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AP Photo/ABC, Steve Fenn
In this photo released by ABC, magician Lance Burton enlists the help of host Barbara Walters during his performance on “The View,” Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from Caesars Palace.
Published Monday, April 5, 2010 | 9:46 a.m.
Updated Monday, April 5, 2010 | 11:36 a.m.
Monte Carlo made it official today: Master magician Lance Burton, a headliner at the hotel for nearly 14 years, is leaving. His final show is Sept. 4.
After a reference last week by Robin Leach on Vegas DeLuxe to a dispute between an unnamed entertainer and a major resort operator, word of the sudden split between Burton and hotel management began surfacing this weekend. Saturday night, KVBC entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs sent a series of Twitter updates reporting that hotel management had asked Burton to cut the budget for his traditional illusion show, and Burton responding to that request by saying he'd rather leave.
Read a statement issued by the Monte Carlo public relations office this morning: "It has been an honor and a pleasure to have Lance Burton headline at Monte Carlo for the last 14 years," said Monte Carlo President & COO Anton Nikodemus. "We are proud to have called Lance a member of the MGM MIRAGE family and wish him nothing but the best as he pursues a new chapter in his legendary career."
Burton was quoted in the release as saying: "Performing at Monte Carlo and introducing more than five million people to the world of magic has been a fantastic experience for me," said Burton. "I have loved every minute of this historic run and look forward to turning my attention to new opportunities."
No official reason was given for Burton's departure. The 50-year-old illusionist opened at Monte Carlo in July 1996. In July 2009, he signed an extended six-year contract with the hotel for him to continue performing at the Lance Burton Theatre until 2015.
I think it comes down to, Be careful what you ask for! It's probably to late to say, you know what; Maybe I can shave a few bucks from the show!
I recently saw Lance's show for free through houseseats.com and it was very good. I wish him the best of luck as he finds a new home. Good talent is hard to find, so the hotels need to keep that in mind.
so cheesy. magic is just the same 15 tricks done over and over again.
yawn.
The simple truth of the matter might be he is just tired and looking for a change in his schedules...six nights a week for 14 years is pretty grueling. He cares about his cast and crew, and that might be the reason he was reluctant to reduce some of the operating and production costs. The Lance Burton Show was a huge draw to the Monte Carlo that has no other features to draw people in...hope Management knows what they are doing. A great theater that should be utilized by someone who can draw people in from the other properties for the slots and table games.
I stayed at the Monte Carlo in February, and the place is pretty low key (almost dead). My hope is that they put a show in the theater that draws in a more happening crowd.
Bring back Sigfried And Roy!!
Perhaps Lance might have been more agreeable had MGM-Mirage followed their own "cut the budget" advice when building City Center ($8.5 BILLION). It's laughable if Jim Murren thinks that Lance Burton's show could affect his bottom line when what it really comes down to is dollars and SENSE.
As a sidenote: Lance, sometimes you have to swallow your pride and take one for the team. It's better to have a show running at 90% than to not have a show at all. Just ask your employees. I'm sure it's a tough decision to make and a tough position to be in. I know you've given it alot of thought and probably spent more than a few sleepless nights. Please reconsider. Don't let your theatre go dark. You are an ambassador for Las Vegas and you have been so generous with your time over the many years you have been a headliner. You are one of the few remaining bright lights of talent on the Strip. Don't let the corporate side extinguish that light.
Bring back S & R....? Yeah, that would work? Let's let history stay where it is: in a place where it is a fond memory.
Bring back S&R ??? Got a time machine ?? He should have done the world a favor and really cut Barbara Wawa in half.
What's can Roy do?
Some of you can bust on magic all you want, but jezz, its VEGAS! You've got impersonators, comics and guys with puppets, c'mon, you can't in all seriousness bust on the magician. Lance was a staple of the strip for 14 years. Closing a show that's ran that long is the end of an era.
On a side note, if this decision to cut Lance loose was because of budgeting restrictions than that's ridiculous....MGM has tossed enough money around (I agree with VegasSucks comment above) that this one show shouldn't or couldn't have been the straw that broke the camels back.
It's a shame that this show will be closing, as I'm sure all those that worked in the production are very much like a family. I wish the best of luck to Lance and all the crew.
Didn't Lance perform at the Hacienda? Man, I wish Vegas was still the same as back then. Good luck dude!
Just be sure that no one spots Melinda walking in to talk contract with the management at the Monte Carlo!
My guess is that he already has a bigger, better deal set for another casino/showroom . . . possibly Hilton.