Eight Cirque du Soleil shows dazzle Las Vegas visitors

For many visitors, attending a Cirque du Soleil show is as much a Las Vegas tradition as gambling in a casino or marveling at the bright lights on The Strip. The famed company has eight productions in Las Vegas, more than in any other location — meaning that you can return again and again to the city and be amazed anew each time.

The most successful circus company in history began in the early 1980s as a street theater group in a small town near Quebec City in Canada. Guy Laliberté, one of the young performers, founded Cirque du Soleil (meaning Circus of the Sun) in 1984 in response to a call from the Canadian government, which was looking for shows that could tour the province in honor of the 450th anniversary of Canada's discovery by Jacques Cartier.

Three decades later, Cirque has become a global enterprise. Based in Montreal, it employs 4,000 people worldwide, including 1,300 artists who represent more than 50 nationalities and speak 25 languages. Currently 19 different shows are either touring around the world or in residence in Las Vegas, Orlando, and Riviera Maya in Mexico.

Cirque du Soleil and Las Vegas — both of which are based on illusion and theatricality — are a natural match. Since Mystère premiered here in 1993, Cirque has steadily expanded its presence in this desert city, building new theaters that are associated with many of its largest casinos and hotels. To date more than 56 million people have attended a Cirque show here.

Just as Las Vegas has reinvented itself multiple times through the years, Cirque has a similar spirit of constant innovation. While each production is unique, all feature Cirque's signature combination of original music and choreography, stunning costumes and sets, symbolic imagery, mysterious and haunting stories with multiple levels of meaning, and astonishing feats of contortion, acrobatics and other circus skills.

In Las Vegas, the eight shows range from Mystère, 'O,' KÀ, and Zarkana (all of which feature the classic Cirque elements) to a production that also incorporates the music of the Beatles, another that uses the music of Michael Jackson, and a third that is centered around magician and illusionist Criss Angel. Another show, Zumanity, breaks the family-friendly mold of most Cirque productions by offering an adults-only production.

In addition to evening performances, backstage tours provide a fascinating window into the worlds of the performers, technicians and stage hands who create the onstage magic, from costumers and carpenters to makeup artists and lighting designers. All do their work in theaters designed to showcase cutting-edge special effects. Anyone who's seen a touring production of a Cirque show will be even more amazed by what's possible in these custom-built theaters.

Despite the complicated stagecraft, however, performers remain the heart of each Cirque show. Hailing from around the world, they bring a United Nations flavor to each production.

'In our show alone, we have people from 15 different countries,' says Pedro Carrillo, a high-wire performer who is part of the Zarkana cast. 'One of the things I've learned working here is that you don't have to speak someone's language in order to communicate with them.'

Carrillo's work regimen is indicative of the high standards that Cirque performers must meet. Though he's on stage for just four and a half minutes during each performance, his job is full-time because of his intense training and rehearsal schedule and the ten shows in which he performs each week.

Despite the rigors of the job, a gig with Cirque du Soleil is among the most sought-after jobs in show business, according to Michael Duffy, another Zarkana performer. 'Cirque treats its employees very well, which helps it attract the best performers in the world,' he says. 'They're always on the lookout for new talent. While many of our artists come from circus families, there are also Cirque scouts at the Olympics and at circus schools and avante garde theaters in many cities.'

Unlike a Broadway show, Cirque shows evolve over time.

'We are encouraged to be creative and view each production as a work in progress,' explains Ria Martens, artistic director for Zumanity. 'That helps keep the performances fresh and engaging. We hire new choreographers and performers and we add new acts. It's fascinating to see how artists develop and expand their range under these conditions.'

Michael Duffy, who portrays a mad scientist in Zarkana, says his favorite thing about performing in Cirque du Soleil is this: 'During each performance, the rest of the world disappears and you and the audience are brought fully into the present moment. When that happens, it's magical.'

Cirque du Soleil By the Numbers

• 155 million people have seen a Cirque show in more than 300 cities in more than 40 countries.

• More than 100 types of occupations go into the creation of its shows.

• In Las Vegas, the most viewed show is the water-themed 'O,' which has

been seen by 14 million people since 1998. Acrobats, synchronized swimmers and divers perform in, on, and above a 1.5-million-gallon pool.

• For the 'Zarkana' production alone, the wardrobe department does 26 loads of laundry each day.

• Each Cirque costume is handmade, including wigs that are customized to each performer and require 40 to 50 hours to create.

If You Go

For Cirque du Soleil show tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/lasvegas or call (877) 2SHOWLV. Backstage tours are offered for select shows. In addition, a free, 30-minute open house is held at 11 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at KÀ.