Criss Angel Believe

10/18/2008 - We went to Believe, the Chris Angel Cirque de Solei show at the Luxor. We had seen some of his TV shows and were anticipating what we know of Criss Angel, a talented illusionist. It started off with a few clownish types from Cirque de Solei doing some half entertaining slapstick designed to warm up the audience. Neither of us liked it. After a ho-hum homage to traditional illusionist fare, producing white pigeons from a hankey and that sort of thing, he then sets up a redux of the Tesla Coil stunt he did in the first season of his show - that supposedly resulted in some nerve damage he carries to this day. A badly feigned "accident" ensues, with macabre and graphic footage of him being wheeled away on a hospital gurney, burned flesh hanging off his face. "What the hell is this", I'm thinking. I wasn't alone, as the audience response to all this so far has been, well, reserved is putting it lightly. It was almost like the overture for a real stinker of a show.

We have to defend Cirque De Solei though. They are consummate artists, incredible performers and imaginative as it gets. The costumes were awesome. The choreography, world class. The music - thunderously astounding, almost too loud. But it becomes clear about a third into the show that this attempted melding of that renowned troupe and Criss Angel is anything but a match made in heaven.

This laboured, herky jerky and puzzling show dragged on for almost two hours. As much as I had been looking forward to it, I was breathlessly relieved when it was over. Even knowing these early shows are a test market for a hard opening the end of October, neither of us think the show will last without some major changes and the inclusion of much more that run of the mill magic found in any lounge act.

This show is a complete sleeper. Save your money and go see one of the six other Cirque De Solei performances around the strip. At least you know what you'll be getting.