Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Curtain Up: The new Colosseum, Frankie Moreno, Drew Carey and more

Renovations Complete at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau

The view of the house from center stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, where new investments in the guest experience and innovative technical elements were introduced during a press conference at the Colosseum on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019.

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is ready for action. A media sneak-peek earlier this week provided a glimpse at the renovated theater, already one of the most luxurious live entertainment venues in the world, as it reopens this weekend for two concerts as part of Keith Urban’s “Graffiti U” world tour. Montreal design company Sceno Plus originally created the Colosseum in 2003 and returned to complete the new upgrades: a new 110-by-43-foot LED video wall behind the stage with double the resolution of the previous screen; a stage lift that creates first-of-its-kind modular seating and viewing options in front of the stage; advanced light and sound systems; and a refresh of all seats and finishes including the trademark cherry-red velvet carpets. “I couldn’t be more excited to see how this venue and our team continues to shape live entertainment in Las Vegas and beyond,” said Caesars Palace general manager Sean McBurney. The Colosseum is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment and co-promoted in partnership with Live Nation. Upcoming events include Luis Miguel and Enrique Iglesias for next week’s Mexican Independence Day weekend, the return of resident performers Rod Stewart and Jerry Seinfeld later this month, Steve Martin and Martin Short on October 6 and the October 9 debut of a new rock residency from Journey.

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Frankie Moreno at "Heartbreak Hotel" at Harrah's.

What happens when entertainers go to Vegas shows? They jump onstage, of course. Local mainstay Frankie Moreno and singer, dancer, choreographer and “So You Think You Can Dance” alum Lacey Schwimmer were in the audience for a midweek showing of the terrific “Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel in Concert” at Harrah’s Showroom and Moreno joined the band onstage for “Jailhouse Rock.” They also joined cast members backstage for photos after the show.

Hot on the heels of his massive celebration show marking 10 years as a Las Vegas headliner, Matt Goss has extended his cabaret-style special engagement at the Mirage for three more months. Goss, his multi-piece big band and backup singers and dancers the Dirty Virgin Showgirls resume Sunday night performances at 1 OAK Nightclub through November 24.

Comedian and host of “The Price Is Right” Drew Carey helps kick off Mexican Independence Day weekend at Brooklyn Bowl on September 13 when he hosts Lucha VaVoom, a rowdy combination of Mexican wrestling, burlesque, comedy, live music and more. In between wrestling matches, burlesque acts and aerial performers will take over, and Carey will host with comedian Jeff Davis with a night-closing performance by local quintet the Delta Bombers. Get more info at brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas/.

“Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan will kick off his one-man show “My Story: Unleashed” at the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand by turning the Hofbrauhaus into the dog haus for one night only. Millan will be the first celebrity keg tapper of the Oktoberfest season on September 13 at the authentic German beer hall and restaurant just across from the Hard Rock Hotel. His show runs September 12-18 at MGM Grand.