"Criss Angel Believe" is the highly anticipated collaboration between famed Cirque du Soleil director Serge Denoncourt and notorious magician Criss Angel.
The &36;100 million production debuted at the Luxor on Oct. 31, 2008, after several weeks of sold-out preview performances.
Denoncourt and Angel co-wrote the 90-minute production, which incorporates many of the magical so-called "mindfreaks" that made Angel famous.
Angel has called the production the "fruition" of 15 years of hard work and sleep-deprived nights. Fans of the magician's popular A&E series won't be disappointed: A thrilling montage of Angel's favorite "Mindfreak" moments opens the show.
Once "Believe" gets underway, however, the spirit of Cirque du Soleil takes over as audiences are taken on a whimsical exploration inside Angel's dynamic and inventive mind. The show blurs the line between reality and the surreal.
"Imagine a fantasy, an allegory, a highly theatrical tableau of mood, reverie and emotion set against a backdrop of dreamlike darkness and light," the "Believe" Web site says.
Angel and his signature brand of magic are the undisputed highlights of the show. The 40-year-old star performs 23 illusions during the program.
Angel wows fans as he levitates, walks down a wall, escapes from a straight jacket, and repeatedly disappears into thin air — only to reappear again — during his act.
As his onstage character searches for love in the surroundings of his imagination, Angel first encounters the elegant Kayala before meeting the show's femme fatale, Crimson.
Four distinctly different, comedic and equally endearing ushers accompany Angel on his journey as the magical protagonist navigates the baroque theater. They are joined by 16 other performers who round out the cast.
While other Cirque productions often focus on high-level gymnastics and acrobatic feats, "Believe" showcases choreography, including several major dance sequences created by Emmy Award-winning protégé Wade Robson.
Extravagant costumes also are front and center, as designer Mérédith Caron has given the cast an elaborate and beautiful wardrobe. Despite several costume changes, Angel and his colleagues are always impressively, expressively dressed.
"Believe" joins "KÀ," "Zumanity," "O," "Mystère" and "Love" as the sixth permanent Cirque show in town. Tickets for "Believe" range in price from $59 to $150, plus taxes and fees, and are available at the Luxor box office.
