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June 17, 2006

LOVE (Preview): Cirque de Soleil and The Beatles at The Mirage

Posted by Hunter

I went to see one of the *preview* performances of LOVE, the new Cirque show based on music of The Beatles. It is playing at The Mirage, in the theater that used to be the home of Siegfried and Roy until the incident that left Roy fighting for his life.

LOVE is in previews, which means that Cirque is not issuing press tickets and they would rather I didn't publish this at all. To be fair, I fully understand that this is not the final version of the show and that subject matter may change. That's fine. Keep reading after the jump...

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In a nutshell, I enjoyed the show. It's still not perfect but that's what these previews are for.

Coming out of the theater, I overheard many people saying the same thing - the show needs to be tightened up a bit. There are scenes that go on too long and simply by trimming some of that fat, they'll have a very strong show.

The music is fantastic with the songs of The Beatles transformed. Songs are extended, merged together, pitch shifted and more. If you're a Beatles purist, you might not like it but I think you'd have to be pretty insane to take that position.

The theater is unrecognizable from the Siegfried and Roy days with the neatest feature being the speakers that are all over - in the front of your seat, in the back of your seat, all over. The place *sounds* fantastic.

Thinking more about the show, I would say it is the most 'accessible' CDS show out there. For instance, instead of the strange, 'out there' costumes used in shows like 'O' and 'Mystere', the majority of the folks in this show are wearing clothes that are a twist on 1960s fashion. They've certainly integrated some of that 60's style into the scenes as well. One of my favorites involved trampoline super-jumpers and roller skaters.

'LOVE' is going to be a big hit and doing a show with The Beatles is a coup for The Mirage and Cirque. I can't wait to see it again after it leaves previews and they make some of the tweaks that I think everyone knows they need to make. Nip, tuck, showtime.

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Comments

Read archived comments (12 so far)
June 17, 2006 4:27 PM Posted by detroit1051

Hunter, VIP Services at Bellagio tried to get me tickets for tonight, but both performances were sold out. I'll have to return to Vegas to see the final product. It sounds great. I was in New York City when the Beatles arrived for the first time in 1964. Seems like yesterday.

June 17, 2006 7:28 PM Posted by mike_ch

I didn't realize there was that much of a difference between previews and the actual show. Gosh, you've got me thinking of going to see KA again just to see if anything changed. D:

As for LOVE, well, I can wait on that.

June 18, 2006 9:31 AM Posted by Andrew

I've seen KA both preview and official performance and very little have been changed,don't worry.Just the final part when they use that sort of giant grinding machine has been shorted.Save your money.

June 19, 2006 12:13 PM Posted by sharky

Hunter. Do you remember what songs they used mostly? All eras of Beatles? Early stuff?

June 19, 2006 1:13 PM Posted by Hunter

It's stuff from the entire catalog, all the way through the White Album and Let It Be stuff. Hits and non-hits.

June 19, 2006 2:41 PM Posted by Pikes

I wonder if Michael Jackson makes any money off this show. Anyone know?

June 19, 2006 3:17 PM Posted by Hunter

He's got publishing rights so I would assume yes, he does... Apple (not the computer company) gets mechanicals as well, as they are original recordings.

June 30, 2006 9:09 AM Posted by detroit1051

The 6/30/06 RJ reviews "Love" and gives it an A-.
.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jun-30-Fri-2006/weekly/8216164.html

June 30, 2006 12:28 PM Posted by Wayne

Check out this link from Rolling Stone Magazine. It has a track listing of the show. I can't wait to get to Vegas to see it.....

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10464329/the_beatles_in_vegas

and check this link with a preview videeo... Needs RealPlayer to open

http://www.outofthecloset.tv/videostorage/beatles.ram

July 4, 2006 12:58 PM Posted by detroit1051

The LV Sun writer must have read Hunter's comments about tightening up the show:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2006/jul/04/566630516.html

July 14, 2006 12:23 AM Posted by jules

hey ho i'm julia from germany and i'm a beatles fan since i'm six so i just wanna know what's the story of this musical and is it good??
hmmm...because maybe i'll fly to las vegas this year
and when anybody gonna tell me this musical is GREAT
i'm gonna buy tickets =)
please send me an e-mail
greets julia

July 18, 2006 1:04 AM Posted by motoman

Well, I wonder if this is the reason that John was able to get half-price tickets to "MamaMia" as mentioned in his trip report:

Perhaps folks who would attend a show based on popular music are gravitating towards "LOVE" instead? I know, different eras and genres but you know....

Well maybe this will work in my favor because I'm hoping to get my brother in to see "MamaMia" for his birthday....