Alice Cooper has confirmed that guitarist Nita Strauss will return to his band for the upcoming “Welcome To Our Nightmare” shows in Las Vegas, according to an announcement shared on Instagram.
The collaborative performances with legendary illusionist Criss Angel are scheduled for November 27-28 and December 4-5 at the Criss Angel Theatre at Planet Hollywood.
“Iconic rocker Alice Cooper and legendary illusionist Criss Angel have just released an exclusive video clip from their recent ‘Welcome To Our Nightmare’ shows – the first-ever visuals made available,” the announcement stated. “Cooper has also revealed that Nita Strauss will be rejoining his band for the upcoming ‘Welcome To Our Nightmare’ shows in Las Vegas with Criss on November 27-28 and December 4-5 at the Criss Angel Theatre at Planet Hollywood.”
Strauss, who joined Alice Cooper’s band in 2014 after replacing Orianthi, last appeared with him in Las Vegas on March 6-8 before taking a leave of absence to have a baby. She and husband Josh Villalta welcomed their first child, a son named Maxwell James, on May 28, 2026. When announcing her pregnancy earlier in the year, Strauss said: “Looks like 2026 will be the best year yet. We’ve waited so long for this miracle and now the time is finally here!”
“The ‘Welcome To Our Nightmare’ shows are a historic and innovative creative collaboration combining Alice’s legendary rock’n roll hits and Criss Angel’s award-winning mastery of magic, and played to sold-out crowds at Planet Hollywood’s Criss Angel Theatre for several weekends earlier this year,” the post continued. “Anna Cara, who has been filling in for Nita throughout 2026, will continue with Alice on his ‘Alice’s Attic’ tour September 17-22 and October 27-November 21.”
Anna Cara, a British guitarist from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, was recommended by Strauss herself to cover the touring role during maternity leave and has been performing with Cooper since spring 2026.
Cooper expressed excitement about adding more dates and welcoming Strauss back to the stage.
“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. “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 added. “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?”
