Cirque du Soleil is a safe bet in Las Vegas today, with six shows on the Strip. But in 1993, everything in the “City of Vice” had to be done for the Quebec company, which is now owned by an Ontario company. The newspaper spoke with Cirque co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix, who worked with Guy Laliberté and director Franco Dragone Secret in Vegas. An arrival on American soil that was not without its pitfalls.
• Also read: This 50-year-old artist from Quebec has been performing in the same Cirque du Soleil show for 30 years
In 1987, Cirque du Soleil began to leave Quebec and take its yellow-and-blue circus tent abroad, particularly at the Santa Monica wharf near Los Angeles.
Already harboring big ambitions, Guy Laliberté had spoken to his team, which included Gilles Ste-Croix, to test the terrain in Las Vegas. In January 1989, Caesars Palace management came to see a performance of “New Experience,” but after several discussions they decided to allow it.
“They weren’t sure if it would work in Vegas,” remembers Gilles Ste-Croix. They found that the show was not the style of circus we normally see. It was theater with acrobatics.”
Based on mythology
Then billionaire Steve Wynn, who had just opened the Mirage on the Strip and hosted the show of magicians and tiger tamers Siegfried & Roy, decided to get involved in the adventure. In 1992, Cirque du Soleil set up its big top behind the Mirage to explore the Las Vegas market. He wanted to stay there for a year.
For a year in 1992, Cirque du Soleil set up its big top behind the Mirage in Las Vegas. In December 1993 he opened his residency show “Mystère”. Photo provided by Cirque du Soleil
Meanwhile, Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste-Croix and Franco Dragone went to the drawing board to create a show specifically for Las Vegas. Mystère was to be presented at the brand new Treasure Island Hotel.
“We decided to base the show on mythology,” says Gilles Ste-Croix. Because Vegas is a city of mythology. We think of Caesar, of the pyramid, of all the things we invent. Las Vegas has everything.”
The creative trio behind the shows “Mystère” and “O” in Las Vegas: Guy Laliberté, Franco Dragone and Gilles Ste-Croix. Photo provided by Cirque du Soleil
Family displacement
In the early 1990s, Las Vegas underwent a “family change.” “Steve Wynn was very enthusiastic about this idea. He wanted to bring families to the casinos and expand the audience. He told himself that people wouldn't just come for a weekend. This is how we imagined Mystère, for families.”
With this in mind, the Cirque team convinced the billionaire to design the Treasure Island theater with rows of seats rather than benches. “In Las Vegas back then, all the theaters were cabarets. Drinks were served there. But we wanted people to come to the show as if they were going to the theater. We also showed Wynn that we could attract more people this way.”
The construction of the “Mystery” theater at the Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas. Photo provided by Cirque du Soleil
Wynn wanted to end everything
By the end of December, the theater was ready to welcome Mystère. But initial feedback from Treasure Island employees who attended the show's rehearsals cooled Steve Wynn.
“He came to us and we talked,” Gilles Ste-Croix said. He was in a very bad mood. He found the show really difficult. He said it was like a Wagner opera and people wouldn't like it. He said he made a mistake and couldn’t put all his money into it.”
Poster announcing the arrival of “Mystère” in Las Vegas. Photo provided by Cirque du Soleil
Steve Wynn then wanted to stop everything. But Cirque had signed a contract that required Mystère to take the stage in Las Vegas before the owner canceled her. “We told him to invite his staff for four or five evenings and present the show in an 800-seat hall.”
Wynn agreed. And after these few performances and various adaptations, he gave the green light for Mystère to be released to the public and give critics a chance to see it. A few weeks later the reviews were very positive and the audience was there.
Gilles Ste-Croix, photographed in 2016. Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
The arrival ofO five years later
In the following months, Steve Wynn would commission a second Cirque du Soleil show for the Bellagio Hotel he built.
“He wanted to emphasize water, beauty, Italian romance and all of that. We knew Wynn loved water and fire. We told him we would put on a water show for him and that we could light a small fire.”
O was born here. Created in 1998, the show was intended to solidify Cirque du Soleil's presence in Las Vegas.
