‘Triumph …’ was not exactly that at the Las Vegas Hilton

By John Katsilometes

Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 | 2:58 p.m.

The buzz around town about "Triumph ..." at Las Vegas Hilton was consistent and uniformed: "See it before it closes."

So it is that the multimedia entertainment event that opened in December at the Hilton has closed, it was announced this afternoon. This, less than a week after a hastily announced media preview night.

The show was a pie-in-the-sky effort from the illusionist team of Larry Fischer and Rafael Palacious, known as "LaRaf," who brought a happy blend of music, illusion and dance to the Hilton stage. But that blend came at a price, and one of the more elaborate set pieces was too expensive to put into the show.

The production also raced through (by my count) three different publicists, and its relationship with Emmy Award-winning set designer Andy Walmsley fell apart during rehearsals. Entertainers in town who did see the show giggled at what was set loose onstage, promising it would not last through the spring.

Even amid the disassembled production, there seems hope "Triumph ..." will reappear, somewhere. A news release issued today reads, "the creators of 'Triumph' look forward to the next venue in which they can showcase this magical production and sincerely thank the Las Vegas Hilton for the opportunity to premiere the show."

"Triumph ..." was intended to introduce Steampunk to Vegas audiences. This is an antiquated effect where images of steam power are applied, Victorian-style, amid dancing and traditional illusions.

But in the end, the greatest illusion was the show itself. In this time when even great shows are challenged to fill theaters, "Triumph ..." had not nearly enough steam.

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