Sneak peak at Criss Angel's 'Believe'
September 29, 2008 | 10:28
am
On Friday night I became among the first to see Criss Angel's "Believe." It
is both a Criss Angel show and a Cirque show. And it is also clearly a work in
progress. Two crucial illusions were not ready for inclusion on the night I saw it.
Cirque heavily reworks shows over time, especially in the early months. I
saw "Zumanity," Cirque's show at New York New York, three times in its opening
months and saw three different shows, the changes were so extensive.
That said, this show has serious challenges that are impossible to ignore ahead of
it. I will offer my thoughts in a moment on those challenges. But my opinion is not important compared with the paying audience. And, though less jaded than I, the audience also saw the obvious problems with "Believe." Vegas audiences are
usually very forgiving; look at the people who still applaud the living remains of Wayne Newton. But the audience that saw "Believe" with me was appalled,
based on the comments I heard. And Doug Elfman of the Review-Journal was
outside the theater the night I was there and the next night recording
audience reactions that were uniformly negative.
Elfman writes: "I interviewed more than a dozen people after Friday's and Saturday's shows, and I listened to groups chat after they exited the theater. They weren't just disappointed. Some were enraged." In his front-page story based on audience reaction, Elfman concludes that, "Currently, 'Believe,' is a possibly unsalvageable 'waste of time' and a 'dead end' that literally bored some audience members to sleep." Brutal.
Audience reaction and word of mouth are what sell a production in Vegas, and Cirque and Angel should be deeply concerned by the consistency of negative response. However, Elfman was making conclusions based on audience opinions, but crucially, he did not see the show.
Elfman writes: "I interviewed more than a dozen people after Friday's and Saturday's shows, and I listened to groups chat after they exited the theater. They weren't just disappointed. Some were enraged." In his front-page story based on audience reaction, Elfman concludes that, "Currently, 'Believe,' is a possibly unsalvageable 'waste of time' and a 'dead end' that literally bored some audience members to sleep." Brutal.
Audience reaction and word of mouth are what sell a production in Vegas, and Cirque and Angel should be deeply concerned by the consistency of negative response. However, Elfman was making conclusions based on audience opinions, but crucially, he did not see the show.
Whatever the problems with "Believe," the show is not "unsalvageable." The costumes, look and music of the show are impressive props. The dancers are
talented. The problem is the very confusing premise that I think is at the core
of the show, and even that premise is promising. Illusionist Angel, through an
accident, winds up in a Cirque-created world of magic. But if that is the
story of "Believe," then Cirque has to reconcile itself to having a headliner
whose personality puts over the show. Right now "Believe" loses
energy the moment Angel enters the mystery world of Cirque and becomes, for the most part, a spectator. He possesses mighty powers, hangs
out a little and returns to our world healed enough to sing along with a taped
version of his television theme song as the audience walks out. Where is the man's dialouge? Does he have thoughts of what is going on with his body in the "real" world or what he is viewing in the land of Cirque creations? We never learn. Angel turns mostly silent.
Yet, Angel as a television character and a celebrity is all
personality. The question is an interesting one as a premise for a
show: How would a magician in our world of physics, in which each illusion is a
careful trick, respond to a land where his powers are real and magic creates the
rules? Angel's stage personality is the perfect mix of likable everyman
and shrewd and knowing guide. But "Believe" dodges this question by depriving
Angel of almost any dialogue in response to the visually lush, dark and
heavily symbolic world he lands inside. Angel and his compelling personality may be the
center of the show but they are not at the heart. Instead, Angel is at the side figuratively and literally for much of the
show. He can not dance as well as the dancers, move as well as the acrobats or
meet the talent demands of any of Cirque's routines, and so he is a spectator
when not brought out for an illusion. This results in two shows in desperate need
of a writer to bridge the gap and offer the audience some sort of compelling
story that pulls the production together in a way not clear yet from viewing it.
Another issue is the basic illusions Angel offers in Cirque's world. To varying degrees, they are tricks that are familiar, surprisingly predictable on the Strip. The illusions include escaping
from a straitjacket while suspended in air, making birds appear in his
hands and having a dancer crawl out of his stomach (this is an illusion staged in
Vegas for years by many, including mediocre and forgotten talents). If these are the illusions' caliber, why get Criss Angel
to perform them? Of course, two illusions were not presented while I was there. They may also have helped make the story clearer.
There is still a month of previews. Cirque's capacity for
reinvention has proven significant. As for Angel, he needs to equal his media claims that this show comes from his personality, because right now his
personality is the most glaringly missing element in "Believe."
Photo by Sarah Gerke
Photo by Sarah Gerke
The "Believe" show has potential, but needs a great deal of retooling before the formal opening. I saw a preview performance on Saturday, September 27 and was disappointed. Overall, the magic demonstrations are standard fare--really not much I haven't already seen on the "Mindfreak" TV show. (Criss gets out of a straitjacket while dangling upside down, Criss gets cut in half, etc.) Some of the props and mechanical effects are just ridiculous and wouldn't fool a child. There is an over-reliance on the huge video screen at the back of the stage. There are two incredibly annoying themes that run throughout the show: rabbits and clowns (the clowns are dressed in Victorian attire). The tiny, two-foot-long animatronic rabbit that comes out on stage from time to time is beyond stupid, and the clowns have got to go. Well, maybe they could stay to do an audience warm-up, but no more than that (this is Cirque du Soleil, after all). But those clowns are so, so irritating.
At the end of the show, Criss comes out and lipsyncs the tedious "Mindfreak" song (give that song a rest Criss--it's not a Mozart aria) and the clowns are behind him acting as his back-up dancers! Any illusion I might have had that Criss Angel was "cool" evaporated during this grotesque display. I actually felt genuinely embarrassed and sorry for him by that point because a lot of people just got up and left.
At the end, Criss announced that he'd do a meet and greet inside the Believe gift shop. That was a thoughtful gesture, but he didn't bother to inform Luxor security. The Believe shop became totally mobbed and when security arrived they started screaming at us. I didn't pay for show tickets just to get yelled at by security thugs. It wasn't our fault. Order was restored and Criss did show up, but he looked unhappy. I think he realizes the show is in deep trouble. I sincerely hope that he's able to fix it because I get no satisfaction from seeing anyone be this humiliated, even Criss Angel. His talent has been led astray by his ego, and it's finally caught up with him. It will take a lot to redeem himself.
Another thing: The show was supposed to start at 7 p.m., but started at around 7:15. During the time between 7 and 7:15 a lot of people came in. I'm very suspicious that Cirque/Luxor was giving out free or deeply discounted tickets at the last minute in order to fill the room. I've been to lots of shows (in Vegas, New York, and London) and I've never seen anything like that. I could be wrong, but if I'm not, that's a major red flag. This show is doomed to a short run if some changes aren't made very quickly. Martha Kader
Posted by: Martha Kader | September 29, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Hey Criss hows it's goin well for me just been doin my skool tryin to get it done so yeah but I watch ur show every wednesday and u freak me out with the stuff u do it's just unbelieve but I'm a big believer in magic so u got me as a fan but anywayz I was just writting to say what's up and to tell you to be careful when u do ur stunts -k- and I 'll pray for u and one more thing send me some tickets so u can do some magic on me and trip me out -k- well see yea. oxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
Sincerely,
Vanessa M. Ahumada
p.s.
mindfreak I believe do
you
Posted by: Vanessa M. Ahumada | September 29, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Wow. First, I just have to say to Richard that your article was very professional and informative. It did not come across to me as just aimless CA bashing, but rather a point of view of a preview show. Thank you for that.
I don't understand the "no dialogue" for Criss. You mean he did not speak? If Cirque has just pushed him aside except for a few magic tricks.....what are they thinking. I have also heard the same thing mentioned about the story line being lost. So far, people can't follow the story.
In this early stage, the feeling I'm getting is that Angel and Cirque need to mesh more closely together. They each have their own thing, which is great, but to bring it together to form one story. When I first heard about MF music being in the show, I had pictured something different. Not just a song at the end, but at some point during the story, a softer, briefer glimpse... a memory.
