Poll

3 votes (5%)
17 votes (28.33%)
14 votes (23.33%)
10 votes (16.66%)
13 votes (21.66%)
1 vote (1.66%)
2 votes (3.33%)

60 members have voted

Wizard
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October 3rd, 2010 at 8:22:45 AM permalink
Vote & discuss.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
RaleighCraps
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October 3rd, 2010 at 8:43:03 AM permalink
Zumanity was great, especially as we were sitting in the "audience participation front row", dead in front of the champagne glass. ;-)

Viva Elvis was surprisingly good. I had read some less than stellar reviews, but I don't agree with any of those reviews. My one complaint for Viva Elvis is they usually had multiple aerial acts going on at the same time on both ends of the stage, so I had to keep choosing which one to watch. And that hardly merits being a valid complaint.
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seattledice
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October 3rd, 2010 at 9:45:35 AM permalink
I've seen all of these except O. My top pick is Mystere with Ka and Elvis a close second. I'm not a big fan of Elvis' music -- in fact I'd choose the entire Beatles collection over anything Elvis, but the melding of the music and athleticism in Elvis was really good. Zumanity was OK but I'd like to see more acrobatics, feats of strength, and choreographed bits with people flying all over the place. That human pretzel was just creepy.
Asswhoopermcdaddy
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October 3rd, 2010 at 10:14:00 AM permalink
Ka is the most amazing Cirque du Soleil show I have ever seen. A love story mixed into the battles of war and conquest. Actors jumping right off of and onto the stage. What action what thrill?! A show that is timeless. This was my first Cirque du Soleil but not my last. The other shows I've seen have been ok, but they just didn't have the same flare that this storyline gave. Imagine a warrior propelling from the ceiling and jumping right onto your seat!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! Flaming arrows and real sword battles galore!

For me, one of the standards that I use is how willing I am to pay for a show. If its that good, I'd be happy about paying the price and willing to see it again. I love Ka and I would certainly go back again and again.
Wizard
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October 3rd, 2010 at 2:37:31 PM permalink
Will one of you who voted for Ka please explain the plot to me.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
mkl654321
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October 3rd, 2010 at 3:08:36 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Will one of you who voted for Ka please explain the plot to me.



Something to do with ka-ka.
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pacomartin
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October 3rd, 2010 at 3:51:40 PM permalink
I saw Nouvelle Expérience almost 20 years ago and Saltimbanco before Mystèreopened in Vegas.

I really like Mystère, because it captures the most elemental
TheNightfly
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October 3rd, 2010 at 4:05:57 PM permalink
I've seen all of the above except for Chriss Angel (wouldn't pay a plug nickel to watch his lame illusions). I've also seen Varekai, Kooza and Alegria. I actually worked with a touring version for a couple of years.

I have to go with Mystere. Perhaps it is because it was the first I saw but I just think that the blend of music, props, acrobatics and audience participation works best in this show. "O" was great and some wonderful eye candy but too slow for my liking. They're all incredible and I don't think that any other circus or acrobatics company can touch them for the spectacle.

My only caveat is that they tend to be a bit pricey, especially for the shows that have been around a while but if the people will buck up then I guess they can charge what they want.
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PapaChubby
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October 3rd, 2010 at 4:26:34 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Will one of you who voted for Ka please explain the plot to me.



Royal twins are attacked by rebels and separated. The girl escapes and travels through the kingdom with her entourage meeting the indigenous people and creatures. The boy is captured by the rebels where he learns of their traitorous plot to overthrow the empire with evil technology. The boy escapes and is reunited with his sister. Together with the people of the kingdom they fight a battle against the rebels and are victorious. They all live happily ever after. The end.
NicksGamingStuff
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January 29th, 2011 at 8:57:23 PM permalink
I have to agree Mystere is the best, it is classic Cirque- before they got off track doing shows to "rock/pop" music, (Love was okay... haven't seen Elvis yet) branching out into Vaudeville (the failed Banana-Spheel). The plot of Ka was really hard to follow the first time I saw it, but I loved the visuals. O was great, but like someone else said it was a bit slow. What do people think of this Michael Jackson Cirque they are doing? Its going to be a one night show being performed at the sports stadiums around the country, except for a week stint in Vegas of course.
Nareed
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January 29th, 2011 at 9:03:57 PM permalink
My brother went to Vegas when Cirque was still a novelty. He raved about the show, and told me I should go to Vegas just to see it (I think there was just one at the time). It sounded interesting, but not compelling. Since then I've caught glimpses on TV, which confirmed my opinion. In three trips to Vegas I've never seen a single Cirque show.
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Wizard
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January 29th, 2011 at 9:38:39 PM permalink
Quote: PapaChubby

