Alice Cooper, Criss Angel promise “to destroy your MIND!” in new Las Vegas show

There was a time, in the run-up to Criss Angel’s show “Believe” at Luxor, where the “Mindfreak” star was held up as the Alice Cooper of magic.

Many moons and shows later, Angel and Cooper are paired in “Welcome To Our Nightmare” March 6-7 at Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood. The show title is inspired by Cooper’s groundbreaking, 1975 concept album, “Welcome To My Nightmare.”

Along with said “nightmare,” the new show plans “smash hits in a theatrical visual feast that will destroy your MIND!”

Cooper plays the father and Angel the son in this mixed-medium spectacle.

Cooper’s greatest hits are planned in this production odyssey, among them “Poison,” “I’m 18,” “School’s Out” and “You and Me.” The spectacle’s blueprint brings to mind a Vitamix-style blend of Angel’s current “Mindfreak” residency and a Cooper concert.

There is no doubt collaborating with a bona fide rock legend will instill new energy into Angel’s stage show.

Since the early 1970s, the 77-year-old Cooper has served as a pioneer in delivering such horror effects as electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and real boa constrictors. His rock-vaudevillian vision has inspired generations of performers, including Angel. The rock-illusionist has adopted many of Cooper’s themes in carving his path at Luxor (2008-18) and now Planet Hollywood.

A backing band and dancers are in this mix. Angel has been posting from auditions for the dance crew. Also, expect aggressive makeup and enough costumed leather to cover the casino.

Angel’s “Mindfreak” production is booked through Dec. 30, and “Nightmare” is the only show his schedule in ’26. But we expect new dates to be made public for Angel’s “Mindfreak” experience.

More Magic at Linq

The Magicans Room at Linq Promenade was to mark its whisper-soft opening at 10:30 p.m. Thursday with “Late Night Magic.” The all-star magic show is led by Doug “Lefty” Leferovich, a wizard with crowd work and card manipulation. Vegas favorites The Shocker, Bizzaro and Hollie England are in the opening-night lineup. This show is talented, raw, and for grown-ups 18-over.

The cagey-funny illusionist Farrell Dillon has the 4:30 p.m. slot Thursdays through Mondays, and opens Saturday. Classically trained, “International Man of Mystery” David Goldrake, late of Tropicana Theater, stars in “Imaginarium” at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays, opening next week. “Haunted Brunch,” formerly of The Composers Room at Historic Commercial Center, arrives in December for its 10:30 a.m., Fridays-through-Mondays series. The Conjurors (Matthew Pomeroy and Natasha Lamb) are planning a March residency, 6 p.m. shows.

And, if you’re a crane-arcade fan, that piece of the puzzle is open, too.

A vision of veteran entertainment pro and Vegas native Damian Costa, the new two-level venue sits between the Fabulous Las Vegas shop and Virgil’s Real Barbecue, just down from Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club. Costa’s Pompey Entertainment company also operates that venue.

Signature dwellings include the 30-seat Levit8 Lounge, with floating furniture overhead. The 225-seat main theater is the main venue, designed to be hidden on the second floor.

Costa and his son Dayton Costa run the operation, giving it a family business feel. As the father of the operation says, “We’re creating an environment that delivers the wonder of live magic in a way that’s engaging, unexpected and perfect for locals and tourists.”

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.