Cirque Du Soleil's 'Viva Elvis' Outfabs Beatles
Comparisons to Cirque's Beatles show 'Love', playing down the Strip at the Mirage, are inevitable. Despite the inherent similarities, they are very different productions. And 'Viva Elvis' is superior.
One reason:
There's a somber side to 'Love' that 'Elvis' never allows. It is pure, celebratory joy from sock-hop start to nostalgic, nonchronological finish. It's less 'serious' and more playful -- yet equally reverent to its subject. Also, 'Love' is focused so clearly on the music, with its remixed and mashed-up Beatles songs. And with speakers embedded in its seat, sound is its dominant sensory experience; the action onstage is somehow secondary.
Not so with 'Elvis.' Yes, the King's songs are spun over, under, sideways and down, but this is more a complete show. There is far more dancing than in other Cirque fare -- not that the troupe's acrobatics are given short shrift -- and the grand stage allows for grand use of Mark Fisher's striking, sneaky-complex sets. The comfy, couchlike seats arranged in spacious aisles down front are another plus.
Musically, the show's a triumph. Musical director Erich von Tourneau makes smart use of live and recorded tracks, which often are spliced together to let singers 'duet' with Elvis.
Other times his vocals are stacked atop clever new arrangements. And the choice to include lesser-known nuggets among the many standards is inspired. Such hits as 'Good Luck Charm' and 'Teddy Bear' are bypassed in favor of the lower-profile 'Tiger Man', 'Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do' and 'One Night of Sin.'
Still, the bulk of Elvis' classics are among the three dozen full or truncated songs, most rejiggered for the 21st century. 'All Shook Up' becomes a gospel celebration, 'King Creole' gets the dancehall treatment, flamenco guitar spices up 'It's Now or Never', and 'Jailhouse Rock' is rocked up. A Bo Diddley beat fuels 'Blue Suede Shoes' as a giant prop shoe's laces become uneven parallel bars and its tongue turns into a slide.
Dozens of dancers and gymnast-acrobats are backed by a rock band with a brass section, and nearly every number is memorable. (A superhero/trampoline piece is entertaining but extraneous and off theme.) A segment about the King's movie career features some fancy six-gun spinning and showy rope tricks. A second drummer beefed up 'Burning Love', which played over film clips -- mainly of kissing' and flirting'.
The inevitable 'Viva Las Vegas' was indeed a showstopper, complete with pyrotechnics, bullwhips and showgirls with the requisite plumage in their headgear. It and the career-spanning finale montage of film and photos -- from shy kid to mutton-chopped elder statesman -- brought the crowd to its feet. With the room awash in a shared exuberance, it was a smart decision to leave Elvis' death out of the program. No need to interrupt glee with maudlin sentiment.
Reminiscent of Cirque's 'Love' premiere in 2006, there was a technical glitch that halted Friday's premiere during the opening number. But it was fixed, and the 90-minute show went on without further interruption. That's about all one could gripe about, though. 'Viva Elvis' is a winner that should play successfully for years.
Buy Elvis Sings Beatles Songs Promo CD
The Beatles met in person on August 27, 1965
Paul McCartney visits Graceland [2013]
Listen to Paul singing Loving You [Plus Were Gonna Move, That's All Right and It's Now Or Never.]
Paul McCartney owns Bill Blacks Upright Bass
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
