For anyone unaware of the Caesars (previously Harrah's) All-Stage Pass, here's what we wrote about it in the November 2010 issue of the LVA newsletter, when it was first introduced:
"It worked for buffets, why not shows? Following its successful 'Buffet of Buffets' Pass, Harrah’s Entertainment has launched the 'All-Stage Pass.' For $99 ($119 if not a Total Rewards member), you can see as many Harrah's shows as possible in a 48-hour period. The deal includes 17 of the production shows currently performing at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace, O’Sheas, Paris, and the Rio, and as you can garner from the roster of shows, there are some excellent choices in the mix. The top shows in the Harrah’s line-up [Ed: Celine, Elton, etc.] aren’t included, but the Pass offers $40 (plus tax) tickets for the likes of Cher, Donny & Marie, Barry Manilow, and Penn & Teller.
"How many can you fit in? Mac King, Nathan Burton, Price is Right, and Matsuri are all afternoon shows, and they run at staggered times that allow two per day. Then you can easily get two evening performances each day, making a total of eight shows for $99 ($12.38 apiece). Depending on what you choose, that could be a saving of between $200 and $300 per person, even if you could use the half-price booths for all.
"It certainly looks like a monster deal, but we’re a little concerned about the fine print: 'Tickets to shows are based on availability and can be picked up no more than two hours in advance of show time.' Technically, you might not get to see the shows you want to see, but the possibility of getting shut out seems slim. On its face, this looks very good if seeing Vegas shows is your thing. We’re looking forward to getting feedback from users."
In July, 2011, we wrote an update:
"Caesars Entertainment’s All-Stage Pass has gotten a lot better, adding three more shows, including Caesars Palace’s Absinthe, to the mix. This was already a good deal: all the shows you can scramble to in a 48-hour period for $99. But Absinthe is a hearty $93 ticket, which means that everything else you see in the rest of the time allotted costs you an extra six bucks! And you have 20 additional shows to choose from. The other additions to the package are Viper Vixens at O’Shea’s and 'Crown Comedy Jam' at the Rio."
So, that was then. In the interim, Viper Vixens and Matsuri have been among the casualties, while Absinthe's been, gone, and come back again. Definitely a "win some" situation. As is our wont, we meticulously researched your very valid question, and we could list ever Caesars Entertainment show in Las Vegas, at every price tier, with and without taxes and fees, but it makes for pretty sleep-inducing reading in its entirety, since there are so many shows to choose from. (We might link to the whole survey in the next issue of LVA, as a treat for our insomniac subscribers.)
What follows is a spectrum of some of the shows included in the All-Stage Pass, both in terms of price and show time, indicating base rate, followed by the total additional fees you'll have to pay. If you play it right and like your shows, we still think it can be a great deal, even when the add-ons are taken into account. But you have to play it right.
If the All-Stage Pass isn't for you and you only want to catch a show or two, check out the current Las Vegas show deals we have online, including a whole host of other non-Caesars productions, both on and off the Strip.
