Las Vegas Weekly

December 21, 2009 · 1:58 PM

Exclusive Photo Gallery: Criss Angel’s gift-packed 42nd birthday

By Robin Leach

Criss Angel celebrates his 42nd birthday at the Luxor on Dec. 19, 2009.

Photo: TVT

It was an incredible night for Criss Angel’s 42nd birthday celebration at the end of his Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor on Saturday night, and Vegas DeLuxe was the only media permitted for this exclusive photo gallery.

Incredible because the over-4-foot-tall birthday cake presented to him had taken 18 hours to bake and assemble, and at the very last moment, the original bunny head toppled and smashed to pieces. Fortunately, or magically and miraculously, the chefs had prepared a backup that was popped on moments before they rolled it out onstage to surprise the Mindfreak magician.

Incredible because he didn’t know Luxor officials had lined up three stunning showgirls to help the chefs with the cake. Every audience member was given birthday cake and cookies after his second show. Family members and friends were on hand to help him cut the giant cake.

Incredible because he never expected his fans, Loyals, to rush the stage at the end of the show and present him with gifts. “I am genuinely touched,” he told me later. “I never expected that.” One of his fans gave him a locket that had been handmade for his birthday.

Incredible because he also was celebrating the renewal of his hit A&E series Mindfreak -- its sixth season -- and also because all seven illusions being added to Believe are completed and now awaiting Fire and Building department approvals because of the flames and special effects involved.

Incredible because he hadn’t expected Luxor officials to meet him backstage in his dressing room where yet another surprise awaited: a stunning Baccarat crystal ice bucket. I laughed, saying it was the most beautiful cut glass for chilling champagne, and Criss was already figuring out how to do an illusion filling it with goldfish!

But after all the surprises, there was one more -- and the biggest of all. Specially delivered for his birthday was the very first box of his brand new Mindfreak tricks going on sale in January. It includes more than 500 tricks, many from last season, and will sell for $59. Vegas DeLuxe is first to reveal his new magic kit promotion, which is the largest magic set ever boxed up.

Criss, who also has a bobblehead coming out next month, told me: “It is the most complete work of magic imaginable. Mindfreak is a hit in 87 countries, so we’re going international with it, too.”

He told me the TV campaign will start early in the New Year for the unique gift set and that the promotion for the illusions being added to Believe will get underway for March. Mindfreak’s Season 6 filming begins in April.

“We’ve been working day and night, but we’ve finally got Believe all set. The running order is all marked up on cards in my dressing room. Rehearsals have been going well, although I’ve strained and torn some muscles in the process with the 18-hour days. Now we know the definite timetable we can start the creative process for the next Mindfreak shows,” he told me.

Criss has promised me that as the official approval certificates are issued for the new illusions, he’ll reveal the details here first. I did watch his new Enigma illusion at his birthday show, and I can tell you that the speed he performs it is electrifying. The quick change he makes with his female lead while suspended midair that ends with him being discovered in the audience baffled everybody.

Luxor President Felix Rappaport summed up: “It was an incredible night. It couldn’t have all gone smoother and better. We’re very excited about the new illusions Criss is being permitted to finally add to the show. This was all about a night of celebrating so many different accomplishments. We’re proud to be a part of it all.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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