Royal twins are attacked by rebels and separated. The girl escapes and travels through the kingdom with her entourage meeting the indigenous people and creatures. The boy is captured by the rebels where he learns of their traitorous plot to overthrow the empire with evil technology. The boy escapes and is reunited with his sister. Together with the people of the kingdom they fight a battle against the rebels and are victorious. They all live happily ever after. The end.



Thank you. I would have never figured that out.

Regarding Cirque in general, has anyone ever dared to make a comparison to Chinese acrobat shows?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
reno
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February 20th, 2011 at 9:41:09 AM permalink
Does anyone have any recommendations about how to get discounted (cheap) tickets to any of these Cirque shows? Any specific websites I should be using to purchase tickets?
slyther
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February 21st, 2011 at 12:01:54 PM permalink
Quote: reno

Does anyone have any recommendations about how to get discounted (cheap) tickets to any of these Cirque shows? Any specific websites I should be using to purchase tickets?



It's no guarantee, but often times you can pick up discounted same day (and sometimes next day) tickets at the various Tix 4 Tonight booths.

I have seen O, Ka, Mystere, Quidam, Drallion, Varekai, Allegria. Of those I like Drallion (touring) and Ka best. The only issue I have with Ka is that the staging is so elaborate that it requires the stage to be 'deep' so in some cases the the performers are easily over 10 yards from the front.

I'm kind of Cirque'd out at this point.
pacomartin
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February 21st, 2011 at 2:30:40 PM permalink
The TIX 4 Tonight almost never carries Cirque show. The best way to get discounts to the older shows is to contact someone who lives in Vegas and can purchase them 2 for 1. The most popular or the newer shows are never offered. Even though "O" is an older show, it is very popular.
NicksGamingStuff
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February 21st, 2011 at 2:43:20 PM permalink
If you go to the website of the hotel and go to the show link you can almost always get some kind of discount
zippyboy
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February 21st, 2011 at 2:47:03 PM permalink
I've seen all those mentioned above except for O, Elvis and Criss Angel (which is about to close due to lack of interest) as well as traveling shows Alegria, Dralion and Saltimbanco. I thought Mystere was the best all around show with amazing feats of strength, balance, comedy, etc. And Mystere's live music was the best. All the others had notable bits, like Zumanity's contortionist and girls in champagne glass, and Ka's moving stage, but generally pale in comparison to Mystere.

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

What do people think of this Michael Jackson Cirque they are doing?


I'm embarrassed (or ashamed) for Guy LaLiberté and the Jackson family. Michael Jackson was a creepy pedophile who stated in two TV interviews he saw nothing wrong with sleeping with the little boys in the neighborhood. Anyone else would've been arrested and been killed on night one in prison, but MJ used his celebrity to buy off the parents with houses, cars, trips to Neverland and possibly $20million for that famous case back in early 90's. He hadn't had a hit since the mid-80's, instead he filled his time bleaching his skin, getting so much plastic surgery his nose fell off and molesting so many children he became a mainstream joke. Then he's mourned as a hero after he kills himself slowly with pills (out of self-loathing, perhaps?). Immediately afterwards, out come all the books celebrating this deviant manchild, TV specials, and now a Cirque show? Are you kidding me??? Anything for a buck, I guess. Shameful, but I suppose there are enough losers out there who just can't soak up enough depravity.

