See the Cirque du Soleil Corteo site for complete information.
Not surprisingly, Corteo is wonderful! I couldn't recommend it (or any Cirque du Soleil). Every time I see a Cirque du Soleil show, I'm amazed with all the interesting acts the creators think about. I just don't know how they come up with some of the ideas, let alone execute them.
The story of Corteo was one of the clearest of any Cirque du Soleil show I've ever seen. There was also a great deal of English, whereas the older shows tended to be all in French. Part of me misses the French (even though I only understand a little) and part of me was happy that I could understand everything I could hear (at times with the music and the low mic level, I couldn't hear what was being said clearly).
The tent shows are always a little uncomfortable, since the seats have very little padding, etc., but it's well worth it to experience Corteo. Check out the schedule and try to see it when it's close to you.
Grade: A
Labels: 2007, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 8:00 PM show | 0 screams
For complete details, see Cirque du Soleil's KA page.
KA is another very well done show from Cirque du Soleil. The theatre alone is amazing. It's very well themed and has speakers in the incredibly comfortable seats. Cirque du Soleil never does anything half-way and they did a wonderful job creating KA.
There were a couple slow points in the show, but overall, I really enjoyed KA and would recommend it to anyone who will be in Vegas. I'd rank it third in the Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows, behind 'O' (my favorite Cirque show anywhere) and Mystere, but it is very enjoyable and well worth taking the time to see.
As usual, every act in KA is amazing and fun to watch. Check out KA if you have the chance, you won't be disappointed.
Grade: A-
Labels: 2007, Best Musical, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 9:30 PM show | 0 screams
See Cirque du Soleil's Love page for complete details.
I'm not a huge fan of the Beatles, so bear that in mind. I do really love some of their music (pun intended), but unfortunately, my two favorite songs weren't used in the show. My favorite song that they used was butched in a way (it was funny, but the music was totally removed and it was shouted as a poem). Other than that one bit, the musical was wonderful. The dancing and acrobatics were great.
Love is definitely not the typical Cirque du Soleil show, but as long as you go into the show knowing that, it's wonderful. It's energetic, creative, and beautiful. If you love Beatles music, you should definitely see Cirque du Soleil's Love! If you liked other Cirque shows, you'll probably enjoy Love. Just go into it realizing that it's not the same kind of show as their traveling shows (though it's similar to Delirium in many ways) or their other resident shows. It's more about the music, dancing, and art.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2007, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 9:24 PM show | 0 screams
Cirque du Solei's Zumanity site provides the details.
As my husband put it on our way out of the Zumanity Theatre, "Zumanity is the least Cirque of all the Cirque shows." Although that sounds like a silly statement, I think most people who have seen a few of the Cirque du Soleil shows would agree with David. Having seen 8 of their shows (and seeing one twice), so far Zumanity seems like Cirque du Soleil's only real attempt to capitalize on the angle of sin city in Las Vegas. Most of their shows could exist anywhere for years and years and have sold out shows forever. Zumanity really only fits in Las Vegas. Zumanity wasn't as far out there as I'd been lead to believe by the buzz, but it was definitely not the typical Cirque du Soleil show.
It was a good show, but I'd definitely recommend seeing any of the others in Las Vegas instead (though I have yet to see Love or Ka). I did learn some new tidbits about upcoming Cirque shows, when we bought our program the day before seeing Zumanity so we wouldn't have to carry it with us to dinner. Apparently, Saltimbanco is being reconfigured as a stadium show, which is really cool. I've only seen that on Bravo or PBS, but it will be great to see it live in the new version! There is also a show in development (to open in 2008) that includes a magician. Sounds like a great combination. And, of course, we'd already heard about the show using Elvis music, which is apparently not opening until 2010. I'll see them all at some point, I'm sure.
The music of Zumanity was pretty disappointing when you compare it to all of the amazing soundtracks they've produced for their shows so far. I was pretty surprised that I wasn't very impressed with most of the music.
If you want a combination of Cirque du Soleil and the stereotypical Las Vegas show with lots of nudity, Zumanity is for you. If not, it's probably not your show - see 'O', Mystere, Ka, or Love instead. There definitely aren't as much of the typical Cirque du Soleil amazeming acts in Zumanity as there are in all of their other shows, but it was entertaining and as a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil, I'm glad we saw it.
Grade: B-
Labels: 2006, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
For complete tour info, see Cirque du Soleil's Delirium site.
WOW! Another amazing Cirque du Soleil experience. Whether you've already enjoyed Cirque du Soleil's amazing regular shows or not, Delirium is a must see show! Unlike most of Cirque's shows, Delirium is a concert tour. Although there are many amazing typical Cirque du Soleil acts, Delirium focuses a bit more on the concert aspect.
