VENETIAN HOTEL CASINO HOTEL LAS VEGAS NEVADA - Las Vegas Hotels | 10BESTLASVEGASSHOWS.com

On the hallowed grounds of the old Sands Hotel now stands The Venetian and Palazzo. The Venetian is an impressive replica of historic sights in Venice, Italy.

The resort opened on May 3, 1999 with a flutter of white doves, sounding trumpets and singing gondoliers, with actress Sophia Loren joining The Venetian Owner, Sheldon Adelson, in christening the first motorized gondola.

The entertainment at the Venetian has been as impressive as the property itself.

Here is some of the entertainment history at The Venetian:

The initial showroom was actually a multi use space, cabaret room early evening and night club later on, the Venue had the curious name of C2K housing shows as varied as, Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance, ( in 2002 ) Canadian impressionist Andre Gagnon and an early incarnation of the now famous show V

Comedian David Brenner appeared at CK2 and was even married in front of his audience on stage by Rabbi Gary Goldbart a local Rabbi who was originally the lead singer in Follies or Casino de Paris.

It soon became clear that a real Theater space was needed at the Venetian and CK2 was removed and a new state of the art theater built elsewhere in the porperty. The Blue Man group had been an incredible success over at Luxor and ventian lured them to the Venetian to perform in the new room.Their unique form of entertainment combines multimedia, music and dance theatrics to create a exciting party atmosphere that people of all ages agree is a totally outrageous experience. It is a fabulous mix of art, music, thought, sight, touch, words, sounds and plenty of comedy. It is a complete sensory experience that, in the final evaluation, is something that must be experienced rather than spoken about in words.

With Blue man Group open and selling out the Ventian needed a second more intimate theater and the perfect entertainer to occupy it. Gordie Brown is a talented contemporary impressionist who had made a name for himself downtown at the Golden Nugget. The Ventian offered him a ten year deal and built a fantastic 800 seat theater in what was a conference ballroom. Opening in 2007 produced by vegas legend Bernie Yuman Gordie Browns first strip show was impressive. With a splashy set , lighting and sound system it looked like brown had finally achieved the successes he richly deserved and a real opportunity to compete against Danny Gans who was performing across the street from the Venetian at the Mirage. Although a first class show for some reason known only to the showbiz gods the show didn't succeed and after a brief move to the V theater Gordie returned to his Golden Nugget roots.

Relacing Gordie in the newly named Ventian showroom was TV favorite Wayne Brady Brady has modeled himself into an improv-comedy version of cabaret legends such as Ben Vereen and Sammy Davis Jr. If there's a market left for someone who imitates Prince, and makes up funny stuff while he's doing it, Brady is the man for the job. Brady structured his show in the classic Variety show style, incorporating improv, singing and even dancing. In true Vegas style, MAKING IT UP brings big production values to what is a small stage including a three-piece band and a troupe of dancers.

With two great venues on property the Venetian was about to play its trump card. The worlds most successful musical Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA perhaps would have been more appropriate in the often dark theater at the Paris hotel up the street but Sheldon Adelson snagged the French show to play in Italy's Venice! A specially adapted 90 minute version of the show entitled Phantom The Las Vegas Spectacular. Was created and directed by original legendary director Hal prince. The Phantom Theater was custom built to resemble the famous Paris Opera house interior. By incorporating special effects and enhancements made possible today by modern technology that was not available when the show debuted in London some twenty years previously into the production new audiences and loyal fans alike will be awed by and all-new Phantom.

In 2008 The Venetian expanded with a huge new adjoining resort THE PALAZZO. With three stunning venues in the Venetian of course the Palazzo needed it's own Theater and recruited to fill it was the biggest hit Broadway show of 2007 JERSEY BOYS. A state of the art Broadway style theater was constructed and the super-hit blockbuster took audiences up the charts, across the country and behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. With sing along songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "My Eyes Adored You," and many more.

If you have any information about the history of entertainment at this property please do contact us, we aim to update this section of the site as frequently as possible so that we can ensure as accurate as possible correct historic information.