Top Dinner Theater In Las Vegas

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 13, 2014 7:00 am EST

There was a time when people went to a show, were served dinner first and then enjoyed the performance. Dinner theater remains in Las Vegas with choices of comedy, being transported back in time or attending a very hysterical wedding. It is obvious that both locals and tourists love dinner theater in Southern Nevada considering all of the shows have been part of an entertainment lineup for more than a decade with one show approaching 25 years playing in Las Vegas. For a fun family evening out or special date, plan on a nice meal and then being entertained (even becoming a part of the show) with our top picks.

Tournament of Kings
Excalibur Hotel and Casino
3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 597-7600
www.excalibur.com

The Tournament of Kings at Excalibur transports the audience to medieval times with King Arthur, Merlin, knights and kings from different countries competing against each other. Each section of the audience is divided into countries with a king to cheer on. As in medieval times, there is no silverware, just a three-course meal served and eaten with one's hands. With jousting, pageantry and the court jester playing tricks (along with detailed costumes), the element of evil is introduced when all must come together to fight for good. Tournament of Kings is held in an actual arena with horses, stunt people and feats of fire. The show is family friendly but young children and those with allergies should be prepared for special effects featuring pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog effects and horses in an enclosed dirt-covered area.

Marriage Can Be Murder
The D Las Vegas
Showroom at The D
301 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 388-2111
www.marriagecanbemurder.com

Think of the television show "Reno 911" meets the game and movie "Clue" spawning Marriage Can Be Murder at The D Las Vegas, the comedy-murder mystery which also engages the audience. The two-hour experience includes a three-course meal (vegetarian available) served during the performance. Actors are planted in the audience and there is nonstop action throughout the show. Be prepared to be interrupted while eating, but it is all done in humor and fun. While children are allowed, it is suggested that only kids eight years and older be part of the audience and understand the show is a performance and not reality.

Tony N Tina's Wedding
Bally's Las Vegas
Windows at Bally's Las Vegas
3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(855) 234-7469
www.tonyandtinavegas.com

It might be called the "Groundhog's Day" version of a wedding and reception that has been held for the past 10 years in Las Vegas. Tony N Tina's Wedding is the interactive dinner show of a big Italian wedding gone terribly wrong with battling relatives, a drunken priest and other disasters. Audience members are the guests with actors planted in the crowd engaging the audience and participating in the wedding and reception. The menu includes an Italian dinner and wedding cake. With improvisation and spontaneity, no two shows are alike with the same outcome. The original production debuted over 22 years ago in more than 40 cities and has remained a favorite in Las Vegas. The event is also family friendly.

Debbie Hall is practically a Las Vegas native (34 years and counting) and loves experiencing everything in Southern Nevada from the Las Vegas Strip to the surrounding mountains and Lake Mead. She also teaches at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and loves sharing her knowledge. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.