Two Shows Set to Open

Riviera Ready to Welcome MJ & Rat Pack

Las Vegas-based Red Mercury Entertainment, owned by venture capitalist Darin Feinstein and former Caesars and AEG Live entertainment executive Carlos Reynoso, announce that the company will bring two popular tribute shows, MJ LIVE and The Rat Pack is Back to the Riviera Hotel & Casino beginning March 2. The shows will perform seven-nights-a-week in the 950-seat Versailles Theater, a historic Vegas showroom that has been closed for five years. MJ LIVE is co-produced by Feinstein and 40-year entertainment industry veteran Dick Feeney, and The Rat Pack is Back, produced by Feeney.

"It's an exciting opportunity to be working with the iconic Riviera since last year contributing our expertise to broaden the property's entertainment options and to help create new experiences for both locals and tourists in the entertainment capital of the world," said Feinstein.

"We're thrilled for MJ LIVE and The Rat Pack is Back to become a part of the Riviera's entertainment lineup on the famed Las Vegas Strip," said Feeney. "We've had a great two and a half year run at the Rio with much critical acclaim, so both of these popular and top-notch theatrical production tribute shows will continue to entertain thousands of visitors from around the world."

The Rat Pack is Back will be performed nightly at 6:30 p.m. and MJ Live will be performed nightly at 8:30 p.m.

40 Million+ Visitors

Good News for Show Producers

Entertainment and show producers in Las Vegas have no shortage of tourists to fill seats in the showrooms as Las Vegas reached a historic milestone, exceeding 40 million*visitors for the first time. The tourism industry in Southern Nevada continues to expand, achieving ten consecutive months of visitor volume increases, with many of those months being the best on record.

"Las Vegas couldn't have reached this milestone without the continued investments of our resort partners, and the more than 40 million people who came to experience all the destination has to offer," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). "Ongoing developments in the destination, including new, renovated and rebranded resort properties, exciting new attractions, world-class entertainment, incredible culinary offerings and more are what keep first-time visitors and loyalists returning to Las Vegas time and time again."

To celebrate the 40 million visitor milestone the destination created a series of 'Only in Vegas' experiences and surprised unsuspecting visitors with Las Vegas entertainers, including Penn and Teller, Carrot Top and Claire Sinclair, presenting the one-of-a-kind experiences. The giveaway items included: incredible suite upgrades at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Palms Las Vegas, dinner for four at CRUSH eat, drink, love at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, thrill-seeking SkyJump experiences at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, VIP beauty makeovers at Michael Boychuck's COLOR Salon at Caesars Palace and much more.

*40 million people with two weeks remaining of the calendar year. Current pacing suggests the destination could approach nearly 41 million visitors by the end of the year. The previous record was set in 2012 with more than 39,727,000 tourists.

Entertainers Announced

Feb. 2nd Show at Inspire Theatre Set to Go.

Speakers for the second installment of EntSpeaks have been announced by producer Andy Walmsley and include Robin Leach, Anita Mann, Nicole Kaplan, Mac King, Myron Martin and Bob Anderson. EntSpeaks is a series of one-night only, intimate evenings with the people who made Las Vegas the "Entertainment Capital of the World."

During the show speakers take their turn on an empty stage for 15 minutes, with nothing but a microphone, and tell their lifetime stories in the entertainment industry.

Walmsley states, "The evening ends with a Q and A with a twist."

The show is scheduled for February 2, 2015 at the Inspire Theater in downtown Las Vegas. Red Carpet and Pre-Show Party 7:30-8:45 p.m. with the show starting at 9 p.m. An after party is scheduled from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. The show is by invite only.

Show Contract Updates

Olivia Newton-John & Shania Twain

You're the One That I Want

Flamingo Las Vegas has announced that Olivia Newton-John (pictured right) with her show "Summer Nights" will be extended through September 2015 inside the Donny & Marie Showroom.