Like all Cirque du Soleil shows, there is so much to see in Delirium that one could easily see the show two times back to back and see totally new things in each show. The stage of Delirium runs from end to end of the stadium. There are two HUGE screens on each side of the stage and two sheer curtains that act as translucent screens where images are projected, but you can still see what's going on past the screens on the stage. This is one of the most amazing shows I've ever seen. You have to see it to believe it.
Unlike every other Cirque du Soleil show I've seen, Delirium has a lot of English. I've only seen one Cirque show with any English (La Nouba in the beginning) and it was pretty neat to be able to actually understand all the lyrics to some of the songs in Delirium. Of course, I bought the soundtrack and ripped it to wma immediately.
The visuals of Delirium are out of this world. Cirque du Soleil never ceases to impress and amaze me. I can't recommend this show highly enough. If it's going to be anywhere near you (which I imagine it would be eventually, just give it time), go see it!!
Grade: A+
Labels: 2006, Cirque du Soleil, concert, dancing, gymnastics, musical, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 2:00 PM show | 0 screams
I've owned Quidam on DVD for years and years (I think it might have been their first show released on DVD) and I am thrilled that we finally got a chance to see it live!
As with any Cirque du Soleil show, I highly recommend Quidam! The show is as amazing as the rest of the touring shows. Of course, the stationary shows are still a bit better (more refined, more comfortable seating, etc.), but I wouldn't pass on the chance to see any show Cirque du Soleil does. I've now seen 6 of them (including La Nouba twice, for a total of 7 individual shows) and I highly recommend that you see any Cirque du Soleil show you can!
Grade: A-
Labels: Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 1:00 PM show | 0 screams
I can't imagine seeing a show by Cirque du Soleil and not loving it, though I didn't think I would be as impressed with Mystere as I was with some of the newer shows and I was wrong about that.
If you haven't seen a Cirque du Soleil show, you must see one! 'O' is still my favorite, but Mystere is something you can get tickets to without staying at the Belagio, so I still highly recommend it! If you've seen other Cirque du Soleil shows, know that their first permanent show is just as amazing as their other shows. Go see it!
Grade: A
Labels: 2005, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Another wonderful Cirque du Soleil show! Tent shows are never as comfortable as the shows with their own theatre, but Cirque du Soleil is always amazing. I highly recommend Varekai. I'm sure it will be touring for years to come. In fact, I recommend any show put on by Cirque du Soleil if it's in your neighborhood or if you're in Las Vegas or near Walt Disney World in Florida. Enjoy the wonderful music and the amazing talents of all the performers.
Grade: B+
Labels: 2004, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, tour, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 4:00 PM show | 0 screams
What a show!! I really enjoyed the other Cirque du Soleil shows that I've seen, but 'O' is more amazing than I could have imagined. Even those who are unimpressed with the normal Cirque du Soleil shows (if a friend of mine wasn't one of them, I wouldn't believe these people exist), I think that they could simply enjoy watching the set move as the show progresses. I could see 'O' again and again and never get bored. There is a lot going on at once, as there is in any show done by Cirque du Soleil. The music is beautiful and very well performed and all the acts are amazing. The set defies all concepts of a normal stage. The way the water appears and disappears in seconds will impress anyone who goes to see 'O'.
In my opinion, the only reason to stay at The Bellagio, which really didn't impress me very much, is to get good tickets to 'O'. Unless you're a big gambler, it's the only way to be in one of the first sections. Of course, the theatre isn't very large, so even if you were in one of the sections that are farther back (which sell out as soon as they're released 3 months in advance), the show would be amazing.
I look forward to seeing 'O' again in a few years and getting to see Mystere and any future shows Cirque du Soleil puts together. I highly recommend that you see 'O'!!
Grade: A+
Labels: 2003, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, Vegas
Reviewed by Kat at the 10:00 PM show | 1 screams
This is the first time I've seen a Cirque du Soleil a second time and I was amazed at how much had changed. Even some of the music changed, which was really neat. It was great to see this show again and just goes to prove that no matter how many times you see a Cirque du Soleil show, you can always go see it again and enjoy it - especially a couple years later. It's forever changing.
La Nouba is still my favorite Cirque du Soleil show, though I've only seen two, so I'm not a very good judge. Need to get to Vegas to see some of the shows there!
Grade: A
Labels: 2002, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams
Dralion is wonderful! Of course, I can't imagine anything done by Cirque du Soleil not being amazing. The music isn't quite as good (in my opinion) as the music for La Nouba, but the performances were wonderful!
Sitting in those hard plastic chairs is not fun, but it's definitely worth it when a Cirque du Soleil show comes to town!
Grade: B
Labels: 2000, Cirque du Soleil, dancing, gymnastics, musical, tour
Reviewed by Kat at the 7:30 PM show | 0 screams