Anybody ever see "Abracadabra" at the Aladdin? I'm guessing I saw it early in 1989. A young guy, don't know his name, was the star (magician) of the show and the whole show was fantastic.

In fact, I love Lance Burton but Abracadabra was really vibrant with music, georgous colors, and lighting. I think the finale of the show was when the star came onto the stage with a motorcycle, disappeared and then showed up somewhere else or vice versa. Wonder why that show disappeared??

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail,
I saw that show the first time my husband and I went to Vegas. It was really good. I wasn't expecting much so it was a good suprise. Staying at the Alladian was another story. YUCK!!

Snookie, I never stayed at the Aladdin but I sure thought that show was good. You are the first one that I have found that even heard of the show. I'm surprised that it didn't last like all these other shows.

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

The Aladdin magician may have been Valentino! I saw his act in a small showroom at the Sands the year before they closed it down for good.

It was a $10 afternoon show but if you were staying in the hotel, tickets were available at the check in desk for the asking - no limit!

So the whole family and a few cousins went to one of the 3 PM shows and enjoyed it very much.

There was magic and dancing and a very fat Elvis Presley who sweated a lot.

I know how most of the LV magic tricks are done, but this magician (I think it was Valentino) was up there in a tight fitting tuxedo for about 10 minutes and right before our very noises, he rolls up his sleeves and makes a very large duck appear, and then another! There was no place to hide that duck in his tuxedo!

"Did anyone order some quackers?!"

That was one great trick!

Another time when Sigfried and Roy were at the Frontier, the matre'd sat me right in front with my chin on the stage - Honest!

I was a little off to the side but I managed to solve all the magical tricks including the disappearing motorcycle and most of the others. The one I still can't figure out happened right above my head.

An empty glass box sits on the stage and is hooked to a rope hanging from above. I could see through the glass box and all four sides. It was plainly empty. There were definitely no hidden compartments.

A lady assistant climbs inside and waves to the crowd as the glass container is slowly lifted from the stage. One of the guys throws a sheet over the glass box so we cannot see inside.

It's about five feet over my head now and one of the guys pulls the sheet off and a big white tiger is roaring inside the glass box. The girl is gone!

Good trick and I still can't figure it out!

One of those white tigers decided to sit about two feet from my sweating body for about 5 minutes. I tried to show no fear but he knew, he knew! He even looked and licked his chops but I guess they fed him well before the show.

Before I leave, I have to ask this question. Did the Aladdin Hotel/Casino ever take advantage of the Aladdin theme and run with it? There's a lot of possibility there with the lamp and the genie and the cave full of plundered treasure. And don't forget the flying carpet too and the horse that Sinbad built in the kingdom hall and flew over the city on.

I don't recall them ever using this theme to their advantage. Maybe the new place will do it when they reopen.

One last thing. I think I recall someone complaining about the fee that will be charged to ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Could you imagine the line that would develope if they offered a free ride?! I bet they even have to increase that ticket price, just to keep that elevator line manageable.

There are lots of people in Las Vegas who would pay $10 to $20 to ride to the top just to say they did it. I paid $12 to see the fine art in Bellagio. To tell you the truth, I'd rather read the comic strips, but I had to do it cause it was there! Kind of like the draw of Mt. Everest.

Here's the question here - What is the top dollar amount you would pay for a ticket to ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas?

Ja'na parle pas, Francais!!!!.

Now I remember one other thing! One very impressive trick a the Lance Burton Show when he was at the Hacienda happened before he even came on stage. The house lights go out and a orange glow appears on stage and slowly drift over the heads of us sitting in the audiance. Then, like magic, it streaks across the room from edge to edge at incredible speed. Very impressive opening and a very impressive show.

Does anyone have any idea of the company who conceives and builds these mind blowing effects. I have heard that there is a company or an individual in Las Vegas that specializes in developing magic tricks for the top magicians throughout the world. Anyone know?

