Las Vegas hotels have a lot of exciting shows performing every month of the year. However, with all the new or existing shows still available, there are many cancelled shows in Las Vegas too. The reasoning for the cancellations can be attributed to several things, such as COVID-19 restrictions, high-budget productions, and lack of attendance.
Not all the shows closed in Las Vegas were unpopular. In many cases, the closed Las Vegas shows had a large fanbase, or people were fans of the lead performers of the shows. But for everyone else who never got a chance to see those closed Vegas shows, they miss out on several memorable experiences.
The 19 Best Closed Shows in Las Vegas
There are shows closing in Las Vegas all the time. Unfortunately, you may not have the time or money to travel to Las Vegas to see all the good shows before they close. On the other hand, several new shows in Las Vegas are always coming out to replace the closed shows. This allows you to substitute each closed show for a new show with equal or greater entertainment value. Below are the top 19 shows closed in Las Vegas and the best alternative shows for them.
1) Le Reve – The Dream
Le Reve – The Dream was a show full of charismatic characters and an enigmatic storyline. It offered the kind of saucy and stylish entertainment that Sin City is known for throughout the country. All the performers were sexy with chiseled physiques and slinky costumes.
The show never contained any adult-themed content. In fact, the minimum age to attend the show in the Wynn Theater of the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel was five years and older. Many athletic performers were synchronized swimmers, acrobatics, divers, and dancers. The show offered a dream-like experience for audiences that were magical and otherworldly all at the same time.
Many people have compared Le Reve to a Cirque du Soleil show because of its similar production quality and dream-like atmosphere. So if you are looking for a comparable Le Reve alternative show, you should look upon one of the six Cirque du Soleil shows currently performing in Las Vegas.
Perhaps the most comparable show is Cirque du Soleil’s “O” because of its 1.5-million-gallon swimming pool. Le Reve also had a water stage where divers plunged almost 80 feet into the water in the Wynn Theater. “O” has many of these same qualities because the show features synchronized swimmers, acrobatics, divers, dancers, and other aquatic performances similarly. Anyone who loved Le Reve will definitely love “O” in the O Theater of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
2) Run by Cirque du Soleil
Run is another fabulous Vegas Cirque du Soleil cancelled show. It is a shame because Run was an exciting and immersive show slightly different from previous Cirque du Soleil shows in terms of action and fighting. Any fan of “chase” movies would have probably enjoyed Run.
Imagine a bunch of characters engaging in gang fights, bike chases, and setting people on fire. That was what audiences got from a typical Run show in the Luxor Theater of the Luxor Hotel. Aside from the extensive and cinematic storyline, Run featured non-stop action for the entire 75-minute show. It had death-defying stunts by acrobatic performers who were never afraid to put their lives on the line.
Run’s originality had a lot to do with its combat performances. While several other Cirque du Soleil shows feature acrobatics and death-defying stunts, few of them ever featured combat performances. Now that audiences can no longer get a pumping adrenaline rush from watching this show, they will have to turn to other Cirque du Soleil shows for similar entertainment.
Cirque du Soleil’s “Ka” is probably the best alternative show to Run because it features the same type of pyrotechnics and extensive storyline as Run. Ka is the story of male and female twins separated and trying to find their way back to each other while taking separate journeys. It is a story of love and conflict, which you can only see in the Ka Theater of the MGM Grand Hotel.
3) Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil
Zumanity was an adults-only show in the Zumanity Theatre of the New York – New York Hotel by the famous Cirque du Soleil production company. It explored Cirque du Soleil’s erotic side by exploring different realms of pleasure and sexuality in an artistic way. The show’s host, an over-the-top drag queen, was not hesitant to joke about controversial sexual topics too.
The minimum age restriction to see the show was 18 years and older. Zumanity’s cast attempted to use comedic relief to make it more comfortable discussing taboo sexual topics. And, in true Cirque du Soleil fashion, there were acrobats and dancers to add more thrills and excitement to the production. The only difference is that the dancers were in cages this time.