"It has been amazing to be able to call Las Vegas home for the past year, and I look forward to performing at Flamingo Las Vegas for another year," says Olivia. "I am thankful to the fans who have come from all over the world to see the show, as a portion of every ticket sold benefits the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre."

The production, featuring an eight-piece band, takes fans on a journey through the celebrated singer, actress, songwriter and philanthropist's life and career.

A Final Bow

After two years and performing 105 shows for 337,500 guests from all over the world, international superstar Shania Twain took the stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the last time last month with her headlining residency show, SHANIA: STILL THE ONE.

Demonstrating her love of the city, in Oct. 2013, Shania opened the first international Shania Kids Can Foundation (SKC) Clubhouse at Tom Williams Elementary School in North Las Vegas. SKC is Shania's non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children in communities across the world. The program, founded as a response to the difficulties Shania endured as a youth, is designed to implement simple, yet effective initiatives to increase the potential of students in the program to live successful, fulfilling lives.

To commemorate Shania's dedication to SKC and the city of Las Vegas, during the show Saturday evening, John Meglen, President of Global Touring with AEG Live, and Sean McBurney, General Manager of Caesars Palace, presented the Shania Kids Can Foundation with a check for $5,000.

It Takes Two

Donny & Marie, who recently celebrated their six year anniversary at Flamingo Las Vegas, signed an extension to entertain audiences with their 90- minute variety show through the end of 2015. Additionally, a new building wrap of America's most-loved brother-sister duo has been installed on the front of the property.

Below, a time-lapse video of the building wrap installation.

In Wynn Style

Showstoppers Sets the Stage Right

Steve Wynn's ShowStoppers celebrated its grand opening on December 20 inside the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The production includes a cast of 35 singers and dancers, backed by an on-stage 31-piece orchestra.

"In the 45 years I've been doing this, I've never felt as proud or as satisfied with any project I've ever been involved with as much I am with this one," said Steve Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts and executive producer of ShowStoppers. "I was beginning to miss the magic and delicious joy of watching gifted artists perform with great music, and so I hope the public loves the show as much as I do."

The 90-minute show is composed of many quintessential musical numbers from some of the most celebrated composers and lyricists to ever grace American theater stages. From Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim and Marvin Hamlisch, the geniuses behind the creative works presented in ShowStoppers set the standard to which theater composers and lyricists aspire.

Wynn assembled an all-star and award-winning creative team including director Philip Wm. McKinley (Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark); choreography by three-time Emmy Award�-winner Marguerite Derricks; costume designer Suzy Benzinger, (Oscar award-winning film Blue Jasmine); Emmy Award-winning musical director David Loeb; and hair and makeup designer Luc Verschueren.

ShowStoppers performs Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Caesars Goes Country

New Residency Announced for Colosseum

Caesars Palace announces that superstar entertainers Reba, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will join forces to launch a one-of-a-kind Country music residency - REBA, BROOKS & DUNN:Together in Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

The show, jointly presented by Caesars Palace and AEG Live is scheduled to open June 24, 2015 with dates currently set for June, July and December.

Steamy Hits the Strip

Parody Show to Open at Bally's Feb 3

50 SHADES! THE PARODY, inspired by the best-selling trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, will move into the Windows Showroom at Bally's Las Vegas beginning February 3.

"BASE Entertainment is thrilled to bring the nationwide smash-hit, 50 SHADES! THE PARODY, to Bally's Las Vegas," says Scott Armstrong, Vice President and Managing Producer. "A scintillating production unlike any other on the Strip, we are excited to present another element of high quality entertainment and further our goal of bringing diverse theatrical offerings to the city of Las Vegas."

Proclaimed "filthy and funny" by New York Daily News and "clever and wildly entertaining" by Variety, 50 SHADES! THE PARODY is a naughty satire that explores the steamy relationship between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, as seen through the eyes of a trio of girlfriends reading the novel at a book club meeting.

50 SHADES! THE PARODY is not associated with, endorsed or authorized by E.L. James or Vintage Books.

Watch the new promo video here: