Best Headliner

Danny Gans, “The Man of 1,000 Voices,” once again takes the title of “Best Headliner” among Casino Player readers. His unique act, phenomenal vocal range, and recent move from the Rio to The Mirage continue to keep word of mouth spreading and shows sold out well in advance.

More than just an impressionist, Gans displays comedic timing and an acting ability that is nothing short of extraordinary. He morphs, without the use of elaborate props or costume changes, into such diverse personalities as Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Anita Baker and Michael Bolton.

The show is one highlight after another. Take, for example, his schizophrenic rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” sung in the styles of Paul Lynde, Pee Wee Herman and Wayne Newton, just to name a few.

In another instant, he astounds the crowd by singing “Unforgettable,” taking on the voices of both Nat King Cole and daughter Natalie.

But it’s his tributes to those we’ve lost that are truly unforgettable. In an inspired segment, he transforms himself into beloved actor Jimmy Stewart, teaming him with Kermit the Frog for a surprisingly touching duet. Later, he is George Burns, speaking to us from heaven. His demeanor shrinks. He visibly ages. And the sparkle in his eye as he sings must be channeled from George himself.

Unlike any other show in Vegas, Danny Gans is one you won’t want to miss.

Best Comedian

“The species and its chance for any kind of development has been crippled and thwarted by religion and commerce.”

That’s the kind of statement you’ll hear from George Carlin. That, and such thought-provoking questions as “Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains?”

He has built his career on tearing apart everything most people find sacred—children, the United States, God. He has compiled a running list entitled “People I Can Do Without.” He’s made a point of never holding back, never pulling punches, never checking that filter that runs between his brain and his mouth.

And the public loves him for it.

He is an intellectual Everyman, thinking the thoughts we are embarrassed to think about, saying the things we wished we had the courage to say. At one moment, he is musing on subjects as benign as baseball, and in the next, he’s cutting to the very heart of society’s ills.

And his fans cheer him on.

He shocks, at times just for the sake of shocking. But never is he accused of dwelling among the Howard Sterns of the Earth. He rattles off seven filthy words and receives thunderous applause.

It is impossible to know why his rants and ruminations are not met with defensive, politically correct disdain; why wondering “If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?” is comedic genius. It just is!

And Casino Player readers would agree, voting George Carlin, once again, their favorite comedian.

Best Magician

Magic has long been associated with Las Vegas entertainment, as closely tied to the city’s staged spectaculars as the sequin-clad showgirls. In a fantasy town, the art of illusion is a perfect match.

With as many magic acts as there are in Vegas, it takes something really special to stand out. Let’s face it: Most magicians incorporate variations of the same tricks into their shows. What makes one levitation or disappearance or sawing-in-half better than another is that intangible “it” quality that only the superstars possess. A stage presence that is as mesmerizing as the illusions.

Lance Burton, a Master Magician, has “it.” Night after night, in sold-out shows at the Monte Carlo, he astounds audiences with everything from intricately orchestrated grand illusions to equally unbelievable sleight of hand. But it is his slick style, his slow Kentucky drawl, his mischievous grin as he performs the impossible that make him the best.

His peers agree. Burton is an internationally-acclaimed magician, with numerous awards and honors bestowed upon him. At 20, he received the “Gold Medal for Excellence” from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. In 1982, he entered the competition at “F.I.S.M.” (Federation International Societe de Magic) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and won the “Grand Prix,” an accomplishment that recognized him as a “World Champion Magician.” He was both the first American and the youngest performer to be so honored. And, in 1994, the “Mantle of Magic” was passed to him from Master Magician Lee Grabel, making Burton the newest member of what has been called “The Royal Dynasty of Magic.” This honor, which can be neither bought nor sold, has been passed in an unbroken line from Kellar to Thurston in 1908, to Dante in 1936, to Lee Grabel in 1955, to Burton, who is now charged to take his unique art into the new millennium. And, with too many television specials and appearances to mention, he is doing just that.

Best Production Show

Oh, oh, oh. It’s the biggest, most expensive, and most ambitious show ever created by the astonishing Cirque du Soleil circus troop. Inspired by “the concept of infinity, the circle of life and the elegance of its pure form,” whatever that means, O, phonetically speaking, is the French word for water (spelled “eau”).

The stage at Las Vegas’ Bellagio was built to resemble the Paris Opera House, but is filled with over 1.5 million gallons of water, allowing the performers to swim, jump, sail and dive all over its murky expanse. Hydraulic machinery below the surface is so swift and technologically advanced that a diver can plunge several stories into the depths, where only seconds earlier an acrobat tumbled across the surface. Beautiful, mesmerizing and harrowing, O astonishes with talent while it gently crosses into a childhood realm of nightmare. Exquisite.

By the way, there’s a great Cirque du Soleil shop just opposite the O ticket counter, selling an eclectic mix of bold, primary-colored pottery, glassware, clothing and music, all inspired by the show.

Best Comedy Club

One of the best entertainment values in the casinos, comedy clubs offer a welcome, and sometimes needed, break from all things serious. The best clubs are those in which the seating is relaxed and comfortable, the audio system is state-of-the-art, and the atmosphere is intimate and interactive.

And of course, the comedians have to be good. But you won’t have to worry about that at these clubs. They consistently book the brightest names on the circuit. Many a stellar career has been launched from the stages of these clubs, from Rosie O’Donnell to Jerry Seinfeld. Who knows, the person you see on that stage might just be the next Robin Williams. But even if he isn’t, sometimes a good 90 minutes of laughing ‘til it hurts is exactly what you need to lift the fog of an unlucky run. And that’s reason enough to check out these winners.