Absinthe (show)
Las Vegas variety show at Caesar's Palace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. A contemporary circus, the show is described by Stage and Cinema as a "cross between terrific variety acts and a stag party."[4] Absinthe has been described as part of the burlesque revival in Las Vegas by USA Today.[5] It has been called "The Greatest Show In Vegas History" by Las Vegas Weekly.[6]
| 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 | |
The show is hosted by the character The Gazillionaire,[7] originally played by former Cirque du Soleil clown Voki Kalfayan.[8] His original assistant (2006-2015), Penny Pibbets[9] was portrayed by actress Anais Thomassian.[8] In 2015 the character Joy Jenkins was introduced, "a kewpie doll-goofy sidekick inspired by Moe of The Three Stooges."[10] Developed and played by the American clown Jet Eveleth, "who masterminds the show. Joy is truly the heart of the show."[11]
Background
Originally, Absinthe was supposed to open at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a proposed resort which was later postponed due to financial problems.[12] Instead, the show opened at Caesars Palace, which allowed the producers to set up a temporary tent at the Roman Plaza.[13][14] 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.[15]
The show is directed by Wayne Harrison[1] with original choreography by Lucas Newland. It is produced by Ross Mollison[16] and owned by Spiegelworld.[15]
Performances are 90 minutes long[13] and take place in a 750 capacity[4] spiegeltent on a stage that is only nine feet (two point seven metres) in diameter. Audience members sit in a circle around the stage.[15]
Reception
In 2011, it was named "Best New Show" by Vegas Seven Magazine.[17] Northwest Indiana Times writer Philip Potempa acknowledges 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![13] 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."[18]
Celebrities who have attended performances of Absinthe include Gerard Butler,[19] Daniel Radcliffe,[19] Lacey Chabert,[20] Kaley Cuoco,[20] Channing Tatum,[21] James Franco,[22] Giada De Laurentiis,[22] Neil Patrick Harris and Olivia Newton-John.[14]