I have no doubt this will eventually come together. I think you hit the nail on the head Richard, if Criss' personality is not in the show... it will not work. It needs to be a marriage of the two, Criss and Cirque. Now where that special balance lies.....I cannot say.
Posted by: Debbie | September 29, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I am thrilled to have a doll like Criss Angel sharing his magic (himself), he makes me feel good. Always a fan of magic, he's a trip, love his ideas, his way of thinking, and hope he stays around to keep on entertaining us. Well, positively for myself, I DO like the way he looks too! So a bit predjudice?
Criss, you're BEAUTIFUL, DON'T EVER CHANGE, AND THANK YOUR MOM FOR ME!!!
Great job MOM!
keg
PS I don't know where you came from, or how long you've been around, I just came out of a jungle you see. I think I'll stick around just to see whats up with you. Can you tell you have made an IMPRESSION on me?
Posted by: kim e goraya | September 30, 2008 at 04:12 AM
I did have a long and very well worded, positive comment, so what happened to it? I hit the preview button, and wah lah!! Poof! Whole thing gone. Was I edited? Censored? Didn't like my comment about this terrific guy?
keg
Posted by: kim e goraya | September 30, 2008 at 04:15 AM
Criss Angel's show has so far been a huge disappointment. Looks like all the arrogance in the world isn't going to save his Cirque show.
Posted by: Debra | September 30, 2008 at 05:35 AM
"Cirque heavily reworks shows over time, especially in the early months" that being said, it is possible this show can be saved and made successful.
This would be a great time for Criss to lay low of his arrogance and try to make peace with local vegas reporters because he's going to need some much needed encouragement.
Posted by: Chayna | September 30, 2008 at 06:27 AM
I agree. You are being more than fair in your assessment, Richard. And I applaud you for this.
Although Las Vegas crowds can be forgiving and understanding, there still is a fine line. What I see, from the recent Las Vegas Review Journal reporter's assessment from fans leaving the show this past weekend and from your comments, is that this show has numerous problems. Couple with this the fact that it seems an overwhelming amount of the fans rated it very, very badly, some stating they "Don't Believe" it will work. Only the most generous fans rated it a 5 out of 10, with only the fanatical fans of Criss Angel enjoying it. Probably because they are just content to be in close proximity to him I guess.
From what I hear, problems do occur with new shows. That is the nature of the game. But usually those problems are not supposed to be that many. Even Donny and Mary's new show at the Flamingo probably needed fine tuning, but every indication about their show is that it is right on and receives good praises from the Las Vegas viewing public. Criss Angel's show, according to fans, has an incredible amount of problems and they aren't even close to fine tuning things. It seems there are a sheer number of issues that make everything easily seen how the magic is done. Add to that there are typical magic tricks that other acts already use successfully. In other words there is nothing new.
I have to admit that I was laughing when it was reported that when Criss Angel sang (actually lip synched) at the end of the show, people got up and there was like a mass exodus to the exits.
And here it is exactly one month before the so called grand premier. Cirque du Soleil needs to pull a rabbit out of their hat to "fine tune". Sounds to me like they need to do better than that. They need to buy a whole new radio and start over.
And this has nothing to do with Criss Angel. Because it appears that he has been thoroughly reigned in and is following the corporate line. Follow it, Criss, or we will slap you hard. And I just know this is driving Criss Angel nuts. According to news reports after one show, it was said he was clearly uncomfortable and clearly showed concern about the show.
I stick with my prior assessment. Criss Angel's show should be ignored by tourists. Not only because it's bad and unimaginative, but because Criss Angel is not the type of entertainer that should warrant any interest at all based on previous reprehensible behavior in Las Vegas. Threatening a Las Vegas Review Journal reporter and not apologizing for it has come back to bite him he fanny posterior. Go somewhere else and do your "bad boy rocker don't apologize for anything" act. Believe that.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | September 30, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I just wanna say Criss, dont feel bad about this cuz you still have true fans at heart!!!! And you can do anything if you put your mind, body, and spirit into it and you know that!!!! You have always been absolutley amazing with your demonstrations!!! Even though I wasn't there to see your Believe show (as much as i wanted to be) im sure it wasnt as bad as some say it may be!!! Everyone I know, knows that I am a HUGE fan of you and they like you as well!! I will keep spreading the good word for you cuz there isn't a flaw with you!!!!
