the Colosseum at Caesars Palace
{{Short description|Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
| nickname =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| fullname =
| former names = Caesars Palace Showroom {{small|(planning/construction)}}
| logo_image =
| logo_caption =
| image = Caesar's Palace Las Vegas 2007.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_alt =
| caption = Exterior of venue in 2007
| address = 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Paradise, Nevada 89109-8924
| location = Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Strip, Paradise
| coordinates = {{Coord|36|07|04|N|115|10|30|W|type:landmark_scale:3000|display=inline,title}}
| type =
| genre =
| broke_ground = {{Start date|2001|12}}
| built =
| opened = {{Start date and age|2003|3|25}}
| renovated = July–September 2019
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Caesars Entertainment
| operator = Live Nation Entertainment
| surface =
| scoreboard =
| production =
| cost = $108 million
| architect = Scéno Plus and GSB, Inc.
| project_manager =
| structural engineer = Kordt Engineering Group
| services engineer = Global Structural Detailing
| general_contractor = Perini Corporation
| main_contractors = Morris-Shea Bridge Company
| seating_type =
| capacity = 4,100
| suites =
| record_attendance =
| dimensions =
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| embedded =
| website = {{URL|thecolosseum.com}}
| publictransit =
}}
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is a theater located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It is the main entertainment venue for Caesars Palace.
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.sceno-plus.com/en/portfolio/details.php?projectid=36&clientid=&cityid=&categoryid=&capacity= |title=Portfolio - Colosseum at Caesars Palace |work=Scéno Plus |access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716014024/http://www.sceno-plus.com/en/portfolio/details.php?projectid=36&clientid=&cityid=&categoryid=&capacity= |url-status=live |archive-date=16 July 2011 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2003/mar/21/palatial-colosseum-matches-shows-grand-scope/ |title=Palatial Colosseum matches shows grand scope |date=21 March 2003 |work=Las Vegas Sun |publisher=The Greenspun Corporation |access-date=2 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406095601/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2003/mar/21/palatial-colosseum-matches-shows-grand-scope/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2012}}
Deemed the Home of the Greatest Entertainers in the World, the Colosseum has hosted numerous concert residencies by Celine Dion, Madonna, Elton John, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Usher, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, and Adele. Celine Dion has had the longest residency (1,141 shows as of June 8, 2019) at the venue grossing a total of $650 million since her arrival in 2003. She also performed her record-breaking 1000th show at the venue on October 8, 2016.
Background
File:Cher at Colosseum-2523498610.jpg
In 2000, Caesars Palace made plans to renovate the defunct Circus Maximus Showroom (opened 1966) and the special Omnimax (Now IMAX Dome). At 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.{{cite press release |title=Park Place to Build All-Suites Hotel Tower at Caesars Palace - Will Feature Approximately 900 Suites And Mini-Suites |publisher=Hospitality Net |date=11 May 2001 |url=http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4007897.html|access-date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312021926/http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4007897.html |url-status=live |archive-date=12 March 2012}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2003/music/markets-festivals/timberlake-to-host-cbs-dion-special-1117882155/ |title=Timberlake to host CBS' Dion special |author=Adalian, Josef |date=12 March 2003 |work=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |access-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108061436/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117882155?refCatId=14 |url-status=live |archive-date=8 November 2012 }}
Since its incarnation, the venue is operated by AEG Live and is currently owned by Caesars Entertainment. The success of Dion's show drew more entertainers to perform at the theatre. Elton John brought his Red Piano show to the theatre from 2004, until 2009. Additional entertainers include Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Romina Arena, Faith Hill, Ricky Martin and Luis Miguel. The venue has also hosted numerous comedy shows by Kathy Griffin, Jerry Seinfeld, Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle and Ellen DeGeneres. The premiere of the 11th season of Hell's Kitchen was filmed in front of a live audience at The Colosseum.
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. It is connected to the casino near the Forum Shops. The venue is {{convert|256|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter with the rotunda {{convert|120|ft|abbr=on}} above the floor. The stage measures {{convert|22450|sqft|abbr=on}} and has a proscenium arch with a height of {{convert|45|ft|abbr=on}} and a width of {{convert|120|ft|abbr=on}} (one of the world's largest stage openings).{{cite press release |title=Perini Building Co. Delivers the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Budget and Ahead of Schedule. |publisher=Business Wire |date=17 April 2003 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Perini+Building+Co.+Delivers+the+Colosseum+at+Caesars+Palace+on...-a0100189902 |access-date=13 May 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021205050/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Perini+Building+Co.+Delivers+the+Colosseum+at+Caesars+Palace+on...-a0100189902 |url-status=dead }} It was designed with 180,000 watts of amplification and 139 speakers. It also includes a {{convert|120|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} by {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} 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 {{convert|120|ft|abbr=on}} from the stage. To reinforce its intimacy, the venue is equipped with 200 acoustical panels to control the amplified sound.
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)
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- {{Commons category-inline|The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)|The Colosseum at Caesars Palace}}
{{Caesars Entertainment}}
{{Las Vegas Strip}}
{{Music venues of Nevada}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Colosseum At Caesars Palace}}
Category:2003 establishments in Nevada
Category:Theatres completed in 2003
Category:Buildings and structures in Paradise, Nevada