NEW IN TOWN

Must-see additions to Las Vegas’ entertainment lineup

By Heather Turk

Las Vegas wouldn’t be the Entertainment Capital of the World if there wasn’t always something new in town for audiences to enjoy.

Several stellar shows have debuted recently, including Cirque du Soleil’s latest resident production, “Mad Apple.” A love letter to New York City, the show at New York-New York Hotel & Casino is unlike anything Cirque du Soleil has done before. In addition to the astonishing acrobatics fans have come to expect from Cirque du Soleil, including a fun basketball trampoline act, the production features hilarious performances by stand-up comedians Brad Williams and Harrison Greenbaum and freestyle comedy rapper Chris Turner. There are also live singers and musicians performing a variety of hit songs from artists like Alicia Keys and Billy Joel — sometimes among the audience. Be sure to arrive early, as the interactive preshow entertainment begins the minute the theater doors open. madapplelv.com

Audiences can enjoy even more jawdropping acrobatics at “ROUGE: The Sexiest Show in Vegas.” The titillating, adults-only production at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod features some of the most impressive acrobatic performances showcased in any Las Vegas show, as well

“Bat Out of Hell – The Musical”

David Blaine’s new Las Vegas residency will perform inside the 5,000-seat Resorts World Theatre

“ROUGE’s” wet and wild water bowl contortion and hand balancing act

as gorgeous costumes and stunning digital projections that transport audiences to places like ancient Rome and the Palace of Versailles. Ticket holders are encouraged to leave their inhibitions at the door as the limber cast takes audiences on a seductive journey full of phenomenal physical feats (there’s a balancing duo with a ballet dancer en pointe!) and playful innuendo. By the show’s climax, hearts are sure to be racing! rouge-vegas.com

The award-winning production “Bat Out of Hell – The Musical” will soon kick off its highly anticipated Las Vegas residency when it debuts at Paris Las Vegas on Sept. 27. Set to Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, the musical is a Rocky-Horror, Romeo-and-Juliet celebration of star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of the tracks caught in a city teetering on the brink of disaster. Audiences will hear such chart-topping songs from the writer and singer’s Bat Out of Hell albums as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” as well as a previously unreleased song, “What Part of My Body Hurts the Most,” making the musical a must-see for fans of the late rock legends. batoutofhellmusical. com/las-vegas

Las Vegas will also add magician, extreme illusionist and stunt artist David Blaine to its list of can’t-miss resident performers this fall when Blaine opens his first-ever Las Vegas residency, “DAVID BLAINE LIVE,” at Resorts World Las Vegas. Known for his awe-inspiring magic tricks and death-defying stunts, Blaine will continue to push the limits and attempt unthinkable feats when the mind-blowing production premieres on Sept. 30. rwlasvegas.com/entertainment

The Basketball Dunkers in “Mad Apple” are sure to be a crowd favorite The cast of “ROUGE” features provocative acrobats, aerialists, dancers, contortionists, comedians and hand balancers

Brad Williams, one of two headlining comedians in “Mad Apple”