Curtain Up: Resorts World, Smokey Robinson, Lizzo and more Vegas showbiz news

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Denise Truscello

Smokey Robinson, left, shown performing with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Charlie Wilson and Kenny Loggins at the Power of Love gala at Resorts World on October 16, will play at the Venetian in 2022.

Thu, Oct 21, 2021 (2 a.m.)

John Nelson, the AEG Presents executive who has helped shepherd Celine Dion’s Las Vegas residencies to groundbreaking success, recalled an interesting story during a sneak-peek tour of the Theatre at Resorts World on Tuesday. That was the day AEG, Resorts World and Dion announced her new show would not open on November 5 as planned, and visiting the brand-new venue that is now scheduled to host its first show on December 1 from Carrie Underwood was somewhat bittersweet.

Nelson helped develop Dion’s long run at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and then transitioned into a different role for AEG’s Concerts West division where he continues to oversee Dion’s world tour plans. He told a tale from those early Colosseum days, how Dion’s late husband and manager René Angélil recorded rehearsals of her new concert residency “A New Day” and had the footage fashioned into a bit of a film, one without a live audience. The first time Dion had to postpone a show because she was sick, probably some time in 2003 or 2004, Angélil asked if the movie should be played for the audience instead.

It didn’t happen then and nothing like that will happen now as Dion is being treated for severe muscle spasms. The entire cast and crew of her new Resorts World production remains in Las Vegas going through the motions of rehearsal, even without any show dates coming up on the calendar. Both Nelson and AEG Senior Vice President Bobby Reynolds said during Tuesday’s tour they would love to cook up some sort of new opening concert or show to fill in for Dion’s cancelled dates in November, but it’s not likely to come together. It is, after all, a dynamic 5,000-seat venue that requires plenty of preparation and marketing and much more time to deliver a stellar experience. And after strolling through the Theatre at Resorts World, it’s clear that whenever the place opens, it will be a spectacular occasion.

In other Strip residency and headliner news, Wayne Newton announced late last week via social media that a back injury will prevent him from restarting his “Up Close and Personal” show at the Flamingo’s Bugsy’s Cabaret space on October 23 as planned. There are no dates currently listed at the Flamingo website. Bruno Mars has added December dates, including New Year’s Eve, to his residency at the rechristened Dolby Live theater at Park MGM. He’ll play December 17, 18, 30 and 31 and those tickets are available starting Friday, October 22. Rod Stewart has extended his residency at the Colosseum into its 11th year in 2022, with tickets for new shows set for May 13-21 and September 23-October 1 going on sale this Saturday, October 23. And Barry Manilow will shift his residency show at the Westgate International Theater into “A Very Barry Christmas” holiday performance on December 2, 3 and 4.

More new show announcements this week: Lizzo will be back in Vegas for New Year’s Eve. The Grammy-winning singer and rapper will close out the year at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for one night only and tickets are on sale Friday; Smokey Robinson, fresh off a performance and being honored at this year’s Power of Love gala at Resorts World, will be back on the Strip for at least two nights in 2022. The Motown legend will play the Venetian Theatre on March 11 and 12; and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit will perform at the Theater at Virgin on March 6.

The quirky, naughty, utterly enjoyable “Zombie Burlesque” is set to return to the stage at the V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood this week on October 21. The 75-minute comedy-musical-burlesque production was one of the last shows on the Strip to shut down when pandemic circumstances were setting in last March and its aiming for a reopening schedule of 8 p.m. shows nightly except Sunday.

The new entertainment options continue this week at StarBase, where “Unleashed!” from Las Vegas drag superstar Edie made its debut on October 16. Comedian Bret Ernst, who might recognize from “Cobra Kai” will perform with special guest Kris Tinkle on October 28 at 7 p.m. For more info, visit starbaselv.com.

Cirque du Soleil’s epic “O” celebrated 23 years of making a really big splash at Bellagio on October 15. Since making its debut when the resort opened in 1998, “O” has performed for more than 17 million people from around the world. It reopened on July 1 after last year’s entertainment shutdown and continues with performances at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

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