Courtesy
Miral Kotb is ready to bring iLuminate to the Las Vegas Strip.
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 | 2 a.m.
A brand-new, innovative production show makes its Las Vegas debut this week and it’s been a long time coming. “iLuminate” begins performances Thursday at the STRAT Theater after an original planned opening in the spring of 2020 at the now shuttered Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood.
Created by dancer and software engineer Miral Kotb, “iLuminate” blends music, dance, comedy, technology and art into a unique visual and sonic spectacular unlike other shows on the Strip. It’s been performed on “America’s Got Talent” and alongside some of the biggest names in music live onstage during award shows and other special events. The customized wireless lighting programs that create its memorable effects are choreographed to align perfectly and creatively with the performance, thanks to special suits worn by the dancers.
Now, after the pandemic delayed its arrival and forced the show to find a new home, Kotb can finally put her creation to the test to see if it’s the natural fit in Las Vegas it appears to be.
“I think everybody’s state of mind is a little bit different right now. We’ve been through so much individually and as a company and there’s a lot of emotion backstage and onstage, and a lot of excitement about having the opportunity to do what we love again,” Kotb said on this week’s episode of the Sun on the Strip. “We have a lot more appreciation for it because we realize how important it is for our well-being. We really love what we do and having a year and a half where we couldn’t enjoy the process or be in front of a live crowd was really taxing on all of us.”
She said the move to the STRAT was a rapid development, as the SPI Entertainment team that produces shows in that venue was enthusiastically looking for different shows to fill the space.
“The theater is beautiful and it’s larger, and it’s a different vibe,” she said. “It’s more of a proper theater rather than a showroom, and having shows like ‘MJ Live’ before us really gives a feeling of excitement and dance and energy that fits with our brand. And having a bigger sound system, a bigger stage and more lighting, all those extras has been great for the show.”
“iLuminate” runs at 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and is intended to fire up the late-night crowd, Vegas visitors and locals who might be heading to a dance club to keep the party going. Kotb is hoping the journey of the show, taking the audience through different eras and styles of music and dance, will set the right tone for guests’ entire Vegas experience.
“By the end we have the DJ out with the dancers and we’re just trying to get you up on your feet to party with us,” she said. “After that big block party that ends the show, you’re going to be ready to go to the club, ready to experience Vegas and experience life together again.”
Find this week’s Vegas entertainment news, interviews and more every Wednesday with the Sun on the Strip.