Zumanity had a solid 17-year run at the New York – New York Hotel. Unfortunately, it was the third Vegas Cirque du Soleil cancelled show in recent years. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot find other active Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. The best alternative show to Zumanity is really any other Cirque du Soleil production, such as Ka, Mystere, or O. Even though these shows don’t actually have erotic themes like Zumanity, you can still enjoy the same exciting acrobatics, dancing, and music that Cirque du Soleil is known for producing at its shows.
4) Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis
The Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis show blew people’s minds with the hilarious and spell-binding magic presented in the V Theater of the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Savard’s shows closed in Las Vegas after running successfully at Planet Hollywood since 2007.
Comedy Hypnosis was special because Savard allowed his audience members to become the stars of his shows. He would get at least 25 volunteers from his audience to come up on stage so he could hypnotize them. Savard’s strategy was to walk them through several relaxation techniques until they closed their eyes and slumped over in their seats. After that, the volunteers would awaken and obey his every command.
Savard could hypnotize volunteers and make them do whatever he wanted, such as play a musical instrument with conviction. And, of course, he would use his comedic talents by making his volunteers perform weird and funny movements on stage for everyone else’s pleasure.
Now that Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis has shut down, you can turn to another show called “Hypnosis Unleashed” for some new hilarious entertainment involving hypnosis. An award-winning hypnotist named Kevin Lepine brings his wits, humor, and energy to his Hypnosis Unleashed show in the Canyon Club at the Four Queens Hotel.
Savard is a certified hypnotist who asks for volunteers from his audience and proceeds to perform his mind-bending tricks on them. None of his volunteers get embarrassed because he keeps it clean and fun for everyone.
5) David Goldrake Imaginarium
David Goldrake has earned a large fan following over the years because of his powerful magic tricks and abilities. He doesn’t engage in simple parlor tricks or gimmicks like other magicians might do. Instead, David uses thought-provoking magic techniques designed to keep people thinking about what they just saw and how he did it. Audience members leave the show continuing to wonder about how he did his magic tricks, even for several weeks afterward.
David Goldrake Imaginarium was performed in the Tropicana Theater at the Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel. Before its shows closed in Vegas, audiences loved the fantastical journey of the Imaginarium show because it featured mentalism, music, choreography, and escapology with the help of 3D mapping technology. It is hard to imagine another show capturing people’s imaginations like this one.
The closing of David Goldrake Imaginarium has outraged fans. They are eager to find the next best replacement show that will capture their imaginations similarly. A few suggestions which might work are iLuminate, House of Magic, and Criss Angel Mindfreak. If you like technology and lighting merged into magic and fantastical performances, the best choice would be Mindfreak.
Criss Angel is a master magician with more than 75 illusions utilizing advanced technology to create an immersive experience for audiences. That is why Criss Angel is known as one of the best magicians and performers in Las Vegas. So even if you cannot see David Goldrake anymore, Criss Angel is definitely worth checking out.
6) Jeff Civillico Comedy in Action
Jeff Civillico is a man of many talents. Who else can juggle and ride a unicycle simultaneously? But perhaps his best skill is how he enthusiastically and energetically engages with his audience members. Jeff’s quirky mannerisms and comedic charm don’t take long to make people laugh and entertained.
Jeff Civillico Comedy in Action was a 90-minute show in the Anthony Cools Showroom of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. Jeff has a style of comedy that can make anyone laugh, whether you’re a child or an adult. Rather than tell jokes for 90 minutes, Jeff told interesting stories while integrated hilarious practical content into the mix. Between his high energy and the spectacular scenes, sights, and sounds of his shows, he provided audiences with a fantastic time.
His family-friendly shows closing in Las Vegas have left fans wondering which comedian is the best alternative to his style of comedy. Where else can you find a performer in Las Vegas who can spin plates and juggle pins with their fingers? It wouldn’t necessarily be a stand-up comedian like Jerry Seinfeld or Daniel Tosh, although they are funny too.