How about a Cirque show on Hitler next? Or slavery?
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NicksGamingStuff
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February 21st, 2011 at 2:58:18 PM permalink
I do agree, they are making it one night extravaganzas in the tour, it is coming to the Oakland Coliseum out here, I bet it will be lame like Elvis. Has anyone seen Quidam or Totem? Those are coming to San Francisco this year. I am seeing O and Le Reve next week, expect a comparison comment from me about the two water shows!
ItsCalledSoccer
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February 21st, 2011 at 3:03:27 PM permalink
Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I do agree, they are making it one night extravaganzas in the tour, it is coming to the Oakland Coliseum out here, I bet it will be lame like Elvis. Has anyone seen Quidam or Totem? Those are coming to San Francisco this year. I am seeing O and Le Reve next week, expect a comparison comment from me about the two water shows!



I don't think Le Reve is a Cirque show, but I think its creator is an ex-Cirque guy and it's meant to be a lot like a Cirque show. (Wasn't Wynn going to be called Le Reve for a while during its planning/development?)

I chose Mystere, but that may be because of the total experience. Cirque shows give me a "seen one, seem them all" vibe after a few different ones. All interesting, but how many flips can you see before it gets a little numbing? (Not to take away from the difficulty or skill of the performers.)

For the Mystere show, I knew the stage manager and she set me up with front-row seats, took me backstage afterwards for all the fun BTS stuff, and we and about a dozen of the cast & crew went swing dancing afterwards at some place I don't remember any more. Great times!
JerryLogan
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February 21st, 2011 at 3:29:51 PM permalink
I didn't see a category for my vote so I'll opine.

I've seen all of the above shows except Chris Angel (whom I think is obnoxious to say the least) and all of them annoy me. And I mean ALL of them, and it isn't because of all the little ant-like people in them from Romania, Cambodia and Laos. I'm a meat & potatoes type guy, and these Cirque shows are all like confusing French dinners with strange sauces and odd presentations. I just don't understand most of what they are trying to portray.
NicksGamingStuff
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February 21st, 2011 at 3:51:35 PM permalink
Quote: ItsCalledSoccer

I don't think Le Reve is a Cirque show, but I think its creator is an ex-Cirque guy and it's meant to be a lot like a Cirque show. (Wasn't Wynn going to be called Le Reve for a while during its planning/development?)



This is true, Le Reve is not a Cirque show, but it is basically the same kind of performance, thats why I am going to compare. The guy that worked on both is Dragone, he is the director, Benoit Jutras did the music for both Le Reve and O too!
Doc
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February 21st, 2011 at 6:32:32 PM permalink
I have seen "O", Mystere, and Ka twice each and Love once. Haven't bothered with Zumanity or Believe, and based on what I have heard from others, I don't think I would be interested. Thus far, I have not developed much interest in seeing Viva Elvis, but I might some day. I rate "O" as tops, but Mystere and Ka were excellent, also.

I have also seen Le Reve and liked it. I saw two smaller-scale shows that I understand were developed by someone with a Cirque connection, and they had many similar features. Each held temporary residence at Mississippi casinos: the Taganai Circus at the Gold Strike in Tunica back in 2006 and the Balagan Circus at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi in 2010. Both shows were quite good, but with the smaller scale and temporary venue, neither of them was directly comparable to the major Cirque shows on the strip.
Ayecarumba
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February 22nd, 2011 at 1:57:24 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Regarding Cirque in general, has anyone ever dared to make a comparison to Chinese acrobat shows?



Many of the shows incorporate Chinese acrobats. The culturally distinctive music, costumes and props have been replaced by the "Cirque-vibe", but many of the stunts and even some of the props are basically the same with different dressing. I think the development of each act begins with what someone is capable of doing, then "Cirqing" it up. I don't think they start with, "Our show needs someone who can bend their back in half, wrap their feet under their chin, and balance on one hand all at the same time..." I think it starts with , "Show me what you can do". Then, "Wow, that looks incredibly difficult, and really painful, how can we incorporate it into a show"

