Katy Perry’s residency, Katy Perry: PLAY, has undoubtedly taken Las Vegas by storm and established itself as a must-see spectacle for music enthusiasts and pop culture aficionados. Since its debut in December 2021, the show has garnered immense popularity, drawing massive crowds of fans eager to catch a glimpse of the hitmaker’s electrifying performances. Now, with only eight shows remaining on the pop star’s roster at Resorts World Las Vegas, fans everywhere need to run to catch her before her residency wraps for good. I was invited in to check out the show before it ends, and though I’m not a diehard fan, I have to say Perry puts on one of the best shows in Las Vegas, hands down.
Whether you’re a fan of her music or a casual radio listener, you’ll likely recognize most of the setlist with hits running all the way back fifteen years. Everything from her first hit single, I Kissed a Girl, to celebratory anthems like Firework are accompanied by thematic elements that blend the show together in a seamless and highly entertaining manner.
Perry’s unparalleled creativity and vision have been brought to life with the assistance of cutting-edge technology, resulting in an entrancing experience for the audience. Perry’s undeniable star power has not gone unnoticed within the entertainment industry, with the residency receiving numerous accolades to attest to its widespread acclaim.
Part Vegas show and part pop concert, Katy Perry: PLAY brings the best props, costumes, and immersions to the stage right before audience members’ eyes. Set in five acts, the show follows a storyline that’s brought to life via digital animation and live sets. With a Toy Story-esque vibe, Perry brings animated scenes to her stage with larger-than-life household furniture and props; whimsical dancers dressed as plungers, mushrooms, and toothbrushes; and tongue-in-cheek references to real-life world events and previous shows (Left Shark, anyone?).
The show was granted the prestigious title of “Best Strip Headliner” at the esteemed Best of Las Vegas awards ceremony in 2022, further cementing Perry’s legendary status. More recently, Katy Perry: PLAY received a much-coveted nomination for “Best Residency” at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards, adding yet another feather to Perry’s proverbial cap.
The music and visual effects aren’t the only parts that make the evening insanely entertaining. Perry brings her own brand of tongue-in-cheek humor to the stage throughout the show through personal anecdotes and plenty of audience interaction. In fact, fans are invited to enter a contest that would put them on stage with the pop star herself (and encourages them to make a donation to the Firework Foundation, Perry’s charitable organization that brings the arts to children from underserved communities).
As the residency’s nearly two-year run comes to a close, fans are in for a treat as Katy Perry promises to end the show with a bang. The final ten shows of Katy Perry: PLAY commenced on October 4, 2023, and will culminate with a grand finale on November 4, 2023. You won’t want to miss out on this stunning extravaganza for the eyes and ears.
