Luxor‘s surprise hit AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: SUPER STARS LIVE is a bit of an anomaly. At a time when many live shows are suffering from dwindling attendance, this one continues to grow. In a place often called Sin City, AGT SUPER STARS provides family-friendly entertainment without ever being childish. And at a time when ticket prices have soared across the board, the Cirque du Soleil-backed production has a base price of only $49.95 (plus taxes/fees).
Enthusiastic crowds line up every Wednesday through Sunday and are instantly awash in excitement. Crew members greet and usher you towards a stroll down the red carpet. On the way, you’ll pass a VIP Room, part of an add-on experience that includes priority seating, photos on a replica of the judges’ desk, and a meet-and-greet with opening artists Light Balance.
Dingy, graffiti-covered walls from previous resident flop R.U.N have been redecorated to resemble backstage studio corridors. Anticipation builds as you arrive at the theater, where the real fun begins. Be sure to arrive early, and you might get an opportunity to hop onstage, show off your own special talent, and win a prize.
You might recall my original review of the show from November 2021. At the time, the production was named AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: Las Vegas Live. It has since been rebranded to separate it from the televised competition. As company manager Ellen Szorady-Childs told VEGAS 411, “Some guests expected to see Simon Cowell and the panel of judges. This is a showcase for finalists and winners.”
While a number of acts and hosts have come and gone since my initial visit, one thing that hasn’t changed is the incredible level of talent involved. Living up to its name, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: SUPER STARS continues to offer the biggest, brightest, boldest, and most awe-inspiring collection of artists the series has produced.
Host Jordan Conley is an affable young comedian who knows how to pump up the crowd. After an opening monologue, he fills the same role as series host Terry Crews. Unfortunately, Conley’s frequent race and sexuality remarks are wildly out of place in the otherwise family-friendly show. It’s not funny the first time…or the tenth.
The night kicks into high gear with a spectacular performance by LIGHT BALANCE. They’re a dance troupe similar in nature to iLuminate, a hip-hop production now in its second year at The STRAT. Leaning more towards pop and dance music, electronically-enhanced LIGHT BALANCE will have you longing for a TRON-themed nightclub.
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT has always excelled in tugging at the heartstrings. Underdogs tend to be big winners, and eighteen-year-old Aidan Bryant is no exception. At the age of fourteen, the performer was inspired by the feats of athletic music artist Pink, who performs acrobatic and aerial acts during her concerts.
Aerialist Aidan Bryant
Using a bedsheet, ladder, and backyard tree, Bryant taught himself a variety of amazing feats. He placed second in Season 16 of AGT‘s original competition and was crowned as champion of AGT: All Stars earlier this year.
Kodi Lee
You’re unlikely to witness a more touching performer than Kodi Lee. The young prodigy, who is blind and autistic, lives and breathes for the joy he gets in playing to live audiences. His bio states that being “born with optic nerve hypoplasia, surviving a life-saving surgery at 5 days old, and being diagnosed with autism at an early age has never stopped Kodi from reaching for his dreams.” There’s hardly a dry eye in the house after Kodi Lee takes a bow.
The Pack Drumline is another uplifting success story. Culled from ambitious young Chicagoans looking for a means of expression, the dance/percussion troupe was formed in 2014 as an after-school program for at-risk youth. They overcame funding setbacks and other obstacles to become the official drumline for WNBA’s Chicago Sky.
AGT: SUPER STARS LIVE is one of those productions that is likely to be quite different every time you visit. Having achieved their individual successes, acts often go on tours and appear as guests on television and live shows.
One of my personal favorites is DUO TRANSCEND, a husband-and-wife team that is positively jaw-dropping. Currently traveling the country, they’re set to return to Luxor in May. Knockout singer Brian Justin Crum will light up the stage for a very limited engagement beginning June 22nd.
Another heart-pounding act is DANGEROUS GAMES. Once a part of CELESTIA at The STRAT, this dynamic thrill team is best known for stunts that involve whips, knives, and other flesh-cutting props. Muscular Alfredo Silva, who throws a mean cleaver, also won last year’s AGT: EXTREME series with “Alfredo Silva’s Cage Riders“.
DEADLY GAMES lives up to its name
Always a perfectionist, three-time “Golden Buzzer” recipient Silva told me “When I started this, I wanted to be the best in the world. So I’ll keep working hard.” Alfredo would like to add even more danger to the show. A CELESTIA stunt, which utilized a crossbow and phone camera, might find its way to the AGT stage. Even as it is, DANGEROUS GAMES is a nail-biting experience that will have you jumping and squirming in your seat.
Mixed in with breathless thrills are a pair of whimsical, beautiful set pieces. Shadow-play dance troupe The Silhouettes use their bodies to form shapes and tell beautiful stories. Then there are two hyphenate variety acts that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.
Rapper/magician Mervant Vera brings charisma and positive messages through a combination of illusion and spoken word. Spanish opera singer/ventriloquist Celia Munoz takes guests on an endearing trip to a drive-in movie theater, providing atmospheric sound effects and songs from GREASE simply by “throwing” her voice. And she one-ups previous AGT winner Terry Fator by doing so while eating popcorn and ice cream.
Oral achievements of a maniacal kind are delivered by HUMAN FOUNTAINS. Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. Three handsome tuxedo-clad gents attempt to outdo the world-famous fountains of Bellagio using only their mouths and bottles of water.
What starts off as a straightforward spoof takes a sharp left turn into madness. It’s a shocking twist that will not be spoiled here. Pity the poor guy who gets recruited from the audience to participate. You won’t want to watch but it’s unlikely that you’ll turn away.
Today’s Vegas audiences want familiarity when deciding on a show. A few recent mega-expensive productions like Criss Angel’s AMYSTIKA and Wynn’s AWAKENING crashed and burned thanks to confusing concepts and puzzling titles. With AGT, what you get is what you already know and love. AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: SUPER STARS Live is packed with world-class winners that audiences can relate to and cheer for. It delivers the goods from the opening moments through the final bows. VEGAS 411 gives it four stars!
Performances of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: SUPER STARS LIVE take place at Luxor every Wednesday through Sunday. Showtimes vary by day. Click here for the full schedule and to order tickets.
All photos/videos by VEGAS 411 except Brian Justin Crum via YouTube
This content was originally published here.