One through four
1. O by Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio — running since 1998, the 1.5-million-gallon stage still does things no other theatre in the world can. 2. Ka by Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand — the rotating vertical stage remains the most impressive piece of theatre engineering on the Strip. 3. Absinthe at Caesars — cabaret in a spiegeltent, adults only, funnier than anything at similar price. 4. Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island — the original Vegas Cirque show, and consistently the best value of the seven Cirque productions.
Five through eight
5. Mad Apple by Cirque at New York-New York — the youngest Cirque show on the Strip, hip-hop and stand-up hybrid. 6. Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo — the best magic-comedy hybrid in town, small room, works. 7. Blue Man Group at Luxor — 30 years running for a reason, family-friendly. 8. Awakening at Wynn — the highest-budget new production and gorgeous, but the narrative is opaque; go for spectacle. Skip any Elvis or Rat Pack impersonator show marketed to bus tours.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Are Cirque tickets cheaper at the box office or online?
Same price, but Tix4Tonight kiosks and the vegas.com daily deals routinely knock 30-50% off Mystere, Mad Apple, and Blue Man Group day-of. O and Ka rarely discount.
What's the best show for kids under 12?
Mystere and Blue Man Group. Both allow ages 5+, both keep attention for the full 90 minutes, and neither has adult content. Absinthe and Mad Apple are 18+.
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