Seeing casinos’ big shows now costs more than ever

Making up for a brief respite last year, when the average price of a Las Vegas show ticket declined slightly, prices have jumped up this year to an all-time high.

We researched ticket prices from 93 shows, and this year’s average comes in at $80.22 — $4.78 more than last year’s survey conducted by the Las Vegas Advisor. The most expensive is $310.50 for the top (VIP) ticket to Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. The least expensive is $23.90 for the Riviera Comedy Club at the Riviera. There are now an amazing 43 shows with at least one ticket option above $100 (compared with 31 last year). Of 71 shows that were running last year, 35 have gone up in price, while 17 have gone down and 19 have remained unchanged.

» Big guys higher: As would be expected, the cost of the most popular shows is also up. Taking Cirque du Soleil, for example, there’s been a $16.96 increase for "KA," an $8.69 increase for "O" and $2 increases for both "LOVE" and "Zumanity," while the new Cirque show, "Zarkana," costs $6.84 more than the departed Cirque show, "Viva Elvis!" ("Mystere" is unchanged, and "Criss Angel: Believe" is down $15.77). Other increases include "Absinthe" at Caesars Palace (up $10.35), Blue Man Group at Monte Carlo (up $8.62) and "Le Reve" at Wynn Las Vegas (up $1.37).

» The good news:

Most shows these days are priced from high to discount. If you look around, you should almost never have to pay top dollar. Good hunting grounds are the half-price ticket booths on the Strip, coupons in freebie magazines, and discount codes available from Las Vegas websites.

Question: Is the labor upheaval in Vegas affecting visitors?

Answer: You’re referring to the recent demonstration by nearly 2,000 members of Culinary Union that blocked traffic on the Strip in front of the Cosmopolitan. It was a one-day protest over locked labor negotiations with the Cosmo’s owner, Deutsche Bank, that marked the first incident of civil disobedience on the Strip in two decades. No future problems are anticipated.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.