XOXOXOXONEVER STOP BELIEVINGXOXOXOXOXOX,
Heather
P.S. you need to tell Cirque to let you handle some more of this cuz if you do, it will definitley be a work of art!!!!
Posted by: heather | September 30, 2008 at 12:50 PM
"...look at the people who still applaud the living remains of Wayne Newton." Really low and nasty. What purpose did that serve? Sure, Wayne's voice is not what it used to be, but in the same vein as Donny & Marie he entertains his audience and is a helluva nice guy. That dig was beneath you.
Posted by: Count Snarkula | September 30, 2008 at 12:56 PM
People, the problem is not that Cirque won't let him do what he wants. He is doing what he wants. He wanted to sing...he sings...sort of. He wants to float magically 5 or 6 times, he does. The problem is he has zero stage presence. He walks onstage and there is a black hole where a star should be. He has lines, he wrote them himself. He can't remember if he's doing 1 or 2 shows a night..let alone what he is supposed to say. Unless they give him a personality transplant I don't think anything will help. The support by Cirque is great. Costumes, Sets, Choreography, all well done. It's that other part....illusions that have disapeared!!!
Posted by: DarkSide | September 30, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I can't believe that Doug, who interviewed all of 12 people over 2 nights out of 3,000 that were there came up w/ this all inclusive view of a show, which by the way he didn't even bother to see. His article makes it sounds like everyone in the world hated the show which I know isn't the truth. I've read plenty of good reviews from people who have been in attendance so far. Just a shame that Doug has more of a platform to spew his garbage than the regular folks. And the over heard conversations in the men's room? Please....these guys were just feeling bad because their women were still at the show, refusing to leave and had these wonderful looks on their faces that the guys probably hadn't seen since their wedding day. lololol
Posted by: Debbie | September 30, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I think what was written in the reviews sounds very fair and sensible but very predicable given the way his ego is so huge and the way he is living lately. Sounds just like what he did to his fans in Clearwater FL “LIVE” show (implosion of building, then crawls from a secret ditch in full sight of local cameras). Criss’ ego, over hype, and over talking did nothing but give a massive let down. His taped Mindfreak shows are so they can be edited to show all the 'flash' the way Criss wants us to see him. So as fans we do expect more of a Cirque show with Criss in it so it equals to at least the TV show standards. I also expect much high higher highest standards too from a Cirque show. Has Criss pushed too much on this one, thinking fans will buy into it just because of his Loyals? His 2001 shows had energy and a proof that he was good on stage. In the last year it is in the papers that all you see is Criss boozing and ‘who’s the lady’ now. Criss have you have lost your edge lately, your drive? Can’t sit around in your penthouse all day (or the bar) without working a bit harder for a Vegas show to make it rank higher. I was really looking to go to Vega to see the show but now not sure if I want to spend the money. I truly hope the Believe show has a grant overhaul according to theses reviews and not dies quickly. Hopefully better reviews will come out by the Halloween Grand Opening night. Maybe giving out a bunch of candy when customers come in will keep people awake.
Posted by: Jillian | September 30, 2008 at 06:18 PM
I think what was written in the reviews sounds very fair and sensible but very predicable given the way his ego is so huge and the way he is living lately. Sounds just like what he did to his fans in Clearwater FL “LIVE” show (implosion of building, then crawls from a secret ditch in full sight of local cameras). Criss’ ego, over hype, and over talking did nothing but give a massive let down. His taped Mindfreak shows are so they can be edited to show all the 'flash' the way Criss wants us to see him. So as fans we do expect more of a Cirque show with Criss in it so it equals to at least the TV show standards. I also expect much high higher highest standards too from a Cirque show. Has Criss pushed too much on this one, thinking fans will buy into it just because of his Loyals? His 2001 shows had energy and a proof that he was good on stage. In the last year it is in the papers that all you see is Criss boozing and ‘who’s the lady’ now. Criss have you have lost your edge lately, your drive? Can’t sit around in your penthouse all day (or the bar) without working a bit harder for a Vegas show to make it rank higher. I was really looking to go to Vega to see the show but now not sure if I want to spend the money. I truly hope the Believe show has a grant overhaul according to theses reviews and not dies quickly. Hopefully better reviews will come out by the Halloween Grand Opening night. Maybe giving out a bunch of candy when customers come in will keep people awake.
