The venue opened in 2003 and has an estimated seating capacity of 4,100 spectators. Its design is inspired by the architecture of ancient Rome along with aspects of contemporary architecture.[1] The cost of the theater was $108 million, becoming the most expensive entertainment venue in Las Vegas at the time, beating the "O" Theater at the Bellagio Las Vegas.[2]
In 2000, Caesars Palace made plans to renovate the defunct Circus Maximus Showroom (opened 1966). During this time, the owners were approached about a new business venture with Celine Dion. Once the venture was launched, the renovation was cancelled. A new entertainment venue was set to be built in place of the old showroom. The showroom closed in September 2000 with a performance by Steve and Eydie. The theatre was built specially to house Celine Dion's "A New Day...". The construction was initiated by Park Place Entertainment to coincide with other renovations to the hotel complex including additional retail space, meeting areas, restaurants, spas, and a 20-story all-suites hotel tower.[3] The original construction cost was estimated to be between $65 and $75 million. Additional technical aspects drove cost to over $100 million.
The theatre was designed by the world-renowned firm Scéno Plus and constructed by Perini Building Company, with the project beginning in December 2001 and completed on February 4, 2003 (six weeks before its estimated completion date), opening on March 25, 2003. Dion filmed a television special for CBS to showcase the first night of her residency (entitled "Celine in Las Vegas, Opening Night Live", hosted by Justin Timberlake), including behind the scenes look at the theatre and the show.[4]
In 2018, Celine Dion filmed in the venue the music video for her song Ashes from the movie Deadpool 2 alongside Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.
Technical aspects
The design for the theatre was based on the ancient Colosseum in Rome.[2] It is connected to the casino near the Forum Shops. The venue is 256 ft (78 m) in diameter with the rotunda 120 ft (37 m) above the floor. The stage measures 22,450 sq ft (2,086 m2) and has a proscenium arch with a height of 45 ft (14 m) and a width of 120 ft (37 m) (one of the world's largest stage openings).[5] It was designed with 180,000 watts of amplification and 139 speakers. It also includes a 120-foot-wide (37 m) by 40-foot-tall (12 m) LED screen manufactured by Mitsubishi Diamond Vision, adding $10 million to the construction budget. The video screen provides the illusion of 3D stage scenery.
The stage itself includes ten motorized stage lifts which compose 75 percent of the stage. Unlike the Colosseum in Rome, the theatre was built in an intimate setting, with the furthest seating being 120 ft (37 m) from the stage. To reinforce its intimacy, the venue is equipped with 200 acoustical panels to control the amplified sound.[2]
Performance history
Headliners
Shows
Accolades
Billboard Backstage Pass Awards: "Top Small Venue" (2004)
Billboard Magazine: "Venue of the Decade" (for venues 5,000 and under) (2009)
Billboard Touring Awards: "Top Small Venue" (2005–2007; 2009–2010)
Las Vegas Review-Journal: "Best of Las Vegas" (2010)
Pollstar Concert Industry Awards: 100 Top Selling Theater Venues (2006)
Source:[41]
References
^"Portfolio - Colosseum at Caesars Palace". Scéno Plus. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^ a b c"Palatial Colosseum matches shows grand scope". Las Vegas Sun. The Greenspun Corporation. 21 March 2003. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
^"Park Place to Build All-Suites Hotel Tower at Caesars Palace - Will Feature Approximately 900 Suites And Mini-Suites" (Press release). Hospitality Net. 11 May 2001. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Adalian, Josef (12 March 2003). "Timberlake to host CBS' Dion special". Variety. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Perini Building Co. Delivers the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Budget and Ahead of Schedule" (Press release). Business Wire. 17 April 2003. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Gardner, Elysa (24 March 2003). "Celine Dion's 'New Day' dawns with a TV preview". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Weatherford, Mike (16 March 2011). "Dion has grown into her diverse new Colosseum showcase". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
^Scherzer, Barbara (19 February 2004). "Stage: Rock it, man". Las Vegas Mercury. Stephens Media. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Bracelin, Jason (18 April 2011). "Music legend Elton John returning to Caesars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Daily News Staff (22 February 2008). "Hail to Caesars! Bette Midler hits the jackpot with her $10M revue". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Cher to Begin Three-Year, 200-Show Engagement at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas". Fox News Channel. News Corporation. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Smith, Jay (10 May 2011). "Rod Stewart Brings Hits To Colosseum". Pollstar. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Perricone, Kathleen (10 June 2011). "Shania Twain gets two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas: Show will begin in 2012". New York Daily News. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
^"Shania Twain to release live album". usatoday.com.
^"Reba, Brooks & Dunn". thecolosseum.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
^Jon Blistein (January 15, 2015). "Mariah Carey to Sing Number Ones at First Las Vegas Residency". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
^"The Killers Announce 'Hot Fuss' 20th Anniversary Residency in Las Vegas". Rolling Stone. 23 January 2024.
^Patel, Joseph; Norris, John (16 June 2003). "Mariah Carey Maps Out 'Intimate Evening' Tour". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Leach, Robin (2 March 2010). "Mariah Carey brings her tour to a close at The Colosseum". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Gloria Estefan lanzará álbum en inglés después de seis años" [Gloria Estefan English album released after six years]. El Universo (in Spanish). Grupo El Universo. 21 July 2003. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Romina Arena Live at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas June 8–9, 2004 Video, Retrieved May 17, 2011
^"STEVIE NICKS – "DREAMS" EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE MAY 10 - MAY 14" (PDF) (Press release). Harrah's Entertainment. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Quezada, Zeke. "Stevie Nicks at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Stevie Nicks at The Colosseum". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Faith Hill heads to Vegas". USA Today. Gannett Company. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"A/E: Entertainment calendar (part 1)". Las Vegas Mercury. Stephens Media. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Brown, Joe (12 September 2008). "No. 1 celebration". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Duck, Allison (12 September 2009). "Las Vegas guide to Mexican Independence Day". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Luis Miguel Announces 2010 Return to Caesars Palace" (Press release). PRNewswire. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Luismi celebrará en Las Vegas Independencia" [Luismi Independence held in Las Vegas]. El Universal (in Spanish). 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"LUIS MIGUEL RETURNS TO THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE FOR 3 NIGHTS SEPT 13-15 - ON SALE FRI, MAY 11" [Luis Miguel regresa al coliseo del Caesars Palace por 3 noches]. aeglive. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^"Luis Miguel at The Colosseum" [Luis Miguel en el coliseo]. bestofvegas.
^Leach, Robin (18 August 2010). "Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp in concert at The Colosseum". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Quezada, Zeke. ""More Today Than Yesterday" With Diana Ross in Las Vegas". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^"Closing Time: Leonard Cohen to wrap epic world tour in Las Vegas, return to studio". National Post. Postmedia Network. 7 September 2010. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
^Katsilometes, John (23 April 2011). "In first Colosseum show, Janet Jackson goes solo — and so does her wardrobe". The Las Vegas Sun. Stephens Media. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
^Weatherford, Mike (29 April 2011). "Ricky Martin back in action at Caesars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Stephens Media. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
^Patterson, Spencer (5 May 2011). "Las Vegas Review-Journal". Las Vegas Weekly. The Greenspun Corporation. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
^"The Colosseum at Caesars Palace: Home to Superstar Resident Performers, The Return of Celine Dion on March 15" (Press release). PRNewswire. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
External links
Official website
Media related to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace at Wikimedia Commons