Sin City Theater – Celebrity Idols

Celebrity Idol’s at the Planet Hollywood is a brand new show… and that’s easy to tell. That’s not all bad though, as there’s a lot of fresh energy that helps make the experience that much more fun. It could be really top notch once they work out the bugs.
This is a revue show with a cast of very talented singers and dancers showcasing pop stars from the 50’s to the present and music from films like Footloose and Grease. It is headlined by tv heartthrob Billy Hufsey from «Fame» fame, who apparently has worked with or is friends with everybody you’ve ever heard of. There is also a hotter than hot female singer and 7 dancers that are amazing to watch.
So, that’s the good part. Unfortunately, the show starts and ends poorly, I assume because of scheduling issues. They don’t let you in until 2 minutes before the show starts, causing a major distraction for the first 15 minutes as the waitress weaves her way through with drink orders. Then the end… just…happens, as the cast runs off stage and out into the hall and the audience is quickly ushered out to let the next show audience in as they quickly re-​set the stage. Really, they need to allow for more time between shows.
Another bit of tightening needed is with the banter. While it can be refreshingly uncanned… this also causes some moments where the audience doesn’t know what they are talking about. At one point the host introduced his tribute to Elvis Presley and then sang a song by Jerry Lee Lewis and then one by Chuck Berry. No Elvis. Later, while extolling the virtues of Christina Aguilera, he told us that she had the runs! I know what he meant, it was kind of embarrassing unintentional humor.
The beginning of the show has the cast entering dresses as famous pop characters including Lady Gaga and Wonder Woman. This confused many of my party, who expected this to be an impersonator show (which it wasn’t) or at least a song by Lady Gaga (which there wasn’t) Unfortunate to hear audience members leaving saying «They were great singers but didn’t really sound like Tina Turner» when that was never the intent to begin with. At least I would recommend they come out dressed as people who’s songs they will be performing.
Finally, for our show, there was this blonde woman who was obviously connected to the show who sat herself right in the middle of the audience but got up and went backstage at least 7 times during the show… even going onstage at one point. I can only assume she was there to provide energy for the audience… but she either needs to stay in her seat or sit on the side where the whole crowd won’t have to keep watching her keep getting up and down… plus, constantly taking photo’s and video’s when the audience were told it was forbidden was not setting a good example.
But these are all quibbles which are easily fixed. The music is fun, the dancers are talented and gorgeous, the singers are exceptional, and it’s not every day you get to rub shoulders (and possibly other bits) with your real life tv idol. Hope it goes forward, and is very successful!

I didn’t know what to expect from this new show at Planet Hollywood’s Sin City Theater. But when I get free tickets, why not?
It’s a song and dance review spotlighting some of the icons of music, from Britney Spears to Steven Tyler, with a little Tina Turner and Jennifer Hudson thrown in for good measure, along with many other legends. It’s hosted by Billy Hufsey, who was unknown to me, but apparently has had a long and varied career as an actor (on TV’s Fame) and one-​time dancer. The lead female singer has an impressive set of pipes, to complement a set of anatomical wonders unmentionable in this space, though I really didn’t have to wonder ;).
What knocked my socks off was the amazing, energetic dance numbers, performed by six lithe and talented dancers who changed costumes for each number in the lightning-​paced show. They were accompanied by one lone male dancer, also incredibly talented. Billy Hufsey was an engaging host and good showman. The lighting, the pace, the sound — all top-​notch.
The show was even more enjoyable because of the setting: the small Sin City Theater is an intimate venue, allowing the audience an up-​close and personal view of the performances. Celebrity Idols is brand-​new to the Planet Hollywood line-​up, and it’s definitely worth seeing. I hope it finds an audience!