Many shows still friendly to families

So, Las Vegas tried to become a family town in the '90s, when it built this Lego castle and a bad theme park. The latter was a dismal flop, and the Strip went back to being an adult Disneyland. The nightclub scene exploded and the rest is history.

All true so far, right?

So let's go see some shows.

Donny and Marie won't be replacing the peek-a-boo outfits of Toni Braxton until late summer. But magician Nathan Burton already is keeping his shirt on in the afternoon. Both Flamingo Las Vegas shows will accept children 5 and older. You wouldn't want to spend much money on the younger, fidgety ones anyway; that's why the good Lord created "Disney on Ice."

There are lots of other magic shows for the whole family, from Mac King or Dirk Arthur in the afternoon, to Lance Burton or Steve Wyrick at night.

Danny Gans is still at The Mirage, but in January the Christian impressionist moves his basically G-rated act over to Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. It replaces "Monty Python's Spamalot," a show which will let you take an 8-year-old, if you don't mind some gay jokes and the occasional dirty word.

Is this the weekend ventriloquist Terry Fator is in town? Nope. Not until May 16. Ah well, ventriloquist Ronn Lucas is here all the time, and he's fine for older children, too. Ditto "Toxic Audio," if you don't mind explaining one joke about a porn movie. No need for that at "Stomp Out Loud," or "Tournament of Kings," or "Gazillion Bubble Show."

What about this year's big-budget, anticipated shows? Bette Midler profanely sticks to old-Vegas adult tradition, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Cher? We'll find out soon. The splashy variety show is too expensive to be considered a "family" ticket, but probably won't be too graphic in content beyond the sight of a 61-year-old belly button.

None of this is to deny the ready availability of topless revues or filthy hypnotists. But it is to suggest this:Shows haven't had much luck attracting the nightclub crowd. So as times get tougher, it could be producers are focusing more on families, which still are taking vacations and buying show tickets.

The one big, upcoming show making a stated play for the club crowd is "Criss Angel -- Believe." But at this point, the new Cirque du Soleil-produced magic show won't be like "Zumanity," the only Cirque with an age-18 restriction. When tickets go on sale in May, "Believe" probably will be sold to youngsters 5 and older, just like the other Cirques.

"Criss has a big fan base that's younger, and we don't want to exclude them," says Cirque spokeswoman Anita Nelving.

Don't expect Vegas to retire its Sin City tag anytime soon. But a tight economy may see at least the showrooms cleaning up their act.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 702-383-0288 or e-mail him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com.