The top spectacles on the Strip 2006

Valaer Murray February 20, 2007

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Choosing between the six different Cirque du Soleil shows may be one of the hardest decisions you'll make in Vegas -- second to whether you should make that trip to the casino's ATM. Older shows like "O!" "Mystere," and "Zumanity" paved the way for daring new shows like "KA" and "Love." Cirque du Soleil Company Manager, Calum Pearson, says that the preeminence of Cirque du Soleil on the Strip is because "the history of Las Vegas has always turned toward the spectacular and exclusive form of entertainment." And that perfectly describes all six of their productions.

Testing the boundaries of entertainment, director Robert Lepage's "KA" blends Cirque acrobatics with amazing scenes of martial arts combat as it follows the Imperial twins on their journey. Pearson explains why "KA" stands out: "For the first time we use the acts and visuals to express a linear storyline, yet still without the spoken word. It has a more operatic and theatrical style than our other productions." Vegas insiders consistently report that tickets to this show are the hardest to get.

The combination of the world's most popular band and the world's most unique entertainment company the product of a mastermind, and "Love" was actually born out of a friendship between the Beatles' George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberte. The show celebrates the Beatles' era by telling the story behind the lyrics of hit songs like "Eleanor Rigby" and using the staging, props and costumes to echo the '60s vibe. Everlasting Beatlemania and the outstanding quality of Cirque performances have made this production one of the most talked-about in Vegas since it opened in June.

See our slideshow of The 10 Hottest Vegas Tickets.

For decades, Vegas shows were defined by one-man acts like magicians, dazzling dancers and the legendary Wayne Newton. Now that "Danke Schoen" has ended its run, crowds are increasingly turning to new headliners and Broadway shows. But one performer, comedian Danny Gans, upholds the Vegas tradition, wowing his audience with hundreds of spot-on pop star impressions, from Billy Joel to Stevie Wonder. The Chief Concierge at the Bellagio, Tammi Furce, gives Gans her stamp of approval. She says, "this 'Entertainer of the Year' truly offers an incredible show filled with singing, impressions and laugh-out-loud comedy."

With her feather headdress and skimpy outfit, the Vegas showgirl epitomizes the Strip's gaudy charm. And Donn Arden's "Jubilee!" is a perfect example of the classic song and dance revue sans brassieres. If Bob Mackie means anything to you, the glitz and glamour of these topless showgirls kicking their way across the Bally's stage screams Vegas. Perhaps that's why "Jubilee!" is the longest-running show of it's kind and still the most popular.

To their credit, the new girls on the scene have had a hit song on the pop charts and a slew of illustrious guest performers like Denise Richards and Paris Hilton. The Pussycat Dolls began performing in Hollywood, but the show moved to a custom-built lounge inside Pure nightclub at Caesar's Palace. It's called burlesque but we imagine that's just a fragment of what these singing, dancing, stripping ladies do when they hit the stage -- think swings and bubble-filled tubs.

Because of the enormous popularity of the top shows, it's often necessary to plan a few months ahead if you want to get good seats for a Celine Dion concert or one of Cirque's new shows. Although there are many online clearinghouses for tickets, Erika Pope from the Convention and Visitors Authority says that "the most universally reliable way to purchase tickets is to visit the host hotel's web site or call their toll-free box offices." So when you decide which of the 10 hottest Vegas shows to go to, make sure that you secure your tickets well in advance or you might be left out in the cold.

See our slideshow of The 10 Hottest Vegas Tickets.

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