Popular headliners have filled Las Vegas Strip theaters for decades, with some performers holding long-term residencies for many years.
Theaters on the Strip run by Caesars Entertainment (CZR), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and other operators are constantly seeking to book the biggest entertainers to upstage their competitors and hopefully draw more guests to their hotels and casinos.
Las Vegas is well-known for hosting some of top names in show business for residencies over the years, including Liberace, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and Elvis Presley from the 1940's through the 1960s.
Hometown legend Wayne Newton, who first headlined at the Fabulous Flamingo Hotel on the Strip about 60 years ago, continues with his five-month residency at the hotel in 2023 performing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. in Bugsy's Cabaret through June 28. Tickets to Mr. Las Vegas' "Up Close and Personal" cabaret-style show are only $69.
Of course, the 80-year-old "Danke Schoen" singer could extend his residency when it concludes or take a break and return later as many big names have done in recent years.
John Shearer/Getty Images for Katy Perry
Longtime Residencies Closed
Superstar singer Celine Dion had one of the most successful residencies in Vegas. Her first residency, A New Day, began at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2003, earning about $100 million for some 700 shows. A neurological disorder forced Dion to postpone her 2023 European tour until 2024, and there is no word yet on another Vegas residency, according to Las Vegas Fox5 KVVU-TV.
Lady Gaga made Las Vegas her home for her Enigma + Jazz & Piano residency which ran Dec. 28, 2018 through May 1, 2022, at the Park Theater at the Park MGM. Reports have said Lady Gaga is negotiating to resume her residency in Las Vegas in 2023, but no details have been revealed on when that may happen. The payoff would be a big one if she does return to the Vegas stage as her previous residency reportedly earned $78 million at the box office, with Gaga getting a guarantee of $1 million per show for the 74 initial shows of her residency.
Superstars Extend Residencies
Superstar singer Adele originally planned to perform a 24-show “Weekends With Adele” residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace every Friday and Saturday from Jan. 21 until April 16, 2022. She had to cancel those shows, however, as members of her crew contracted covid and some of the set pieces designed for the performance were not ready.
Adele postponed the residency to Nov. 18, 2022, with a break from Christmas through Jan. 20, and concluded her shows March 25. After her final show in the residency, Adele extended her residency by 34 more dates, running from June 16, 2023, to Nov. 4, 2023, according to the singer's website. The theater has a presale registration for ticket sales on Ticketmaster Verified Fan to help filter out buyers looking to resell tickets, and instead get them into the hands of fans who want to attend the show, the Ticketmaster website says.
Pop superstar Katy Perry opened her "Play" residency Dec. 29, 2021, at Resorts World Las Vegas and will continue with select dates in April, May, July and August. Perry on April 10 extended her residency for 10 more dates in October and November, with the final show and end of the residency set for Nov. 4. Tickets for the final 10 shows go on sale April 14.
