Ellen Sterling - Page 2

As a native New Yorker who was fortunate enough to go to Broadway shows since the age of five, I can now wholeheartedly and unreservedly say that Las Vegas is, indeed, the 'Entertainment Capital of the World.' And the reason for that is, in three simple words, 'The Smith Center. '

Here is clearly a man who loves theater and for audience members like me, the set list - heavy on show tunes and made even more interesting with the inclusion of, for example, 'Downtown,' - was a terrific one. It was a wonderful evening.

Jabbawockeez' Prism is so creatively presented that you know if you look away for even a moment, you're liable to miss something very interesting....and lots of fun, too.

Those who aren't among the 15,082,028 people (6,398,889 in the United States) in the world's 29,253 congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormon Church - probably don't know much about that religion. I am one of those people. In fact, the one thing I absolutely believe in is musical theater. I don't claim it as a religion, but I do claim it can cure a host of ills and know that its devotees are fervid in their faith in the curative power of a good musical. I am supremely grateful that I saw my first Broadway show at the age of 5 and that my faith in that art form has never wavered in the least. Now, The Book of Mormon has reinforced that faith.

It's billed as 'The Perfect Girls' Night Outback.' And, indeed, it is. Thunder From Down Under is a very happy place to be.

Mamma Mia! has become a staple of the musical theater stage. It ran at Mandalay Bay from February 2003 to January 2009, racking up more than 2,100 performances making it the longest-running West End show in Las Vegas. It is now the ninth longest-running show on Broadway. It has played around the world to millions of people.

Comedienne Whitney Cummings (left) visited Las Vegas on Thursday. She was at a press conference at the Venetian Resort and Casino to announce Lipshtick - The Perfect Shade of Standup, a new resident series of performances by female comediennes.

Teller first became known for magic, working with Penn (Jillette) in the act they formed in 1981. Today, following worldwide success, the duo is in residence at the Rio in Las Vegas. In between shows, Teller found time to direct (and co-produce with Penn) the 2013 documentary Tim's Vermeer. Now, he and co-director Aaron Posner have staged Shakespeare's play The Tempest and it is running at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts through April 27.

After more than 2,000 performances - 46 months/12 shows per week- actor/singer/dancer Eric Jordan Young has decided to leave Vegas! The Show. His last performance will be Wednesday, March 12.

In the last couple of years, many of us who live in Las Vegas have noticed that - along with Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and The Strip - visitors have expressed a desire to visit Gold & Silver Pawn, the shop made famous on History Channel's highly rated (1.3 million viewers each week) Pawn Stars. The family that owns the shop - Rick Harrison and his father Richard (the 'old man'), his son Corey ('Big Hoss'), along with Corey's childhood friend Austin ('Chumlee') Russell - have become familiar to people across the country and, now, they even have their own stage show in Las Vegas. Pawn Shop Live! opened at the Golden Nugget.

'Grand Illusionist' David Copperfield has become a Las Vegas staple, appearing in his home at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre more than 40 weeks each year. Unlike venues in so many other cities, this one is relatively intimate, seating 740 or so people. The audience is thisclose to the stage so it is important that the performer - especially when the performer is a magician or illusionist - appear transparent.

As an audience member, if you can suspend your disbelief, you'll have a wonderful time at Panda!, the new show at the Palazzo Theatre and the first on the Strip imported from China.

'I have played behind Frank Sinatra all around the world and in the recording studios in Hollywood since 1959. Now along comes Robert Davi who, in my opinion, is the only one that comes close to having the voice, the acting chops, and the charisma that the Ol' Man had. Listen and become a life-long fan of this wonderful talent.'

2013 saw some really good, interesting shows that will be remembered and cherished by those who saw them or who will see them. Top among these is Michael Jackson ONE, Cirque du Soleil's newest entry in the Las Vegas market and its newest show anywhere. It is stunning, spectacular. The title comes from Jackson himself. He said, 'We're putting love back into the world. To remind the world that love is important. To love each other. We are one.'

It's Meat Loaf as you've never seen him before in a multi-media career retrospective that's loads of fun.

It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but it wasn't until the end of last month - after living here for more than eight years - that I discovered the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). But, as the cliche goes, better late than never and, though belated, it was a lovely discovery.

Classic, vintage Las Vegas entertainer Don Rickles brought back a taste of Golden Age Las Vegas when he asked Robert Davi to open for him.