Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

With show, Stardust set to fire up Cubans

Cuba is preparing to invade Las Vegas.

"Havana Night Club -- The Show," co-produced by Siegfried & Roy, debuts at the Stardust on July 30 for a six-week run.

The production, currently in rehearsal in Havana, will feature more than 50 Cuban dancers, musicians and singers.

In a prepared statement, Siegfried & Roy, who saw the show before Roy was injured by a tiger at The Mirage, said, "We've witnessed the magic of this show and felt compelled to bring its electrifying energy to Las Vegas."

Nicole "N.D." Durr, creator, producer and artistic director, says it is the first show of its size and quality from Cuba to play in the United States in more than 50 years.

A version of the production has toured 16 countries and has been seen by 2 million fans since it premiered in 1999, but Durr said the show that will be seen at the Stardust is exclusive to Las Vegas.

The new show's director and choreographer is Emmy Award-winner Kenny Ortega, who has choreographed and directed shows for Barbra Streisand, Cher, Madonna and others.

"Kenny has changed the show quite a bit from the original," Durr said. "He worked on it for a year. It's a whole new version."

The set designer is Michael Cotton, who has worked with Gloria Estefan, 'N Sync, Michael Jackson and Aerosmith.

Durr said the show features "the new generation of Cubans -- the drummer is only 18. The dancers are 18 to 24. They have so much energy. The Latin music is going to blow Las Vegas away."

She said the show, which features 16 elaborate scenes, is not a revue.

"It is a cultural exchange," Durr said. "It takes takes you to the legendary night life of the '40s, which is what Vegas became.

"In one scene, called 'The Nightclub,' a nightclub rises up, and everyone is in attire from the '40s, dancing the mambo and cha-cha."

She said the production takes a look at the roots of Cuban music, which is steeped in the cultures of Africa and Spain.

"It's a journey through the entire culture up to today," Durr said. "It will end with today's new generation of dance."

The production will feature 32 dancers, a 12-piece orchestra and eight vocalists.

"I wanted the world to see, through this show, the glorious untouched talent of Havana," Durr said. "Every beat and every note is filled with vitality and unbridled energy. The audience is invited to a party made up of glorious colors, rhythm, dance and music."

Durr said the show came about because a friend of hers fell in love with a Cuban dancer.

"He followed her to Cuba and called me," Durr said. "He said to me, 'You have to come down here. There is such incredible talent, amazing people.' "

She went to Cuba to see what her friend was talking about.

"I was amazed at what I saw," Durr said. "I wanted to show the world."

She noted that it is an interesting coincidence that the show is going to be at the Stardust, where Siegfried & Roy performed for almost 30 years ago.

"Our cast will be using the same elevators that Siegfried & Roy used," she said. "That is very symbolic, very magical."

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