Cirque du Soleil weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance in the breathtaking production, “O.” Inspired by the concept of infinity and the elegance of water’s pure form, “O” pays tribute to the beauty of the theatre – from the simplest street performance to the most lavish of operas – where anything is possible and where the drama of life plays itself out before our very eyes. “O,” phonetically speaking, is the French word for water (spelled “eau”). The international cast of world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters perform in, on, and
above a 1.5 million-gallon pool.
Reflective of a 14th century European opera house, the “O” theatre seats 1,800 guests and was custom-designed to meet the unique demands of the show. The recipient of many prestigious awards and honors including a THEA award in the live show category in 1999, honorary Entertainment Design Award in 1998 and the “best production show” for eight consecutive years 1999-2006 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “O” still shines as an elegant and stunning creation and is recognized as such by the industry, the press and the public.
SHOW SCHEDULE:
• “O” performs Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm.
• There are no performances on Mondays or Tuesdays.
TICKET PRICES:
• $93.50, $99, $125, $150 (plus tax). Tickets are available 120 days in advance of the performance date.
TO RESERVE TICKETS:
• Call 888-488-7111 or 702-796-9999.
• Go to www.cirquedusoleil.com or www.bellagio.com.
• Visit the “O” ticket office at Bellagio or any of the MGM MIRAGE box offices.
THE ACTS OF “O”:
Aerial Hoops: This act fuses dizzying aerial choreography with powerful gymnastic routines. Water is incorporated as both an atmospheric and a choreographic element. This traditional circus act is reinvented with the addition of water and its relationship to the sky.
Barge: With strength and fearlessness, this team of talented acrobats performs atop a floating raft in the Barge act. The core group is comprised of eight female world-champion sports acrobats. Their act combines innovative gymnastic performances with the traditional circus act of banquine and the balletic adagio. Showcasing these skills in a water environment completes this high-energy act, which also includes synchronized swimmers and Olympic divers.
Bateau: Charting the course of life and the pursuit of dreams, this steel-frame ship floating above the water provides the setting for this unique display of acrobatic timing and strength. The origin of the Bateau (French for “boat”) is the traditional circus discipline of the aerial cradle, combined here with the parallel bars for the very first time. This dynamic presentation brings the delicate balance of air and water to life. The team of 11 performers, including four women, is made up of flyers and catchers.
Cadre: Struggling to maintain balance in a stormy universe – the zebras constantly realign themselves, hanging on until the very end. Resembling a playground jungle gym, this giant aerial frame was created by Cirque du Soleil specialists to facilitate choreography and gymnastics in an aerial space between the sky and the water. Performed by the same group as the Bateau act, the entire number takes place suspended in mid-air.
Clowns: With simple, poetic gestures they convey the many complexities of life. Two unpretentious souls on a search for answers, Leonid and Valery provide the light that balances the dark part of humanity. This team, originally from Russia, has been performing together since the early 1980s and were both featured in Cirque du Soleil‘s Alegría.
Contorsion: Hailing all the way from Mongolia, these four girls have been performing since the age of eight. Their graceful body language and lithe movements underline the balletic perfection of the female form. Their arrival from above and their aquatic surroundings add a new dimension to this long-held circus tradition.
Duo Trapeze: Two aerialists perform their dance in the air, sharing a single trapeze designed to coexist with the water and machinery of the “O” Theatre. This visually stunning mirror image reflects the special bond shared by the twins performing the act. Their maneuvers and feet-to-feet catches emulate the beauty of harmony and complete trust.
Fire: The rage of fire and the purification of water are brought together then displayed throughout the “O” Theatre in this visual act. Incorporating ancient folklore and martial arts, this act invokes rituals from lands around the world, including Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. The fire act was created and transformed by artists with backgrounds ranging from performing arts companies to street theatre. Incorporated into the act is the amazing fire stunt performed by Ray Wold.
High Dive: A group of four world-class high divers leap from 60 feet above the ground into a small exposed section of the pool. The dive team is made up of cliff and exhibition divers.
Russian Swing: Pleasure, envy, passion and temptation are everywhere during the honeymoon celebration. Drawing its inspiration from the many wedding chapels of Las Vegas, the church bell atop the largest swing beckons all to join the party… of life, love and death. The cast includes expert divers using three sets of Russian swings. The swinging movement creates a different trajectory of flight, presenting a unique challenge even for the most seasoned diver. Moving from ground level to the highest point at 32 feet creates a momentary weightlessness at zero gravity, followed by tremendous acceleration down to the water.
Solo Trapeze: In this dynamic yet dramatic act, the aerialist becomes one with her trapeze, performing a gymnastically challenging routine. The performance concludes with a spectacular dismount, which links together the elements of air and water.
Synchronized Swimming: Just as water is essential to all life, the swimmer’s graceful presence during the acts and segues is essential to “O”. At the heart of the production, the swimmers provide the necessary link between the elements of fire, earth, air and water. Choreographed by Debra Brown and Olympic gold-medallist Sylvie Fréchette, the synchronized swimming team is made up of 17 world-class swimmers.
Trapeze Washington: The Washington Trapeze is unique because unlike the traditional rope-hung trapeze, it is built on a fixed metal frame and swings in a long pendulum motion. The difficulty of this act is heightened as the trapeze is attached to a revolving carousel which descends from the grid at four feet per second. This segment fuses slack wire and tightrope elements with the high technology of the “O” Theatre