Las Vegas Spotlight: December 2010

December is upon us, which means it’s stockings by the fireplace, hanging the old mistletoe, trimming the tree and of course, plenty of first-rate entertainment for one and all. Kicking off the holiday season is SINATRA Dance With Me at Wynn’s Encore Theatre (December 11-January 29), just in time to celebrate Francis Albert Sinatra’s 95th birthday. Conceived, choreographed and directed by the legendary Twyla Tharp, the piece follows four couples as they fall in and out of love at a swinging nightclub.

Yes, culture lovers, there is a Santa Claus. And this December, he’s stuffed his giant gift bag full of fine holiday shows for you to enjoy. Signature Productions presents A Signature Christmas at the Summerlin Library (December 1-3) – a songfest starring Signature’s finest voices. Las Vegas’ seasonal mainstay, the Nevada Ballet Theater’s production of The Nutcracker, will be presented December 17-26 at the Paris Théâtre. With choreography by Peter Anastos and dazzling visual effects, it will be a gift that the whole family will cherish forever.

For those who like their holiday entertainment with a bit more “peppermint,” Off-Strip Productions and the Onyx Theatre present The Santaland Diaries (December 2-11), adapted from David Sedaris’ humorous essay of his stint as a Macy’s Christmas Elf. And Las Vegas Little Theatre presents Will Kern’s Hellcab at LVLT’s Fischer Blackbox (December 3-19). Taking place on Christmas Eve, the play focuses on the adventures of a nameless cabdriver whose shift features everything from drug deals, to rushing a pregnant woman to the hospital.

Caesars Palace is unwrapping some terrific presents for Vegas this holiday season. First he took Manhattan, now he’ll take Sin City — yes, singer-songwriter extraordinaire Leonard Cohen comes to The Colosseum (December 10-11) for a magnificent night of music. And if it’s holiday “Ho! Ho! Hos!” you seek, give the gift of laughter with ventriloquist Jeff Dunham on December 4, and stand-up legend Jerry Seinfeld on December 26-27. The Las Vegas Hilton has its own holiday tradition, when the Andy Williams Christmas Show arrives at the Hilton Theater on December 23-24. Evocative of the celebrated singer’s classic TV specials of yore, it’s a beautiful evening of Christmas cheer. There’s something for everyone, whether you’ve been naughty or nice, at the MGM Grand. The “fourth tenor,” Andrea Bocelli, brings his popular pipes to the Grand Garden Arena, joined by the New West Symphony (December 11). And at MGM’s Hollywood Theatre, multi-talented (and somewhat raunchy) comedian Rodney Carrington puts on an unforgettable show December 6-11.

Get some holiday cheer at The Venetian with the hilarious David Spade on December 3-4. You’ll be saying “Buh-Bye” to any holiday blues. At the Mirage, Blue Collar comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is the gift that keeps on giving (December 3-11). Bring on the Scotch and cigars! Over at Treasure Island, Bill Engvall, yet another of the Blue Collar comics, serves up some country-fried comedy on December 9-10.

At Mandalay Bay, The Judds bring “The Last Encore Tour” on December 18. As the name suggests, this is your last chance to see the iconic country duo performing together. And at The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, the always edgy and always hilarious Adam Carolla delivers the punch-lines (December 4). At the Hard Rock, The Black Crowes are stopping by The Joint as part of their four-month tour (December 10). Guess they’ll be “shaking their moneymaker” when they perform all of their memorable hits.

At the Orleans, you can get “Two Tickets to Paradise” when you catch Eddie Money at the Orleans Showroom (December 18-19). And for the kiddies, it’s Yo Gabba Gabba Live! at the Orleans Arena on December 2. Join Muno, Foofo, Brobee and the rest of the Gabba gang for a raucous, fun-filled musical romp – featuring none other than hip-hop legend Biz Markie. The Palms boasts a visit from Miranda Lambert on December 10. Flush with success from her winning night at the CMA Awards, her “CMT on Tour” stops at the Pearl Concert Theater for a “Revolution”-ary evening. Also at the Palms is comedian Aziz Ansari. The Parks and Recreation star brings his “Dangerously Delicious Tour” to Vegas on December 11. At Planet Hollywood, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds perform at the Theatre for the Performing Arts on December 10-11. For fans of the duo’s acoustic performances, this is the can’t miss concert of the season. And with that, Happy Holidays to all!