Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Yes, nearly all of the North American tours and all but the new Elvis in Vegas when it comes to the permanent shows. And personally, they will have to go a long, long ways to top 'O'. >>> Referring specifically to your comment about IRIS having "barely a story," do you think that "O" has a strong sense of story? What about the other productions?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN My opinion.. all Cirque shows are overhyped messes. Even ZED has it's low points. If it wasn't for the half naked men with beautiful bodies hanging from curtains and "flying" over the front sections of the audience, these Cirque shows would have been dead in the water a few years ago. Still.. I am sure each of these shows have some unique aspect that somewhat helps the hype.. like in LaNouba.. seeing the chinese girls spinning tops were the only memorable moment of that production.. and in regards to ZED, same. We got burst of excitement with some dead moments. but at least ZED did have a high production budget and it showed in how better the overall quality was. Not sure about the rest of them since I have not seen them nor do I care to.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL >>>Referring specifically to your comment about IRIS having "barely a story," do you think that "O" has a strong sense of story? What about the other productions?<<< I think I worded my original post incorrectly with the barely a story comment. To read the program and any of the literature on the show, it has a story. I just feel it was extremely weak in its execution until the second act. But by then, it was too late for me to call this a show worth the price and drive and the hassle that is Hollywood. The Story and theme of 'O' resonated with me in a huge way. And images from that show, whether thru its soundtrack, photos or memory still make me smile and go WOW. And to add, I will be the first to admit that I am very burned out on Cirque. Although this was my first one in 3 years, I still get the been there, seen that many times before feeling. And for me, in IRIS, it has been done better before.
Originally Posted By leemac <<The Story and theme of 'O' resonated with me in a huge way.>> I still think that CdS works well when they use innovative tech - the first time you see the water tank in O or the Sand Cliff Deck in KA. The problem for me is that too many of their resident and touring shows are similar in set design and execution - ZED is unquestionably one of the better ones though. <<And to add, I will be the first to admit that I am very burned out on Cirque.>> I don't blame you at all - they have definitely stretched the brand within an inch of its life - too much crap like Wintuk, Banana Shpeel, Zumanity, Viva Elvis and Criss Angel Believe. Thankfully there is still some quality out there like ZED, O, KA and LOVE. It is still amazing to me that MGM Mirage dropped over $300m on KA and that ZED was over $250m (including the theaters). That is a huge gamble both creatively and commercially - and CdS have no skin in the game so no risk to them financially (except for lost licensing revenue if a show closes).
Originally Posted By leemac I'd also say that the music can make or break a CdS show. LOVE, KA and O have exceptional scores - I'd probably say KA is my favorite. Some of the touring shows have pretty weak scores IMHO.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Has anyone seen Totem yet? I am considering it as a Christmas gift to the family, but it would actually cost the same for us to fly to Tuscany, so I am finding it difficult to make a judgement call. I love the themes being used.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< It is still amazing to me that MGM Mirage dropped over $300m on KA and that ZED was over $250m (including the theaters). That is a huge gamble both creatively and commercially - and CdS have no skin in the game so no risk to them financially (except for lost licensing revenue if a show closes). >>> So, who paid for the development of ZED? If it's OLC, do they have a stake in any future opportunities if it ends up playing elsewhere?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Printed ads have gone up on train stations, in trains and most public places announcing ZED's closing on december 31st. The ads show a picture of the cast taking their customary final bows as they do at the end of every show. This is all very sad, but yet again.. I am glad. Simply because that horrible theater destroyed the cosmetic look of the Ambassador. Cirque du Soleil.. GOOD RIDDANCE.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo After all, crescendo closed at DLP 12 years ago, and the theatre sits there largely unused.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>... and you think the theater is going to be torn down come Jan 1?<< NO it will not and I am awared that it will be there for eternity. Reason for the sarcasm. You do know what "sarcasm" means, don't you?
Originally Posted By leemac <<This is all very sad, but yet again.. I am glad. Simply because that horrible theater destroyed the cosmetic look of the Ambassador. Cirque du Soleil.. GOOD RIDDANCE.>> In our defence it was impossible to come up with a more appropriate design to that box - the original site was located elsewhere but when the Ambassador car park was selected as the preferred site it just wasn't possible to come up with a design that worked for OLC and CdS. An Art Deco theater of that size looked awful in the renderings so we had to go with a modern look. It is a phenomenal facility - it just looks very jarring when standing SE and looking NW.
Originally Posted By Historian I'm coming in late here, but I'm intrigued ... What site was originally considered for the theater?
