Cirque Du Soleil - The New Face Of Las Vegas Entertainment
By Julia Walker

Founded in 1984 by two Canadian street performers, Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) has become the new face of Las Vegas entertainment. Using only human performers, they combine street performance and traditional circus skills with more classical arts such as ballet and opera, backed by live music, to deliver a unique and energetic spectacular each night.

Latest news is that Elvis Presley Enterprises and Cirque du Soleil have reached an agreement with the MGM Mirage Group to create a permanent Elvis Presley show at the CityCenter hotel/casino, currently under construction in Las Vegas. The show is expected to open with the hotel in November 2009. The new 60 storey hotel will stand on 66 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, and feature a 4,000-room hotel/casino, two 400-room non-gaming hotels, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

This new Cirque du Soleil show will bring Elvis back to Las Vegas in a unique way. Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, says, "This new creative challenge is exactly what we strive at accomplishing in the development of our new productions. Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to be involved in CityCenter and we are particularly honored to be entrusted with this assignment. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the public will have an unforgettable encounter with the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis had a unique relationship with his adoring fans in Vegas and a large part of our mission is to recreate the excitement and the spirit of joy he generated here."

This show follows hot on the heels of Cirque's new show for 2006, Love at The Mirage Hotel, and based on the music of the Beatles. George Harrison brought the idea of a Cirque/Beatles show to Cirque founder Guy Laliberté, and the show uses remastered Abbey Road master tapes to provide the music. Featuring characters from Beatles songs as well as usual Cirque du Soleil spectacle and excess, the show, like most of Cirque's other Vegas shows, is playing to sold out houses.

Where to find Cirque du Soleil's shows:

Mystere at Treasure Island Hotel. The original Vegas Cirque show
O at The Bellagio Hotel. Their water-themed spectacular featuring divers, synchronised swimming and more.
Zumanity at New York New York Hotel. Cirque's adult-themed show.
Ka at MGM Grand Hotel. Featuring martial arts and puppetry.
Love at Mirage Hotel. The Beatles Cirque show.