Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
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Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I've held off on posting this until it was confirmed in spite of numerous emails and messages saying that it was in the works. Lance Burton has decided to close his show at the Monte Carlo rather than making cuts to the show as requested by management. More info here: http://bit.ly/b8cmEh
- CraigMitchell
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Lance's show unfortunately wasn't a fit for the new, 'edgier' Vegas ... it was a throwback to the 90's family friendly Vegas that has now long gone.
Will be very interesting to see whether Lance retires or attempts to find a new property which I somehow doubt ...
S&R gone, Lance Burton gone ... and so the strip loses yet another in magic's 'golden era' of production shows.
Will be very interesting to see whether Lance retires or attempts to find a new property which I somehow doubt ...
S&R gone, Lance Burton gone ... and so the strip loses yet another in magic's 'golden era' of production shows.
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
That's pretty shocking since it was a big deal for him to re-up rather than going elsewhere.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Unless there is more to the story, this may have more to do with the economy than with an "edgier Vegas."
Michael Kamen
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Economy definitely plays into it ... with declining audiences across the strip. But with limited spending cash available - punters are going to be far more discerning in what they go and see. I doubt that a 'family magic show' is going to be on most people's must see list in today's Vegas.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I have heard that Lance's show has been struggling on many nights to get more than 300 audience members into the theater. So, the requested budget cuts should not have been unexpected.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Thought this was funny as an after thought in light "edgier Vegas" comments. THis is from an announcement at the end of 2009. Note the words "Family Friendly!"...
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. a family friendly comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo will take to the stage with impressions of the likes of John Madden... What do we do here? Frank topless?
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. a family friendly comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo will take to the stage with impressions of the likes of John Madden... What do we do here? Frank topless?
He's Funbelievable!
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Richard, how many seats are in his theater?
- Joe Pecore
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Rick Ruhl wrote:Richard, how many seats are in his theater?
This site http://www.onlineseats.com/venue/lance- ... -carlo.htm says its 1,500 seats.
Share your knowledge on the MagicPedia wiki.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Joe Pecore wrote:Rick Ruhl wrote:Richard, how many seats are in his theater?
This site http://www.onlineseats.com/venue/lance- ... -carlo.htm says its 1,500 seats.
Durn, only 1/5 of the seats being filled. Well we know it's not Lance, at all, has to be economy, promotion, etc.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
So the bigger question is - how soon until Cirque du Soleil commandeer The Monte Carlo, too ;-)
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I thought it was odd that Criss Angel was filling his theatre while Lance was struggling for audience numbers until I was told that it's compulsory for Cirque staff to fill empty seats every night.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Another thing to think about is that the casino model of paying for a show is pretty much dead. Lance's show was kind of an anomaly, and it wouldn't surprise me if the budget cut was a tactic to get the show to close so the room would be open to a four wall deal. It does seem to me that the casino's point of view was the same as someone booking a gig for $1000 and then telling you that since attendance was down, they wanted you to do it for $600.
(Disclaimer: percentages have nothing to do with anything other than illustrating a point)
FWIW,
Pix
(Disclaimer: percentages have nothing to do with anything other than illustrating a point)
FWIW,
Pix
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Are the really big names 4-walling it in Las Vegas?
I'm curious to know if Copperfield is.
T. Baxter
I'm curious to know if Copperfield is.
T. Baxter
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
It is no longer a rumor. Lance officially announces the closing of his show after September 4th, 2010 :: http://bit.ly/a674wm
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
"People get married and get divorced every day, and a lot of times when people get divorced, they'll say it's 'irreconcilable differences,'" Burton told The Associated Press. "That's kind of what we have here. I think we've just grown apart, we have different philosophies, and we're going in different directions."
Burton declined to elaborate but said he and casino officials had different philosophies about how to put on a show.
"The question that I have to ask myself is, 'Do I stay in this relationship and potentially be very unhappy in the long run?' Or do we just say, 'You know what? It's time for us to move on,'" he said. "And that's what I decided to do."
Burton declined to elaborate but said he and casino officials had different philosophies about how to put on a show.
