Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE MAJOR PRODUCTION SHOWS 253
Lance Burton: Master Magician Kids Value Magic acts are a dime a dozen in
Vegas of late. Along with impersonator acts, they seem to have largely replaced
the topless showgirls of yore. Most magic shows seem more than a little influenced
by the immeasurable success of Siegfried & Roy. So when someone pops
up who is original—not to mention charming and, yes, actually good at his job—
it comes as a relief. Handsome and folksy (he hails from Lexington, Kentucky),
Burton is talented and engaging, for the most part shunning the big-ticket special
effects that seem to have swamped most other shows in town. Instead, he
offers an extremely appealing production that starts small, with “close-up” magic.
These rather lovely tricks, he tells us, are what won him a number of prestigious
magic competitions. They are truly extraordinary. (We swear that he tossed a bird
up in the air, and the darn thing turned into confetti in front of our eyes. Really.)
Burton doesn’t have patter, per se, but his dry, laconic, low-key delivery is plenty
amusing and contrasts nicely to other performers in town, who seem as if they
have been spending way too much time at Starbucks. He does eventually move
to bigger illusions, but his manner follows him—he knows the stuff is good, but
he also knows the whole thing is a bit silly, so why not have fun with it? His longtime
support act is comedian/juggler Michael Goudeau, who is not only perhaps
the only genuinely funny and talented support act on the Strip, but he can also
juggle a bean bag chair, a chainsaw, and a peanut M&M all at once. His presence
is just further proof of how right Burton’s show is overall.
All this and extremely comfortable movie-theater-style plush seats with cup
holders. And for a most reasonable price. In the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, 3770 Las
Vegas Blvd. S. & 877/386-8224 or 702/730-7160. Tickets $55–$60 (excluding tax). Tues and Sat
7 and 10pm, Wed–Fri 7pm.
Legends in Concert This is a crowd-pleaser, which is probably why it’s been
running since May 1983. Arguably the best of the Vegas impersonator shows
(though it’s hard to quantify such things), Legends features performers singing
live rather than lip-synching. And the performers look remarkably like the originals;
free use of video cutting between action on stage and the real performer
generally shows what a good simulation the former is. Acts vary from night to
night (in a showroom that could use a face-lift) on a nice, large stage with modern
hydraulics but twinkle lighting that is stuck in a Flip Wilson Show time warp.
The personal touches here include scantily clad (but well-choreographed) male
and female dancers, and an utterly useless green laser. When we went, the performers
included a carbon copy (at least in looks) of the early Little Richard, a
crowd-pleasing Shania Twain, an energetic Prince, an appropriately flamboyant
Liberace, a striking Bette Midler, and one helluva Elvis impersonator. In Imperial
Palace, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 888/777-7664. Tickets $40 adults (includes 1 drink, tax, and
gratuity), $25 children 12 and under. Mon–Sat 7:30 and 10:30pm.
Mac King Value One of the best entertainment values in Vegas, this is an afternoon
comedy-magic show—and note order of precedence in that introduction.
King does magic; thankfully, as far as we are concerned, emphasizing the only
kind that’s really mind-blowing these days—those close-up tricks that defy your
eyes and mind. But he surrounds his tricks with whimsy and wit, and sometimes
gut-busting guffaws, which makes you wonder how someone else can still perform
stunts with a straight face. (Check out how he takes a $100 bill and—wait,
we don’t want to give it away, but suffice to say, it involves an old shoe and a Fig
Newton and several other unexpected props.) Perfect for the kids, perfect for the
budget, perfect timing if you need something in the afternoon before an evening