The Best Las Vegas Tribute Shows to See Right Now

Thanks to audience appeal and economic value (vs. an original pop residency), Las Vegas’ tribute show producers have become adept at presenting stunningly-authentic versions of much-loved-but-departed celebrities on the city’s stages. These three don’t-miss productions are currently playing in the city.   

The King Comes Home (Westgate Las Vegas)

While innumerable Elvis Presley tribute artists – of varying quality – ply their trade on and off the Strip, only a select few pay homage to The King in a manner appropriately befitting the legend. Multi-talented actor/singer Joey Calveri does justice to Presley’s memory in a carefully- and professionally-crafted production in the intimate Cabaret Theater at the Westgate Las Vegas. And the venue is no coincidence, as Elvis performed 636 consecutive sold-out shows at the same property’s International Theater – at what was then the International Hotel, and later The Las Vegas Hilton – from 1969-1976.

The producers take us through the formative arc of Elvis’ career, from his early days in Memphis through his many feature films, touching on his romantic involvements with the leading ladies of the day, all the way up to and through his Las Vegas residency, where he often performed two shows a night, 7 days a week. Film clips enhance the story, but it’s Calveri’s strong, spot-on voice and personality that deliver a true reflection of Elvis’ raw talent and emotion, aided by three backup singers and costumes that match each respective era. Indelible moments from Elvis’ legendary 1968 television special are faithfully recreated, and Calveri’s well-studied devotion to Elvis’ signature, hip-swiveling moves and physical flourishes seal the deal on bringing The King to life, back home, appropriately, to the Westgate.  

VEGAS! THE SHOW (Saxe Theater, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood)

Despite widespread familiarity with the current Las Vegas entertainment scene, many visitors are unaware of how – and why – the city’s rich and vibrant history holds the key to putting it all in context. Conveniently, VEGAS! THE SHOW skillfully tells the story of Sin City’s formative years, with a particular focus on the star power that drew attention and massive audiences while boosting careers.

Rather than a straight-ahead, tribute-artist roundup – with performers closely simulating the original acts – VEGAS! THE SHOW is instead a loving tribute to Las Vegas’ broad entertainment sector over the decades, paying appropriate homage to the legends who shaped the city into ‘The Entertainment Capital of the World.”

And the iconic Vegas showgirl, once synonymous with large-scale production shows here like Les Folies Bergere, Jubilee! and Lido de Paris, is thankfully still relevant here in the Saxe Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Guided by Ernie, the Neon Boneyard’s world-weary caretaker, the production moves us through the years with highlights from each era, spotlighting performers that were most iconic in their time. Artists portraying Tom Jones, Gladys Knight, the Rat Pack members and other mid-century luminaries take center stage in this nostalgic romp, paying tribute via heartfelt renditions of hit songs, along with era-specific sets that faithfully recall Las Vegas through the years – all while elaborate costumes and a live orchestra help to set the mood. If a history professor was designing a course to give students an appreciation for Las Vegas’ roots, experiencing VEGAS! THE SHOW would surely have a spot on the syllabus. And, not coincidentally, the production is a labor of love, written by producer and theater owner David Saxe, who literally grew up backstage in Las Vegas. Saxe’s mother was a showgirl in Les Folies Bergere and his father was a saxophone player and band leader for the Rat Pack, providing the context for his warm, heartfelt tribute to the city’s entertainment roots.    

MJ Live (Saxe Theater, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood)

Next to Elvis, Michael Jackson may be the most feted artist on the Las Vegas Strip, and Jalles Franca’s tribute to the King of Pop is so spot-on that you’ll swear you’re seeing the original. Meanwhile, the production itself is just as impressive, with a tight band, eight talented dancers and an LED wall displaying song- and era-specific images that add to the ambiance.

And particularly impressive are the number of fans – adults and kids alike – who show up wearing themed clothing: sparkly jackets, “Smooth Criminal” suits and fedoras, MJ-themed T-shirts and more, which speaks to the enduring nature of Michael Jackson’s celebrity allure. The entire production, from the performers to the sets to the fans (with screams of “We love you, Michael!”), gives off the impression of an original concert, rather than a tribute, which is what makes MJ Live so special.

And on the nights when Jalles Franca is off, Santana Jackson takes over in a bravura performance that is equal in quality and authenticity. While many of Jackson’s greatest hits are covered, including “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Dirty Diana,” “I’ll Be There” and others, it may be the slow, soulful ballads, like “She’s Out of My Life,” that resonate most deeply with the audience. The production, which had most recently played at Harrah’s, will move to the Saxe Theater on Sept. 21.