Career-spanning tribute to Baz Luhrmann heads to Vegas

A musical tribute to Baz Luhrmann’s greatest works is set to have a Vegas residency, thanks to a new partnership with Cirque du Soleil.

The critically acclaimed For the Record: BAZ will be an extension of LIGHT at Mandalay Bay, known for its regular feature of Cirque du Soleil performers.

Scott Zeiger, president of Cirque du Soleil Theatrical, said, “When we discovered For The Record, we instantly knew that their vision of turning popular cinema into immersive entertainment would be a perfect match for Las Vegas.”

“We are excited about this unique partnership and thrilled to bring BAZ to LIGHT at Mandalay Bay in this uniquely staged residency.”

The musical epic blends moments from Lurhmann’s greatest works, including Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet and Strictly Ballroom.

Emmy-nominated choreographer, Spencer Liff, is in charge of the dance sequences. The show sees a musical mash-up of some of Lurhmann’s biggest screen-featured hits, such as Lady Marmalade, Love Is in the Air and Kissing You.

The musical stars a rotating cast of Rumer Willis, Evan Rachel Wood, Lindsay Pearce and Janel Parrish.

Reports have emerged that the Vegas residency is to be a 360-degree, stage defying production. It is set to kick off with previews on June 19, before an official grand opening scheduled for June 26.

The 90-minute spectacular is intended to boost LIGHT’s early entertainment programme. BAZ is described as a cabaret-style musical theatre combined with rock concert elements, bringing a refreshing sound to the Las Vegas Strip. It aims to be an alternative to thumping electronic dance music – what fellow Vegas residents Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez are known to bring to their shows.

Speaking to Las Vegas Sun, co-creator of BAZ Shane Scheel said he hopes the partnership will be a “long, long relationship.”

“We will be there as long as you’ll have us. We want to make a very long run of it,” he said yesterday.

BAZ has already proven to be a huge hit, selling out most of its shows in Los Angeles. Entertainment Weekly deemed it as “cutting edge”, while LA Magazine wrote that it was “well-acted, with some hysterically funny moments and tragic moments that are believable and moving.”

Although Baz Lurhmann himself had nothing to do with the production, he was impressed.

“Bravo, bravo, absolutely bravo. It was fucking awesome,” read a quote used in the TVC.