{{Short description|Las Vegas variety show at Caesar's Palace}} {{Infobox stage production | name = Absinthe | image = Absinthe Las Vegas.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | company = Spiegelworld | genre = Contemporary circus | type = Resident show | premiere = 2006 | finalshow = | location = Caesars Palace, Las Vegas | creatortitle1 = Writer and director | creatorname1 = Wayne Harrison<ref name=PB/> | creatortitle2 = Producer | creatorname2 = Ross Mollison<ref name=VN>{{cite web|title=ABSINTHE Celebrates Two Successful Years on The Strip with a Zombie Invasion|date=March 30, 2013|work=VegasNews.com|url=http://www.vegasnews.com/92744/absinthe-celebrates-two-successful-years-on-the-strip-with-a-zombie-invasion.html}}</ref> | creatortitle3 = Choreographer | creatorname3 = Lucas Newland | creatortitle4 = | creatorname4 = | otherlabel1 = | otherdata1 = | otherlabel2 = | otherdata2 = | otherlabel3 = | otherdata3 = | website = http://www.absinthevegas.com }}
'''''Absinthe''''' is a live show that premiered in 2006 and is playing on the forecourt of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas,<ref>{{cite web|work=Las Vegas Sun|title=Penny Pibbets' Las Vegas includes magic, clowns and 'Absinthe'|first=Penny|last=Pibbets|date=July 7, 2011|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2011/jul/07/penny-pibbets-las-vegas-includes-magic-clowns-and-/|access-date=October 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194516/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2011/jul/07/penny-pibbets-las-vegas-includes-magic-clowns-and-/|archive-date=October 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> after opening on April 1, 2011. A contemporary circus, the show is described by Stage and Cinema as a "cross between terrific variety acts and a stag party."<ref name="Zeff1" /> ''Absinthe'' has been described as part of the burlesque revival in Las Vegas by ''USA Today''.<ref name="Sehlinger">{{cite web|last1=Sehlinger|first1=Bob|title=Burlesque resurges in Las Vegas|url=https://www.usatoday.com/experience/las-vegas/best-of-vegas/burlesque-resurges-in-las-vegas/10440559/|accessdate=15 July 2014|website=Best of Vegas|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> It has been called "The Greatest Show In Vegas History" by ''Las Vegas Weekly''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 20 greatest shows in Las Vegas history - Las Vegas Weekly|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2016/nov/17/greatest-shows-in-las-vegas-history/|access-date=2021-01-26|website=lasvegasweekly.com}}</ref>
The show is hosted by the character The Gazillionaire,<ref>{{cite web|work=Las Vegas Sun|title=A day in the life of the Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets of 'Absinthe'|first=Andrea|last=Domanick|date=April 1, 2012|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2012/apr/01/day-life-absinthes-gazillionaire-and-penny-pibbets/|access-date=September 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017102358/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2012/apr/01/day-life-absinthes-gazillionaire-and-penny-pibbets/|archive-date=October 17, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> originally played by former Cirque du Soleil clown Voki Kalfayan.<ref name="LVS">{{cite web|first=John|last=Katsilometes|date=November 5, 2011|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/nov/05/dizzying-dustup-v-and-assorted-mischief-marks-retu/|title=Skating skirmish, too much anatomy raise eyebrows at returning 'Absinthe'|work=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref> His original assistant (2006-2015), Penny Pibbets<ref>{{cite web|work=Las Vegas Sun|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2013/jul/02/penny-pibbets-absinthe-cosby-show-sweaters-more-u/|first=Penny|last=Pibbets|date=July 2, 2013|title=Penny Pibbets: 'Absinthe' = 'Cosby Show' – sweaters + more unicorns|access-date=September 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818185339/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2013/jul/02/penny-pibbets-absinthe-cosby-show-sweaters-more-u/|archive-date=August 18, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> was portrayed by actress Anais Thomassian.<ref name="LVS" /> In 2015 the character Joy Jenkins was introduced, "a kewpie doll-goofy sidekick inspired by Moe of The Three Stooges."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Outrageousness is the real deal for 'Absinthe' stars|url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2016/jul/29/absinthe-caesars-palace-gazillionaire-joy-jenkins/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Las Vegas Magazine|language=en}}</ref> Developed and played by the American clown Jet Eveleth, "who masterminds the show. Joy is truly the heart of the show."<ref>{{cite web|title=Q&A: Absinthe’s No. 1 Assistant, Joy Jenkins|url=https://lasvegas.showtickets.com/articles/q-and-a-interview-joy-jenkins-absinthe/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Las Vegas Shows|language=en-us}}</ref>
==Background==
