ABSINTHE I FELL FOR YOU
For a most salacious evening of “adult” delights, head on over to Absinthe at Caesar’s Palace which is surely the #1 Greatest Show in Las Vegas history (it has played to sold-out audiences since 2011). Hosted by the filthy rich and just plain filthy Gazillionaire and his nymphomaniac sidekick Wanda Widdles, this circus-infused extravaganza is filled with a rotating line-up of super-special, handpicked, international and underground acts good enough to make Simon Cowell sit up and take notice.
The Gazillionaire. Photo by Erik Kabik.
When you arrive, you will be cordially invited into the 585-seat Spiegeltent Spiegeltent to sit back, enjoy a few stiff drinks, or maybe just some popcorn and a can of water, and be prepared to let the show just pour over you like a champagne shower. With the audience intimately gathered on an assortment of wooden chairs arranged by height to allow for the best viewing possible around a circular stage, with a platform out of which acts appear, you will find yourself as close to the action as you can legally get to an array of scantily clad international acrobats who treat you to mind-boggling feats of physical prowess.
Wanda, the Gazillionaire, and the Green Fairy. Photo courtesy of Absinthe.
After meeting the two hosts, the delightfully sexy Green Fairy descends gracefully from the ceiling above the stage and ignites the evening with her seductive song and moves. What follows is an assortment of acts which will remind you of Cirque du Soleil-like acrobats whose anti-gravity movements astound the senses.
The Green Fairy. Photo by Erik Kabik.
Imagine this: sexy Olympic-quality gymnasts flying above you in the most revealing costumes; handsome Chippendale-quality bare-chested men with six-pack abs flipping each other in gravity-challenging formations; spectacular displays of artistic juggling; the tap-dancing duo Sean & John who have been dazzling Absinthe audiences since its beginning; and the gravity-defining Mr. & Mrs. Slutspurt who fly above your heads in a captivating pas de deux, restrained only by their tight, sweaty bondage straps and, well, you get the idea! With a rotating cast that bursts with talent, you no doubt will see different entertainers when you attend. But I guarantee, every one of them will be eye-catching and grab your attention from start to finish.
Mr and Mrs Slutsplurt. Photo by Erik Kabik.
Certainly, one of the evening’s highlights was Le Petit Merde, a hanging silks act duo who played it up for laughs and never completed even the slightest airborne routine. And lo and behold, the two green-clad acrobats featured were none other than the Gazillionaire and Wanda using their sexy and comical behavior to the max.
And just a bit of advice for those seated in the front row, be ready to accept the large sheet of plastic when offered to protect yourself from any water or human juices that might make its way from the stage onto you during one of the acts.
Sean & John. Photo courtesy of the artists.
Think of Absinthe as a cross between terrific variety acts and a stag party. That is exactly how the show is presented, complete with audience participation during a lap dance contest for free drinks that had the crowd roaring with laughter. Fans of animal-free circus acts (well, a lot of folks behaved like fun-loving animals), bawdy burlesque, and Vaudeville acts – this is the show for you.
With separate admission for Absinthe in the Spiegeltent, be prepared for a surprising intimate adult playground; a chaotic cornucopia of mirrors and carefully curated pieces of “art” decorating the entire space around you. The air-conditioned tent sits within the Green Fairy Garden, a lovely outdoor complex open to the public featuring multiple bars (including the Pier 17 Yacht Club where I partied with my group after the show), with the magnificent Absinthe Electric Oak, an art installation with over 30,000 programmable LED leaves as its centerpiece. Visitors can also indulge in delicious treats from No Pants Burgers and Tots anywhere within the Garden.
Superfrico. Photo by the author.
And to start your evening off with even more close-up circus acts and the most extraordinary fine Italian-infused dining, head over to Superfrico on Level 2 of the Chelsea Tower, another Spiegelworld fine dining and entertainment establishment on the Strip. There you will be treated to some of the finest cuisine ever offered to delight your senses. And don’t worry if you have dietary restrictions since the chef will understand and prepare the most excellent dishes for you to enjoy without worry. I know I did and can’t praise the high quality enough, nor the fun, circus-like atmosphere which envelops you, especially while enjoying decadent signature cocktails at the bar while you wait for your table or just hang out. Every night is different with a rotating schedule of acts and dishes available.
Absinthe
Spiegeltent on the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace
Flamingo Road & Las Vegas Blvd in Las Vegas
Sun-Thurs at 8 & 10; Fri and Sat at 7, 9 & 11
open run
for tickets (starting at $135), call 800.745.3000 or visit Absinthe
Superfrico
Chelsea Tower, 3707 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Level 2
opens daily at 5
for reservations, call 702.534.3419 or visit Superfrico