Consider attending Laughternoon with Adam London at the D Las Vegas Hotel Showroom. Adam London is a hilarious improvisational comedian who puts on a family-friendly performance for his audience. The show has some magic, but it is much more focused on comedy. And like Jeff Civillico’s show, Adam invites people on stage to become the subjects of his comedy acts.
7) Amazing Magic with Tommy Wind
Tommy Wind has achieved a lot of success in his young life as a Las Vegas magician. He has been a practicing magician since childhood, after his grandfather introduced him to magic. It didn’t take long for Wind to get hooked on entertaining people with his magic tricks too.
Tommy’s style of magic and illusions include a mixture of rock & roll music. Since music and magic are his two favorite passions in the world, he combined them into a 60-minute entertaining magic show in the Pegasus Showroom of the Alexis Park All Suite Resort Hotel.
Amazing Magic with Tommy Wind was an affordable, family-friendly magic show with no age limit. His comedy routines included beautiful dancers, a dueling drum sequence, and sleight-of-hand card tricks. Audiences also witnessed a levitating guitar and a disappearing woman playing the harp. There was something for everybody at his Amazing Magic show.
It’s too bad you won’t be able to see Amazing Magic with Tommy Wind anymore because it has now joined the ranks of other closed Las Vegas shows. There is no telling when or if it will ever reopen again. So you mine as well settle for the next best alternative to the young magician, Tommy Wind.
How about Shin Lim? He is another young magician whose fame has excelled quickly in Las Vegas and around the country. After learning magic from watching YouTube videos and winning on America’s Got Talent, he brought his magic act to Las Vegas for a 90-minute show. Shin is fantastic at sleight-of-hand card tricks and manipulating objects for live audiences. You can see him perform in the Mirage Theatre of the Mirage Hotel.
8) Motown Extreme
It is always sad when musical tributes are on the list of closed shows in Las Vegas. Motown Extreme was a fabulous tribute show dedicated to legendary music groups and singers associated with Motown Records. It featured talented impersonators of many different Motown singers and groups, including The Jackson 5, Martha Reeves, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder.
Motown Extreme had only started performing in the Notoriety at the Neonpolis in Las Vegas in 2017. However, it quickly grew in popularity over the last five years because of the powerful melodies and lyrics which the performers and impersonators recreated beautifully. You didn’t even need to be a fan of Motown Records to appreciate the talented performances of the Motown Extreme show.
Motown lovers and enthusiasts don’t need to feel too bad that Motown Extreme has closed because Vegas still has two sweet Motown alternative shows, Soul of Motown and All Motown. Both shows are energetic musical tributes to the legendary Motown groups and singers. Different impersonators offer original portrayals of Motown legends like Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder.
The most significant difference between the two Motown shows is the performers. All Motown features only the legendary female groups of Motown, such as The Supremes and The Marvelettes. Soul of Motown offers a broader range of impersonators of male and female Motown legends. That is why Soul of Motown is 90 minutes while All Motown is 60 minutes. Either show will guarantee you a fun, family-friendly good time.
9) Beatleshow
Closed Vegas shows should never include any Beatles tribute shows because The Beatles were a legendary 1960s British rock band that we should remember forever. But that is the case with Beatleshow, a dinner show dedicated to the Beatles in the Saxe Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort.
Beatleshow allowed audiences to relive the glory days of Beatlemania in the 1960s, or experience them for the first time. The show featured very talented impersonators who could do the vocals of the Beatles band members so well. In fact, their appearances and voices were dead ringers for the actual legendary performers. If you are fans of The Beatles, you’ll have trouble telling the difference between the impersonators and the legends.
In addition, an Ed Sullivan impersonator introduced “The Beatles” to the audience. It was supposed to be a recreation of how talk show host Ed Sullivan introduced the Beatles to the world on his television show in 1964. Beatleshow was the only tribute show that took you back in time and made you experience the introduction of John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney like it was the first time anyone had ever seen them.
Fortunately, Beatlesmania continues to live on in Las Vegas. Cirque du Soleil has produced a Beatles tribute show called “The Beatles LOVE” in the LOVE Theater of the Mirage Hotel. Cirque du Soleil is a famous production company that is known for creating extravagant and elaborate productions. They took the basic concept of The Beatles and turned it into a unique storyline involving 1960s culture and politics. There are lava lamps, 60s props, bizarre clothing, and your favorite Beatles songs.