"The question that I have to ask myself is, 'Do I stay in this relationship and potentially be very unhappy in the long run?' Or do we just say, 'You know what? It's time for us to move on,'" he said. "And that's what I decided to do."
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Robin Leach:
Another entertainment expert told me: You could sort of see the beginning of the writing on the wall when impressionist Frank Caliendo moved into Lances theater as a second attraction to boost revenue. Lance warmly welcomed him, but now it was two acts splitting a similar pie. Franks show was a lot less costly to mount. There were no expensive illusions, dancers or large cast, thus tickets could be cheaper. It put Lance in a difficult situation.
In the end, the necessary corporate bid for economies and bigger entertainment profits made up the decision for him. He decided to leave on a high note with an incredible record of great success rather than watch it slowly get more and more watered down to a trickle over time as more and more cuts were made.
Another entertainment expert told me: You could sort of see the beginning of the writing on the wall when impressionist Frank Caliendo moved into Lances theater as a second attraction to boost revenue. Lance warmly welcomed him, but now it was two acts splitting a similar pie. Franks show was a lot less costly to mount. There were no expensive illusions, dancers or large cast, thus tickets could be cheaper. It put Lance in a difficult situation.
In the end, the necessary corporate bid for economies and bigger entertainment profits made up the decision for him. He decided to leave on a high note with an incredible record of great success rather than watch it slowly get more and more watered down to a trickle over time as more and more cuts were made.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Frank Caliendo will now do impressions of Lance Burton with an impression of a juggler during the intermission.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
That's very disappointing news. I saw his show last month. The theater seemed full (I couldn't see into the balcony but I could hear them). It was a terrific show.
Ray
Ray
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
In Vegas, cheers and applause you hear may very well be pre-recorded on the soundtrack with the music.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Lance Burton has worked hard and come a long way from the mush mouthed hillbilly that opened a show for us, The Urban Cowboy Band, at Six Gun Territory in 79 or 80. I expect he will do just fine.
It's my understanding that rather than cut his staff, many of whom had been with him a long time, he chose to pull-out.
It's my understanding that rather than cut his staff, many of whom had been with him a long time, he chose to pull-out.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Tabman wrote:Lance Burton has worked hard and come a long way from the mush mouthed hillbilly that opened a show for us, The Urban Cowboy Band, at Six Gun Territory in 79 or 80. I expect he will do just fine.
It's my understanding that rather than cut his staff, many of whom had been with him a long time, he chose to pull-out.
That doesn't make sense. Now all of his staff is out of a job.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Not if he reopens the show somewhere else.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
September 4th, the stated closing date, is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Do Vegas shows not do well on Sundays of a 3 day weekend? Seems like an odd day to close, but maybe weekly payroll cycles or other factors are at play.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Word round the campfire is Lance may hit the Road (Tour)
Michael Lee
Michael Lee
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Richard Hatch wrote:September 4th, the stated closing date, is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Do Vegas shows not do well on Sundays of a 3 day weekend? Seems like an odd day to close, but maybe weekly payroll cycles or other factors are at play.
Lance's show is dark Sundays and Mondays.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Tabman wrote:Lance Burton has worked hard and come a long way from the mush mouthed hillbilly that opened a show for us, The Urban Cowboy Band, at Six Gun Territory in 79 or 80. I expect he will do just fine.
It's my understanding that rather than cut his staff, many of whom had been with him a long time, he chose to pull-out.
