Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
ABBA avatar show could be coming to Strip
CAN you hear the drums, Fernando? Or, can you hear the speculation of the “ABBA Voyage” virtual concert production playing the Strip?
We can. Sources familiar with the production indicate the computer-generated show is to play a custom-built facility. Resorts World’s former “Enchant” space is the leading contender on the resort’s south-side parcel, though the site is not yet finalized.
The plan is to run the show as a limited engagement, extending if it builds momentum.
We expect the momentum to catch up. The band has sold 150 million records worldwide. Its music was the centerpiece of one of the few Broadway-styled productions to play Vegas, “Mamma Mia” at Mandalay Bay.
The show stars the original ABBA lineup of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-frid Lyngstad in their Cg-generated, 1979 clones.
The real-life ABBA members are all in their 70s and have no plans to return to the stage in live performance. Nearly 25 years ago, they reportedly turned down $1 billion to headline a 100-show tour.
But for “ABBA Voyage,” they spent five weeks working in motion-capture suits to generate the act’s distinctive choreography.
The London show cost $175 million to develop and is one of the priciest live shows in history. A 10-piece orchestra backs the avatar performers, delivering hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” the above-mentioned “Fernando,” and the universal ABBA theme, “Thank You for the Music.”
One source who has seen the show more than a dozen times in London said, “It’s mind-blowing.”
Keys to the city
Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom hit the opening of Emmitt’s Las Vegas like a running back busting through the line on a first-down carry.
The running back would be Emmitt Smith.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer awaited Segerblom, toting the Key to the Las Vegas Strip, in a hasty ceremony at Smiths’s new restaurant at Fashion Show Mall.
That Smith would receive a Key to the Strip is not surprising. I joke that Segerblom totes a box of keys in his trunk in case the mood strikes to present the award. Thursday was also dubbed Emmitt Smith Day in the county.
But this wasn’t the only key ceremony in Vegasville on Thursday. It was a rare coincidence that Clark County and
the City of Las Vegas awarded keys on the same day. At the new Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District, Mayor Carolyn Goodman presented the James Trees — a Super Bowl champ among Vegas chefs — a Key to the City.
Officials involved in the key presentations over the years only recall the Golden Knights Stanley Cup victory parade as the only other day where multiple keys were presented. The City of Henderson also presented a key that day, so it was … What’s the term? A hat trick.
To remind you, Clark County issues keys to the Strip because the Strip is unincorporated in Clark County, with Segerblom usually the presenter. Through Mayor Goodman, the city issues the Key to the City within the city limits.
Reflecting on the past, there was a time when both the county and city would come together to present the commemorative keys. This memorable event took place a decade ago, honoring the likes of Britney Spears at Planet Hollywood, the cast of the TV show “Las Vegas” at
Bellagio, and chef Bobby Flay at Caesars Palace. However, a significant shift occurred when Clark County officials decided to assert their authority, drawing a definitive line in the sand. This marked the Strip as county territory for keys and for every other jurisdictional purpose, a decision that still stands today.
What Works In Vegas
Lon Bronson Band at Myron’s. Dubbed “The Industrial Strength Band,” Bronson regularly sells out the room and did so again Friday. Singer Neil Donell of Chicago was the unannounced but entirely planned guest star. Bronson did not want to promote a band member who also headlines (and just headlined) a Strip theater. Feathers might be ruffled. But no worries. Tickets were gone two weeks before the performance.
Donell explored beyond the Chicago hits with “You Can Leave Your Hat On” by Joe Cocker and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Bronson is back on May 24, taking April off his monthly schedule. The band celebrates 100 performances at Myron’s (and before that, Cabaret Jazz) in October.
Cool Hang Alert
The Las Vegas Academy jazz band — LVA Jazz for short — continues its run at Vic’s at Symphony Park. Performance times are 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily. There is no cover. This band of LVA students has been performing for over a year. Around here, we call that residency.