LowLife Staff Reviews

"Danciest Cirque Show/Ligtest on Circus Dazzle"

A review by Bob Verni of Variety

Elvis hasn't left the building, but his presence is only partly felt in "Viva Elvis." While it peerlessly renders his songbook, the new Cirque du Soleil spectacular expends as much energy on Vegas cliches as on seriously honoring the man and his impact. Those content with a lounge tribute act blown up to showroom scale will likely be satisfied and then some, but to anyone craving a transcendent blend of music and circus artistry, the sumptuous Aria may seem like Heartbreak Hotel.
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The King evidently had less to say for himself (than the Beatles did in Cirque's "Love"), so his showcase involves a little less conversation, a little more action (baby), mostly choreographic. This is the dancingest Cirque show in memory, if also the lightest on circus dazzle.
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(The musical) arrangements sizzle as performed by a first-rate onstage band, the new theater's sound system offering pellucid lyric clarity and bass lines setting the seats a-buzzing. Elvis' hits have probably never sounded better. It's just the context that disappoints.
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While the music rouses, one regrets both the career opportunities fate and his handlers denied Elvis and the missing Cirque du Soleil creative leaps.

(Read the entire review on Variety.com)

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Overall Good Opening Reviews
The LowLife staff has compiled several reviews from the likes of the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Broadway World, ABC News and several others including local reviewers and put them in this Know It A.L.L. article. There's even a short video which shows bits from the show and also some backstage peeks.