Japanese Kabuki show returning to Fountains of Bellagio

After captivating audiences with Kabuki shows at the Bellagio fountains last August, MGM Resorts is partnering with Panasonic to bring the Japanese performance art back to the Las Vegas Strip.

Unlike its debut last year, which only welcomed three total performances, Kabuki stars will take to the Fountains of Bellagio for nine shows running from April 29 through May 7. According to organizers, the show will be offered four times per night, from 8:00 p.m. to 11 p.m., on the hour.

Using the fountains as a giant screen, visitors will witness the tale of an aquatic Samurai battle projected onto the dancing waters. During the performance, the fountains will also portray an interactive game for viewers to play on their smartphones.

The game is “a collaborative fishing game in which participants download a game app on their smartphone and use it like a fishing reel to team up with other participants to catch a variety of fish,” producer Shochiku Co. said.

In addition to the fountain show, Panasonic is sponsoring the first theatrical performance of Kabuki in Las Vegas — “Wonder Kabuki Spectacle ‘Kabuki lion’–The Adventures of the Mythical Lion.”

Held in the David Copperfield Theater at the MGM Grand, the theatrical performance will run for six shows, May 3 through 7. Tickets range from $70 to $217 and are available starting March 18.

Prior to the performance, guests will have the opportunity to take a 3-D photo of themselves and create either a Kabuki figurine or an avatar in which their 3-D image will dance like a professional Kabuki actor, organizers said in a news release.

An autonomous delivery robot will also be on display in the theater’s lobby to demonstrate how the robot can circulate the room and deliver bottles of water to visitors.

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitielilly_