“Cirque du Quoi?”: Mystère turns 15, still beautifully ambiguous after all these years
February 2, 2009 by Lisa McLaughlin · Leave a Comment
When I first saw Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère five years ago, my expectations were calculatedly low. Never having seen a Cirque production or even a Strip production, I went to Treasure Island with a headful of unspecific testimonials (”It really is amazing,” “If you haven’t seen it, you have to see it”) from people who clearly didn’t realize I wasn’t the type to embrace 90 numbing minutes of tumbles, flips, pantomime, pursed lips and pretentious Euro-whimsy.
By part way into the show, of course, I was more than happy to admit to myself how wrong I’d been. Actually, I’d been right, except for the adjectives. These minutes weren’t numbing; they were almost unbearably sensitizing. The whimsy was there too, but what these performers and technical sorcerers had somehow managed to pull together was not pretense. It was the real thing. Which was, and still is to me, baffling — how do you call an uncanny montage of light, sound, feathered bungee aerialists, Janus-masked pole dancers, Dali-esque stilt creatures, clowns, pot-bellied babies, thunderous live music and fog effects “the real thing?” The real what?
Mystère proved that it didn’t matter what, as long as it was done well. From the concept to the costuming to the God-knows-how-many man-hours put into practicing the impossible just so that something new and interesting might happen, this show (even more than Nouvelle Experiénce, Cirque’s 1991 stint at Mirage) made itself the standard for Vegas spectacle. If you can do it, why not? Let everyone else be the pretenders.
Anyway, Mystère just marked its 15-year anniversary, celebrating with a round of show passes offered to Las Vegas’ media community. A few of us at CityLife went last Saturday and were reminded of why the spectacle is still happening after all this time. As a somewhat more seasoned Cirque fan today, I wasn’t quite as blown away as I was that fateful night in 2003, but it was still close. What’s more, I realized I’d forgotten over time something very integral to Mystère’s beauty and success: a deep understanding that less is more.
As overwhelming as the show can be, it’s really not the unrelenting sensory assault I’ve remembered. After all the swinging, flipping, trampolining fury of one moment, they then dare to pare down to this: one gently rotating, green-lit mound at center stage where two austere, ripped dudes in tight white pants simply turn each other into sculpture through a super-slow-motion gamut of silent, vaguely homoerotic one-on-one lifting feats. It’s all about muscle, balance and Zen-like focus, and it’s completely mesmerizing — a stand-alone vignette that, like a few others here, seems to hover a little above the rest of the production while staying consistent with it all the while. By the time these two are done and weathered, shock-haired clown Brian Le Petit comes back for another round of crotchety mischief, well, that somehow fits too. Fits what, I’m still not sure, but it was nice to be reminded of why I don’t care.
Circus Circus Las Vegas
February 2, 2009 by Lisa McLaughlin · Leave a Comment
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Circus Circus provides a fun-filled Las Vegas experience at an affordable price. First-time and returning guests revel in the excitement, amenities and appeal of this exhilarating destination resort. Cobblestone walkways, appealing restaurants, thrilling rides, eye-catching shops, exciting games and the world’s greatest circus acts guarantee good fun for everyone. Circus Circus Accommodations For those with a love of the open road, KOA Circusland RV Park offers 400 spaces on more than 23 acres as well as a 24-hour convenience store, game arcade, laundry facility, pool, hot tub, sauna, playground, pet run, disposal station and a large meeting room. Additionally, Circus Circus Manor provides convenient motor lodge-style accommodations. Circus Circus Gaming Circus Circus Entertainment |
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The Adventuredome at Circus Circus is Nevada’s largest indoor theme park and the only theme park in Las Vegas. Open year-round, The Adventuredome maintains a constant temperature of 72 degrees, perfect for non-stop family fun. The park features exciting rides such as The Canyon Blaster, the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster and the new SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D ride. Circus Circus Dining Circus Circus Weddings Circus Circus Conventions & Meetings Book Online for Best Circus Circus Las Vegas Rates!
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New York-New York Las Vegas
February 1, 2009 by Lisa McLaughlin · Leave a Comment
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New York-New York brings the magic of the original “city that never sleeps” to the Nevada desert. From its restaurants and architecture to its sights and sounds, guests will experience the energy and excitement of one of the most exciting places in the world. New York New York Accomodations New York New York Entertainment Visitors are invited to enjoy libations and entertainment at one of New York-New York’s full-service bars – the Big Apple Bar, offering free, live entertainment nightly; The Bar at Times Square featuring the high energy fun of ‘dueling pianos’; or Coyote Ugly, a wild and raucous bar inspired by the film of the same name. New York New York Dining |
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New York New York Amenities New York New York Gaming With just one card, MGM MIRAGE New York New York Conventions & Meetings For Best Rates at NYNY, Book Online!
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Monte Carlo Las Vegas
January 31, 2009 by Lisa McLaughlin · 3 Comments
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A popular destination for guests from all over the world, this polished hotel combines the elegance of a Moroccan palace with the excitement and entertainment of Las Vegas. Step into a world of imported marble and crystal chandeliers and experience a fine selection of upscale restaurants, lovely guestrooms and superior amenities well-suited for every taste. Monte Carlo Accommodations For those looking for additional in-room amenities, exquisite Penthouse, Monaco, Spa and Diamond Suites are offered. The suites feature added luxuries including whirlpool baths, wet saunas and special armoires with music and video systems. On the hotel’s top floor, an exclusive level of personalized concierge service awaits guests who stay in one of the deluxe rooms or suites including one- or two-bedroom Penthouse Suites. Guests of the concierge floor, accessible by key card only, enjoy access to a private lounge offering a quiet place to enjoy a continental breakfast, light lunch or evening appetizers and cocktails. Monte Carlo Gaming As an added feature, Monte Carlo provides personal gaming lessons for those guests who would like to learn how to play craps and poker. With just one card, MGM MIRAGE Monte Carlo Entertainment From sleight-of-hand to grand illusions, suspending disbelief is Master Magician Lance Burton’s forté. The champion magician immerses audiences in a world where gloves turn to doves and burning candles appear in hand. Burton is recognized nationally as one of the world’s greatest conjurers. |
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Monte Carlo Dining One of Las Vegas’ hottest night spots, the Monte Carlo Brew Pub not only features a great selection of food but also live entertainment and dancing. Huge copper beer barrels and industrial furnishings add to the Pub & Brewery’s charm. Monte Carlo Amenities The Spa at Monte Carlo’s cozy and intimate atmosphere offers guests the choice of relaxation or invigoration. Treatments range from facials aimed at reversing the effects of stress and aging to body scrubs featuring aromatic sea salt or indulgent honey butter applications. Inside The Salon at Monte Carlo, talented technicians pamper guests with a variety of services including haircuts, color treatments, pedicures and manicures. A barber shop is available for men. Monte Carlo’s pool, with lush landscaping and a variety of crystal clear pools, also provides the perfect place for guests to rejuvenate and relax. Guests can luxuriate in a classically designed lagoon-style pool or heated whirlpool or sit back and enjoy the Easy River. Book Online for Great Rates at Monte Carlo!
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