Why two magical stars at The Mirage are parting ways

In blackjack, it’s called splitting aces.

Master illusionist Shin Lim and the dazzling mentalist Colin Cloud, who have shared a production at The Mirage, are ending their partnership in the Lim-fronted “Limitless” effective July 1.

Lim is extending his show at Mirage Theater through Sept. 2. Cloud opens “Colin Cloud: Mastermind” the night after he closes with Lim, on July 2 at Harrah’s Cabaret.

Tickets for Lim’s new shows are on sale at ShinLimMagic.Com. For Cloud’s new production, which runs 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, at 6 p.m., tickets go on sale Thursday at ColinCloud.com.

Cloud takes over the time slot vacated by Tape Face, now performing at the Underground Theater (the original Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club space) at MGM Grand.

Lim’s extension means construction at The Mirage as the hotel is turned over to Hard Rock Las Vegas will not affect his shows this summer. Resort officials cited renovation plans as the reason “The Beatles Love” is ending its 18-year run at the hotel on July 7.

The only multiple champion on “America’s Got Talent,” Lim is a coveted headliner with strong sales and widespread name recognition. He has reportedly been courted by at least four venues on the Strip as he nears the end of his run at The Mirage.

Lim moved to Mirage Theater in 2019, taking over as the primary headliner as Terry Fator departed in 2020. Cloud has been the featured guest performer since Lim’s show opened four years ago.

The two joined a Zoom interview, a show of mutual support, this week as both prepped to move forward.

“For me, it’s always to like just put on a great show, just make sure the show quality is entertaining for the audience,” Lim said. “Whatever venue that happens to come to me, as long as it can help support a good production and make people feel like they’ve experienced magic, that’s what’s most important to me.”

Lim’s wife, Casey Thomas, joined the production in March. Thomas is an accomplished performer who performs an aerial card manipulation act. Lim also plans to employ a series of guest stars through September.

Expect Lior Suchard, a star mentalist out of Israel, to be among them.

“He’s really talented, really charismatic. I think he’ll work really well with the show,” Lim said. “There are others as well, but nothing like, ‘Oh, yeah, this guy’s gonna be with us for three years.’ I’m going to change it up.”

Cloud, whose show is produced by Mac King’s longtime business partner Bill Voelkner’s production company, says he’s not planning to have a sidekick in his new show. The native of Edinburgh hosts a run of shows at that city’s Festival Fringe in August as he launches his Strip production.

Cloud is coalescing the 10 one-man shows he’s developed over the years for “Mastermind.” His show blends deduction, mentalism and comedy.

“The way that I’m planning on doing the show, even the way that my show will start, is going to be very weird,” Cloud said. “It’s going to be very different from the beginning. It just wouldn’t make sense to have someone come out and do any sort of opening spots within that bit in the show.”

Lim praised Cloud for his stage chops and showbiz experience.

“I just want to say how grateful I am of Colin, all these years that you’ve spent on my show,” Lim said, addressing Cloud during the Zoom chat. “I’ve learned so much from you from dealing with hecklers, crazy spectators and drunks. I’ve learned so much just watching you.”

Cloud laughed and said, “I guess that’s from all I had time in Scotland … It’s nothing new for me.”

Return of the boogie

Vegas showgirls Dani Elizabeth, Brit Dunn and Katie Matthews return to the ZZ Top show Saturday night at Pearl at the Palms. The dancing triumvirate throws it down during “Viva Las Vegas” at the show’s close. Billy F. Gibbons takes the lead vocal originally sung by the great Dusty Hill.

He uses words now

Marc Roberts was effective in the non-verbal role of a Blue Man in the production at Luxor’s. The veteran Vegas stage performer has been among the Gazillionaires in “Absinthe” for the past four years.

In Sunday’s late performance, the versatile comic actor brought up a male married couple wearing loud, multicolored shirts, and also a couple from Scotland, for the free-alcohol, lap-dance contest.“Take your shirt off! Take your shirt off!” Roberts called to the girthy Scottish gentleman, who complied. The competition was off the chain and ended in a tie. But Roberts, who as a Blue Man worked with florescent paint, Twinkies and PVC pipe, won the night.

Cool Hang Alert

Column fave and frequenter Tyriq Johnson’s Serpentine Fire tribute to Earth Wind and Fire reruns to Italian American Club Showroom at 6:30 p.m. (dinner) and 8 p.m. (show) Sunday.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.