-by David J. Lieto (aka The Squeeg)
(Las Vegas, NV)   When you think of Vegas – or at least when I think of Vegas – “shows” aren’t at the top of the list.  Those kinds of things are more suited to Mrs Squeeg’s liking.  Of course, I’d go to the shows with her (often times enjoying them more than I anticipated) but, in general, I rarely leave the poker pits.  That is, until I heard about this new show at the Mirage.

See, the most  recent offering by Cirque du Soleil is “new” in more ways than one.  Sure, there’s still fantastic acrobatics, great choreography, and stunning costumes, etc.  But LOVE adds an element which makes this production unique — the music of the Beatles.   Sir George Martin (Producer of nearly all the Beatles albums) and his son, Giles, spent two years assembling the music for LOVE.

“One of the challenges of the job was getting the balance of the songs right.” Sir George  adds, “We wanted to make sure there are enough good, solid hit songs  in the show, but we don’t want it to be a catalog of ‘best of’s.'” The Running Order includes songs as well known as “Help!” and “Lucy in the Sky with  Diamonds” to “Because” and “A Day in the Life.”  The addition of surround sound amplifies  the richness of the music in an intimate and unforgettable way.

As blasphemous as this may sound, you really don’t have to be a Beatles fan to enjoy the show.  Several different forms of dance are represented.  Inline skaters jump 11-ft tall ramps – jumping, twisting, and flipping.  Then there is the acrobatics involving the teeters and trampolines.  Mix this with the lighting, theme-relevant projections, and the props and you’ve got a real feast for the eyes.

Everything happens at the center of 2,013 seats surrounding the stage in a 360-degree configuration.  Of course, those of you who know Cirque du Soleil know the stage is only one of the planes the action takes place on.  From the moment the lights go dark the audience is pulled into the action as characters climb up from the partially sunken stage.  Then, there is a burst of music and light.  Costumed characters enter from runways or swoop in from above.  Later in the show there are comedic interludes and a rather unique bit of audience participation.

Personally, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is my favorite segment of the show.  Here a tethered “Lucy” swoops down from above to tantalize the “Fireman” character.  What really grabbed my attention were the lights that streamed upward during the chorus as “Lucy” is yanked toward the Heavens.

As for Mrs. Squeeg, she really enjoyed the “Hey Jude” number with red poppy petals swirling first from the performers umbrellas then raining down  from above.   She is really my barometer as far as shows are concerned.  If she’s tapping her feet or mouthing the words to the songs, then I know it’s a good show.  After confirming her reaction to the show, I was pleasantly surprised  to find myself having the same reactions – and let me tell ya, being paralyzed and all, tapping my feet isn’t easy!

This is a great show.  Go see it.

Cirque du Soleil has, yet again, set a new standard for Vegas shows.

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