The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is a theatre located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The theatre is the main entertainment venue for Caesars Palace. Deemed the Home of the Greatest Entertainers in the World, the theatre hosts numerous concert residencies by Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, Shania Twain, and Mariah Carey. Celine Dion has had the longest residency (1,141 shows as of June 8, 2019) at the venue grossing a total of $650 million since her arrival in 2003. She also performed her record-breaking 1000th show at the venue on October 8, 2016. The venue has an estimated seating capacity of 4,100 and is inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome along with aspects of contemporary architecture.[1] The cost of the theatre was $108 million, becoming the most expensive entertainment venue in Las Vegas, beating the "O" Theatre at the Bellagio Las Vegas.[2]
![]() Exterior of venue in 2007 | |
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Former names | Caesars Palace Showroom (planning/construction) |
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Address | 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada 89109-8924 |
Location | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Strip, Paradise |
Coordinates | 36°07′04″N 115°10′30″W |
Owner | Caesars Entertainment |
Operator | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
Capacity | 4,100 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | December 2001 |
Opened | March 25, 2003 |
Renovated | July–September 2019 |
Construction cost | $108 million |
Architect | Scéno Plus and GSB, Inc. |
Structural engineer | Kordt Engineering Group |
Services engineer | Global Structural Detailing |
General contractor | Perini Corporation |
Main contractors | Morris-Shea Bridge Company |
Website | |
thecolosseum |
Background
![](../I/Cher_at_Colosseum-2523498610.jpg.webp)
In 2000, Caesars Palace made plans to renovate the defunct Circus Maximus Showroom (opened 1966). During this time, the owners were approached about a new business venture with Celine Dion. Once the venture was launched, the renovation was cancelled. A new entertainment venue was set to be built in place of the old showroom. The showroom closed in September 2000 with a performance by Steve and Eydie. The theatre was built specially to house Celine Dion's "A New Day...". The construction was initiated by Park Place Entertainment to coincide with other renovations to the hotel complex including additional retail space, meeting areas, restaurants, spas, and a 20-story all-suites hotel tower.[3] The original construction cost was estimated to be between $65 to $75 million. Additional technical aspects drove cost to over $100 million.
The theatre was designed by the world-renowned firm Scéno Plus and constructed by Perini Building Company, with the project beginning on December 2002 and completed on February 4, 2003 (six weeks before its estimated completion date), opening on March 25, 2003. Dion filmed a television special for CBS to showcase the first night of her residency (entitled "Celine in Las Vegas, Opening Night Live", hosted by Justin Timberlake), including behind the scenes look at the theatre and the show.[4]
Since its incarnation, the venue is operated by AEG Live and is currently owned by Caesars Entertainment. The success of Dion's show drew more entertainers to perform at the theatre. Elton John brought his Red Piano show to the theatre from 2004, until 2009. Additional entertainers include Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Romina Arena, Faith Hill, Ricky Martin and Luis Miguel. The venue has also hosted numerous comedy shows by Kathy Griffin, Jerry Seinfeld, Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle and Ellen DeGeneres. The premiere of the 11th season of Hell's Kitchen was filmed in front of a live audience at The Colosseum.
In 2018, Celine Dion filmed in the venue the music video for her song Ashes from the movie Deadpool 2 alongside Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.
Technical aspects
The design for the theatre was based on the ancient Colosseum in Rome.[2] It is connected to the casino near the Forum Shops. The venue is 256 ft (78 m) in diameter with the rotunda 120 ft (37 m) above the floor. The stage measures 22,450 sq ft (2,086 m2) and has a proscenium arch with a height of 45 ft (14 m) and a width of 120 ft (37 m) (one of the world's largest stage openings).[5] It was designed with 180,000 watts of amplification and 139 speakers. It also includes a 120-foot-wide (37 m) by 40-foot-tall (12 m) LED screen manufactured by Mitsubishi Diamond Vision, adding $10 million to the construction budget. The video screen provides the illusion of 3D stage scenery.
