Absinthe | |
---|---|
Company | Spiegelworld |
Genre | Contemporary circus |
Show type | Resident show |
Date of premiere | 2006 |
Location | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas |
Creative team | |
Writer and director | Wayne Harrison [1] |
Producer | Ross Mollison [2] |
Choreographer | Lucas Newland |
Official website |
Absinthe is a live show that premiered in 2006 and is playing on the forecourt of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, [3] after opening on April 1, 2011. Paul Carr of The Huffington Post , proclaimed "If I could only see one show my entire life," he said, "I'd want it to be that." [4] It was also called "The Greatest Show In Vegas History" by Las Vegas Weekly . [5]
The show is hosted by the character The Gazillionaire, [6] originally played by former Cirque du Soleil clown Voki Kalfayan. [7] His original assistant (2006-2015), Penny Pibbets [8] was portrayed by actress Anais Thomassian. [7] In 2015 the character Joy Jenkins was introduced, "a kewpie doll-goofy sidekick inspired by Moe of The Three Stooges." [9] Developed and played by the American clown Jet Eveleth, "who masterminds the show. Joy is truly the heart of the show." [10]
Originally, Absinthe was supposed to open at the Fontainebleau Resort Las Vegas. The Fountainebleau closed and Caesars Palace allowed the producers to set up a temporary tent at the Roman Plaza. [11] [12] Within 90 days of performances, after inspections by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the organizers were told to shut down production. Due to the success of the shows within those 90 days, Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, purchased a Spiegeltent. [13]
The show is directed by Wayne Harrison [1] with original choreography by Lucas Newland. It is produced by Ross Mollison [14] and owned by Spiegelworld. [13]
Performances are 90 minutes long [11] and take place in a 750 capacity [15] spiegeltent on a stage that is only nine feet in diameter. Audience members sit in a circle around the stage. [13]
In 2011, it was named "Best New Show" by Vegas Seven Magazine. [16] Absinthe has been described as part of the burlesque revival in Las Vegas by USA Today . [17] Northwest Indiana Times writer Philip Potempa acknowledge the "all-so-amazing" performers, comparing Melody Sweets to the character of the Green Fairy played by Kylie Minogue in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge! [11] A contemporary circus, the show is described by Stage and Cinema as a "cross between terrific variety acts and a stag party." [15]
Celebrities who have attended performances of Absinthe include Gerard Butler, [18] Daniel Radcliffe, [18] Lacey Chabert, [19] Kaley Cuoco, [19] Channing Tatum, [20] James Franco, [21] Giada De Laurentiis, [21] Neil Patrick Harris and Olivia Newton-John. [12]
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