Las Vegas "Must See" Shows for 2009

There are many Las Vegas shows you can see in "sin city" that don't include nudity. This review of Las Vegas "Must See" Shows for 2009 is aimed at wholesome fun.

Unfortunately "Mama Mia" the stage play, which in my opinion was much better than the movie, has left Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay in January 2009, after six years of packed houses. It remains to be seen if another hotel will pick it up.

But Good News - These outstanding choices for "Must See" Las Vegas Shows are still available:

"Jersey Boys" at The Palazzo- (Hit this link to see and hear video clips). I saw "Jersey Boys" here last year. What a fantastic production. This is the story of singer Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' careers spanning from their origin in early 1960's New Jersey. The music is terrific, from their major early hits "Sherry" and "Rag Doll" to their later gems and the beginning of Valli's solo career.

The choreography is authentic to what the guys actually did when they performed ...I know from seeing the real guys in early 1970's Las Vegas, when you could still get a whole dinner, drinks and show for $15! Tony Award for Best Musical on Broadway in 2006, "Jersey Boys" has touring companies all over the country, but the Las Vegas cast was spot-on. The Palazzo Hotel is The Venetian Hotel's newest offspring.

If you must see only one Las Vegas show, make it "Jersey Boys".

Ventriloquist Terry Fator at The Mirage - This second season "America's Got Talent" winner made history with his offer of $100 million to come and play at the Mirage. In February, 2009, Fator picks up the space left vacant by perennial Entertainer-of-the-Year Danny Gans, who is off to the Wynn Hotel instead. Don't be cheap - get good seats. The art of ventriloquism is best appreciated up close.

Danny Gans at the Wynn Encore - (video available at this link) -Danny Gans is a family man who became known for his outstanding impersonations and his own fabulous singing voice. Called by some "the new Rich Little" of impersonators, when I saw Gans his show incorporated impersonations which would interest everyone from Baby Boomers to Gen X'ers, taking on the voices of Sinatra all the way to the rock group Creed.

"Legends in Concert" at Harrah's - Las Vega's longest running Variety Show of multiple star impersonators. The performers who make it onto this stage are the best celebrity impersonators Las Vegas has to offer in a group show (i.e., not counting Las Vegas performers who have one-man or one-woman shows specializing in one personality like Elvis). But this show is not to be confused with La Cage au Folle-type female impersonators.

You can see the likes of such different stars as Michael Jackson, Prince, Faith Hill, or Barbra Streisand all in one night and all performed down to each tiny characteristic that the real star has (or had). You'd swear it was really them. The only thing is, you may not know ahead of time which celebrities are being honored on any given night.

Tony n'Tina's Wedding at Planet Hollywood - Do you like interactive live entertainment, like mystery dinners? Be a guest at Tony n' Tina's Wedding. A long-time staple of Las Vegas shows and also country-wide road tours, this is a comedy and musical play where the audience gets to be guests at the wedding. You eat a buffet as if you were at the real marriage celebration.

(Disclaimer: In Las Vegas shows, there is the possibility for slight sexual inuendo in some performers' content).

Honorable Mention:

- Any Cirque du Soleil show, although these can be kind of creepy and some which I haven't seen may include partial nudity.

- Bette Midler comes to Caesar's Palace starting in March. She's always a stitch, but will definitely do risque jokes.

Tickets:

For all these shows, many seats and prices are available directly through the hotels, or a number of online ticket outlets. My favorite Online Ticket Outlet is Vegas.com.

Sources:

Jersey Boys - http://www.venetian.com/Pages.aspx?id=1611.

Terry Fator - http://www.mirage.com/entertainment/terry-fator.aspx.

Danny Gans - http://www.dannygans.com/

Legends In Concert - - http://www.legendsinconcert.com/locations/las-vegas/

Tony n' Tinas Wedding - http://www.tonyandtinavegas.com/.

Vegas.com for Tickets - http://www.vegas.com/.