One through four
1. O by Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio — running since 1998, the 1.5-million-gallon stage still does things no other theatre in the world can. 2. Ka by Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand — the rotating vertical stage remains the most impressive piece of theatre engineering on the Strip. 3. Absinthe at Caesars — cabaret in a spiegeltent, adults only, funnier than anything at similar price. 4. Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island — the original Vegas Cirque show, and consistently the best value of the seven Cirque productions.
Five through eight
5. Mad Apple by Cirque at New York-New York — the youngest Cirque show on the Strip, hip-hop and stand-up hybrid. 6. Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo — the best magic-comedy hybrid in town, small room, works. 7. Blue Man Group at Luxor — 30 years running for a reason, family-friendly. 8. Awakening at Wynn — the highest-budget new production and gorgeous, but the narrative is opaque; go for spectacle. Skip any Elvis or Rat Pack impersonator show marketed to bus tours.
Good to know
Are Cirque tickets cheaper at the box office or online?+
Same price, but Tix4Tonight kiosks and the vegas.com daily deals routinely knock 30-50% off Mystere, Mad Apple, and Blue Man Group day-of. O and Ka rarely discount.
What's the best show for kids under 12?+
Mystere and Blue Man Group. Both allow ages 5+, both keep attention for the full 90 minutes, and neither has adult content. Absinthe and Mad Apple are 18+.