Viva Elvis opened… Cirque’s newest travesty at the City Center/Aria resort. So they tell me. And it wasn’t pretty. Once you get past the paid and favor-called in reviews, you get the people who really tell you what it was like. And it wasn’t pretty.
According to those I have talked to, The Viva Elvis show is much better than Criss Angle’s Believe. But that’s like comparing having a headache to having a lobotomy… Not much of a reference.
Was it good? Yes. Most people agree that the show is Vegas good. Worth seeing. Not: Worth seeing, verses “Must See”. Was it amazing? Not so much. As we usually expect from a Cirq show. Criss Angel lowered our expectations, but we thought maybe that was a momentary lapse. Not so. Unless you are a really big Elvis fan, this show belongs on your “should see” list. Is it on par with other, earlier Cirq shows? “Hell NO” is the common response.
Cirque du Soleil is apparently getting worn out, lazy and truely uninspiring. They are letting too many people and factors influence their newest productions. When you look back at the first, Mystere, it was built, molded and created in utmost secrecy. The creator almost had Steve Wynn booted from the property until they figured out he was paying their bills.
Look how long that show has lasted. The newer ones have been put through political correctness and social re-engineering to the max. Instead of thinking about “wowing” the customer; they worry more about hurting the feelings of those whose hands are in the cookie jar.
Laurence Fishburne & Andrew Dice Clay
This one has suffered from a constant revolving door of characters, talent and production numbers since day one. Including a scene with a flaming redhead dancer that was cut because Priscilla was offended. Think Anne-Margret and you will understand.
Am I going to go see it? Hell Yes. I like Elvis and I also like to see great train wrecks. Not that I am worried about this on egoing anywhere, this one will be playing for a while before they shut it down for “fine tuning”.
Personally, I give it six months and it will be an entirely new and different show. Something worth the Two for One offers they will surly be throwing your way. Or maybe the marketing people will create a package. Buy a ticket; get a free buffet in the near empty Aria Buffet.
The head scratchers are why they screwed up the music of Elvis? That’s what Elvis was about. the music and the movements. Here it seems they were meshing it up and trying to make it more modern and hip. Also, why is a Colonel Parker type character made to be the storyteller of the production? Wasn’t he like the reason Elvis was always broke and stoned out of his mind??
Mark Anthony
Host of The Vegas Tourist Podcast
