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Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com
Priscilla Presley and Viva Elvis cast members at the Cartier VIP reception at MGM CityCenter’s Crystals for Nevada Ballet Theatre’s 27th Annual Black and White Ball on Jan. 29, 2011. Priscilla Presley was honored as NBT’s Woman of the Year.
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 | 3:01 p.m.
Robin Leach's Vegas DeLuxe
- Check out VegasDeLuxe.com for more celebrity and arts and entertainment coverage.
In a shocking and surprise move, Cirque du Soleil officials confirmed this afternoon that major changes will be made to Viva Elvis at Aria, and if the gamble doesn’t work, then the spectacular will shut down within two years.
Expect to see the biographic nature of the Elvis Presley story to be drastically cut and changed into a more traditional Cirque acrobatic production, with its amazing artists from the Japanese production Zed being brought in at year’s end and more rock ’n’ roll being added as music components.
Here’s the official Cirque statement:
“Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International have always had an active and open relationship about their projects. As for all Cirque du Soleil productions, we constantly review all aspects of our shows, including the creative positioning and the business results. These discussions have been ongoing for Viva Elvis, and we have decided to modify the show to make it less of a biographical representation of Elvis and more of an acrobatic Cirque du Soleil spectacular production.
“As a result of the recent tragedies in Japan, Cirque du Soleil has had to make a difficult decision to close its permanent show Zed by the end of this year. But in making that difficult decision, an opportunity presented itself to enhance Viva Elvis. Zed features some of the most impressive acrobatic acts ever presented onstage, and we truly wish to continue bringing these performances to our audience. In the last weeks, we have reviewed the possibilities and have decided to fully integrate these beautiful acts in Viva Elvis and to present them to the millions of people who visit Las Vegas annually.
“Cirque du Soleil is a creative-driven organization and wants to ensure that this integration is done well and fully respects its artistic objectives. To do this, the partners have agreed that Viva Elvis will take extended dark dates beginning in January 2012. This integration is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter. We will also take this time to review all marketing strategies to reposition Viva Elvis. We are sure that like us, you will be excited to re-discover Viva Elvis.
“I would like to specify that we expect to have the same total amount of artists onstage, and the financial investment both in the creative integration and new marketing initiatives are still under complete evaluation."
Vegas DeLuxe will continue to keep you updated with this developing story.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
I saw the show and it was horrible - the theater stage is not the right kind of stage for a Cirque show to begin with - it needs a platform like that used for LOVE to do the Cirque concept any real justice. After seeing the show I felt it was just very quickly contrived to draw people to the Aria by way of show with a big name draw, that being ELVIS. I'm not sure what can be done considering it's being done on a theater stage but anything would have to be an improvement over what it is now.
Cirqued Out. Too much of the same in different costumes. Nothing Unique in Vegas by this company for quite some time. In KA I saw the same Circus Act of spinning wheels at Ringling Brothers in the 60's.
"O" is the One Cirque show to see, however Ticket Prices are up there.
These are not shows, like many Musical Artist, that you would see over and over. Once you see a Cirque show you get the idea.
I've been to two Cirque's, La reve and Mystere and doubt very muich if I'll see another. The are great the first time and after that only so-so. I totally agree with newnvres.
Cirque du Soleil has waaaaaaaaay too many shows on the strip, they all share the same acts and high priced tickets, just different themed costumes, it's gotten out of control, but then again, if people keep attending their shows, Cirque du Soleil will be around the strip for many years to come.
LeReve is not technically a Cirque Show and as far as I'm concerned they are all unique in their own different ways - Criss Angels Believe is a magic show (great ONLY if you like magic) & KA has the most expensive stage of all the Cirque's in the world ($110mil) - "O" has the water/ solid stage plus with both "O" & Ka its what the performers DO with those said stages that make the differences in the show... Mystere brings you back to the roots of Cirque being the most original/ basic stunts, etc... LOVE blends together Cirque & "a theme" perfectly... Zumanity takes it one step further and adds sexy/ adult/ risque/ nudity, etc... I am a concierge in the city and have been blessed to be able to see all of them, no I do not work at Cirque nor does my hotel get commission based of our Cirque ticket sales either, I just appreciate Cirque for what it is and am grateful Las Vegas happens to be the largest collection of Cirque shows anywhere - and get ready, rumor has it another is on the way in about one year...
I have seen LOVE 9 times and will continue to see it every chance I get - as for the rest - well I'm just all about the Beatles so I don't care to see the other shows.
This is the worst Elvis show ever. Col.Parker would never have allowed this. The cast seen along with "Cilla" in the photo, look like a bunch who walked across paradise road from the Startrek Show. Mixing Elvis and acrobats was never a draw and it won't be two years from now.
Are you hinting at the upcoming Michael Jackson show? I'll take a pass considering the subject matter :) But I do love LOVE and highly recommend it to all - Every time I go and sit in a different section I feel like I'm seeing the show for the very first time :)
I have seen both Love and Viva Elvis. Could not believe it was the same production company. I would see Love again not so Viva Elvis and I a have been an Elvis fan since growing up in the fifties. It was truly disappointing. Saw him one in New Haven Ct.
This is our favorite cirque show. We felt it was bright, hip and moved and sounded like a Broadway show. Unlike some of the others that have become redundant and parodies of the one you previously saw - Elvis Cirque was a refreshing change. Sorry to hear they are tweaking the best of the bunch. As for LOVE - we wanted to LOVE it - but it was really too dark for the Beatles. We thought LOVE was like a cross between Dr. Suess meets Oliver Twist. How do you make the Beatles such a downer? Too much industrial revolution imaging (gears,etc.) - and not enough of the playfulness and verve of the Beatles (who are classic).. Anyway - we thought Elvis was a refreshing change from their usual - and it is really a crying shame they are now going to mess with the best of their productions.
You have to know the real story of the Beatles - where they're from and what they're all about (Peace and Love).... to get the full grasp of the show - Some see it never realizing the 'Julia' piece is about John Lennons mother being killed - it's only as 'dark' (as you put it) as it pertains to their real story - there were dark times and there were lighter times - it's all integrated so well. As for the Elvis show - it would have perhaps been a better 'play' on a theater stage - you just can't do the real 'cirque' part of the show on that type of stage - thus I feel it was not a true cirque show at all - just a quickly contrived way to use a big name (Elvis) to draw people to the Aria... it just doesn't work for me.
Major influence for Elvis other than the gospel groups (the Blackwood Brothers) were, Tom Jones and Liberace. Liberace gave him hints about the outlandish rhinestone jumpsuits he wore in his later years. He was a consummate performer who choreographed his own dance moves which were influenced by Tom Jones. Along with this incredible voice and stage persona, made him the greatest entertainer. From what I have read, these folks at the Cirque, have enough props in a ware house in Canada, for another half dozen shows on the Strip. The "Love" shows are worth the money, since they fit with the concept of the songs and image of the Beatles. But the Cirque theme never rhymed with Elvis. The concept of acrobats and trapeze artists in an Elvis Show was flawed from the beginning. To use a "Goldwyn eupherism"-If Col. Parker were to be alive today-he would be turning in his grave!