The stage itself includes ten motorized stage lifts which compose 75 percent of the stage. Unlike the Colosseum in Rome, the theatre was built in an intimate setting, with the furthest seating being 120 ft (37 m) from the stage. To reinforce its intimacy, the venue is equipped with 200 acoustical panels to control the amplified sound.[2]
Performance history
Headliners
Performer | Show | Length | Number of shows | Release(s) |
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Celine Dion | A New Day...[6] | March 25, 2003 – December 15, 2007 | 717 |
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Celine[7] | March 15, 2011 – June 8, 2019 | 427 |
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Elton John | The Red Piano[8] | February 13, 2004 – March 22, 2009 | 247 |
|
The Million Dollar Piano[9] | September 28, 2011 – May 17, 2018 | 197 |
| |
Bette Midler | The Showgirl Must Go On[10] | February 20, 2008 – January 31, 2010 | 170 |
|
Cher | Cher at the Colosseum[11] | May 6, 2008 – February 5, 2011 | 192 | |
Rod Stewart | Rod Stewart: The Hits[12] | August 24, 2011 – September 3, 2017 | 140 | |
Shania Twain | Shania: Still the One[13] | December 1, 2012 – December 13, 2014 | 105 |
|
Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn | Together in Vegas[15] | June 19, 2015 – December 10, 2017 | 45 | |
Mariah Carey | #1 to Infinity[16] | May 6, 2015 – July 18, 2017 | 50 | |
The Butterfly Returns | July 5, 2018 - February 29, 2020 | 25 | ||
Shows
Performer | Show | Date |
---|---|---|
Mariah Carey | Charmbracelet World Tour | July 26, 2003[17] |
Angels Advocate Tour | February 27, 2010[18] | |
All I Want for Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity |
| |
Gloria Estefan | Live & Unwrapped | October 10–19, 2003[19] |
Romina Arena | Romina Arena Live! | June 8–9, 2004[20] |
Stevie Nicks | Dreams | |
Gold Dust Tour | July 5, 2005 | |
Stevie Nicks in Concert | May 14, 2011[23] | |
Faith Hill | August 10–14, 2004[24] | |
Carole King | The Living Room Tour | August 21, 2004[25] |
Luis Miguel | México En La Piel Tour | September 14–16, 2007[26] |
Cómplices Tour | ||
Luis Miguel Tour | ||
Deja Vu Tour | September 12–15, 2014 | |
México Por Siempre Tour |
| |
Bob Dylan | Never Ending Tour | August 17, 2010[33] |
Rod Stewart | November 6–21, 2010[34] | |
Diana Ross | More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour | November 12–13, 2010[35] |
In the Name of Love Tour | September 19, 2014 | |
Leonard Cohen | Leonard Cohen Tour | December 10–11, 2010[36] |
Jacky Cheung | The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour |
|
1/2 Century Tour | February 6–8, 2011 | |
Janet Jackson | Number Ones: Up Close and Personal |
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Ricky Martin | Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour | April 30, 2011[38] |
Kylie Minogue | Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour | May 22, 2011[39] |
Sting | Back to Bass Tour | November 25, 2011 |
Wakin Chau | January 28–29, 2012 | |
Il Divo | Il Divo & Orchestra in Concert | July 13–14, 2012 |
Aretha Franklin | July 15, 2012 | |
Tony Bennett | September 1, 2012 | |
Sandy Lam | February 16–17, 2013 | |
Enrique Iglesias | Sex and Love Tour |
|
Emmanuel & Mijares | Two’r Amigos 2 | September 15, 2016 |
The Who | The Who Hits 50! | May 29, 2016 |
Steely Dan | The Dan Who Knew Too Much | June 19, 2016 |
Jennifer Lopez | December 31, 2014 | |
J. Cole | What Dreams May Come Tour | October 25, 2013 |
Siavash Ghomayshi, Michael & Aref | Christmas in Vegas | December 25, 2015 |
Mark Knopfler | An Evening with Mark Knopfler and His Band | September 16, 2015 |
Dariush | December 25, 2014 | |
Show Lo | 'Dance Soul Return' World Live Tour | November 29, 2014 |
Hall & Oates | October 22, 2014 | |
Christina Aguilera | The Liberation Tour | October 27, 2018 |
Madonna | Madame X Tour | November 7, 9-10, 2019 |
Accolades
- Billboard Backstage Pass Awards: "Top Small Venue" (2004)
- Billboard Magazine: "Venue of the Decade" (for venues 5,000 and under) (2009)
- Billboard Touring Awards: "Top Small Venue" (2005–2007; 2009–2010)
- Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Best of Las Vegas" (2010)
- Pollstar Concert Industry Awards: 100 Top Selling Theater Venues (2006)
Source:[40]
References
- "Portfolio - Colosseum at Caesars Palace". Scéno Plus. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Palatial Colosseum matches shows grand scope". Las Vegas Sun. The Greenspun Corporation. 21 March 2003. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- "Park Place to Build All-Suites Hotel Tower at Caesars Palace - Will Feature Approximately 900 Suites And Mini-Suites" (Press release). Hospitality Net. 11 May 2001. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Adalian, Josef (12 March 2003). "Timberlake to host CBS' Dion special". Variety. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Perini Building Co. Delivers the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Budget and Ahead of Schedule" (Press release). Business Wire. 17 April 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Gardner, Elysa (24 March 2003). "Celine Dion's 'New Day' dawns with a TV preview". