Anniversary of ‘Love’ kicks off Beatles events

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Friday, June 29, 2007 | 7:21 a.m.

The Mirage celebrated the first anniversary of the Cirque du Soleil musical "Love" in high style.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were in town to unveil a memorial to fellow Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison. So were Olivia Harrison, Harrison's widow, and Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow.

They unveiled dot-matrix portraits of Lennon, who died of a gunshot wound in 1980, and Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. The eleg ant platinum likenesses will grace the lobby of the Love Theatre.

It seemed like a good time to revisit "Love," which could be Cirque's finest production in a city where the company dominates the entertainment scene with "Mystere," "O," "Zumanity" and "Ka."

I'd give "Love" six star s out of five.

It not only retains the blending of energy and artistry of most Cirque productions, it brilliantly captures the unfettered excitement and chaos of Beatlemania in the '60s.

Since its premier the production has gone through a number of changes. Some scenes were cut, some tweaked. It is faster paced than before.

It's a show worth seeing many times, and you will probably find something new each time. The music - created from master tapes by Beatles producer Richard Martin and his son Giles - is enough to lure one back again and again.

And the visuals, as you'd expect from a Cirque production, are stunning.

It's a feast that carries fans through the different Beatles stages - from their childhood in Liverpool through their becoming international rock stars.

One telling scene depicts the Beatles in silhouette created by four spotlights. They try to break out of the circles of lights, but can't - captives of their own fame.

Details: 7 and 10 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays; Mirage's Love Theatre; $69 to $150; 792-7777

More Beatles

Las Vegas is experiencing Beatlemania all over again.

Last week "Love" observed its first anniversary, which is one of several anniversaries being celebrated by Beatles fans this year.

And next week, the Mirage is hosting "The Fest for Beatles Fans," the first time the event has been in Las Vegas. The event debuted in 1974 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Beatles' arrival in the U.S.

Among things being celebrated at the festival are the 40th anniversary of the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , " the Summer of Love anthem "All You Need Is Love" and the 50th anniversary of Lennon and McCartney jamming together for the first time.

The three-day celebration inside the Mirage's Grand Ballroom will feature live music, art, memorabilia, games, a Battle of the Beatles tribute bands and more.

Among the special guests expected to attend: the Beatles' original drummer , Pete Best , and his band; Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell and Laurence Juber, who were members of McCartney's band Wings; Larry Kane, author of "Lennon Revealed"; Paul Saltzman, who photographed the Beatles on their trip to India; and Mark Hudson, a friend of the Beatles and Ringo's former record producer .

An auction will be held Tuesday , featuring such items as John Lennon's signature eyeglasses, a "Sgt. Pepper" album signed by the Fab Four and the Sgt. Pepper tunic worn by John Lennon on the cover of Life magazine.

Details: 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday ; noon to midnight Monday and Tuesday ; the Mirage's Grand Ballroom; $55 for a one-day pass; 792-7777

Beatle host

Joe Johnson, host of the nationally syndicated radio program "Joe Johnson's Beatle Brunch" will preside over the Beatles Trivia and Name That Beatle Tune games during the festival. He also will co-host a discussion on "Sgt. Pepper's" 40th anniversary.