Curtain Up: ‘Magic Mike,’ Andrea Bocelli, David Lee Roth and more Vegas showbiz news

The grand opening performance of “Magic Mike Live” at Sahara Las Vegas on September 25 was a high-octane celebration from the red carpet that kicked things off to the afterparty at the resort’s new Azilo Ultra Pool. Among the attendees were Sahara owner Alex Meruelo, the award-winning director of the original “Magic Mike” film Steven Soderbergh, and pop singer and Las Vegas resident Debbie Gibson, who made an appearance during the show to sit on a piano while David Terry and other cast members serenaded the audience. This unique production is making full use of its brand-new, custom-built theater, and producers have enhanced the elements and details that make it something special and allow the talented cast to shine.

At the afterparty, I was thinking this new “Magic Mike” feels like one of the best overall shows on the Strip when two of my favorite Vegas performers found me poolside and agreed with my assessment. Burlesque sensation Melody Sweets and “Miss Behave Gameshow” creator and star Amy Saunders were making the rounds Saturday night and both have compelling projects in the works. We can’t wait to see each of them onstage again soon, on or off the Strip. Stay tuned.

Congratulations to the very Vegas couple of Dani Elizabeth of “Crazy Girls” and Murray Sawchuck of his own show at the Trop and “Fantasy” at Luxor, who tied the knot this week with a ceremony and bash at the Plaza. Rocker Paul Shortino officiated and too many Las Vegas entertainers to keep track of were in attendance to show love and support to the happy couple. You can learn about their love story by revisiting my Sun on the Strip interview with them from December.

Andrea Bocelli’s performances in Las Vegas have always been iconic. The acclaimed Italian tenor will return to the Strip on February 18 at MGM Grand Garden Arena for his five-show “In Concert For Valentine’s” tour. Tickets go on sale October 11 at axs.com.

More Vegas events announced this week: When Lady Gaga returns to Park Theater for her “Jazz & Piano” residency shows, her bandleader Brian Newman will also be back for more performances of his “After Dark” residency at Park MGM’s NoMad Library on October 14-31; Ranchera star Paquita la del Barrio will perform at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas with Marisela and Sonora Santanera on November 27; Chris Isaak will return to Encore Theater at Wynn for his “Holiday Tour” on December 17 and 18; David Lee Roth returns to his limited engagement at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on December 31 and January 1, 5, 7 and 8; Tool will visit T-Mobile Arena on January 22; and Shawn Mendes’ “Wonder: The World Tour” touches down in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on September 15.

Las Vegas drag legend Edie will perform her new show, “Las Vegas Showgirl: Unleashed,” for one night only on October 16 at Starbase, an event venue formerly know as the home of Fresh Wata. Edie (aka Christopher Kenney), best known for starring in the long-running Cirque du Soleil production “Zumanity” at New York-New York, performed at the same venue last year as part of the “Drive-In Drag Show” that also toured last summer during the pandemic. Kenney has also been starring in and producing “Faabulous! The Show” at Notoriety Live at downtown entertainment complex Neonopolis. “Unleashed” is something different, a high-energy, semi-autobiographical look at a performer’s career through song, stories, comedy and dance. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

No surprises here: The multitalented Sarah Hester Ross is extending her weekly residency at Notoriety Live and will continue to perform her musical comedy (or is it comedic music?) through November. The Thursday night shows have been a hit all September long from the entertainer who also performs at the Bar at Times Square at New York-New York on the Strip and tickets for her upcoming Notoriety gigs can be found at sarahhesterross.com/shows.