“It worked right from the start,” remembers Gilles Ste-Croix. It was a school. The Bellagio was more opulent and attracted a wealthier clientele. We moved away from family customers. Las Vegas had become a worthwhile travel destination. People said to each other that they wanted to see the biggest and most beautiful show: O. That's if they manage to get tickets!”
A property in Ontario
Cirque du Soleil has experienced serious financial difficulties during the pandemic. In November 2020, Toronto fund Catalyst Capital became Cirque's majority shareholder. At the head of a group of investors that included American firms Sound Point Capital, CBAM Partners and Benefit Street Partners, the Ontario company bought the heavily indebted company from the hands of TPG Capital, Guy Laliberté and the Caisse de dépôt etplacement of Quebec. At the same time, the transaction ended Quebec's involvement in Cirque. Catalyst Capital has promised to keep Cirque's headquarters in Montreal for five years.
-The Mystère show opened on December 25, 1993 at Treasure Island in Las Vegas.
-To date, Mystère has been performed more than 13,000 times and seen by more than 17 million viewers.
-O was the second show, held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas on October 17, 1998.
-The water show is presented in a specially designed theater with 1800 seats. Around 70 artists and 150 technicians take part.
-Mystère and O were both directed by Franco Dragone, who died in September 2022.
-Other Cirque shows still active on the Strip: KÀ (2004), The Beatles LOVE (2006), Michael Jackson ONE (2013) and Mad Apple (2022).
-Five other Cirque shows were presented in Vegas and have since been withdrawn: Zumanity (2003-2020), Criss Angel Believe (2008-2013), Viva Elvis (2010-2012), Zarkana (2012-2016) and RUN (2019-2020 ).
The circus is back on its feet in Vegas
After being closed for nearly 16 months due to the pandemic, Cirque du Soleil's six Las Vegas residency shows have resumed in full swing. The newspaper asked Eric Grilly, president of Cirque's resident shows, to talk about each of the six shows on la Srip.
Eric Grilly, president of Cirque du Soleil's house shows. Photo provided by Cirque du Soleil
Secret: “We have 13,000 shows behind us and counting. We are no longer verifiable before the pandemic. We have recently made investments to modernize it in terms of lighting and concessions.”
O: “The show is going to have a record year this year. In terms of income from ticket sales and theater occupancy, we are above the usual average. The trade fair’s occupancy rate is over 90%.”
KA: “The show has had a renaissance since returning post-pandemic. International tourism has not yet returned to normal and this fair had a high proportion of foreign tourists. But we were able to make up for this lack of international viewers with domestic visitors [qui viennent des États-Unis]. The utilization of KÀ is also above pre-pandemic levels.”
Beatles LOVE: “We are in a transition. The Mirage Casino [où se trouve LOVE] was sold by MGM to Hard Rock. Renovations to the theater are planned for the future. The first few months after the sale were a bit chaotic as we had to switch ticketing to a new system and work with new partners. But over the summer everything fell into place again. […] Our contract runs until December 2024. Beyond this date, it will be discussed and decided.”
Michael Jackson ONE: “We see a difference the day after or the day before big concerts at Allegiant Stadium [situé juste à côté du Mandalay Bay, où se trouve ONE]. Participation in ONE is then higher. People who attend live concerts also tend to check out other shows on the Strip [lors de leur passage à Vegas]. This is less the case for sports fans who come to watch hockey or football. […] Next August we will introduce technologies to this show that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. I can not say more!”
Crazy apple: “The show started in May 2022 and it is working fantastically. It's a variety show that doesn't tell a story. This allows us to exchange numbers. It is the only Cirque show to use a humorous component. We will try to host a different comedian each month. This allows us to be refreshing and new every month.”
Dinner shows
Could Cirque offer a seventh residency show on the Strip? Eric Grilly reacts negatively. Because the company has an exclusive agreement with MGM, there are currently no theaters available in Las Vegas to host a new Cirque production.
“However, we are exploring a new formula that could take place in more intimate venues and that would be a dinner show where the food would be part of the show,” he says.