Las Vegas Weekly

October 15, 2008 · 11:30 AM

O celebrates 10th anniversary as Vegas’ favorite dive

By Robin Leach

Photo: Tomask Rossa

Photo: Tomask Rossa

Photo: Tomask Rossa

Photo: Tomask Rossa

Photo: Tomask Rossa

Tonight (Wednesday) the cast and crew of the aquatic-acrobatic O show celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary. During the run that hits the 4,768th show tonight, more than 8.5 million amazed audience members have watched the water-ballet, giving them a standing “O” at the end of each show.

“O” -– a play on the French word “eau,” for water -- is a stunning spectacle of superb swimmers and athletic aerobics. The high-diving makes you hold your breath -– in fear and excitement. Luxe Life has all the new photos of the sensational spectacular for your enjoyment.

You know me in collecting the fun facts and figures – so here they are:

In over 10 years there have been 223 different synchronized swimmers, 26 of the original performers, 28 of the original crew and three original staff members are still with the production! Tally up the time spent underwater in the 1.5-million-gallon pool for the crew in 10 years and that alone adds up to 100,000 hours. Measure the high divers from the breath-taking 60-foott high leap, and that totals 270 miles! The man on fire, who has never missed a show in 10 years, has been set alight for almost 200-hours! The 85 cast members, all of whom are SCUBA certified, represent 20 different countries. They use 1,200 costumes and headpieces during each show.

Many members of the cast over the years have returned to Vegas this week for the celebrations, which wrap up next Monday night with an official cast party and official birthday cake at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio. Staffers have set up photo-slide shows and videos to play backstage between shows for the reunions. They even “dug up” the very first performance on video from back in October ’98!

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