God we were kids then. 19 or 20. That was the time when magic was on TV at least twice a year. (henning and Copperfield)
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
For those that have forgotten, it is interesting to see the appearance of Lance on TV during that time:
1977:
Doug Henning's World of Magic 3
The Magic of ABC Staring David Copperfield
1978:
Doug Henning's World of Magic 4
The Magic of David Copperfield I
The Mike Douglas Show: David Copperfield
1979:
The Magic of David Copperfield II
1980:
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari
1981:
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: Vanishing Airplane
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton (Oct)
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton (Dec)
1983:
The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty
1984:
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Grand Canyon
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1985:
The Magic of David Copperfield VII
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1986:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield VIII: The Great Wall of China
1987:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: Escape from Alcatraz
1988:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield X: Bermuda Triangle
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1989:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller (May)
David Letterman: Penn & Teller (October)
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: Explosive Encounter
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1990:
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: Niagara Falls Challenge
1991:
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1992:
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying: Live the Dream
1993:
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion
1994:
David Letterman: David Copperfield
The Magic of David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic
The World's Greatest Magic I
1977:
Doug Henning's World of Magic 3
The Magic of ABC Staring David Copperfield
1978:
Doug Henning's World of Magic 4
The Magic of David Copperfield I
The Mike Douglas Show: David Copperfield
1979:
The Magic of David Copperfield II
1980:
The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari
1981:
The Magic of David Copperfield IV: Vanishing Airplane
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton (Oct)
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton (Dec)
1983:
The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty
1984:
The Magic of David Copperfield VI: Grand Canyon
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1985:
The Magic of David Copperfield VII
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1986:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield VIII: The Great Wall of China
1987:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: Escape from Alcatraz
1988:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
David Letterman: Penn & Teller
The Magic of David Copperfield X: Bermuda Triangle
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1989:
David Letterman: Penn & Teller (May)
David Letterman: Penn & Teller (October)
The Magic of David Copperfield XI: Explosive Encounter
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1990:
The Magic of David Copperfield XII: Niagara Falls Challenge
1991:
The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express
Johnny Carson: Lance Burton
1992:
The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying: Live the Dream
1993:
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion
1994:
David Letterman: David Copperfield
The Magic of David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic
The World's Greatest Magic I
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I think he means "Magic on TV during that time."
Gord
Gord
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
That's what I was illustrating.
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Does anyone have footage of Lance on Carson? I've heard stories that he was originally only alotted 4 minutes but when Johnny saw the rehersal, he told the director to give him as much time as he wanted. It would be fun to see that young Lance again.
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I'm sure that most of you have already heard this, but.. just in case... Lance was my guest for the 100th episode of the Magic Newswire Podcast. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/b7cXu5
Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Pepka wrote:Does anyone have footage of Lance on Carson? I've heard stories that he was originally only alotted 4 minutes but when Johnny saw the rehersal, he told the director to give him as much time as he wanted. It would be fun to see that young Lance again.
Give the kid the whole 12 minutes was what Johnny said. it was Oct, 1981 but no one seems to have a copy of it, and it is part of the Carson estate and hasnt been release by Carson productions.
http://www.magictelevision.org/portal/i ... tober.html
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Rick Ruhl wrote:Pepka wrote:Does anyone have footage of Lance on Carson? I've heard stories that he was originally only alotted 4 minutes but when Johnny saw the rehersal, he told the director to give him as much time as he wanted. It would be fun to see that young Lance again.
Give the kid the whole 12 minutes was what Johnny said. it was Oct, 1981 but no one seems to have a copy of it, and it is part of the Carson estate and hasnt been release by Carson productions.
http://www.magictelevision.org/portal/i ... tober.html
The entire 12 minute clip is being shown in a video wall panel at the Magic Exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I assume that they got the clip from Lance. At the end Johnny says, "Beautiful, just beautiful!" (or something very close to that).
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
I'd like to see Lance's last show in September but the link to Ticketmaster from his website currently only shows tickets available through August. Anyone know if these haven't gone on sale yet, or is there some other way to get tickets?
Thanks,
Ross
Thanks,
Ross
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Have you called the box office at the Monte Carlo? I know that's a bit "old school," but it might work. ;-)
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Re: Lance Burton To Close Vegas Show
Thanks for the reminder, Dodd. It's been so long since I've called anywhere to order something, that option never entered my mind! (A bit like being fooled by a magician-fooler trick?)
BTW, tickets to the September shows are finally on sale.
Thanks,
Ross
BTW, tickets to the September shows are finally on sale.
Thanks,
Ross