Zarkana Closes - Postmortem Review

April 30, 2016 marked the final performance of the Cirque du Soleil show Zarkana.

As I had wrote in a previous blog post - the show and showroom itself are being removed to make way for an expansion of the Aria Convention Center. In that blog post I said that I had always wanted to see Zarkana, and its closing might give me extra incentive to actually see it.



I did in fact see Zarkana during my recent stay at Aria. I really enjoyed the show and thought it was just as good - if not better than - the other Cirque shows I've seen (Mystère, Kà, and Zumanity).

Zarkana didn't really have a strong plot or theme. Similar to Mystère it was more or less a collection of acrobatic acts and live music that Cirque shows are known for.

While I don't think that hurt the production value of the show - it probably hurt marketing efforts. It seems like every other Cirque show in Vegas has some kind of hook to bring people in.



Perhaps the biggest reason for the show's demise was the fact that Aria doesn't really seem to be centered around entertainment. The showroom was located well off the casino floor up an escalator. Zarkana and the property's first show Viva Elvis kind of felt like afterthoughts rather than a priority.

While getting rid of a showroom to add more convention space won't benefit the average Las Vegas tourist - it probably does make sense for Aria.

Zarkana Closing for Convention Expansion

Zarkana - the Cirque du Soleil show at Aria - will be closing next year. The final performance is expected to be on April 30, 2016.

The show closing makes way for a $154 million expansion of Aria's convention center. The glass-enclosed venue will allow Aria to take advantage of its relatively close proximity to The Park and new Las Vegas Arena.

Zarkana has been running at Aria for just over 3 years. It replaced the also ill-fated Viva Elvis, which ran for only two years shortly after the hotel's opening.

I'm not sure if the quality of these particular shows was just bad, or if there's something about Aria itself that makes it a bad place for a show. I'm thinking its the latter. Aria's upscale modern motif seems to lend itself better to a convention center rather than a Cirque show.

I've always kind of wanted to see Zarkana, and now that it's closing I might have an extra incentive to actually do it. I'll be sure to post a review if I happen to catch one of the final performances.

Wynn Funhouse Show and Billy Joel Rumors

With Garth Brooks recently ending his run at Encore, Steve Wynn has revealed plans for a new show to take his place at Encore Theater. Wynn told Robin Leach about the new "Funhouse" show, which he claims will be different from anything else on the Strip. The way Wynn described the show makes me think it will be somewhat similar to Le Reve, but Wynn claims it will be different from that and similar Cirque du Soleil type shows.

Casting and rehearsals for "Funhouse" are beginning immediately, with the show likely to make a late 2013 debut.

That time-frame leaves Encore Theater rather empty for the next year or so, which might give the following rumor some legs. Robin Leach is also reporting that Billy Joel might be taking over Encore Theater for New Years Eve, and could possibly stick around for a longer residency similar to what Garth Brooks did. This seems to be a good fit for the Wynn clientele, and would give Joel a nice one year run before "Funhouse" starts.

Zarkana to replace Viva Elvis

Viva Elvis at Aria will be closing in August and will be replaced by another Cirque du Soleil show - Zarkana.

Zarkana spent two successful summers at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and has also toured internationally with stops in Madrid and Moscow.



It's kind of sad to see Viva Elvis go so soon, but I have a feeling Zarkana will be a much better fit for Aria.

I always wondered why they would have a 50's themed show at an ultramodern hotel like Aria. They were obviously trying to capitalize on the success of the Beatles show Love, but it just didn't work out. I wonder how the Michael Jackson show at Mandalay Bay will fare.

Source: Cirque du Soleil Press Release.

Mystere getting Zed Infusion

Today marks the beginning of a month long closure of the Treasure Island Cirque du Soleil show Mystere, as it undergoes a minor makeover.

Robin Leach reported the key changes will include the addition of a trapeze act from the Japanese Cirque show Zed.

Zed was a popular show at Tokyo Disney Resort. The show opened in 2008, but unfortunately was recently canceled due in part to effects of the March earthquake.

It appears that elements from Zed will also be added to Cirque's ill-fated Viva Elvis show at Aria.

Viva Elvis Changes Coming in 2012

Viva Elvis, the Cirque du Soleil show at Aria will be closed temporarily in early 2012 to undergo some major changes. The show will be revamped to become less biographical and more acrobatic.

Viva Elvis will go dark in January 2012, with an expected re-opening at the end of the first quarter.

Part of the change will be incorporating performers from the Cirque show ZED, which was forced to closed after the Japan earthquake.

One of the biggest complaints about Viva Elvis was that it wasn't really a traditional Cirque show. Instead the show relied heavily on Elvis era dance numbers.

While Viva Elvis has received mixed reviews, I'm not sure making these changes will improve that. Some people might be happy with the added acrobatics, but Elvis fans are going to be upset that the show is going to be "less of a biographical representation of Elvis."

Source: Fox 5 Vegas.

Vegas Shows Celebrate Milestones

A bunch of Las Vegas shows have passed milestones recently:

- Donny and Marie celebrated their 500th show at Flamingo, and their contract has been extended into 2012.

- Matt Goss has been at Caesars Palace for one year.

- Barry Manilow has been at Paris for one year.

- Absinthe adult carnival has opened at Caesars Palace.

- KA celebrated their 3000th show at MGM Grand.

Michael Jackson Cirque Show to Mandalay Bay?

It was announced this week that the Lion King will be ending its run at Mandalay Bay in late 2011.

This likely paves the way for the new Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show to take over the Lion King showroom in 2012. The Jackson show will be on the road touring in 2011 before settling into a permanent home in Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay has always made the most sense as the home for this show. It is clearly the best MGM Resorts property currently without a Cirque show. The Michael Jackson show will also include a themed nightclub, which could presumably be located in the closed Rumjungle space.

Summer of Cirque - $50 Tickets

Cirque du Soleil is running a summer promotion where tickets for most shows will start at $50. Dates and ticket locations are limited, but it could turn out to be a good deal if you can find a show you want to see on a date that works for you.

The available shows:

* Mystere from $50 + fees
* Zumanity from $50 + fees - offer code: zumanity
* KA Live from $50 + fees - offer code: MGM
* The Beatles LOVE from $50 + fees
* CRISS Angel from $50 + fees - offer code: luxor
* Viva ELVIS from $50 + fees - offer code: ARIA

Deal found at Slickdeals.net.
Go to Cirque du Soleil to buy tickets.

Cirque to develop Michael Jackson Show

Cirque du Soleil will develop a show based on the music of Michael Jackson. A touring version of the show will begin in 2011, followed by a permanent show in Vegas starting in 2012.

Part of the deal will also include a Jackson themed nightclub at the hotel where the show will be. That hotel hasn't been announced yet, but it will be a MGM Mirage property.

Off the top of my head the property that makes the most sense would be Mandalay Bay. They are the best MGM hotel without a Cirque show at the moment. Anything can happen between now and 2012 though, so the show really could end up almost anywhere. Monte Carlo perhaps to replace Lance Burton? Luxor to replace Criss Angel down the road? MGM Grand if KA is struggling? Aria if the Elvis show is a flop? Really almost anything is possible. I think Love is pretty safe so it won't be at Mirage. Same thing for O and Bellagio. Excalibur and Circus Circus are off the list just because they are on the low end. I guess time will tell.

Source: Reuters.