10) Hans Klok
Hans Klok has cancelled shows in Las Vegas in the Thunderland at the Excalibur Hotel. It’s too bad because he performed some amazing magic shows for audiences ages five and older. Hans is an upbeat and joyful magician who is a world-class illusionist. But he moves so fast that audiences cannot understand how he does his tricks.
Hans knew how to keep audiences engaged throughout his entire 70-minute show. His greatest talent is performing a series of illusions within a short timeframe, so audiences become overwhelmed and amazed at what they just saw. His record is performing 12 massive illusions in under five minutes. Plus, the tricks themselves seem impossible to duplicate, which is why no other Vegas magician has attempted to match his illusions and tricks.
Everyone loves a good magic act, whether you’re a child or an adult. Since Hans Klok’s show was cancelled, you can turn to several other renowned magicians, such as Jen Kramer, to see astonishing illusions in Las Vegas. The Magic of Jen Kramer offers mind-blowing magic, psychology, and comedy in a single 75-minute show. Kramer is a master of sleight-of-hand magic tricks and other impressive and stunning illusions. She can also speak Spanish, Swahili, and French in addition to English.
But if you’re in the mood for some Cirque du Soleil creativity, you might want to see Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream. Xavier is a former Cirque du Soleil member who created a solo magic and comedy show which transports audiences to a magical dream world with illusions and fantasy. It is truly the best alternative to any magic show that has gotten cancelled in Las Vegas.
11) Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club
Jimmy Kimmel is a name familiar to fans of late-night television because he has a popular ABC late-night television show, “Jimmy Kimmy Live,” airing on weeknights. But what most people don’t realize is that Jimmy Kimmel had a comedy club in Las Vegas, which also happens to be the city where he grew up.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at the LINQ Promenade was available to guests 18 years of age or older. Its closed Las Vegas shows had featured a plethora of different comedians, ranging from celebrities to newbies. Some comedians even came from other countries to perform at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club. It is a shame the club closed down because it brought a lot of laughter to many people who came to visit.
Don’t worry, though, because Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club is only temporarily closed. There are plans to bring it back at a later date. But in the meantime, you could check out several other Las Vegas comedy clubs. The six best alternative comedy clubs include Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, Comedy Cellar Club, Delirious Comedy Club, L.A. Comedy Club, Las Vegas Live Comedy Club, and Laugh Factory Comedy Club.
12) World Famous Gospel Brunch
Do you love gospel music? The Mandalay Bay Hotel’s House of Blues hosted the World Famous Gospel Brunch on Sundays at 10 AM and 1 PM. It was an afternoon filled with singing from the performers on stage and cheering from the audience watching them. Since it was a brunch, daytime meals were served to guests as they looked upon the show with joy.
The entire atmosphere of the brunch was joyful. That is why it isn’t easy to believe its shows closed in Las Vegas because they made many people happy. The House of Blues had an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring vintage southern cuisines, such as jambalaya and many different forms of chicken. It made anyone from the south feel like they were back home again.
The good news is the World Famous Gospel Brunch is only temporarily closed. So if you plan a trip to Las Vegas and need to listen to gospel music, you could turn to some other alternative shows with similar music. All Motown and Soul of Motown are two examples of shows with gospel-like music, although it is more along the lines of soul music.
These two Motown shows are tributes to the classic singers and music groups of Motown Records. If you want to see passionate performances and hear songs that make you feel alive, then you could watch All Motown or Soul of Motown. Both shows have high passion, energy, and vocals.
13) Anthony Cools Hypnotist Show
Anthony Cools creates a high-energy experience for his audiences. His hypnotism shows were entirely out of the ordinary because he has the power to make random people do crazy and hilarious things. The minimum age of admittance to the show was 18 and older because audience members could be made to do lewd acts in front of everybody.
