Friday, April 3, 1998 | 10:34 a.m.
PRODUCTION SHOWS. ... It's time for our sometimes annual rundown and commentary on current production shows. ... The Big Four are Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); "Jubilee" (Bally's); "EFX" (MGM Grand) and "Mystere" (Treasure Island), not necessarily in that order. ... Siegfried & Roy are the hottest ticket in town, consistently, also the most expensive at $89.50, which includes two drinks, tax, tip and souvenir program.
MGM Grand's "EFX" has had a new life starring David Cassidy; pluw three prices, $63.64 and $45, $31.82 for children, all plus tax. ... "Mystere" charges adults $63.50 and children, $31.70, tax included. ... A "Jubilee" ticket goes for $66 or $49.50, tax included.
Commentary: "Mystere" is far and away the most exciting and innovative show. ... "EFX" is high-tech with great visual effects, best for baby boomers. ... "Jubilee," nicely updated, is the best of the old Las Vegas. ... It's "Mystere" by a drum beat over Siegfried & Roy.
Much more magic
Caesars Magical Empire includes dinner with a magical experience for $75. ... Prestidigitator extraordinaire Lance Burton (Monte Carlo) has seats at $39.95 and $34.95, a best buy in this genre. ... Harrah's "Spellbound" is magic in a revue format at $34.90 and Steve Wyrick (Lady Luck) at $27.95 is worth the cab fare.
Bonnie Saxe's "Showgirls of Magic" (San Remo) includes variety acts at $19.95. ... Nick Lewin's Comedy Magic (Maxim) is a great value at $9.95, which includes two drinks, tax and gratuity. ... Dixie Dooley (Holiday Boardwalk) goes for $8.95, tax included.
"The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas" (Tropicana) is an afternoon show, as are the Nick Lewin and Dixie Dooley efforts. ... The Thomas tab is $12.95 plus tax. ... Lance Burton at his prices is our top recommendation. ... Nick Lewin comes in a strong second here.
Old Las Vegas
"Jubilee" is the best example of the old Las Vegas show style while the Tropicana's evening attraction, "The Best of the Folies Bergere," at $55 and $45, is more a cavalcade of song with only occasional bits of the original "Folies" concept. ... "MADhattan" (New York, New York) is new Las Vegas with seats at $39.95 and $29.95, an attempt to replicate NYC's street performers, still a work in progress.
"The Great Radio City Spectacular" (Flamingo-Hilton) has the Rockettes, Susan Anton and vital variety acts plus dinners at early shows. ... Careful, though, those dinner prices could make this one of the most expensive shows in town. ... You do get a good dinner.
"Enter The Night" (Stardust) is a column favorite, a bit of Broadway, mostly live music and dance, a good value at $26.90 plus tax, which does include two drinks and the gratuity.
The unusual
"King Arthur's Tournament" (Excalibur) offers an arena-type presentation that includes a medieval-type dinner at $29.95. ... Next door, at the Luxor, "Imagine" has overtones of "Mystere" at $39.95, tax included. ... We suggest you pay the difference. ... "Splash," an aquacade of sorts, is part high-tech and part hip-hop with $49.50 and $39.50 seats at the Riviera. ... It is different.
"Legends In Concert" (Imperial Palace), $29.50 was here first; "American Superstars" (Stratosphere) came later and does have a Spice Girls take-off for $22.95. ... Flip a coin.
"Broadway...Off Broadway" (Debbie Reynolds Hotel), a new weekend attraction, costs $30. ... "Forever Plaid" (Flamingo-Hilton) at $19.95 plus tax is a cut above. ... "La Cage" and "Crazy Girls" are in the same price range but not in the same genre.
In conclusion
Kenny Kerr (Debbie Reynolds Hotel) was here before Frank Marino and "La Cage," Kerr is an original, well worth $19.95. ... The best variety show deal for the $10 tab is "Viva Las Vegas" (Stratosphere) at 2 & 4 p.m. ... Westward Ho has resumed "Hurray, America," this time with The Walkers, who are also at the Continental with Steve Rossi's Ed Sullivan Tribute.
Danny Gans and his "Cast of 100 Voices" (Rio) definitely qualifies as a production show for $60 plus tax, which makes the Top Four a Top Five. ... Getting a ticket is not easy. ... We hope this is of some help. ... Enjoy all of Las Vegas, including our local events. ... See you next Thursday.
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