More Cirque in Vegas?

Would you believe 9 Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas by 2010?

That’s the current plan as reported by Las Vegas freelance journalist Steve Friess in a recent podcast (www.thestrippodcast.com). These shows will sprout up at more MGM/Mirage resort properties (recently acquired through the purchase of Mandalay Resorts). They are:

  • #6: Luxor — magic/illusion theme
  • #7: MGM CityCenter — Elvis theme
  • #8: Mandalay Bay — Unknown theme
  • #9: Excalibur — Childrens Show

{ Source — The Las Vegas Sun: Jul.06.2006 }


Plans for the theater vacated last month by “Hairspray” at the Luxor are coming into sharper focus, and familiarity seems to be the prevailing theme. As reported by Las Vegas freelance journalist and podcast host Steve Friess at www.thestrippodcast.com, the hotel plans to open yet another Cirque du Soleil production — the sixth in Las Vegas — that will revolve around a magic/illusion theme. Friess also said the Luxor is planning to bring in the legendary Liza Minnelli as one of a group of headliners while the production takes shape.

*snip*

In response to inquiries about a permanent production show at the Luxor Theater, MGM Mirage spokeswoman Jenn Michaels said, “We’ve been looking at a number of options for the former ‘Hairspray’ theater; we are close to signing a deal and will make an announcement as soon as we are able to do so.” Michaels added that MGM Mirage doesn’t have anything to announce regarding headliners and that plans for the Luxor’s entertainment program still need to be firmed up.

As for the growth of Cirque in Las Vegas, reliable chatter is that there are preliminary plans for nine Cirque productions on the Strip by the end of the decade, including the new Luxor show, the Elvis-themed production at MGM Mirage’s Project CityCenter, a production to replace “Mamma Mia!” once it plays out at Mandalay Bay, and show No. 9 at an unspecified hotel — possibly a children’s show at Excalibur to counter the adult-themed “Zumanity.”