Absinthe | |
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Company | Spiegelworld |
Genre | Contemporary circus |
Show type | Resident show |
Date of premiere | 2006 |
Location | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas |
Creative team | |
Writer and director | Wayne Harrison[1] |
Producer | Ross Mollison[2] |
Choreographer | Lucas Newland |
Official website |
Absinthe is a live show that premiered in 2006 and is playing on the forecourt of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas,[3] after opening on April 1, 2011. Paul Carr of The Huffington Post, proclaimed "If I could only see one show my entire life," he said, "I'd want it to be that."[4] It was also called "The Greatest Show In Vegas History" by Las Vegas Weekly.[5]
The show is hosted by the character The Gazillionaire,[6] originally played by former Cirque du Soleil clown Voki Kalfayan.[7] His original assistant (2006-2015), Penny Pibbets[8] was portrayed by actress Anais Thomassian.[7] In 2015 the character Joy Jenkins was introduced, "a kewpie doll-goofy sidekick inspired by Moe of The Three Stooges."[9] Developed and played by the American clown Jet Eveleth, "who masterminds the show. Joy is truly the heart of the show."[10]
Originally, Absinthe was supposed to open at the Fontainebleau Resort Las Vegas. The Fountainebleau closed and Caesars Palace allowed the producers to set up a temporary tent at the Roman Plaza.[11][12] Within 90 days of performances, after inspections by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the organizers were told to shut down production. Due to the success of the shows within those 90 days, Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, purchased a Spiegeltent.[13]
The show is directed by Wayne Harrison[1] with original choreography by Lucas Newland. It is produced by Ross Mollison[14] and owned by Spiegelworld.[13]
Performances are 90 minutes long[11] and take place in a 750 capacity[15] spiegeltent on a stage that is only nine feet in diameter. Audience members sit in a circle around the stage.[13]
In 2011, it was named "Best New Show" by Vegas Seven Magazine.[16] Absinthe has been described as part of the burlesque revival in Las Vegas by USA Today.[17] Northwest Indiana Times writer Philip Potempa acknowledge the "all-so-amazing" performers, comparing Melody Sweets to the character of the Green Fairy played by Kylie Minogue in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge![11] A contemporary circus, the show is described by Stage and Cinema as a "cross between terrific variety acts and a stag party."[15]
Celebrities who have attended performances of Absinthe include Gerard Butler,[18] Daniel Radcliffe,[18] Lacey Chabert,[19] Kaley Cuoco,[19] Channing Tatum,[20] James Franco,[21] Giada De Laurentiis,[21] Neil Patrick Harris and Olivia Newton-John.[12]