Residency to show dual facets of Lady Gaga
Lhas proved in her live performances in Las Vegas that she can deliver spectacles as well as concerts with a casual, cabaret vibe.
She’ll deliver both styles in her upcoming residency at the Park Theater at Park MGM. It all starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 28.
The double dose is “Lady Gaga Enigma,” a new production show peppered with her many hits, and “Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano,” a more casual, intimately staged showcase of her familiar songs and numbers from the Great American Songbook. Gaga has costarred with Tony Bennett in such throwback performances on the Strip.
In short, these are two separate productions from the pop superstar, who most recently played the Strip at T-mobile Arena in December. She has formally committed to at least 27 dates through November 2019.
In a statement from Tuesday’s announcement, the 32-year-old said, “I can’t wait to share ‘Enigma’ with all of my fans and with Las Vegas. We’re creating a show unlike anything I’ve done before.
“It will be a celebration of all that is unique and different within us. The challenges of bravery can be overcome with creativity and courage that is grown out of adversity, love and music.”
Ticketmaster’s website specifies which shows she’ll perform on a given night.
The first “Jazz & Piano” show listed is Jan. 20, followed by performances under that title Feb. 3, June 2 and June 9. Along with the announced opening night, Gaga is also scheduled to perform at 8 p.m Dec. 30-31.
MGM Resorts International President Bill Hornbuckle said, “Working with Lady Gaga and her team has been a career highlight for me. What she is planning for Las Vegas audiences is nothing short of spectacular. Welcoming her into our family will firmly position Park MGM as the city’s most exciting new destination.”
Tickets for both productions, with 8 p.m. showtimes, start at $77.90 (not including fees) and go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Monday. A limited number of VIP packages including meet-and-greets will be available. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or online at Ticketmaster.com or Gagavegas.com or through the MGM Resorts International Call Center at 866-740-7711.
The shows appear to allow mobile phones into the Park Theater, whereas Bruno Mars and Chris Rock have required phones to be cased or left behind during their performances. Ticketmaster’s list of restrictions states in part: “No audio recorders, no flash photography and no outside food.” Nothing about specifically banning cellphones, though of course they can record audio.
Lady Gaga is also co-starring in the upcoming remake of “A Star Is Born” opposite Bradley Cooper, who directs. The film opens to wide release Oct. 5, and her performance is said to be terrific.
Circus Burn-imus
Spiegelworld is developing a production for this summer’s Burning Man festival, which runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3 in the Black Rock Desert in northwest Nevada.
The show, planned for the nights of Aug. 28-31, is called “Untitled IV” and is under the Falzone Family Circus umbrella. Spiegelworld characters Evgeny “Alfonso” Falzone-buzukhov and Beverley Rossina Falzone-buzukhov — you might remember them from “Vegas Nocturne” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas — are expected to participate.
But Spiegelworld founder and “impresario extraordinaire” Ross Mollison qualified that by saying, “Alphonso has told us he intends to host, but he has been very unreliable/drinking heavily the last few years.”
Which actually might help him prepare for this show.
Spiegelworld has procured a giant inflatable white tent for the performances at Burning Man. About 100 artists and friends will occupy the Spiegelworld camp. That crew, in and of itself, is quite a circus.
Center of frivolity
Who was mocking Charles Barkley by leading a chant of “Barkley has no rings!” at Rehab Beach Club at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sunday?
Shaquille O’neal, under his stage persona, DJ Diesel.
The 7-foot electronic dance music headliner piloted a DJ set at the beach party, then played a hand of blackjack (using “funny money”) in the casino with Sophia and Shante Lewis.
O’neal made a donation to the Sagerstrong Foundation, named for the late sports broadcaster Craig Sager, which raises funds and awareness for cancer research and education.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday:
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