Martin Kierszenbaum
Sting is set to debut his delayed Colosseum residency.
Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Two meaningful new Las Vegas production shows barely had time to make an impact before the Strip shut down in the springtime to fight the spread of the coronavirus. “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live” was bringing ample glamour and flash to the Flamingo Showroom after an exciting debut in January, and just a few Strip steps away at Bally’s, the legendary Jubilee Theater came back to life with “Extravaganza,” which was performed for one pre-pandemic night in March before returning to the stage in November.
Major concert tour stops from the likes of Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Post Malone, the Killers and Justin Bieber were cancelled or postponed this year, but COVID also halted several new residencies and ongoing shows that had generated plenty of anticipation. Here’s a list of the big Vegas entertainment offerings we missed in 2020, all of which we are hoping to see in 2021.
KELLY CLARKSON One year ago, Zappos Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort had just hosted the first shows of Shania Twain’s comeback residency, adding another female pop superstar to a roster already including Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. And Clarkson’s “Invincible” show, originally set to open on April 1, had also been announced back in November 2019. There are no makeup dates yet but the first-ever “American Idol” champ and Grammy winner is expected to continue her plans with a full residency roll-out in 2021.
AN EVENING WITH WHITNEY The Whitney Houston hologram concert produced by Base Entertainment was one of the most intriguing show announcements of recent years, featuring a live band with singers and dancers setting the landscape for a hit-filled digital homage to the late megastar. It was planned for an April opening at the Flamingo Showroom and no dates are scheduled or tickets are on sale at this time.
TERRY FATOR After more than a decade headlining at the Mirage, the ventriloquist, singer and comedian had announced he was looking for a new room in Vegas before COVID ended his run. MGM Resorts planned a holiday season limited engagement for a new Fator show at New York-New York but the current capacity restrictions put a stop to that endeavor. Fator has indicated on social media that he’ll bring some new version of his performance to the Big Apple-themed resort as soon as possible.
CEELO GREEN The enigmatic soul singer has played a variety of Vegas venues through the years, from Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace to the room that is currently Criss Angel’s theater at Planet Hollywood. But there’s no sign now of his planned 2020 residency at the Flamingo Showroom, originally set to start in March before being chopped to eight shows in August.
ILUMINATE “Happy Hour: The Show by iLuminate” could have been a game-changer in March in the intimate Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood, an innovative combo of technology with music and dance — and it still can. The one-of-a-kind show is expected to debut on the Strip in 2021 as soon as COVID restrictions allow smaller showrooms like this 300-seater to operate safely and sustainably.
JONAS BROTHERS The reunited pop group’s Happiness Begins tour was to include nine concerts at Park Theater in April, announced as a short-term residency. But new tour dates have not been announced and there’s no telling if the bros will be able to fit Vegas into their adjusted schedule. This one looks like a cancellation and not a postponement at this time, but anything could happen in the new year or the years to come.
SCORPIONS The German rockers’ “Sin City Nights” run was another nine-show series (originally set to feature Queensryche) set for one of the Strip’s big residency rooms, initially scheduled for July 4-25 at Zappos Theater. It’s currently on the docket for May 8-30, 2021, and tickets are on sale now.
STING His was one of the biggest names announced for a Colosseum residency in the post-Celine era, making a splash across national media way back in April 2019 when the “My Songs” engagement was announced for a May 22, 2020 opening at Caesars Palace. Sting currently has Vegas dates on the calendar in May, October and November of 2021. The Colosseum also has rescheduled dates with Morrissey for August and September 2021, but there’s no sign of makeup dates for six shows from the Who planned for May 2020.
