Las Vegas Weekly

August 9, 2009 · 7:30 AM

Photo Gallery: Cirque Elvis cast arrives; Priscilla Presley gives approval

By Don Chareunsy

Cirque du Soleil performers from Ka, Mystere and Believe welcome cast members of the new Elvis-inspired Cirque show upon their arrival at McCarran Airport.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

Members of Cirque du Soleil’s Ka, Mystere and Criss Angel’s Believe proved that you can make travelers smile after a long flight when, in a surprise, they greeted cast members of the new Elvis-inspired Cirque show with Elvis Presley’s classic “Viva Las Vegas” at McCarran Airport’s international terminal yesterday.

Our contributing photographers Erik Kabik and Tom Donoghue were onsite to capture the warm welcome and festive costumes, which also caught the eyes of travelers old and young, some of whom chatted with the friendly performers and asked for photos.

Twenty-two of the 75-member Cirque Elvis production directed by Vincent Patterson and to be performed at CityCenter’s Aria theater this year arrived yesterday from Montreal, where they have been rehearsing at Cirque headquarters, to begin rehearsals for the Strip production in a few weeks.

Company Manager Anthony Ricotta was among the entourage and is excited about the show’s debut.

“The Aria theater is a spectacular venue for this spectacular production,” Anthony told me after landing and posing for photos with the Cirque casts. “We’re especially excited that our show is completely endorsed by and has the total support of the Presley family.

“Our show blends acrobatic elements, dance and music in a treatment that is fresh and new. Our high-energy spectacular will please Elvis Presley fans, as well as introduce a whole new generation to his music.”

Anthony said that Priscilla Presley, whom Elvis wed in Las Vegas in 1967, previewed the show last week and was very excited about the production.

“She was very gracious and spent an hour with the cast after the preview,” Anthony said. “She gave them additional insight into Elvis Presley.” The cast’s rehearsal and training also included a trip to Graceland.

The Cirque Elvis show, which joins six Cirque shows on the Strip, is on schedule to debut in December, Anthony said.

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