Viva Las Vegas

We're in Vegas. Never been here as an adult. I was here at age 7 and then again at age 15. Haven't been since the resort casino building boom of 1993. Quite a place,if you've never been here. I'm not a gambler,but there is plenty to do otherwise. Just walking the Strip and seeing the excess of it all is an experience in itself. From my 14th story room at the Tropicana I have an amazing view of the entire lower half of the Strip. The amount of shows here rival NYC. The majority of my cast and crew seem to think there's some sort of competition to see who can go to the most and best shows in town. Apparently the Cirque shows are the big prize. I just don't "get" Cirque. I appreciate what they're doing and the talent-I just don't understand the presentation of it all. The whole thing just seems so snooty and pretentious to me. Yet some people in my cast have dropped over $130 to see any one of the 5 Cirque shows in town. It almost seems to me that the reason everyone wants to go to Cirque is so they can say "I went to a Cirque show!" It's almost more like a status symbol than anything else,like you have a perfectly good handbag that looks great,and your friend has the exact same handbag,except that hers is Gucci,so somehow she's cooler than you. You can see a great show,but because it's not a Cirque show,you're somehow less trendy. Everyone's trying to one-up each other on what shows they saw.
There are several Broadway shows here too,except they're a complete ripoff. The ticket prices are just as expensive as NY,except the shows are all 90 minute cuts of the Broadway versions. Bunch of pretty cool headliners too - Bette Midler,Tom Jones,Barry Manilow,and Penn & Teller are all here. As well as several comedians whose prime was 15 years ago,but who all seem to have found new life here in Vegas - Rita Rudner,Louie Anderson and Carrot Top are all selling out shows here. Let's hope My Little Pony does as well. Then there are a million dance shows, variety shows, tribute bands, showgirl revues, magicians, comedians, and celebrity impersonators. The only thing I don't like about this town is everything's so expensive. And also the fact that we're here in January and they're having a cold snap.

Next week we FINALLY have our "Christmas" break,so I'll be back in Massachusetts for 9 days.