Posted by: Jillian | September 30, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I was at the building implosion...live. The energy was off the charts. The whole thing w/ the handcuffs...whose to say they didn't fall out of his pockets while he was taking those stairs two steps a floor? That building was rigged to go down....no matter what. Probably not many people saw because it was on a local Tampa station, but Criss actually had to have concrete pulled from his hip after that. That is why he ran from the scene, he was hurt.....he was that close. I saw the building go down.....thank God the seabreeze blew the huge plumes of smoke away from the crowd. 50,000 plus in attendance. Magic is exactly that....magic. I don't care about the logistics of how the trick was done, but only the feeling I come away with. When I left Clearwater w/ my kids, I felt empowered and ready to conquer the world. So many things against the live demo that day....it rained like we had a hurricane over us for the entire day.....and yet...the live show went on. From my hotel after, the scores of people walking the streets shouting "mindfreak". My kids, willl always remember that day. Thank you Criss for your positive message....it will never fade.
Posted by: Debbie | September 30, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Criss - Please work out the kinks because I am seeing the show in December. Keep the faith...and believe!
Posted by: Mystic Maverick | September 30, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Okay. Here we go again. These fanatical unquestioning fans of Criss Angel all tripping over themselves to come up with excuses for his horrible preview shows at the Luxor. Those comments pale in comparison to all the other comments by people who attended the previews that are coming to light now.
Doug, a nationally renowned award winning reporter from the Las Vegas Review Journal, reported fan reactions of people coming out from Criss Angel's show. This reporter didn't solicit or coax negative comments from fans. They just came to him. And, after he published this information, MORE AND MORE comments came out from people who attended the show that just verify what those people had originally said. They posted those comments to his article. And from the consensus, it appears there is NO good news about this show at all. According to one of the fans, he stated he wasted about 75 minutes of his life in attending this show. All of these comments were recently published by Doug after his article and, from what I see, ninety percent (roughly) of the comments totally slammed Criss Angel for an absolutely horrible show, a show that is unsalvageable. I get the impression that Cirque du Soleil could re-work the show from now til doomsday and it still won't receive any support. To tell the truth, I felt sorry for the guy who came here to Las Vegas from Cincinnatti just to see it and was totally disappointed. From the accounts on Doug's column , even the reports of Criss Angel's fans were negative.
Everything Criss Angel has done in Las Vegas is catching up to him. I just hope Criss Angel doesn't threaten any more reporters over the bad press about his show. He's capable of it. He's already threatened another Las Vegas Review Journal reporter during the Miss America Pageant last April this year and got away with it. Cirque du Soleil will turn into Cirque du Stupidity if they don't send him packing soon because it's only thirty days to go before the grand premiere and that ain't enough time to fix it.
He needs to go somewhere else. He ain't right for Las Vegas. Las Vegas, along the Strip, usually prides itself in quality entertainment. Criss Angel doesn't do that, nor does he even come close to it and it appears he is giving magicians a bad name in this town. Tourists that come to Las Vegas and get those free entertainment pamphlets need to quickly turn past the page that advertises this show and disregard it BeLIEve it.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | October 01, 2008 at 08:19 AM
I am a fan of both Criss Angel and Cirque Du Soleil. The show that combined the two, "Believe", did neither of them justice. The Cirque group was restricted due to the stage size and the "magic tricks" were mundane at best. At one point Criss Angel tells the audience that the trick he just performed was a trick he first did at 14. Do you think anyone really wanted to see the old box switch trick? The advertisements promote a show like nothing you have ever seen before. The magic was old hat, nothing new and certainly nothing that would make it "not for the faint of heart". Disappointing would be an understatement, don't waste your time or money. I actually was bored at a Cirque show. Anyone who has ever been to a Cirque show would say that was impossible. This reminded me of a high school play, high end but high school nonetheless.