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Weatherford, Mike (16 March 2011). "Dion has grown into her diverse new Colosseum showcase". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- Scherzer, Barbara (19 February 2004). "Stage: Rock it, man". Las Vegas Mercury. Stephens Media. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Bracelin, Jason (18 April 2011). "Music legend Elton John returning to Caesars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Daily News Staff (22 February 2008). "Hail to Caesars! Bette Midler hits the jackpot with her $10M revue". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Cher to Begin Three-Year, 200-Show Engagement at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas". Fox News Channel. News Corporation. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Smith, Jay (10 May 2011). "Rod Stewart Brings Hits To Colosseum". Pollstar. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Perricone, Kathleen (10 June 2011). "Shania Twain gets two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas: Show will begin in 2012". New York Daily News. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- "Shania Twain to release live album". usatoday.com.
- "Reba, Brooks & Dunn". thecolosseum.com.
- Jon Blistein (January 15, 2015). "Mariah Carey to Sing Number Ones at First Las Vegas Residency". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- Patel, Joseph; Norris, John (16 June 2003). "Mariah Carey Maps Out 'Intimate Evening' Tour". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Leach, Robin (2 March 2010). "Mariah Carey brings her tour to a close at The Colosseum". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Gloria Estefan lanzará álbum en inglés después de seis años" [Gloria Estefan English album released after six years]. El Universo (in Spanish). Grupo El Universo. 21 July 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Romina Arena Live at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas June 8–9, 2004 Video, Retrieved May 17, 2011
- "STEVIE NICKS – "DREAMS" EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE MAY 10 - MAY 14" (PDF) (Press release). Harrah's Entertainment. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Quezada, Zeke. "Stevie Nicks at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Stevie Nicks at The Colosseum". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Faith Hill heads to Vegas". USA Today. Gannett Company. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "A/E: Entertainment calendar (part 1)". Las Vegas Mercury. Stephens Media. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Navarrette Jr., Ruben (19 September 2007). "Like other immigrants before them". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Brown, Joe (12 September 2008). "No. 1 celebration". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Duck, Allison (12 September 2009). "Las Vegas guide to Mexican Independence Day". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Luis Miguel Announces 2010 Return to Caesars Palace" (Press release). PRNewswire. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Luismi celebrará en Las Vegas Independencia" [Luismi Independence held in Las Vegas]. El Universal (in Spanish). 13 April 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "LUIS MIGUEL RETURNS TO THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE FOR 3 NIGHTS SEPT 13-15 - ON SALE FRI, MAY 11" [Luis Miguel regresa al coliseo del Caesars Palace por 3 noches]. aeglive.
- "Luis Miguel at The Colosseum" [Luis Miguel en el coliseo]. bestofvegas.
- Leach, Robin (18 August 2010). "Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp in concert at The Colosseum". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Pedersen, Erik (7 November 2011). "REVIEW: Rod Stewart in Las Vegas". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Quezada, Zeke. ""More Today Than Yesterday" With Diana Ross in Las Vegas". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- "Closing Time: Leonard Cohen to wrap epic world tour in Las Vegas, return to studio". National Post. Postmedia Network. 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- Katsilometes, John (23 April 2011). "In first Colosseum show, Janet Jackson goes solo — and so does her wardrobe". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
- Weatherford, Mike (29 April 2011). "Ricky Martin back in action at Caesars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
- Patterson, Spencer (5 May 2011). "Las Vegas Review-Journal". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
- "The Colosseum at Caesars Palace: Home to Superstar Resident Performers, The Return of Celine Dion on March 15" (Press release). PRNewswire. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
External links
- Official website
Media related to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace at Wikimedia Commons