One of the trademark strengths of Cirque was the new age music. It set a mood, held the show elements together, and engaged the audience. (aside: Recent pairings with The Beatles, and Elvis have gotten away from this, and I think there will be a price to pay as the distinctiveness of Cirque continues to get watered down.)
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Doc
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February 22nd, 2011 at 8:50:36 PM permalink
Tonight I attended a performance of The Peking Acrobats, a touring company that has been performing for 25 years. This is the group that appeared briefly in the remake of Ocean's 11, with one alumnus continuing in the two sequels. It's difficult to keep track of how many performers are in the group, what with all of the movement, costume changes, etc., but I think there were 10 men, 7 women, and 2 boys, plus a puppeteer that I do not think was one of the acrobats. The musical accompaniment was provided by the Women's Peace Orchestra of China, consisting of six women and one man playing a variety of traditional Chinese horns, flutes, and stringed instruments, including a hammer dulcimer. (I have been told that in China this is called "the new instrument", since it has only been present in that culture for about 200 years.)

The performance had all of the tumbling, juggling, pole climbing/jumping, silk streamer dangling, and body contortion that you might imagine from Chinese acrobats. I was entertained and impressed, and my back aches just from watching this stuff. Some differences I noted from most of the strip Cirque shows was that there was very little focus on either humor or romance, and there was no story line at all. It was strictly physical performance, and that was carried to extremes. Also, as a touring company, they did not have the specialty venue features like "O" and Ka.
zippyboy
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April 28th, 2011 at 10:07:32 PM permalink
It's official today. Mandalay Bay announces the Michael Jackson show opening in 2013. Have they no shame? Or do they think there really are enough NAMBLA members who can't get their fix of that creepy pedophile? The hotel should change their name from Mandalay Bay to Man-to-lay Boy to keep the theme consistent.

Next Cirque show to open should feature Hitler. They can call it Jewtopia.
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gofaster87
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April 29th, 2011 at 7:11:15 AM permalink
.....
Zayla
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September 4th, 2012 at 2:13:34 PM permalink
I just read a review by, I believe a gentleman named Nick on Zumanity. It was not a favorable review. He admitted he may have been too much of a prude. It that is true, I can understand.

I, however, could not disagree more. My girlfriend and I saw it about six weeks ago (mid-July being a lovely time in Vegas, if you happen to be a baked potato).

My girlfriend who always makes arrangements for everything made sure we were in the first seat (couch), closest to the stairs leading to the stage. Shortly after the lights went out the male "host" was sitting on my lap asking me how everything was going. He was very casual about the whole thing. We "chatted" for a while until the lights came on and then the female "host" (don't know the proper term) was standing in front of us on stage. Needless to say we were the opening act.

The show was a combination of humor, sex, incredible, unbelievable skilled performers showing strength, grace and dancing and a bunch pretty weird shit as well.

Something flew over my head, close enough to knock over my drink.

It was one of the best shows I've ever been to. If you don't mind raunchy, naked, vulgar, thrown in with incredible art, acrobatics, gymnastics and dancing, go see it.

Lastly, I got married once in Vegas many years ago and my now ex-wife and I saw Mystique, which I believe was one of their first shows. Yes, I still see her every few days and we have two wonderful children.
Wanderer
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August 13th, 2014 at 5:25:24 PM permalink
Love Cirque du Soleil.

My rankings: 1) Mystere 2) O 3) *Zarkana and 4) Ka.

*Saw Zarkana when it was at Radio City Music Hall.

I have also seen La Nouba at Disney World. It's great too.
LucyLiu
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June 13th, 2017 at 4:35:57 AM permalink
I know this is an old thread, but I really want to share my experience. I've just seen O, and it was simply astonishing! Now I'm completely devoted to Cirque du Soleil, I want to see all their shows! They're the best!
terapined
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December 25th, 2018 at 11:43:59 PM permalink
A performer ar KA knocked over my drink.
My 2nd time seeing KA for free due to myvegas
I bought a medium caramel frappe from starbucks
My seat was front left corner, C1, 3rd row left side
Performers run through the aisles pretty fast.
I had my drink in the cupholder. The performers run accross the the front and make the turn to go up onto the aisle by the audience. My drink was right where they make the turn. Cut that turn tight and you hit my drink.
They run fast and one performer hit my drink spilling it on the aisle. Management cleaned it up and replaced my drink.
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