The Bizarre World of Cirque

There’s no clear way to explain what goes on during a Cirque du Soleil show; it’s just something you have to experience yourself to get a glimpse of the madness behind the production. Cirque takes you into a world that one could only imagine, where whimsical costumes mimic Dr. Seuss characters and the stunts that are performed, such as synchronized spring-board diving into a retractable stage-turned-pool, transports you into what seems like a dream from your childhood. All I know is that these performers have to be insane to pull off these stunts, and the creators of the show have to be even more insane to think this stuff up.

^No. 1: O

I was first introduced to Cirque during my first visit to Las Vegas when I saw O at Bellagio. I didn’t know much about Cirque before I saw the show, but watching O from the eighth row accounts for one of the wildest things I’ve seen in Vegas. The main draw to the show is that it is performed mainly in the water. With each scene change, a retractable stage turns into a pool where synchronized swimmers turn the sport into art and performers take diving to a new level as they leap from the rafters and other moving platforms into the water.  The Website states, “Inspired by the concept of infinity and the elegance of water’s pure form, ‘O’ pays tribute to the beauty of the theatre – from the simplest street performance to the most lavish of operas – where anything is possible and where the drama of life plays itself out before our very eyes.” O is the favorite by far, and a must-see!

Tickets: $93.40 – $150

^No. 2: Mystère

Mystère might be the most well-known out of all the Cirque shows, showing at Treasure Island. It has made its debut in many blockbusters, including Ocean’s Eleven and Knocked Up, and has been deemed as “the company’s hallmark,” as stated on the Website. This show does display many similar aspects of O, including a moving platform which hangs 40 feet above the stage where acrobatics are performed at dangerous heights, but the audience is also introduced to athletes who seem to possess superhuman strength and bravery. Overall, the tone of the storyline is more lighthearted and comical and is definitely one of the Cirque shows to see.

Tickets: $60 – $109

^No. 3: KÀ

KÀ was similar to the previous two shows we had seen, but it was unique in the fact that the show possessed an easy-to-follow storyline. “KÀ is a heroic journey of love and conflict, set within a dynamic theatrical landscape, as an entire empire appears on KÀ’s colossal stage and a captivating display of acrobatics envelops the audience,” states the Website. There were few large, death-defying acts but they stayed true to Cirque form, and scenes that did produce high intensity and danger delivered as usual. Early in the show, featured at MGM, life-sized marine life make their debut as supporting characters, including a sea turtle (pictured above), crab, snake and creepy crawler. There’s no doubt the costume design on these sets are fueled by creativity and talent. Overall, this production had somewhat of a deserted island/survival of the fittest theme combined with lots of fireworks and pyrotechnics that introduced us to the heavy metal side of Cirque.

Tickets: $69 – $150

^No. 4: Zumanity

Zumanity is “the sensual side of Cirque,” claims the Website, and that is exactly what you get throughout the entire show – the vulgarity starts with the opening act and ends when the closing curtains. Showing at New York, New York, It’s probably a show that could only appear in Vegas, as it definitely fits the “Sin City” theme. It did possess Cirque-like aspects, with contortionists and ariel performances, which are the aspects most enjoyed by Cirque fans, but it was difficult to see past the crude nature and nudity. Yeah yeah, it’s art, I get it. But if I’m watching a Cirque show, I want to get the shock and awe feeling without having to see an on-stage orgy. This is probably one of our least favorite shows we saw in Vegas. It’s a pass!

Tickets: $69 – $129