Anthony would ask for volunteers to come up on stage. Then he would hypnotize them and make them act out strange scenarios as if they were real. The volunteers would listen and obey his every command. The funniest parts were when the volunteers woke up from their trances and realized what they had done. Where else could you see this type of hypnotic comedy in Las Vegas?
Anthony Cools Hypnotist Show is one of the only hypnotist shows closing in Las Vegas. But if you still want to see a professional hypnotist make fools out of people on stage, you could attend another hypnosis show called “Hypnosis Unleashed” at the Four Seasons Hotel Canyon Club.
Award-winning hypnotist Kevin Lepine uses hypnosis and comedic talents to humor audiences at Hypnosis Unleashed. Kevin is a unique hypnotist and entertainer because he is the only Las Vegas performer who is also a certified hypnotherapist. So he actually possesses the necessary qualifications to hypnotize people and make them do funny things for his audience.
14) The Atomic Saloon Show
Do you like to watch westerns? The Atomic Saloon Show portrayed the chaos and action of the Wild West in a charming and witty way. The storyline featured an atomic bomb site, aggressive tumbleweeds, and ruthless gunslingers. These three elements created an original and fun show for audiences in the Kraken Music Hall at Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas.
The leading troupe consisted of attractive actors, comedic actors, and acrobats. Where else do you see acrobatics and atomic bomb sites portrayed in a western storyline? The Atomic Saloon Show added a crazy spin to the stories of the Wild West and brought back an infamous female cowgirl character named Boozy Skunkton. Boozy is a woman who takes what she wants and does what she wants. She led the comical troupe in this 90-minute show of pure entertainment.
The Atomic Saloon has closed Vegas shows, but they should be coming back soon. Meanwhile, you could attend another show with similar attributes and entertainment elements. Although there aren’t too many Las Vegas shows with western storylines, you can still see plenty of acrobatics and stunt work at Cirque du Soleil productions. The most notable Cirque du Soleil shows with acrobatics include O, Ka, and Mystere.
15) John Caparulo Madcap Comedy Show
John Caparulo might appear like a typical overweight man at first glance, but he is actually one of the funniest comedians in Las Vegas. He loves to dress casually in jeans and a t-shirt to identify with the crowd. You may have seen Caparulo in the Disney Channel’s “Fish Hooks,” where he did the voice of a cartoon fish. He also made actual appearances on other television shows like “Unsportsmanlike Comedy” and “Chelsea Lately.”
John Caparulo MADCAP Comedy transformed basic observations into hilarious comedy bits. Caparulo was the type of comedian who liked to cross the line or at least redraw the line for other comedians because he never held back. If you like comedians who don’t have a filter and aren’t afraid to go far with their comedy, you would love to see a John Caparulo show.
His shows closed in Vegas are temporary. But if you want to see other comedians without a filter, you can find them at Delirious Comedy Club in the Las Vegas Room of the Downtown Grand Hotel. It features a vast roundup of comics from different walks of life and experience levels. Some of them are new comedians, while others are seasoned comedians. However, they all feel free to say whatever they want for a laugh. That is why guests have to be 21 or older to attend the Delirious Comedy Club.
16) Wallace at Westgate
Wallace at Westgate was like an accumulation of years of vintage comedy. Legendary comedian and actor George Wallace performed his 60-minute comedy show at night every midweek in Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand Hotel. George is a true comedic mastermind because he takes common topics and turns them into something hilarious. He just knows how to spin any topic and make it funny.
George got his start in comedy way back in 1977. But the fantastic thing is that his 50-year comedy career has continued to evolve with the times. So rather than discussing old stories and topics, George talks about new topics familiar to modern audiences. That’s how he knows his jokes and humor will continue to work.
Wallace at Westgate has closed Las Vegas shows at the moment. But if you’re interested in seeing more comedy in Las Vegas from old-school comedians, you could check out George Lopez or Jerry Seinfeld. They may not be as old as George Wallace, but they have class and originality as he does.
