Paul Szydelko
Even with a big budget, a soaring imagination and the finest talent available, it's still against the odds to create a successful, large-scale show in Las Vegas. Just ask the producers of "Awakening" at Wynn Las Vegas, a reported $120 million production that opened in November, went dark in April after lethargic ticket sales and reopened with a "restaged and reimagined" version last week.
While Cirque du Soleil has had some flops ("Viva Elvis," "R.U.N") on the Strip, it is achieving several milestones this year: the 30th anniversary of its first resident show, "Mystere," at Treasure Island in December; the 25th anniversary of "O" at Bellagio in October; and last week's 10th anniversary of "Michael Jackson One" at Mandalay Bay.
The company also just announced that "The Beatles Love," which opened in 2006, will be staged at least through the end of 2024 while the Mirage rebrands to Hard Rock. "KA," which opened in MGM Grand in 2005, has been resilient, and "Mad Apple" has delighted audiences at New York-New York since May 2022.
Having seen all six current Cirque du Soleil productions in Las Vegas, some of them several times, I offer this very personal ranking (along with my suggestion as to whom the show might best be suited). This list is highly subjective, of course. But be assured that those attending any Cirque show are getting good value (there's nary a bad seat in any of these theaters) and a wondrous night of escapism. Quirky preshow entertainment encourages guests to be there at least 15 minutes before curtain.
Celebrating Cirque's 30 years on the Strip
1. "The Beatles Love." (In the mood for peace and love?) A playful exuberance and a certain poignancy pervade as the Fab Four's classic songs are skillfully interpreted in remarkable dance numbers, colorful costumes and vivid images on surrounding screens. Perfectly timed to the music, acrobats swoop in from above, ingenious props roll in from the sides and surprises emerge from below. Even for those who aren't baby boomers reliving their personal soundtrack, this production bears repeated viewings from different angles. With the continuing uncertainty of Hard Rock's plans for the theater after 2024, this classic show has to be the No. 1 priority for visitors in the coming year.
2. "O." (In the mood for elegance and beauty?) Acrobatics in, on and above the water convey an almost mystical grandeur. The stage can be solid and dry one moment, then moments later inches below the water's surface or dozens of feet deep. Audiences invariably gasp at the 60-foot dives into the abyss or wonder how long artfully synchronized dancers can hold their breath. Paced near perfection, big and loud moments are interspersed with small and quiet moments.
3. "Mystere." (In the mood for playfulness and inventiveness?) This is still the gateway production of Cirque, the one that started the company's resident presence in Las Vegas in 1993 and the one that's still the most accessible to theater newcomers and families. If you don't like this rambunctious, evocative performance, you likely won't abide other Cirque shows; if you're awed and amused, well, on to the next show.
"Mystere," the show that established Cirque du Soleil's resident presence in Las Vegas, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Photo Credit: Cirque du Soleil
4. "Michael Jackson One." (In the mood for a jolt and to tap your toes?) This production skews toward younger audiences than, say, "The Beatles Love," not only because of the iconic hits of a more recent era but also the dynamic choreography, profound imagery and invigorating dance numbers. Don't blink or you'll miss something. The King of Pop's holographic appearance is both sensitively staged and remarkable.
5. "Mad Apple." (In the mood for jokes and a nightclub vibe?) Cirque's newest offering is a stark change of pace from its other Vegas shows, with a central standup comic, more comedy and explicit language. Perhaps it is a response to the grown-up subject matter now being offered at Spiegelworld productions. A preshow bar where audience members can walk up and get a drink cleverly becomes part of the stage where comedy and variety fuel the night. In contrast to other Cirque shows, there's a hard-won sense that each performance, each night is a bit different -- an unpretentious, serendipitous homage to New York City's place in pop culture.
6. "Ka." (In the mood for splendor and a well-crafted story?) Don't let my placement discourage consideration and diminish respect: "Ka" is worth seeing for the cinema-like experience and the magnificent stage, a technological feat that goes vertical and changes the audience's perspective on an epic story of love and war. It's serious and somber, but danger lurks, fires burn and images resonate.
While Spiegelworld's three (with a fourth on the way) zany, bawdy productions and the Strip's many resident singing headliners have drawn the most attention lately, neither would likely have been possible without Cirque du Soleil's longtime success in Las Vegas.