‘Awakening’ offers monthly payment plan
“AWAKENING” has a new ticket-selling plan, which is akin to a payment plan you’d make when buying a new Tesla.
The lavish production show at its eponymous theater in Wynn Las Vegas has enacted monthly payment options on Vegas.com and Ticketmaster. com.
When you click to the show’s entry on Vegas.com, you find a “from $155 or from $14/mo” option.
Click the option and you are directed to the Uplift payment app, with the message, “Add this selection to your total from $14/mo*. Available on trips over $150. Just select Pay Monthly at checkout.”
“Available on trips” is a tip-off that this app is usually used for travel.
Ticketmaster provides payment options for four, six or 12 months for all ticket price points.
This is a rare development. “Awakening” is the first show I have seen that offers this option, but Cirque du Soleil and smaller-scale shows are making this offer on Vegas. com and Ticketmaster. It was actually a point of conversation with Joe Schoenmann on Tuesday on KNPR’S “State of Nevada” show.
“Awakening” continues to seek methods to fill the room. I attended Friday’s 7 p.m. show, played to about a halffull house.
That performance experienced a kink in the technology after the Water Realm scene, forcing a seven-minute delay. The pause did not help producers’ efforts to streamline the show’s story arc.
But there are some terrific moments in “Awakening,” to be had for as little as $14 a month. As they used to say, operators are standing by.
Griffin ends it
The Eddie Griffin Experience has been experienced.
The veteran stand-up comic and actor is leaving the Sahara Theater, effective Wednesday. Hotel reps announced the move in a news release Tuesday. Griffin plans to continue to tour, visiting a new city each weekend.
He said in a statement, “I would like to thank SAHARA Las Vegas and their management team. I have enjoyed entertaining guests from all over the world these last few years.”
There are no plans for what will move into the theater, which was originally Life Nightclub and later The Foundry live entertainment venue. The adult variety show “Blanc de Blanc” held that venue for a hot minute in 2017.
The rock trio Reckless in Vegas played the venue for a six-month run ending in December. There has been talk inside the hotel about eventually overhauling and expanding the theater, which was the original Sahara Theater in the resort’s initial incarnation before it was shut down to create SLS Las Vegas.
Don’t let him go
REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin has been added to the all-star roster at the Jim Irsay Collection event Saturday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Cronin is keeping his profile high after telling yours truly that REO is planning a series in Las Vegas this year, performing the classic album “Hi Infidelity” in its entirety.
The concert features Billy F. Gibbons, Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and country great and current Eagles member Vince Gill. Irsay’s mobile memorabilia collection is also on display.
The show runs from 6 to 11 p.m. and is free, but you need to reserve a spot at jimirsaycollection.com or Eventbrite. com.
The Bronx Quartet
Bronx Wanderers are adding a string quartet and a half-dozen new songs in their return to the Vegasville stage. The Adinolfis’ family rock show is running monthly at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning this week, at the South Point Showroom.
The string players are from the Las Vegas Youth Artist Orchestra, which joins the band for Green Day’s “Good Riddance.” This is the first time Bronx Wanderers have involved a string section on stage.
“We want to change up what we do every month, to put together a revolving set list,” Bronx guitarist/vocalist Vincent John said Tuesday. “We think this will add a lot to the show and be a cool opportunity for some young musicians.”
He reappears
Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak” is back Wednesday at his mezzanine-level theater at Planet Hollywood Resort. He has been off for “a well-deserved holiday break” over the past couple of months. His show runs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Gospel at the House
Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, headed up by the great Patti Pennington ,is back March 12 and 26. This is a musically fulfilling culinary experience. Go to Mandalaybay.com for full details.
Cool Hang Alert
The hip-hop duo Blu & Exile featuring Qwel and Maker Ceschi take over the Sand Dollar Downtown at the Plaza at 8 p.m. Saturday. Vendors and a live art auction are on the bill. No cover, 21 and over, show runs until 2 a.m. And as always, try the pizza.