Quantcast
MobileRJ | RSS Twitter Twitter FacebookFacebook E-mail Alerts
Home manage Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Living
Sep. 28, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

MIKE WEATHERFORD: What happens here ... changes

MIKE WEATHERFORD
MORE COLUMNS

Back in May, I wrote in this column, "Shows haven't had much luck attracting the nightclub crowd. So as times get tougher, it could be producers are focusing more on families, which still are taking vacations and buying show tickets."

That column came after resident casino deals for family-friendly acts such as ventriloquist Terry Fator, and Donny and Marie Osmond. But no one knew how far that trend would go, just as few realized in March the Bear Stearns rescue was only the harbinger of a more stunning economic crisis in September.

Most Popular Stories
  • HOME BASE: Family facing tough times gets big break from generous Realtor
  • FEAR AND LOAFING: Million Dollar Crybaby (Sparring Partner)
  • 40TH ANNIVERSARY: Moon landing taught us much about science -- and ourselves
  • Busting Out
  • HUMAN MATTERS: Jackson's journey through pathos a painful trip for everyone
  • THE R-J GOES TO A PARTY: American Culinary Federation names 2009 chef of the year
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: Socialite Kardashian is reality shows' common denominator
  • LIFE ON THE COUCH: Las Vegas native, 'Camp Rock' star a doll -- literally
  • THE VIEW FROM THE TOP: Life is tall and sweet, but cramped and expensive, in Strip high-rises
  • TRIP OF THE WEEK: Southern Utah's high country explodes with color during wildflower season




    • The seismic shocker came last week with the leak that Disney's "The Lion King" will follow "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay.

    I must be quick to say that at this writing, the news still was unofficial; MGM Mirage would not comment. But talk is widespread in the backstage community that it's all but a done deal, even if there is no formal contract.

    If Simba does roar on the Strip, it will be amazing on several levels.

    Let's dispense with the most obvious first: the collective "what happens here" marketing of Vegas as the place where you come to act up without the kids. But image is not reality, and you still see families on the sidewalk even if you don't frequent all-ages titles such as "Mystere" or "Stomp Out Loud."

    Besides, "The Lion King," as staged by avant-garde director Julie Taymor, is a sophisticated cross-generational title. It won't draw near the number of Jay Leno jokes Disney's Broadway heroines "Mary Poppins" or "The Little Mermaid" would if their names appeared on a Las Vegas marquee.

    It could be argued those newer titles aren't as shopworn. Previous musicals such as "The Producers" and "Hairspray" underwhelmed Las Vegas, in part because they had toured to death elsewhere. My only guess here is that Disney figures "The Lion King" will pull in new waves of youngsters who weren't born when it opened on Broadway nearly 11 years ago.

    A bigger shock: "The Lion King" would beat out a proposal by Cirque du Soleil, a signal that MGM Mirage must feel Cirque has reached a saturation point on the Strip, even if the Canadian guys refuse to.

    And the biggest shocker of all? There was talk of putting "The Lion King" into the same theater in 2000. Glenn Medas, in charge of entertainment back then, says talks reached "midstream." But, he says, "Disney at that time didn't want to be associated with Las Vegas."

    Of course, Disney was fairly new to Broadway then, and different people run the theater division now. Still, I can't help but think that it's the search for security in hard times that's causing these two lions -- Simba and one on the MGM Mirage logo -- to form a pride.

    Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.

    Newsvine Digg Fark Technorati reddit StumbleUpon del.icio.us Slashdot Propeller Mixx Furl Twitter MySpace Facebook Google Bookmarks Yahoo! Bookmarks Windows Live Favorites Ask MyStuff myAOL Favorites

    Leave Your Comment 6 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.

    Rory wrote on October 02, 2008 03:20 AM: It's official:

    http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080930/latu517.html?.v=21


    F wrote on October 01, 2008 04:59 AM: What works in Vegas is Gambling, Gambling, and more Gambling. That means tables, inventive slots, and lots of cheese.

    They tried the family theme......Didn't work

    They are trying to lure in the rich brats (20 somethings)..............................Doesn't work

    How about trying for gamblers?


    Chuck wrote on September 30, 2008 02:47 PM: Yep, sounds like no one is listening to the public.... again.

    I just love having relatives kids pick up those "escort" cards on the strip as they walk into a smoke filled casino to see "adults" gambling. We should be extremely pleased with the positive role model and healthy environment the Casion owners want to imprint.
    I love it when parents drag their kids on Fremont to take in the talent and the smell of sewage on the street... perfect example of child abuse in my book.

    This is not Disney Resorts.
    Can I expect to go to Disney soon and gamble and enjoy a burlesque show? Bet Minnie looks great in tassels.

    "Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."

    And you wonder why your hotel rooms are empty....... get a clue and a grip on reality.


    Rich in Bakersfield wrote on September 29, 2008 09:07 AM: If you want to save Las Vegas, then bring back free buffets and affordable rooms. Walt Disney built Disneyland, not Vegas!


    steve wrote on September 28, 2008 10:35 PM: yes, this is a GREAT idea because people in ohio with 3 kids want to do nothing more than blow a week's pay in vegas.

    please.

    vegas has jumped the shark and it's in denial.


    James wrote on September 28, 2008 01:32 PM: Family friendly again? Why not ... We all know how well that worked in the 1990s...