Just saw 3 shows at the Rio.
1. Ronn Lucas 3pm ventriloquist is a great value for the money. 1 1/2 hr
show can be purchased for $5.95 if you get a discount card (ask at the total
rewards booth). He is extremely funny and enjoyable. You also get 1 free
drink, but have to stand in line to get it. If you ask for a comp from the
booth, you have to pay $22 from your comp account which is weird, but that is
how they do it. This show is probably the best, funniest, cheap show in
Vegas. It actually is better than some "high-priced shows" - like
overpriced Danny Gans at Mirage. Double entendre jokes too. I found this a
better show than similarly priced Mac King (at Harrahs) which was also a good
show.
2. Scintas - Extremely funny and interesting show with 3 Scinta family
members plus Peter. They do impressions, sing, play instruments (including
banjo and spoons), and give everyone a great time. Someone I know saw the
show and didn't like the small amount of "blue material" - I didn't see
anything that a normal person would find offensive. Patriotic finale is a
bit over the top, but most people will enjoy this.
3. Tony and Tina's Wedding - overpriced at $87.50. Show includes a decent
Italian buffet and wedding cake (salad, lasagna, parmasean chicken). The
problem here is that there are tons of interesting characters doing their
shitck, but we found it hard to hear some of what was going on since room is
very noisy. Even when a cast member sat next to me talking, only I could
hear them, other people at table couldn't. This is an "experience" show,
where the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. If you get up
and dance, talk to characters, in fact if you can "become" a character
yourself and interact with other people at your table and in the room, you
will enjoy it more. For quiet people who expect to be entertained, this will
be less enjoyable. Still this would have been better if we could have heard
more of what was being said. You are better off to try to arrive early and
be in seats nearer to the band or wedding table or where some interesting
characters are sitting. No matter when you arrive, try to get seats on the
aisles, so that you can intereact/hear characters, rather than at the back of
the table.
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