Posted by: Chris | October 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM
well i havent seen the show yet. and im planning on seeing it myself. ive always been a fan of criss and ive read some of the reviews. not all that friendly at all i might say. but im really hoping that they will fix all the problems that they have with the show and criss will work even harder with his performance. and i know that all of this will happen. this show is very important to criss. i wish him the best of luck. i hope he can better himself and make this show the way it should be. and the same with cirques. i wish everyone the best that are in this show. and i know that they can all do it. i mean its cirques du soleil and criss angel for crying out loud!
Posted by: tina | October 01, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I haven't seen the show yet, but I'm sure most of the negative reviews are based on personal reasons and are not fair enough.
..and the fact that Criss Angel himself was not happy with the show at all is known to everybody. HE was disappointed at the way things were done and obviously he can not control everything by himself. It is the Cirque to be blamed first since it is Criss ' first theatrical experience but it's not the first for the Cirque and they are responsible if the show fails to be impressive.
It is correct they are many people in the Media who want Criss to fail because of the way he treated them earlier and the success of every show depends on the media, so if Criss doesn't have their support, they will make him look like a loser even if the Believe show is wonderful.
I hope his manager can talk this over with the Cirque director and responsible persons to boost the script and change things and most importantly I think Criss and his crew need to make up with the journalists before the media wins the competition.
Posted by: sherry | October 01, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Criss Angel and Cirque are working at opposite ends with each other. Professional and egotistical battles between both parties are in constant battle.
The economy is in such a state at the moment that anyone who spends their hard earned money on entertainment is expecting what they have been promised. Criss Angel has been pumping this new show for well over 18 months. He has demonstrated time and time again that his Cirque show will be like no other on the strip.
Criss Angel needs to focus less on his egotistical manner and focus more on his stage presentation and deliverance or he will end up back in Long Island, New York performing in bars and children's birthday parties.
Criss Angel, there is no time for parties, celebrity plugging, etc. Your career is on the line and you need to focus on your performance rather than who you are hanging with. You need to make great on your word to your fans.
Posted by: LB/Los Angeles CA | October 01, 2008 at 01:43 PM
To Debbie: I live in St. Petersburg, I was there live too. Same rain, same humidity. Hurricane rains? That was just good ole rain showers because it was gone by night. I watched the building go down too, traffic horrible going home but yet it was a life revealing event?? The whole stream of talk here is that Criss and all his talking is catching up with him on this highly talked about Las Vegas show. A show that is suppose to 'get inside his head'? Criss Angel brought all this down on himself, he is NOT God as some Loyals think he is. If Criss wanted full control of this Cirque show, then it shows that he needs help to save it. The reviews I'm reading have not been very good and I do hope Criss can salvage the show. He is very good at what he does but his ego and lifestyle needs a rude awaking. By the way, Criss split Florida so fast, when did they have time to pull concrete from his hip.
Posted by: Jillian | October 01, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I don't care how bad it is, Criss is in it and that's enough for me. I'll be there on the 12th of October and in the front. LOVE YOU CRISS. You are a doll to me. You were when I met you and will always be. Love ya!
Posted by: karen | October 01, 2008 at 04:31 PM
If you REALLY care about Criss Angel you would care that people are getting up and walking out on his show while he's still on stage performing. I DON'T care about him on a personal level, yet I felt terribly sad and distressed watching people leave the theater when he was still on the stage. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Everybody needs to band together to encourage Criss and Cirque do the changes that are desperately needed to make this a show Vegas, Cirque, and Criss can all be proud of.
Posted by: Martha Kader | October 01, 2008 at 06:00 PM
He has slagged so many other magicians and shows no sign of letting up with the DEAD BUNNY DANCE SEQUENCE he deserves what he gets!
He has no respect of any other magicians and now they have none for him.
Posted by: KING | October 01, 2008 at 08:31 PM