Photo Credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com

The world premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s Viva Elvis! was a star studded event.  Celebrities packed the blue carpet.  Elvis Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, was on hand for the opening. 

You can watch interviews with Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Gene Simmons, Peter Facinelli, and Neil Patrick Harris in my 8 News Now Entertainment segment.

I saw the show after working the blue carpet and wanted to give you an idea of what it was like.  Overall, I enjoyed it.  I was entertained.  The colors, the costumes, the dancers, the signers… were all great.   Could it use a little extra something? I’d have to say, “yes.”  

Maybe the something is more Cirque.  More acrobats.  More performances that make you say, WOW. 

This being said, I enjoyed the old clips of Elvis Presley.  Especially the ones of him going off to the military.  I also never realized HOW MANY women he kisssed in movies! 

My favorite numbers were the military, Jail House Rock, and the superheroes scene (some amazing Cirque moves in this part of the show.) 

The show ended with “Viva Las Vegas.”  This was a Jubilee style number. Colorful costumes and a large number of performers on stage. 

Viva Elvis!  is more of a mix of Cirque and Broadway.  Many people have asked me, “is it just like the show LOVE?” No it’s not.  It is different. 

I think it will only get better.  I think it’s worth seeing and you will walk away happy.  It’s fun and it’s emotional too.   It’s the King of Rock & Roll!!

Enjoy some pictures from the blue carpet.  (make sure to jump to the next page to see them all.)

Photo Credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com

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Viva ELVIS is the name!  The new show will open at MGM Mirage’s Aria at City Center.

On the Cirque website, the show is described as:  a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music.  It’s a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley. Nostalgia, modernity and raw emotion provide the backdrop for his immortal voice and the exhilaration and beauty of his music. Viva ELVIS focuses on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas and the entire world of entertainment: Elvis Presley.

Aria opens December 16th.

Photo Credit: Las Vegas News Bureau, Glenn Pinkerton

Cirque du Soleil characters surprised the 30 millionth Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil Show ticket holders at the show Mystere.

Tommy and Rachel Sparger are from Springfield, Missouri. The couple won a roundtrip airfare for two to Las Vegas from anywhere in the Continental U.S., two tickets to all six Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas Productions, a dinner for two at the Treasure Island Isla Mexican Kitchen and seven nights in a Treasure Island Tower Suite on the Las Vegas Strip.

Cirque du Soleil performers from KÀ™, Mystère™ and CRISS ANGEL^® Believe™ welcomed the newest members of the Cirque family in Las Vegas on Saturday.  The cast of the new show based on the life and music of Elvis will be treated to a Cirque-style greeting at McCarran Airport.  

The performers have been rehearsing for the past few months at the Cirque du Soleil Creation Studio in Montreal and are now relocating to Las Vegas for rehearsals on stage in the new theatre at ARIA Resort & Casino in CityCenter.  The show is set to open late 2009.

Photo Credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA

Our own local show, Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” is nominated for a Grammy for best compilation soundtrack for visual media. While I’m sure we’ll be rooting for our hometown faves, all eyes will more than likely be waiting to see the fabulously talented trainwreck that is Amy Winehouse. (more…)