Alice Cooper and Criss Angel Share First ‘Welcome to Our Nightmare’ Video, Confirm Nita Strauss’s Return

Alice Cooper and illusionist Criss Angel have put out the first video clip ever shared from their “Welcome to Our Nightmare” stage collaboration in Las Vegas. Alongside the clip, Cooper confirmed that guitarist Nita Strauss will return to his touring band for additional performances of the show on November 27 to 28 and December 4 to 5, 2026, at the Criss Angel Theatre at Planet Hollywood.

The footage captures Angel freeing himself from a straitjacket while hanging upside down from the theater’s ceiling as Cooper performs “Ballad of Dwight Fry” behind him. It marks the first time the pair has released visual material from the production since it launched earlier in 2026.

• “Welcome to Our Nightmare” first opened March 6, 2026, at the Criss Angel Theater inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
• The opening three shows sold out so fast that extra dates were added across March, April and May.
• Nita Strauss last performed with Cooper in Las Vegas on March 6 to 8, 2026, before stepping away on leave to have a baby.
• Strauss and her husband and manager, Josh Villalta, welcomed a son, Maxwell James, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces and measuring 20 inches.
• Guitarist Anna Cara, 22, of Newcastle, England, has covered Strauss’s spot throughout 2026 and will keep doing so on Cooper’s “Alice’s Attic” tour dates running September 17 to 22 and October 27 to November 21, 2026.

Why Alice Cooper Added More Vegas Dates

Cooper said the extra fall shows came about because of how quickly the spring run moved. “We added the November and December shows after the March, April and May shows sold out so quickly, so that more of our fans could experience this very special show that Criss and I created,” Cooper said.

He also framed Strauss’s comeback as a fitting way to close the year. “Nita opened our 2026 touring season in Las Vegas back in March and is now returning to close out 2026 with us there, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the Hurricane back onto the stage. Bringing Nita back after she took a break to start a family is the perfect way to wrap up 2026,” Cooper said.

Cooper had praise for Cara’s stretch filling in during Strauss’s absence, too. “We couldn’t believe our luck when we confirmed Anna Cara to fill in for her for all of our shows across North America and Europe this year. Anna has been a true asset to the tour and she’s now part of the family. Who could ask for anything more than to have these two amazing musicians in the Cooper family?” Cooper said.

Who Is Anna Cara?

Cara, who has spent the year holding down Strauss’s guitar chair, previously played alongside Krokus vocalist Marc Storace and Cooper’s longtime guitarist Tommy Henriksen. Cooper’s touring band currently lines up as Cooper on vocals, Ryan Roxie and Henriksen on guitar, Cara in Strauss’s spot, Chuck Garric on bass and Glen Sobel on drums.

What Is ‘Welcome to Our Nightmare’?

The production pairs Cooper’s rock catalog with Angel’s illusion work and had already sold out multiple weekends at the Criss Angel Theatre earlier in 2026. The show was previously described as a 19-song, 90-minute run blending rock staples with large-scale magic, and phones were banned for attendees. That earlier run also featured Cooper playing the previously unperformed songs “Cold Machines” and “I Am Made Of You,” along with a rendition of “You and Me,” a ballad he had not performed live since 1978.

Alice Cooper and Criss Angel ‘Welcome to Our Nightmare’ Fall 2026 Dates

• November 27, 2026: Las Vegas, NV, Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood
• November 28, 2026: Las Vegas, NV, Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood
• December 4, 2026: Las Vegas, NV, Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood
• December 5, 2026: Las Vegas, NV, Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood

More Info

• ALICE COOPER And CRISS ANGEL Release Video From Welcome To Our Nightmare Collaboration Shows In Las Vegas | Blabbermouth
• Alice Cooper Confirms Nita Strauss Return For Las Vegas ‘Welcome To Our Nightmare’ Shows | metalheadzone.com
• The Wait Is Over, Nita Strauss Is Back to Alice Cooper Band | rockcelebrities.net
• Nita Strauss returns to performing this autumn – Alice Cooper confirms it | chaoszine.net
• Alice Cooper Announces Nita Strauss’ Return for Fall Shows | drgnews.com
• ALICE COOPER & CRISS ANGEL Release Video From “Welcome To Our Nightmare” Shows | sonicperspectives.com
• Alice Cooper Announces Nita Strauss’ Return for Fall Shows | ultimateclassicrock.com