Media mixed about ‘Zarkana’
Reactions to Cirque du Soleil's "Zarkana" at Aria were mixed among media at the after-party crowd on Friday.
Technology, brilliant.
Costuming, breathtaking.
The overwhelming favorite act among those I surveyed had nothing to do with Cirque's dangerous acts.
Instead, it was a female sand painter who provided one of Cirque's most awe-inspiring additions in recent years.
Buzz rippled through the theater as the young artist from Russia drew characters from the show with sand on a light table.
The rare art form was seen on an overhead video screen. The snake lady segment was another hit.
Giant serpents slithered in trees and over the stage, in a triumph of realism.
In her final scene, the snake lady stood waist deep in a mound of knotted snakes. It scored points on many levels.
The negatives ranged from "too many similarities to other Cirque shows," Zark's incoherent story and, near the end, a dark, downer of a scene with a Chuckie-like baby trapped inside a glass-enclosed water compartment, singing "welcome to my funeral."
Good luck at getting the crowd back into it after that.
With Cirque productions, we are always reminded they are a work in progress.
Cirque President Daniel Lamarre said he sat with the writer and director Francois Girard, and they marveled at how well the show fit the stage in the "Viva Elvis" theater.
The theater is more intimate than the 5,000-capacity Kremlin Theater in Moscow, where the show drew huge crowds.
Lamarre shared some news about Cirque's Michael Jackson show, which will make its home at Mandalay Bay.
A soft opening is set for May 23, with the VIP opening night on June 21. He had just attended the Billboard awards, where Cirque's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" was named the best touring musical arena show in 2012.
Major changes are being made from the show that stopped here a year ago.
"What you saw was a rock show. What you will see is a theatrical show. One thing we learned is that Michael Jackson fans don't want excerpts, they don't want medleys. They want 'Beat It' all the way," he said.
Expect to see technological leaps, thanks to Hollywood director James Cameron of "Titantic" and "Avatar" fame, Lamarre added.
The launch of Cameron's "Cirque du Soleil: World's Away in 3-D" comes out Dec. 21. It's a film version of Cirque shows.
"James gives us a better opportunity," Lamarre said. "I am so proud we are at the forefront."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Former Mayor Oscar Goodman took time out Wednesday on a tourism-promoting trip to London to put a bet or two down on his favorite soccer team. Later he headed for a pub to catch the New Bromwich Baggies on TV. Joined by his wife and current Mayor Carolyn Goodman, LVCVA president and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter and his wife, Mary Jo, and staffers, they dined on "white bait," better known as smelt, and pheasant while cheering on the Baggies. Oscar Goodman works for the LVCVA as a host.
SIGHTINGS
At Marquee (Cosmopolitan) on Friday: "Breaking Bad" actor Aaron Paul, with fiancée Lauren Parsekian and friends, with Mark Foster of Foster the People, after dinner at Tao (The Venetian). Also at Tao: Ashley Tisdale and Sarah Hyland, Olympic gold medalist swimmer Cullen Jones and E! News correspondent Jason Kennedy and Ryan Basford of "Chelsea Lately." ... Rock guitarist Pat Travers and MTV reality star Ricardo Laguna, dining in separate parties at newly opened Rattlecan inside The Venetian on Friday night. ... Claire Sinclair, 2011 Playmate of the Year, turning heads at the "Zarkana" after-party at Haze (Aria). She has arrived in town to begin rehearsals for her retro pinup girl burlesque show at Stratosphere. She replaces "Bite" in February. ... Director Francis Ford Coppola, with friends at Javier's, the new Mexican restaurant at Aria in CityCenter. ... Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, former welterweight champion Zab Judah and actress Joan Severance, among the crowd at the new Meatball Spot in Town Square on Friday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Everybody is talking about the fiscal cliff. And I would be talking about the fiscal cliff too if I knew what it was." - David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.
