Cirque to offer more acts to flip for on the Strip

Friday, June 14, 2002 | 8:39 a.m.

Hold onto your trapeze, more acrobats are coming to Las Vegas.

MGM MIRAGE Chairman J. Terrence Lanni and Cirque du Soleil founder and President Guy Laliberte announced Thursday the organizations have entered a partnership.

That partnership will result in two new shows on the Strip, one at New York-New York beginning in 2003, and another at MGM Grand in 2004. The productions will replace "Lord of the Dance" at New York-New York and "EFX Alive" at MGM Grand.

Cirque du Soleil created two of the most successful production shows in Las Vegas, "O" at Bellagio, and "Mystere" at Treasure Island.

Lanni said the new relationship will go beyond the stage. Laliberte's creative company will consult MGM MIRAGE in the creation of new spas, restaurants and hotels.

"We have the belief that working together in partnership, we can develop something the world has never seen in the area of hospitality, gaming and entertainment," Lanni said.

The announcement was made at New York-New York's Broadway Theatre.

Asked to expand upon Laliberte's role in the future of MGM MIRAGE, Lanni said the creative consultation "won't be limited to Las Vegas. Whatever MGM MIRAGE has throughout the will, we will collaborate with Cirque du Soleil."

Lanni noted that the corporation's annual revenue is $4.2 billion.

"Over half of that is from nongaming sources, including rooms, food, beverages, entertainment and retail," he said. "We think there is a lot of crossover. We are in the entertainment business, trying to entertain people. This (association) will allow us to take leaps and bounds forward. We have a blank page, and anything can fall into that."

Felix Rappaport, president of New York-New York, said the Broadway Theatre will be extensively remodeled for the new show.

"This entire theater will be transformed in ways that you won't believe," he said. "We think building on the success of 'Mystere' and 'O,' this theater will be the most unique theater in all the world. The ideas are breathtaking."

"Mystere," which debuted in 1993, had its 4,000th performance on May 24 and will have its 6 millionth spectator this month. "O" opened in 1998 and will have its 6 millionth spectator in August.

The production being prepared for New York-New York is being described as a fresh look at traditional music-hall shows.

"It will be sensual, exotic and provocative," said Lyn Heward, president of the creative content division of Cirque du Soleil. "The show will feature a blend of dance, humor and acrobatics."

Heward said the show planned for MGM Grand will "shake the spectator's perception of space, conception of the law of gravity and comprehension of the world in three dimensions."