What trip to Vegas would be complete without attending at least one show?

From the infamous ‘Rat Pack’ performances of the 1960’s to the unforgettable ‘Elvis years’, Las Vegas is synonymous with hosting the best of the best and then some.

Whether you’re after a world class musical or the traditional showgirls, there is something for everybody in the true ‘city that never sleeps’.

There has been a resurgence of headline acts in Las Vegas in the past few years and when Caesars Palace built a purpose built arena for Celine Dion, it was obvious that this wasn’t going to change in the near future!

One of the most difficult choices one has to make when holidaying in my favourite city in the world is just which show to purchase tickets for.

Never fear, I’ve given each show I watched a star rating according to overall entertainment value to help make things a little easier for you next time you head to ‘Sin City’.

A word of advice though, if you are specifically heading to Las Vegas to see your favourite performer, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets before you leave as the popular shows, like Celine Dion, sell out weeks and sometimes months in advance.

Otherwise, you can take advantage of your hotel concierge service or even peruse one of the many half price ticket vendors that line the Strip.

Viva ELVIS – Aria Resort & Casino

It pains me to give this show less than 5 stars but, being a massive Elvis, I expected just a little bit more…perhaps I expected too much.

When the soundtrack to this show was released last year, I was one of the first people to purchase it and I love it. It showcased Elvis’ music in a modern style and even my friends who don’t particularly like ‘The King’ were impressed. It regularly plays on repeat on my iPod to this day.

It’s because of this that I was so excited to attend Viva Elvis. Couple the phenomenal music with death defying Cirque de Soleil acts…how could you go wrong?

The performance was unfaultable and the sets breathtaking but I suppose I was a little taken aback by the element of ‘kitsch’.

Sure, there is always an element of ‘kitsch’ when it comes to Elvis but when female impersonators take to the stage in numbers, that’s when I believe it goes from an homage to making a laughing stock of the man.

Sensitive, perhaps, but, as I said, I truly am a huge Elvis fan and I just don’t think it was needed.

Premiering in February 2010, Viva ELVIS takes you on a journey through Elvis’ life. From his days in the army to the heady Las Vegas shows, all is portrayed in a combination of dance and acrobatics.

Performed in the purpose-built Elvis theatre at Aria Resort & Casino, 75 artists bring you the visual extravaganza that has been created in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Our show had an incident with a bonfire on stage causing the fire alarms to go off but ‘Colonel Tom Parker’ dealt with it well and I think that most people thought it was part of the spectacle.

Without giving too much away, there’s a special surprise at the end of the show that was my favourite part and truly was a fitting way to tribute a man who changed the course of musical history and still makes women swoon worldwide.

Tickets are available 120 days in advance of the performance date for: $99, $125, $150 and $175 plus tax.

Barry Manilow – Paris Las Vegas

One of the best concerts I’ve been too anywhere in the world, Barry Manilow is the consummate performer.

Whilst not a huge fan, I knew enough of his songs to sing along, dance and share in the love that was being thrown on stage by the sold out theatre.

Seated smack bang in the middle of the fourth row, I have never been so close to any other performer in my life and whilst he certainly hasn’t aged up close let alone from far away, it certainly added another dimension to the show.

Simply dubbed ‘Manilow’, the audience was taken on a veritable journey through Barry’s life and music and many a tear was brought to my eye when he shared tales of his ever supportive grandfather.

The band was phenomenal and just when you thought there wasn’t any more to give, another song was sung with such gusto you could feel it in your bones.

Whether you’re a fan or not I highly recommend experiencing ‘Manilow’…you won’t regret it!

Read about my personal encounter with Barry here.

Matt Goss – Cleopatra’s Barge, Caesars Palace

Produced by Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, Matt Goss’ show live in Cleopatra’s Barge is reminiscent of crooners like Michael Buble and Dean Martin with an added twist of spice.

Backed by a 9-piece band the audience is treated to a true Las Vegas experience, complete with sexy female dancers dubbed ‘The Dirty Virgins’.

Reaching international success in 80’s pop group Bros, Matt Goss has sold over 17 million records worldwide but that didn’t mean that I actually knew who he was before taking my seat in the ‘Barge’.

Did that matter? Not at all.

Matt’s smooth voice coupled with his boyish good looks ensured that there was nowhere I’d rather be than there. Transported by standards made famous by such artists as Frank Sinatra along with a few original numbers thrown in for good measure.

My one criticism would be that the show ran a tad too long. Each time we thought it would finish, there was another song..or three.

An odd complaint, but at around 2.5 hours it did stretch a little longer than needed and several audience members left ahead of time.

Appearing on Friday and Saturday evenings at 9:30pm, tickets are available for $40 each.

The Lion King – Mandalay Bay

This was one production that surprised me to no end.

Having missed it during Sydney’s season, I was interested to see what all the fuss was about but, at the same time, wasn’t going to be surprised if I didn’t enjoy it.

Everyone else was much more excited about my attending than I was but, I was in for a larger than life surprise right from when the lights were dimmed.

The costumes were amazing, the performers world class, the story…well that transported me to a time when the Disney movie was released and Elton John made number 1 around the world with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.

There were times when I had to blink to tell the difference between animal costume and actor with it being so realistic.

I laughed, I cried, I questioned the meaning of life…I seriously pondered becoming a vegetarian but most of all I enjoyed one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

If you haven’t seen The Lion King yet and aren’t in Las Vegas anytime soon, see it somewhere else in the world…it’s well worth the wait.