When I’m alone, I prefer to go to shows with theater style seating, as it feels awkward to me to be seated at a table with strangers, though I have heard reports from other solos that they met great people this way. I think it’s probably a craps shoot and may depend on how gregarious you are. Obviously, which show you see will depend on your tastes. That said, here are some suggestions of shows with solo-friendly seating. They are merely a small sampling of the shows available in Vegas. Be sure to check out Vegas.com for more shows, with reviews, ticket prices, and more. And most importantly, if it’s a show you really want to see, book your ticket well before your trip. Shows sell out fast here. However, if you’re looking for a last-minute deal, half price tickets for mid-tier shows are often available at ticket outlets on the Strip, Tix4Tonight and Tickets2Nite.
Blue Man Group at the Venetian: This was the first show I saw in Vegas, and it’s still one of my favorites. Great music, very funny, different from anything I’ve ever seen before, and just loads of fun. I saw it when it was at Luxor, and it has now moved to the Venetian. But it’s still theater-style seating. To give you an idea of what their show is like, here’s a video from Youtube:
Lance Burton, Magician, at the Monte Carlo: Lance puts on a great show and for a very reasonable price. The show has a slow build-up from basic magic to some really amazing magic. Theater-style seating with plush seats and cupholders. Here’s a bit of Lance doing some sleight of hand magic:
Danny Gans at the Mirage: Danny is a very talented singer-comedian-impressionist and puts on a very good show. Theater-style seating. You can view a video of Danny in action at his website.
Bette Midler, Cher, Elton John, Jerry Seinfeld or whoever is playing at Caesar’s Palace Colosseum: I haven’t seen any of these performers, but I did go see Celine Dion there, and it is theater-style seating. It is a HUGE 4,100-seat theater. If you go for the cheap seats, be sure to bring binoculars.
Cirque du Soleil, multiple locations: Pick a Cirque show, any Cirque show. I’m surprised they haven’t renamed the town Cirque du Vegas. But I digress. There are a number of Cirque du Soleil shows around the Strip for you to choose from, and they all have theater-style seating. These shows tend to be visually stunning spectacles filled with physical feats that boggle the mind. Yet they’re all different. There’s O at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Love at Mirage, Zumanity at New York New York, and Ka at MGM Grand.
Barry Manilow, Las Vegas HIlton (off-Strip): Manilow performs his decades of hits in the Hilton Theater, which has 1,700 seats, none of which are more than 87 feet from the stage (or so the website says).
Carrot Top, The Luxor: Information from the Luxor website: The award-winning comedy of Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson, also titled “Entertainer of the Year!” and “Comedian of the Year,” keeps his audience in stitches as he unpacks trunk loads of crazy props and wacky inventions. Performances take place in the Atrium Showroom, which has theater-style seating.
Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular, The Venetian: The Las Vegas Review Journal named this the Best Show of 2006. I haven’t seen it yet myself, but have read some great reviews. The Venetian custom-built the theater for this show.
Stomp Out Loud, Planet Hollywood: A 16 member cast makes music out of garbage cans, broomsticks and other interesting objects in a 1,500-seat, $28 million theater designed especially for this show. High-energy show.
Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Wynn: This Monty Python musical is about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail. Theater has 1,506 seats. This show is closing on July 13, 2008. Catch it while you can.
Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay: High energy musical based on the hit songs of ABBA. Theater-style seating.
You can also catch a lot of great concerts (mostly on weekends) in Las Vegas, at places like the Hard Rock Hotel, MGM Grand, and the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Check the Las Vegas Review Journal for upcoming concert listings.
