Vegas keeps putting itself on 'refresh'

By Bob Ecker
Special to The Advertiser

Charo performs at Sevilla, a restaurant, bar and nightclub inside the Aladdin Hotel. Lori Cain • Special to The Advertiser

Old standbys such as Wayne Newton, Siegfried & Roy, up-and-coming comedians and the ubiquitous showgirl acts are still churning, but new attractions continually arise to entice the never-ending flow of repeat visitors.

Today's fresh Vegas scene includes international cuisine; elegant, upscale nightclubs; a burgeoning art scene; ultra-luxury resorts; and colossal new shows that would impress even Zeus.

Here's a rundown.

Who needs New York? The London and Broadway sensation "Mamma Mia" just opened at the Mandalay Bay for an unlimited run. This isn't a touring show but a stand-alone, large-scale Broadway-caliber production.

" 'Mamma Mia's' a great fit for Vegas," said Dave Kirvin, a Las Vegas entertainment specialist. This raucous musical takes place on a fictional Greek island, where a young bride-to-be, (to the consternation of her mother) invites all three of her "possible" fathers to the upcoming wedding.

Hijinks ensue, all to the songs of Abba. The ballads culled from disco-era hits are winners, and often surprisingly poignant. At the conclusion, it isn't unusual to see the entire audience stand up and cheer. Ticket sales are brisk.

Art gallery might not be your free association phrase for Las Vegas, but the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is an "in" spot. The intimate gallery premiered "The Celebrity Portraits: Art by Andy Warhol" in February, and is attracting both serious art lovers and those looking for a break from the Vegas. This show presents the largest collection of Warhol celebrity portraits in the world and includes rare Warhol personal artifacts and photos, unique prints from private collections, plus pieces on loan from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

This exhibition explores America's fascination with celebrities.

"Andy was one of the first people to realize the public was on a first-name basis with its celebrities," said singing star Liza Minnelli, who narrates the gallery's audio guide. This show, as well as the exquisite gallery space, is an attempt to make fine art an expected selection on the Las Vegas menu.

The new resort in town, unlike any seen before in Las Vegas, is the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. This ultra-premium property lies 17 miles east of the Strip, but the rest of the city is only a short ride away by car, taxi or helicopter. The Ritz ups the ante for Vegas retreats, and provides guests with a luxurious alternative to other Las Vegas properties, with refined service and literally miles of hiking, biking and water sports.

"Scottsdale meets Lake Como," quips Doug Brooks, general manager, in describing the new resort. The Ritz offers 349 rooms (beginning at $229 a night), including suites as large as 2,500 square feet. The Spa La Culla, more than 30,000 square feet, is based on an Italian concept of total sensory involvement, including beauty for the eyes and ears, massage to stimulate the body, and aromatherapy, with treatments starting at $279.

An adjacent, self-contained village and casino is nearing completion and will provide guests with shopping and dining opportunities. It's worth a ride out just to see it.

Nuevo Latino food is as hot as habaneros these days, and Sevilla is a Latin restaurant, bar and nightclub inside the Aladdin Hotel. The restaurant's cuisine is Spanish, and former Hawai'i resident Charo performs at a dinner show most evenings.

Afterward, Sevilla is transformed into a huge Latin club with bars within bars, nooks and crannies and is a wonderful place to meet, greet and eat. Sevilla is getting warmer, and should be seen before crowds get overwhelming.

Speaking of crowds, the word is out about Tabu. On the main casino floor of the MGM Grand, Tabu brims with celebrities and high rollers. Custom-made drinks, exotic lighting and interactive displays, plus beautiful waiters, are all reasons to peek inside.

A hot new restaurant, Simon, recently opened inside the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino. Musicians love this rock-themed establishment, which serves diverse meals in a zesty atmosphere. The menu is certainly eclectic: you can order the finest steak, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The chef is Kerry Simon, formerly of Prime at the Bellagio, and the trendy restaurant transitions into a stylish bar after the dining room closes. Watch for rock stars of the past, present and future.

Another new Las Vegas Hotel/Casino is the Cannery on the north side of town. Created mostly to attract locals and folks from nearby Nellis Air Force Base, the Cannery offers up an American, post-World War II, late-40s theme, complete with old-fashioned pinup art and replicas of fruit-crate posters.

The clean, simple, uncomplicated red brick building looks like a converted factory. Fans of nostalgia and of video poker will like this place.

Bob Ecker is a free-lance writer who lives in Napa, Calif.