Las Vegas Weekly

February 22, 2010 · 6:03 PM

Guy Laliberte plans more Cirque; Viva Elvis director steps down

By Robin Leach

Cirque du Soleil's Viva Elvis at MGM CityCenter's Aria.

Photo: Julie Aucoin/Cirque du Soleil

Two major surprises set entertainment insiders abuzz at the opening gala of Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis at MGM CityCenter’s Aria on Friday night: Cirque founder Guy Laliberte told me to expect an announcement shortly about the next project for Las Vegas and that he’s willing to bring one more to town after that.

Viva Elvis writer and director Vincent Paterson told theater critic Mike Weatherford that he was retiring after opening night after admitting to me just six hours earlier that the show was far different than what he’d envisioned more than three years ago when he began its evolution.

Guy commented about the new shows he has in the future timetable: “There are a lot of projects on the line, and there should be some good announcements soon. Tonight, we’re focusing on Elvis, but yes, we have plans for more Cirque shows for Las Vegas, for other places around the world and maybe somewhere another planet! I saw them all from space -- there are a lot of places yet for Cirque. We could eventually have nine shows in Vegas. So long as each one is distinctive, it will be OK.

“Tonight, this is a very special moment. This is the day of the return of the Elvis show to Las Vegas. This is what we are celebrating tonight. We have made other celebrations in the past -- we will again -- but this is Elvis night.

“There’s a parallel between us. We are both crazy mad men. Creativity, commitment to our work, being passionate and living in the spotlight -- this is where we connect. Back in the ’50s -- and I wasn’t born yet -- he broke rules. He made music progress. He made society progress and helped to make society what it is today. So he was a pioneer. He was the first one in so many ways, and that’s why he is still the King. I’m similar in that I want to progress with our shows and help society as a pioneer.”

After being involved for 3 1/2 years as the writer and director of Viva Elvis, Vincent surprised even his Cirque colleagues with the news reported by Norm Clarke from Mike Weatherford that he was retiring in order to travel and see the world now that he’s 60. I had no idea he was contemplating that decision when I talked to him just six hours before curtain up.

But put in context, there were hints. He said: “I think we are all just a little bit exhausted. We feel really good about what we have done and that all the hard work paid off and tickets are being sold. There are very few directors that get 100 percent of everything they want. The producers come in, and they give their opinion. Then the press comes in, and they give their opinion. Then the Elvis Presley Enterprises people come. Priscilla had her own opinions and requests, too. Everyone has been extremely helpful, but in a situation where you have a lot of partners involved, you have to respect everyone’s opinion.

“Y’know, the funny things is, I was working on the show right up until last night, Robin, and I am the director, so you sit there and you look at all the things wrong with it, y’know? I mean, ‘Oh my God, I would like to change that, oh my God, I can still see that.’ That dancer was off, that musician was in the wrong place. I don’t like that light, y’know.’ I will just be happy if everybody is happy. It is different than what I imagined three years ago, but am I happy with the show? I am ecstatic with the show. I have done my job.

“We have had the luxury of being in this theater since September. September, October, November, December, January, and now we are in the middle of February. But we are even adding new video as late as tonight on opening day! Nobody would notice it. It’s these little tweaks, and I am sure Cirque is going to keep doing that.”

I asked Vincent if all the changes made during his fixation process and the new choreographers had been done to solve a real worry with the show. He answered: “One of the things we did was we wanted different sets. And so a lot of the changes are because we wanted different sets or prop things, and we couldn’t get those things done during the Christmas holiday, so we had to wait until the end of January and the beginning of February to do those new things. The front of the platform lifts, the new shoe, things like this couldn’t be constructed by the time MGM was opening CityCenter. It wouldn’t have come in time, either, for Elvis Presley’s birthday, which was the second time goal. We still added surprises this week to the process.”

A Cirque official explained to me this morning: “As with all Cirque shows, once the show is officially open, the creative team departs. Our Artistic Director Gene Lubas has been part of the creation process, and his mandate is to maintain the artistic integrity of the show, as well as the director’s vision. He will take care of the show artistically moving forward.”

As Guy said after being asked about the changes since the company moved into the theater in September and began previews Dec. 20: “It’s very simple. We take out what the audience doesn’t respond to and we add in more of what they really like.”

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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