Feature: THE COCKTAIL CABARET at Cleopatra's Barge At Caesars Palace

In theater cities such as New York City, many people begin the evening at a cabaret in an intimate venue before going to a show and dinner. "The Cocktail Cabaret," a new live musical revue, is now part of the entertainment scene of Las Vegas.

For those familiar with Feinstein's/54 Below and Metropolitan Room, "The Cocktail Cabaret" will be performed at the iconic Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace. Las Vegas tourists and locals will be immersed in a new Vintage Vegas revue featuring modern standards and original music. But the show is not just a tribute to Las Vegas shows of the past but a contemporary, upbeat performance that embraces the heart and soul of the entertainment capital. Fun and fresh, the show will enhance the cocktail hour experience as a prelude to going to dinner, attending the theater, celebrating a special event or enjoying a fun night on the town. Cleopatra's Barge offers an intimate 140-seat venue with cocktail service in an elegant atmosphere.

The stellar talent set to perform in "The Cocktail Cabaret" includes Broadway and Las Vegas Strip veterans Eric Jordan Young ("Rock of Ages," "Vegas! The Show," "Ragtime," "CHICAGO," "Seussical the Musical," "Look of Love" and "Dreamgirls") and Niki Scalera ("Hairspray," "Tarzan" and "Footloose"). Maren Wade, who appeared on NBC's "America's Got Talent," has performed extensively on the Las Vegas Strip including "Pin Up" and "50 Shades! The Parody." Multilingual classical/pop crossover vocalist Daniel Emmet who has commanded stages from The Staples Center in Los Angeles to the Palais Todesco in Vienna, rounds out the quartet.

The singers are joined on stage by a four-piece band led by renowned concert pianist Philip Fortenberry, whose career has taken him to concert stages from Lincoln Center to Carnegie Hall, from The Kennedy Center to The White House, and touring the country performing his own solo shows, "The Man At The Piano" and "The Hands of Liberace."

Young is thrilled to be part of introducing this revue to new audiences. "I was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas when entertainers like Keely Smith and Sam Butera were in the lounges," Young told BroadwayWorld.com. "It's a magical experience and one I will never forget. I loved being so close to them. It was so cool to share the space with a cocktail during the performance."

Produced by PK Entertainment, co-producer Keith Thompson's musical background includes co-founding and hosting "The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas," now running for 11 years including five years at The Smith Center's intimate Myron's Cabaret Jazz showroom. Thompson has also written three original songs for the revue.

"One of my desires would be to always change the show and maybe add more original music," he explained. "I wrote the opening song to introduce the show. I know people love to hear music they know as well and we also added our own touches."

The revue is not just about performing covers but creating unique interpretations such as the bluesy version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," or the combination of singing in Spanish and English of "Without You."

Weekly performances are scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday at 5 p.m., dark Sunday through Tuesday. The show will also be dark during CES Jan. 10, 11, 12 and 13. Tickets are priced at $55 per person general admission plus tax and applicable fees. Nevada residents with Nevada I.D. are being offered an introductory holiday two-for-one tickets special through Dec. 23 with promo code CKLOCAL, valid for purchase by calling Caesars box office at 702.777.2782. Tickets can be purchased online at www.CocktailCabaret.com, in person at the Caesars Entertainment Absinthe box office, or by calling the box office at 702.777.2782 or toll free 855.234.7469. For more information, go online to www.CocktailCabaret.com.

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