Jerry Seinfeld is undoubtedly a comedian who loves to observe current topics and say funny things about them. He loves giving his witty insight into all kinds of topical events and day-to-day topics affecting ordinary people. Of course, you probably know Seinfeld from the famous ‘90s television sitcom with the same name. Now, Seinfeld is a big-time Las Vegas stand-up performer at the Colosseum of Caesars Palace.
17) Séance
Séance is a word closely associated with paranormal and supernatural activities. For example, when people attempt to communicate with the dead, they conduct a séance session with a medium who has the power to speak to the “other side.” Well, the Las Vegas show “Séance” took place in the Séance Room of the Hotel Apache, one of the oldest hotels in Las Vegas.
There are rumors that Hotel Apache is haunted because of all the paranormal activities reported there over the years. The spirits haunting the hotel are supposedly dead mobsters and their victims because of all the shady mob activity that took place there in the 1930s.
As for the Séance show, it was an immersive journey through the history of the hotel. Meanwhile, a spirit guide walked you through the hotel as you encountered strange activities and evil spirits. Anyone who loves horror and history would get a thrill out of the Séance show if it were still around.
Criss Angel Mindfreak or Amystika: The Mindfreak Prequel are the two best alternative shows for people who want to be scared or thrilled. Criss Angel may be a magician and illusionist, but he knows how to get a rise out of his audience members. Amystika has even more scary imagery, thanks to Angel’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil director Frank Dragone. So go check out these two shows in the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood.
18) Donny and Marie Osmond
Donny and Marie Osmond are two siblings who have performed together since the 1970s. They were in the famous family band “The Osmonds,” which should be a familiar name to anyone who was around in the 1970s. But even if you aren’t familiar with the Osmond family, you can still appreciate the talent of Donny and Marie Osmond in the 21st century.
The Donny and Marie Osmond show was a big hit in the Flamingo Showroom at the Flamingo Hotel. It featured a collection of classic songs and tunes which are timeless. Fans of the Osmonds felt quite nostalgic listening to them. And if people brought their children or anyone unfamiliar with the Osmonds, they became Osmond fans after the show was over.
Donny and Marie Osmond no longer perform together. Rumors suggest they had a personal falling out or family dispute, so they split up their duo act. But if you like Donny Osmond, you can still see his solo act in the Harrah’s Showroom at the Harrah’s Hotel. The legendary singer and former child star doesn’t need his other family members to entertain audiences because he can carry a show quite well by himself.
19) Celestia
Celestia gave audiences an out-of-body experience with its outrageous and stunning entertainment. It was a family-friendly show which featured acrobatics inside a large tent with 30,000 square feet of space. The performers were a mixture of modern dancers and impressive acrobats who knew how to create a mysterious and mystical theme. You might have seen these performers on the reality television show “America’s Got Talent.”
The Celestia shows reminded audiences of Cirque du Soleil productions because of the circus-style acts, dancing, songs, aerialists, and acrobatics. Since Celestia no longer performs any shows in the Celestia Theatre Tent of the STRAT Hotel, you could turn to Cirque du Soleil shows as the best alternatives.
After all, Cirque du Soleil is the production company that revolutionized modern circus performances in Las Vegas. You could watch Cirque du Soleil’s O, Ka, or Mystere and enjoy death-defying stunts and acrobatics that you’ve never seen before. Each of these shows even has a theater specially designed for them.
FAQs About Closed Shows in Las Vegas
Why have so many shows closed in Las Vegas?
The COVID-19 pandemic has been responsible for many shows closing in Las Vegas over the past few years. When social distancing and mask requirements were set, it caused numerous long-time Vegas productions to shut down permanently. Some of these closed Las Vegas shows had been around for 10 to 20 years too.
Why are the alternative shows worth checking out?
Las Vegas entertainment productions never stop. So even though you see several closed shows in Las Vegas, there will always be more shows to replace them. You may even like these alternative shows because many were made by the same production companies that made the closed shows.
Will the closed shows in Las Vegas ever come back again?
Yes, some of the shows closed in Vegas have come back after the pandemic. Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere and O are two examples of long-time Vegas shows that got back into production without any setbacks.
