Absinthe (show)

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]

Absinthe
CompanySpiegelworld
GenreContemporary circus
Show typeResident show
Date of premiere2006
LocationCaesars Palace, Las Vegas
Creative team
Writer and directorWayne Harrison[1]
ProducerRoss Mollison[2]
ChoreographerLucas Newland
Official website

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]

Background

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 takes place in a 750 capacity[15] spiegeltent, with performances taking place on a stage that is only nine feet in diameter. Audience members sit in a circle around the stage.[13]

Reception

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]

The show continued to run through 2019 at Caesar's Palace (and counting).[14]

References
  1. Hetrick, Adam (6 August 2008). "Spiegelworld Returns to Manhattan with Absinthe Aug. 6". Playbill.
  2. "ABSINTHE Celebrates Two Successful Years on The Strip with a Zombie Invasion". VegasNews.com. March 30, 2013.
  3. Pibbets, Penny (July 7, 2011). "Penny Pibbets' Las Vegas includes magic, clowns and 'Absinthe'". The Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  4. Carr, Paul (2011-04-17). "The Strip Diary, Day Thirteen: Strip Club Fun With the Stars of Vegas' Most Stupidly Dangerous Show". The Huffington Post.
  5. "The 20 greatest shows in Las Vegas history - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  6. Domanick, Andrea (April 1, 2012). "A day in the life of the Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets of 'Absinthe'". The Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  7. Katsilometes, John (November 5, 2011). "Skating skirmish, too much anatomy raise eyebrows at returning 'Absinthe'". The Las Vegas Sun.
  8. Pibbets, Penny (July 2, 2013). "Penny Pibbets: 'Absinthe' = 'Cosby Show' – sweaters + more unicorns". The Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  9. "Outrageousness is the real deal for 'Absinthe' stars". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  10. "Q&A: Absinthe's No. 1 Assistant, Joy Jenkins". Las Vegas Shows. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  11. Potempa, Phil. "OFFBEAT: 'Absinthe' bawdy burlesque fun a great stage fit for Las Vegas". Off Beat. Northwest Indiana Times. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  12. Leach, Robin (2014-04-16). "Wild, wacky and sexy 'Absinthe' celebrates third anniversary, 1,500-plus shows". Vegas Deluxe. Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  13. Weatherford, Mike. "Raunchy 'Absinthe' doubles as Cirque parody". Shows. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  14. Leach, Robin (2014-04-17). "Photos: 'Absinthe' is sexier, raunchier than ever on third anniversary at Caesars". Vegas Deluxe. Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  15. Zeff, Dan. "Las Vegas Theater Review: ABSINTHE (Caesars Palace)". Stage and Cinema.
  16. "Best New Show". Vegas Seven Magazine. July 28, 2011.
  17. Sehlinger, Bob. "Burlesque resurges in Las Vegas". Best of Vegas. USA Today. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  18. VegasNews.com (April 7, 2011). "Angel Porrino Joins ABSINTHE at Caesars Beginning April 19". VegasNews.
  19. "Lacey Chabert and Kaley Cuoco Spotted at ABSINTHE in Las Vegas". VegasNews. October 2, 2012.
  20. Chareunsy, Don (April 12, 2015). "Channing Tatum attends 'Absinthe' at Caesars Palace". Las Vegas Sun.
  21. Chareunsy, Don (July 17, 2014). "'Absinthe' sock-puppet seductress Penny Pibbets talks National Sock Puppet Day". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
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