RSVP

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will800


[This message has been edited by will800 (edited August 27, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by will800 (edited August 27, 1999).]

Will800,
The show you were talking about at the Sands was "VivaLasVegas." I saw it a few years ago. For a free show it was pretty good. We just had to buy a drink$2.50 or $3.00.I am not sure if it was Valentino or not doing the magic but the guy was really good. FYI the "Viva LasVegas" show is now at the Sratasphere.

Will, I do have to compliment you on your writing style. You certainly have a way with words.

I saw on TV one time (think it was a Lance Burton special) about the place you are talking about. I don't remember name, but it was definitely in Las Vegas area (think more in the desert)

I also understand your 'sweating' situation with the tigers. Had the same thing happen during Sigfield & Roy. Sat in the orchestra pit, right next to stage. They had (I think) about 6 white tigers sitting on step-like thing right in front of us. One of them decided to try and make a break for it. My heart did some dancing that night! Have decided to take last seats in showroom with animal acts!

As for the fee for the Eifel Tower elevator ... like you, I would pay the 10-12 because it's there. Tim on the other hand would say "but that's 5 more pulls on a slot machine!".... but I would make him go anyway. Actually, I would bet that within time, you will find a coupon in one of the magazines at 2 for the price of 1.

Will,
I'm the one that made the comment about the elevator ride.
I guess what ticks me off so much about it, is it's just a view. A couple of bucks, ok. But not the prices that they are charging!
Your right though, I'll probably end up paying for the trip, Sue will drag me along up to the top.

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

This Eiffel Tower elevator ride opens the door to another interesting topic.

I beieve that the price that is charged to visit a Las Vegas attraction is somewhat similar to the table minimums established inside the casinos.

Both are major factors in determining who your customers are going to be and how many are goning to be there.

Best way to see this is to consider the extremes -

The penny slots and the low minimum tables in the Gold Spike Casino attract a good number of "bums" and street people attempting to accomplish the impossible. ( I like to be a "bum" while vacationing in Las Vegas, so I go there often to visit old memories!)

The High Limit Bacarrat area in places like Caesars, Bellagio, and the MGM Grand attract players from the other end of the income scale.

I am sure that places like Paris and Bellagio and other very nice casinos spend many hours in advance planning who their customers are going to be and the number of customers who are going to be there.
They merely set the prices accordingly and study the results. Once the statistics are established, it's simply a matter of slideing the prices up or down.

So remember this! - If you enter a high class establishment dressed somewhat like a bum, you'll likely see the prices increase next week.

Same result if we all dicide to hold our high school reunions on top of the Eiffel Tower in November!

A final question - When will the first man or woman climb the LV Eiffel Tower and who will be the first to bungee jump from the top? It's got to happen eventually, because it's there! And no matter how loud the Paris management screams and objects, it'll be great for publcity!





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will800

The French guy who is famous for climbing various structures around the world (I can't think of his name plus is he the same guy who climbed the outside of Luxor?) would be the perfect candidate to climb the LV Paris Eiffel Tower. It would be a piece of cake for him, so probably he's already been hired for the publicity stunt.

[This message has been edited by Veronica (edited August 28, 1999).]

Now an elevator ride to the top of the Gold Spike Casino, now that's something I'd pay for! <VBG> Those nine big stories towering over downtown Las Vegas! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

Seriously, I think the these high views are totaly over priced and over rated.

Take the Olimpic Garden for example....now that's a view!

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Snookie, Abracadabra also had a tiger in the show, didn't it?

Re: the price of elevators, etc. They always start off high and they don't get any local action. Then they promote the local business by giving them something like a $2 discount.

They did/do this with the Strat elevator and MGM theme park. BUT then they change things again and sock it to everyone! Ya never know what they are up to or when they are up to it.

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

gailsacco,
Dont remember any tigers. The only time I know I saw them was Siegfed and Roy. Of course that was 1990 and a few brain cells have died. I sure do miss them.