Originally, ''Absinthe'' was supposed to open at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a proposed resort which was later postponed due to financial problems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Absinthe celebrates 10 years as a Las Vegas rite of passage |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2021/apr/08/absinthe-celebrates-10-years-as-vegas-rite-passage/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=April 8, 2021}}</ref> Instead, the show opened at Caesars Palace, which allowed the producers to set up a temporary tent at the Roman Plaza.<ref name=Potempa>{{cite web|last1=Potempa|first1=Phil|title=OFFBEAT: 'Absinthe' bawdy burlesque fun a great stage fit for Las Vegas|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/offbeat-absinthe-bawdy-burlesque-fun-a-great-stage-fit-for/article_75014ee6-7ab7-5712-967e-9630f8e23709.html|website=Off Beat|publisher=Northwest Indiana Times|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=Leach2>{{cite web|last1=Leach|first1=Robin|title=Wild, wacky and sexy 'Absinthe' celebrates third anniversary, 1,500-plus shows|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/apr/16/wild-wacky-and-sexy-absinthe-celebrates-third-anni/|website=Vegas Deluxe|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|accessdate=15 July 2014|date=2014-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716215611/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/apr/16/wild-wacky-and-sexy-absinthe-celebrates-third-anni/|archive-date=16 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Within 90 days of performances, after inspections by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the organizers were told to shut down production. Due to the success of the shows within those 90 days, Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, purchased a Spiegeltent.<ref name=Weatherford>{{cite web|last1=Weatherford|first1=Mike|title=Raunchy 'Absinthe' doubles as Cirque parody|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/raunchy-absinthe-doubles-cirque-parody|website=Shows|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref>
The show is directed by Wayne Harrison<ref name=PB>{{cite web|work=Playbill|title=Spiegelworld Returns to Manhattan with Absinthe Aug. 6|first=Adam|last=Hetrick|date=6 August 2008|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120097-Spiegelworld-Returns-to-Manhattan-with-Absinthe-Aug-6}}</ref> with original choreography by Lucas Newland. It is produced by Ross Mollison<ref name=Leach3>{{cite web|last1=Leach|first1=Robin|title=Photos: 'Absinthe' is sexier, raunchier than ever on third anniversary at Caesars|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/apr/17/photos-absinthe-sexier-raunchier-ever-third-annive/|website=Vegas Deluxe|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|accessdate=15 July 2014|date=2014-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717101650/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/apr/17/photos-absinthe-sexier-raunchier-ever-third-annive/|archive-date=17 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and owned by Spiegelworld.<ref name=Weatherford/>
Performances are 90 minutes long<ref name="Potempa" /> and take place in a 750 capacity<ref name="Zeff1">{{cite web|last1=Zeff|first1=Dan|title=Las Vegas Theater Review: ABSINTHE (Caesars Palace)|url=http://www.stageandcinema.com/2012/01/22/absinthe-vegas/|publisher=Stage and Cinema}}</ref> spiegeltent on a stage that is only {{convert|9|ft|spell=on}} in diameter. Audience members sit in a circle around the stage.<ref name="Weatherford" />
==Reception== In 2011, it was named "Best New Show" by ''Vegas Seven Magazine''.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 28, 2011|title=Best New Show|url=http://weeklyseven.com/feature/2011/07/28/best-new-show|work=Vegas Seven Magazine}}</ref> ''Northwest Indiana Times'' writer Philip Potempa acknowledges the "all-so-amazing" performers, comparing Melody Sweets to the character of the Green Fairy played by Kylie Minogue in the 2001 film ''Moulin Rouge!''<ref name="Potempa" /> Paul Carr of ''The Huffington Post'' proclaimed "If I could only see one show my entire life," he said, "I'd want it to be that."<ref name="HP">{{cite web|author=Carr, Paul|authorlink=Paul Bradley Carr|date=2011-04-17|title=The Strip Diary, Day Thirteen: Strip Club Fun With the Stars of Vegas' Most Stupidly Dangerous Show|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-carr/the-strip-diary-day-thirt_b_850119.html?ref=fb&src=sp|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>
Celebrities who have attended performances of ''Absinthe include'' Gerard Butler,<ref name="VN1">{{cite web|author=VegasNews.com|date=April 7, 2011|title=Angel Porrino Joins ABSINTHE at Caesars Beginning April 19|url=http://www.vegasnews.com/44510/angel-porrino-joins-absinthe-at-caesars-beginning-april-19.html|work=VegasNews}}</ref> Daniel Radcliffe,<ref name="VN1" /> Lacey Chabert,<ref name="VN2">{{cite web|date=October 2, 2012|title=Lacey Chabert and Kaley Cuoco Spotted at ABSINTHE in Las Vegas|url=http://www.vegasnews.com/82013/lacey-chabert-and-kaley-cuoco-spotted-at-absinthe-in-las-vegas.html|work=VegasNews}}</ref> Kaley Cuoco,<ref name=VN2/> Channing Tatum,<ref>{{cite web|author=Chareunsy, Don|date=April 12, 2015|title=Channing Tatum attends 'Absinthe' at Caesars Palace|url=http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/apr/12/channing-tatum-attends-absinthe-caesars-palace/?|work=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref> James Franco,<ref name="LasVS">{{cite web|last=Chareunsy|first=Don|date=July 17, 2014|title='Absinthe' sock-puppet seductress Penny Pibbets talks National Sock Puppet Day|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/jul/17/absinthe-sock-puppet-seductress-penny-pibbets-talk/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013235941/http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2014/jul/17/absinthe-sock-puppet-seductress-penny-pibbets-talk/|archive-date=October 13, 2014|access-date=October 8, 2014|work=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref> Giada De Laurentiis,<ref name=LasVS/> Neil Patrick Harris and Olivia Newton-John.<ref name=Leach2/>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Commons cat}} *{{official website|http://www.absinthevegas.com/}}
Category:2006 establishments in the United States Category:American circuses Category:Production shows in the Las Vegas Valley Category:Events at Caesars Palace Category:Las Vegas shows