Premiere of Criss Angel’s ‘Believe’ delayed

By Melissa Arseniuk (contact)

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 | 5:13 p.m.

The official premiere of Criss Angel’s Cirque du Soleil show, "Criss Angel Believe," has been delayed once again.

Cirque now says the $100-million showcase will debut publicly at the Luxor on Oct. 31.

“I can't imagine a more fitting night all year for Criss than Halloween, the night that marks the 82nd anniversary of the death of his and the show's inspiration, Harry Houdini,” Angel’s publicist, Steve Flynn, said.

"Believe" originally was scheduled to open publicly on Sept. 12.

Publicists for Angel and Cirque say the magician and show’s director, Serge Denoncourt, insist every aspect of the technical show, which includes illusions, acrobatics and pyrotechnics, be perfect before it opens, and more time was needed.

The latest decision to delay the premiere was announced Saturday after more than 400 Cirque employees and artists took in a performance Friday. The creative team met afterward and it was then decided to move the premiere to Oct. 31 and restore the preview period to its original timeframe.

Organizers first delayed the premiere in late June because of apparent technical difficulties. The premiere was then rescheduled for Oct. 10.

Further “enormous complexities” were cited on Sept. 2 as the schedule for preview performances was pushed back a second time. While the change didn't affect the Oct. 10 premiere, the decision effectively axed the first two weeks of preview performances.

Saturday’s announcement restores the preview period to its original five-week run, with the first performance taking place Sept. 26.

“The preview period is an important part of our creative process as it allows the show to develop in front of a live audience,” Cirque du Soleil spokeswoman Anita Nelving said.

"Believe" will blend Angel’s illusions with the costumes and acrobatics that are part of Cirque du Soleil productions.

Angel will give about 5,200 performances over the next decade. His contract will see him perform five nights a week for the next 10 years, with an additional five-year extension option.

“Unlike traditional magic-themed shows, 'Criss Angel Believe' transcends any preconceived notion of what it means to be emotionally engaged by the arts of mysticism and illusion,” Cirque promises in the show’s promotional materials.

The show is housed in a specially built theater in the Luxor and tickets range in price from $59 to $150, before taxes.

Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Luxor box office (702-262-4400 or toll-free 1-800-557-7428).