"Mystère" at the Treasure Island Hotel and the water-themed "O" at the Bellagio are some of the Las Vegas resident shows produced by Cirque du Soleil. RELATED LINKS Return to Las Vegas City Guide

Live entertainment has long been an integral part of Las Vegas casino culture, historically a mix of top-name entertainers and topless (or nearly topless) chorus girls in flashy productions where the show itself is the main attraction. The city continues to draw a wide range of headline acts, and some showrooms still feature traditional Vegas-style revues, but over the years a much broader range of entertainment options has evolved.

When planning your visit, spend some time searching the events listings on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Web site (www.lasvegas24hours.com/finder/eventshow). At any given time you’ll find a variety of tribute acts and ongoing revues, touring headliners, comedy and magic shows that can be well worth the steep ticket prices charged for many performances. Shows do sell out, so whenever possible, book your seats well in advance.

Of particular note are four resident shows produced by Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal-based circus company known for its innovative and highly stylized approach to traditional circus acts. "Mystère" at the Treasure Island Hotel (www.treasureisland.com) and the water-themed "O" at the Bellagio (www.bellagiolasvegas.com) have garnered rave reviews during their long runs on the Strip. "Zumanity" at the New York-New York Hotel (www.nynyhotelcasino.com) is Cirque du Soleil’s entry in the adults-only category, presenting an acrobatic and multicultural view of human sexuality. And beginning Nov. 26, the company will unveil "KÀ," a new production at the MGM Grand (www.mgmgrand.com) featuring acrobatics martial arts, puppetry and pyrotechnics.