Tropicana Fall 2012

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In 1955, an executive of the Fontainebleau in Miami purchased a 40-acre plot of land on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Bond Road with the intent on building a resort with a sheik Cuban ambience.  While it never competed with the higher end properties it intended to, its success can be measure simply by the fact that the Bond road was later renamed Tropicana Avenue

While they weren’t high end, Tropicana received their share of visitor’s disposable income.  In 1977 they added the 22-floor Tiffany Tower and in 86 the Island tower, both still there today.  However time and constant changes in ownership allowed this property to fall to levels comparable to the lowest and most run down on the strip.

Enter Alex Yemenidjian, the man who helped Kirk Kerkorian grow his MGM Empire.  In 2009 Alex took over as CEO and invested $165 million into renovations.  The result is impressive to say the least, perhaps the greatest renovation to a Vegas property in history.  The renovations, subtle in many cases, took this property from being the Vegas equivalent of a run down abandon shopping mall into a property that now competes as a mid-tier property and again, offers a sheik Cuban ambience.

Vegas Mate - 3/5 chips

Mark & Keren - 5/5 chips

Cirque's Michael Jackson ONE @Mandalay Bay, Fall 2013

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After Cirque created Beatles LOVE, a tremendous commercial and critical success, dreamers wondered aloud, what would other shows based on musical artists be like.  After the failure of Viva Elvis, many thought Cirque had caught lightening in a bottle with LOVE and questioned, not only could they do another musical artist, but should they.

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, speculation began again and was relatively quickly confirmed that Cirque would create a show featuring the artist’s music.  Michael Jackson Immortal began touring the North America in 2011.  It was also announced, when the show come to Mandalay Bay for a run of shows, that a permanent residency would be setting up shop at the property.

In 2013, Michael Jackson ONE started their residency at Mandalay Bay.  When the show was originally confirmed, it was said to not be the same as the touring Immortal tour.  However most expected a refined, improved version of that show.  Instead, they received a completely different show.  Since previews, the show has been a colossal success, receiving reviews from a must see to being called Cirque’s best show ever.

Location

• Mandalay Bay in the Michael Jackson ONE Theatre (formerly Mandalay Bay Theatre) 

Run time

• 90 minutes

Performance Times

• Sat – Wed 7 pm & 9:30, doors open 1 hour before the show
• Dark Thursday & Friday

Ticket Cost

• No children under the age of 5 permitted into the theatre
• No photos or recording of any kind allowed

Theatre capacity & configuration

• Theatre seats 1,804
• Standard theatre configuration however the cast use the isle ways all around sections 100

Refreshments

• Drinks 
• can be purchased at the showroom bar inside the theatre’s lobby
• All beverages are allowed in the theatre as long as they are allowed as long as they are in a plastic container
• Food
• Only popcorn is allowed in the theatre, of course, available at the theatre lobby

Cast

• 63 including dancers, aerialists and acrobatics
• Show is choreographed by Jaime King who not only choreographed the other Michael Jackson Cirque show Immortal but did tours for for him as well as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears

Theme/Music

• The show’s plot is centered around 4 kids, each with their own undesirable personality trait; Clumsy, Shy, Smarty Pants & Sneaky.  The show chronicles the gang’s journey to overcome these issues through Jackson’s music, specifically represented in Iconic items from the artists past.  Michael’s Shoes, Sun Glasses, Fedora Hat and Glove help these 4 become better people.
• Show features 32 songs from Michael Jackson catalogue, some in mash-up form from every solo studio album as well as some from his time in the Jackson 5
• Smooth Criminal lean technology

Promotions

• MJ Prix Fixe Menu Options
• Mandalay Bay has 7 restaurants that offer prix fixe menus
• They are
• Aureole, Border Grill, Fleur, Kumi, RM Seafood, Red Square & Noodles Shop
• Dining vouchers can be acquired at the box office when you pick up your tickets, you just need to ask for the specific restaurant you want to go to
• Tickets can usually be found at tickets 4 tonight as well.

Vegas Mate Rating - 4/5 Chips

Mark's Rating - 4/5

Keren's Rating - 5/5