While in Vegas, we caught the Live Tour of "Glee," the hit show that has swept the nation. Ryan Murphy, the creator, went to college at IU (my alma mater) and was part of The Singing Hoosiers (we endearingly referred to them as The Hooting Seizures), a vocal group that was extremely popular there; I am sure "Glee" is at least partially a product of that experience. He was also a writer for the student newspaper. Our paths crossed a few times but I never really knew him that well. Still, it is always exciting to see a fellow alumni doing well ("Nip/Tuck" was also his brainchild).

Performing at the Mandalay Bay, the Tour included all of the talented actors & actresses who portray the high school students, but sadly Jane Lynch (as the scene stealing Sue Sylvester) & Matthew Morrison are not part of the tour. However, they are at least part of the proceedings, as pre-filmed comic introductions are shown on the large-screen TVs.



It was a very enjoyable show, proving that these kids are not the just product of a soundboard. They all performed well live, doing their own singing and dancing. Yes, that's possible...if you have the talent!







Can you imagine Britney Spears doing her own singing (while dancing) in a live show? Glee's Brittany (played by Heather Morris) did both and had the audience on their feet.



Puck (Mark Sallings) gave the girls a thrill as he cruised through the audience while playing his guitar.



Glee doesn't just do showtunes; they cover the gamut of genres when it comes to music.





The show's diva, Rachel (Lea Michele), belted out a few numbers to everyone's glee (pardon the pun).



One of the highlights of the show was when The Warblers performed, led by Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss).







After a faux finale, Kurt (Chris Colfer) wowed everyone with his version of "Single Ladies."





Clocking in at just under 90 minutes (no intermission), it was a very entertaining and action packed evening.



After the show, late-night dining options were somewhat limited, but Burger Bar at Mandalay hit the spot just fine.



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Mae West was a classic broke-the-mold kind of star during the 1930's and 40's. She pushed the boundaries of sexuality on both the stage and the silver screen. Without Mae, there would be no Madonna. One of her most famous roles was Miss Flower Belle Lee in the 1940 comedy, "My Little Chickadee," starring W.C. Fields. Some of her famous double entendres are featured in this movie:

Judge: Are you trying to show contempt for this court?
Flower Belle: No... I'm doin' my best to hide it!

***

Wayne Carter: Spring is the time for love.
Flower Belle Lee: What's the matter with the rest of the year?

In the 1950s, with her film career in the pits, Mae took her act to Vegas. Singing while surrounded by bodybuilders, Mae continued to become an even bigger caricature of her former self. Mae was not a small woman, but with the right costumes, stances, and vocal magic, Mae looked like a voluptuous Amazon. Blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield met and later married one of West's muscle men, a former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay.







Mae's final film, "Sextette" (1978), was her last movie and released two years before her passing (at age 87). It's a wacky star-filled swan song for West, who looks more like something out of Madame Tussaud's than anything that is living and breathing.



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Even though I don't gamble, for one reason or another, I found myself in Vegas 3 times in the last year. The most recent occasion was for my berfday (insert sigh). As the years march on (all over my face and body), I find the best way to fight the potential depression of getting older is to just celebrate the hell out of life. What better way to start another year than with brunch at Serendipity?

The Vegas version has the same menu as its New York City counterpart, but the vibe is much different. More akin to a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour, I definitely prefer the more gritty vintage vibe of NYC's Serendipity.





None of that diminished my ability to enjoy a Frozen Hot Chocolate with Peanut Butter! Wow...I am still in a sugar coma over that one.



Why waste candles? And who's counting anyway.



Add a batch of Banana Cream waffles and I was ready to lay in bed the rest of the day.



Having good friends to celebrate the bday with also helps.





As if that weren't fun enough...the hotel I was staying in (MGM Grand) was host to the Billboard Awards.



This afforded me a great view of some of the celebs taking a trip (pun intended) down the carpet. At times, the people in one picture added up to a bizarre assortment.

Lady Antebellum & Glee's Matthew Morrison:



Mary J. Blige:



Tim Allen, Eric Stonestreet, & Far East Movement



Randy Jackson:



Fergie, Apl.de.Ap, & Neil Diamond



Taylor Swift, who was extremely gracious to her fans:





Kylie Minogue:



Rihanna:



Is this how you conduct yourself at a red carpet ceremony? Security! Get this $%^& out of here!



Nicole Kidman, Joe Jonas, & Keith Urban



50 Cent, Selena Gomez, & Floyd Mayweather



Another wacky combo—Randy Jackson, Rihanna, & Evander Holyfield:



And as if all that excitement wasn't enough, the evening was capped off with dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris hotel.



Dinner was delish, but the cake was even better.



Paris is probably one of my fave themed hotels in Vegas.













Dang...I need a nap!

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