Sgt Pepper Live Goes Dark

Cheap Trick's Sgt Pepper Live

Last night I enjoyed Cheap Trick’s Sgt Pepper Live show for possibly the last time.  This weekend is the final weekend for the show.

I don’t keep it a secret that I really love this production.  Sitting there last night and seeing all my favorite parts of it again was a real joy.  Oddly enough, I am not a Beetles fan exactly, but I loved every minute of it.  My foot starts tapping as soon as the choir with their bold, colorful neckties starts singing.  Then it just gets better and better from there.

Sgt. Pepper Live started on June 11^th with an intended run until the end of July of this year.  They extended the schedule a couple of times. Here it is now September 18^th and it is the final show.  I suppose anyone would call that a huge success, but I was really hoping it would become a permanent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip.

Robin Zander

Last night was like any other show, with the audience of all age groups singing along, arms waving in the air, standing and dancing along to the Cheap Trick song portion of the show.  The difference in last night’s performance was the Hollywood types in the crowd.  Yeah, you can always spot them.  There were the guys in their fifties or sixties sporting hair cuts which were intended for young men under the age of twenty-five and upon their arm a woman severely carved by some cut-rate plastic surgeon leaving a smidgen of a nose but the humongous lips make up for it.  There were a few of those there, cuddling up to those involved with the production.

Robin Zander vocals, Tom Petersson Bass and Daxx Nielsen on drums

I usually do tweet live from events I’m attending and this is part of the reason I’m asked to attend these shows.  I pulled out my camera and was finally going to get a good shot but was interrupted by the nice, usher lady flashing her penlight in my face, shaking her head in stern judgment of my career choice of tweeting live.  She made me put my cell phone away.  So, I apologize I wasn’t able to give you real time photos of the show.

Rick Nielsen on guitar

There are a lot of questions in my head about this production.  It seemed to be such a success; I have to wonder why it is ending.  I wonder if it is ending at all, maybe possibly just taking a much needed break?  I have sent my questions off to the powers that be.  When I get an answer, I’ll post an update to the story.

I know a guy who has seen this show about sixteen times.  I’ve only seen it twice.  I’ll bet he’s got tickets for tonight.  This, the final time Robin Zander will woo the women from the stage in this production in Las Vegas.  The final time Rick Nielsen will scoot around on one foot while playing his guitar and shooting picks out to the rocking fans.  The final time Tom Peterssen stands there all serious-like playing his guitar in his 1960’s perfect, teal suit.  Ah, I do hate for this to end.

Usually, a show that is such a kitsch idea, like having Cheap Trick come out of seemingly nowhere to do a “never can be done” production like playing Sgt. Pepper, you wouldn’t expect a real good effort to be put into bringing it alive on stage.  This was certainly an exception.  It is clear they worked hard on this, from stage design, to colorful costumes, to the music, to the orchestra and other musical talent.  Robin Zander hit those high notes and seemed to sing from the tips of his toes belting it out like any great blues rock singer.  It was very well rehearsed, well written and the Cheap Trick fans got to hear their biggest hits as a bonus.  This has been one awesome show.

If you’re in Las Vegas right now, cancel your plans tonight.  This is a show that would be a real shame to miss.  Last night there were a few seats still open, and maybe tonight will be the same and you can snag one.  Don’t worry about getting a cheap seat ticket, they let people from the back move into the good empty seats left by people who didn’t show. Personally, I’m really hoping it will be back in a few months to do it all over again.

Sgt. Pepper Live is playing tonight for the last time at the Paris Casino.

Tickets are now available at the Paris Las Vegas box office or online at www.sgtpepperlive.com or by calling 1.877.374.7469. Ticket prices are $50, $100, $125 (including taxes and handling) plus limited VIP Golden Circle.