Criss Angel taking a break from ‘Believe’

By Melissa Arseniuk

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 | 6:52 p.m.

The lights have gone out on Criss Angel’s Cirque du Soleil show, “Believe” – but not for long.

The cast and crew of the city’s most loved-by-Loyals/loathed-by-critics Cirque show is taking the week off as part of a previously scheduled break.

“I get six vacation weeks off a year and work 46 weeks a year,” Angel told the Las Vegas Sun, noting this week’s break is just one of his six week-long vacation breaks.

Angel and his cast proactively made up for their upcoming absence on Sunday with two extra shows

“This week I (performed) 12 shows, which includes two extra shows this Sunday, (which is) normally my dark day,” he said.

Critics have been predicting (and, at times, demanding) “Believe” would be axed ever since it opened nearly a year ago, on Halloween night, 2008.

Today, after more than 475 performances, the 90-minute magic-meets-circus spectacular is still very much a work in progress.

Still, Angel’s absence this week is not because he is being fired, dodging some scandal, or hiding from his unrelenting critics. Instead, the “Mindfreak” magician flew to Mexico this morning for some much-needed R and R.

“This Monday to Sunday I’ll be spending time with my entire family in Cabo, Mexico,” he said. “I return to Las Vegas (on) Monday and (will be) back to work with two shows on Tuesday.”

Angel has relaxed on Cabo’s sandy beaches before. The Mexican vacation destination has been his go-to getaway for years now.

“It’s tropical paradise,” he said, noting his plans for the week include “relax, relax, and relax – and yes of course a bit of work on some new projects.”

Love him or hate him, few can deny Criss Angel works hard. In addition to his 10 shows a week, five days a week Cirque schedule, he also shoots his popular series on A&E and is currently working on new illusions to incorporate into his stage show, too.

What’s more, Angel has yet to call in sick, mentally exhausted, or otherwise unavailable, despite a year of both “Believe”-related and personal ups and downs.

Compare that to Angel’s ex’s new “Peepshow” co-star, Aubrey O’Day, who didn’t wait a week before cancelling performances. Holly Madison, meanwhile, seems to have taken a lead from her former flame, and has yet to miss a single performance, despite recently feeling under the weather.

Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at [email protected].