Theater News

Las Vegas Spotlight: January 2006

Ringing in the New Year

A scene from KÀ
(Photo © Tomas Muscionico)
A scene from
(Photo © Tomas Muscionico)

Welcome to a brand new year in the Las Vegas theater world! Already Vegas theater has gotten a little boost by being recognized in Time magazine’s Best of 2005 issue, which cited Cirque du Soleil’s , created and directed by acclaimed theater and film director Robert Lepage, as the #2 theatrical experience of the year! The show tells the story of two twins (a boy and a girl) whose destinies are linked; the title is inspired by the ancient Egyptian belief in the “ka,” an invisible spiritual duplicate of the body that accompanies every human being throughout this life and into the next. As you might expect from Cirque du Soleil, the production combines martial arts, acrobatics, puppetry, interactive video projections, and pyrotechnics to create a dazzling spectacle.

As for 2006, there’s nothing much new on the ol’ Strip this month, but as usual the offerings from the dedicated local companies are eclectic and intriguing. The Las Vegas Little Theatre brings us Loot from January 13-29. The controversial black farce by British playwright Joe Orton is about the misadventures of two thieves, Hal and Dennis. Dan Lane directs this production, which is led by Eamonn Wright and David Bensimon as the criminal duo, and also features Michael Brazier, Stephanie Player, Paul Thornton, and Reggie Castaneda in the cast.

Stage Door Las Vegas is producing two very different musicals in rep from late January to early February. Starting on the 20th, the company will be presenting Chess, the Cold War-era musical about the intrigue (both professional and romantic) surrounding a chess match between a cocky American champion and his Russian rival. The pop-infused score, which includes UK chart-topper “One Night in Bangkok,” was written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, half of the 1970s supergroup ABBA, with lyrics by Tim Rice. This is a great opportunity to see a seldom-produced cult favorite.

Stage Door’s second production, Schoolhouse Rock Live! Too, will also provide a ’70s nostalgia trip. The stage show — a sequel to the popular Schoolhouse Rock Live! — is based on the popular children’s TV program which used catchy musical numbers to teach kids about everything from grammar (“Conjunction Junction”) to government (“I’m Just a Bill”). The songs were written by several people, but most notable among them for Broadway lovers is Lynn Ahrens, lyricist of Ragtime and Once On This Island fame. Both productions will be at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Center, and ticket prices range from $15.00-$18.00 for Chess to just $6.00-$8.00 for Schoolhouse Rock.

On January 15, Jade Productions is back on the scene for a one-time-only 10th Anniversary gala, A Class Act * Broadway Songs. The event will feature a show full of singing and dancing accompanied by the Pat Demain Band. The fun starts at 2pm, and following the performance there will be food for all.