil still dominates the Strip with spectacle and jaw-dropping acrobatics that present little or no language barrier to the city's large numbers of international tourists. Perennial pop stars such as Bruno Mars and younger-skewing production shows (such as the break-dancing Jabbawockeez) fight an ongoing battle to lure younger audiences that nightclubs have skimmed from the ticketed shows.
Shows are no longer treated as loss leaders for the gaming tables. Granted, a high credit line or enough points on a player's card can still work miracles for a hard-to-score ticket. But those who aren't big players are fully aware it will almost surely cost more than $100 for middle-of-the-house seats for the Cirque shows or star residencies. Meanwhile, the less-in-demand names and production shows that run year-round have become a confusing, "never pay face value" circus of discount outlets and offers.
The new generation of resident headliners is as likely to come from America's Got Talent as a recording studio, as evidenced by magicians Mat Franco or Piff the Magic Dragon. The names change, but there's something for everyone and still no other place in the world to find such a concentration of acrobats, singers, "dirty" dancers, magicians, and comedians—all continuing the razzle-dazzle tradition Las Vegas has popularized for the world.
The city's longest-running fine-arts organization (this being Las Vegas, it only dates from 1973) stages four or five productions each year, anchored by an annual December presentation of The Nutcracker (and making an October tradition of its Dracula every other year). Performing at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Downtown, the dance company also runs classes from its studio in Summerlin.
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