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Westgate Entertainment Part 1 - Residencies

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Westgate Entertainment Part 1 - Residencies

Historic property focuses on what made Sin City great...

Back in the 1980s, this writer's mom became obsessed with Las Vegas. She flew in frequently from our hometown (north of Pittsburgh) and stayed at what was then the Imperial Palace (now Linq Hotel). As I recall, she and her second husband rarely left the Palace, as it offered everything they came to Sin City for in one place. In that era, tourists longed for gambling, kitschy decor, "Dealertainers", generous comps, buffets, lounge music, and shows. Oh, how Rosie praised the shows. It wasn't unusual for her to be greeted by name when taking the hotel's limo, which whisked her and Tony to the resort's VIP check-in. After a whirlwind time, the happy couple headed home, quite often with a depleted discretionary account but smiles on their faces.

A lot has changed since everyday people were treated like royalty in Las Vegas. That is...unless you know where to go. A few casino hotels still deliver the goods that made them great, and Westgate Las Vegas is the King on that front. By continuing to offer a cornucopia of classic entertainment, the home of Elvis prides itself on being the center of "Legendary Vegas Fun". As you may have seen in my 2023 round-up of Best and Worst Hotels, Westgate Las Vegas remains our "Best Overall Resort". When it comes to its combination of atmosphere, amenities, lodging, customer service, dining, sports betting, gambling, ease of access, and value, Westgate truly can't be beaten. But what pushes the historic property over the top is its entertainment options.

Most of the Strip resorts have scaled back massively on live entertainment. Aside from high-profile residencies like Adele and Bruno Mars, many mid-level headliners and shows have been sent packing. At Westgate, both legendary names and rising stars have found a home. Let's take a look at RESIDENT PRODUCTIONS at Westgate Las Vegas:

BARRY MANILOW: The Hits Come Home -

Barry Manilow continues to draw thousands to Westgate's famed International Theater. The timeless singer-songwriter recently surpassed a record set by Elvis Presley in the same showroom. And Manilow shows no signs of slowing down. Ageless, unsurpassed, and adored by millions, Barry Manilow will continue to thrill fans of all ages. Click here for Barry Manilow - The Hits Come Home performance dates.

FRANKIE VALLI & The Four Seasons

Another voice that speaks to legions of fans, Frankie Valli continues to capture attention thanks to JERSEY BOYS. A revival production of that musical just opened up at Orleans Showroom, featuring a talented cast of musicians and singers. But for those who want the real deal, Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons continues to enthrall audiences at Westgate Las Vegas.

Photo courtesy of Justin Michael Rodriguez (second from left)

The Four Seasons has always set a high bar for backup vocal groups. The quartet now features Justin Michael Rodriguez, a dazzling Vegas-based singer who's electrified audiences in numerous groups including The Docksiders. Tickets for FRANKIE VALLI & The Four Seasons are available by heading here. The show is scheduled to run on select dates through October 26th.

KOOL & THE GANG -

Get ready, get down, and get your funk on with KOOL & THE GANG. The beloved disco-heavy band sizzled through the seventies and eighties with hits that include "Too Hot", "Ladies Night" and "Celebration". Titular member Robert "Kool" Bell helped to establish the group in 1964. He still is loose and dirty on the bass at the age of 73. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://vegas411-images.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/10071112/20231007_202524.mp4"][/video] After a successful first round in 2023, Kool & The Gang will play on select dates at Westgate through October 5, 2024. Order your tickets here.

MY BROTHER ELVIS -

Here's a terrific example of how Westgate Las Vegas embraces its legacy for current guests to enjoy. MY BROTHER ELVIS: An Evening With David Stanley is a unique experience hosted by the resort's own Gordon Prouty. At its center is David Stanley, the stepbrother of Elvis Presley.

Part guided tour and part lecture with an opportunity for questions, MY BROTHER ELVIS allows you to retrace the King's path from his dressing room to the stage where he performed a record number of sold-out shows. VEGAS 411 attended the event and gave a full report here.

MY BROTHER ELVIS: An Intimate Evening With David Stanley currently takes place only one evening per month. Prouty, the resort's Vice President of Public Relations and Community Affairs, has hinted at a possible expansion to the schedule. You can check the calendar and make reservations by clicking here.

SOUL OF MOTOWN -

Mo Crosby, Sean Godfrey, Brandon Godfrey, and CJ Williams are SOUL OF MOTOWN

There are a handful of Motown tributes throughout Sin City. The reason for their popularity is clear...the music from that era is unmatched. It takes serious talent to convey the spirit, style, and of course, the soul of Motor City music. The cast of SOUL OF MOTOWN is top-tier on all those fronts. [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://vegas411-images.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/10071158/20230630_201855.mp4"][/video] CJ Williams, Brandon Godfrey, and Morris "Mo" Crosby (above) sing, dance, joke, and belt our numerous classics from Motown's unmistakable catalog. They're joined by Sean Godfrey, a true vocal goddess who captivates the audience every moment that she's onstage.

SOUL OF MOTOWN celebrated a milestone of 500 performances at Westgate's Cabaret Theater last summer. They continue to pack in crowds of dedicated and new fans alike. SOUL OF MOTOWN performs Wednesday through Sunday. Reserve your seats here.

THE MAGIC OF JEN KRAMER -

Along with SOUL OF MOTOWN, Westgate's entertainment division struck gold with magician Jen Kramer. The award-winning illusionist is full of bubbly charm. Her humor, sleight of hand, mind tricks, and style come together for a memorable hour of laughs and excitement.

Westgate exec Gordon Prouty (right) commemorates the 500th performance of Jen Kramer on 6/24/22

In my original review from 2018, I described THE MAGIC OF JEN KRAMER as "delightful, frothy fun". The all-ages show performs Friday through Sunday at 5 pm, making it the perfect choice for families. The $19.99 (plus taxes/fees) ticket price doesn't hurt, either. Get your seats by heading here.

WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET -

Who would have ever imagined that stand-up comedy could be considered "endangered"? Sadly, cancel culture has put the ages-old art form of joking at risk. Fortunately, the low overhead of comedy clubs is beneficial to both venues and ticket-buyers, who can enjoy an evening of entertainment at attractive prices. WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET takes its risks by booking a wide variety of established and rising acts. They range from the dating challenges of FOX5 sportscaster Mike Davis to the musical madness of Dennis Blair.

Marsha Warfield at Westgate Comedy Cabaret

A few nationally known "out" entertainers like Jason Stuart, Marsha Warfield, and Varla Jean Merman have graced the WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET marquee. Overseen by Doug Miranda, Jackie Miranda, and Guy Windsor, COMEDY CABARET continues Westgate's legacy of laughter, which has included icons like Eddie Murphy, Rodney Dangerfield, and Phyllis Diller. Click here for the list of upcoming dates and acts at WESTGATE COMEDY CABARET.

Producers Doug and Jackie Miranda of SOUL OF MOTOWN and COMEDY CABARET

In Part Two, I'll take a look at the list of single-night and limited-run shows coming soon to Westgate Las Vegas. Photos by VEGAS 411 and Westgate Las Vegas