LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Cirque du Soleil is celebrating 30 years in Las Vegas.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of "Mystère", the 25th anniversary of "O", and the 10th anniversary of "Michael Jackson ONE". Channel 13 got to peek behind the curtain to see how thousands of people are able to come together to create magic on the Las Vegas Strip.
Back in 1993, company co-founder Guy Laliberté described bringing Cirque du Soleil to Las Vegas as a fledgling circus trying to "grow a flower in the desert." It's fair to say that flower in the desert has definitely bloomed.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: 'MICHAEL JACKSON ONE'
It has been 10 years since the curtain was raised at Mandalay Bay's "Michael Jackson ONE". Channel 13 takes a closer look at what it takes to bring the King Of Pop to the Entertainment Capital Of The World.
HOW CIRQUE DU SOLEIL KEEPS THE MUSIC AND MOVES OF MICHAEL JACKSON ALIVE
Pop star Michael Jackson was known for his music and iconic dance moves. Artistic directors, dancers, choreographers, and audio technicians told us what it takes to keep the show as close as possible to Jackson's original style. That includes anchor Anjali Patel taking a dance lesson and learning the moves to "Beat It".
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: 'O' AND 'MYSTÈRE'
It takes a lot of talented people to make the oldest Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas run day after day. Channel 13 spoke to the people behind the magic and what it takes to transport audiences hundreds of times a year.
BRINGING WATER TO THE DESERT: 'O' BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
Technology and choreography meet aquatics in order to bring "O" to life. Channel 13 got a behind-the-scenes look at "O" and met the technicians who help put on hundreds of shows a year.
"O" aerial hoop artist Mike Wynn grew up watching Cirque du Soleil DVDs and taught himself tricks in his backyard. He never thought his acrobatics would lead to a career at Cirque du Soleil. He tells Channel 13 his unique career journey and what led to "O".
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CAST, CREW BRING PASSION TO THE STAGE
The cast, crew, and executive staff that Channel 13 talked to at Cirque du Soleil all have one thing in common: passion. We asked them why they love the company, which continues to promote from within and how it's affected their own lives.
CREATING A FAMILY THROUGH CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
Russian swing artist and artist coach John Maxson is one of the original performers at "O" and remembers practicing in the theater at the Bellagio before the casino even opened. Channel 13 spoke to Maxson about how he met his wife while working for the show and how that led to creating his own family.
THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY: FROM CASTING TO RETIREMENT
The audition process to become a Cirque du Soleil performer is fierce. Once artists do earn their place in a show, they're usually there for years. Channel 13 took a look at the process from being cast in a show all the way to retirement and what performers do next.
STEPPING INTO CHARACTER: HOW WARDROBE DEPARTMENT TRANSFORMS PERFORMERS
Thousands and thousands of pieces make up the wardrobe departments at Cirque du Soleil shows. How are they designed, maintained, and managed every day? Channel 13 spoke with the people behind "Mystère" and "Michael Jackson ONE" to see how they keep track of it all and what makes their job so magical.
MAKEUP ARTISTS TRAIN PERFORMERS ON GETTING THE RIGHT LOOK
You might not know this but every Cirque du Soleil performer puts on their own makeup every night. Channel 13 spoke with several makeup artists to find out how complicated some of the looks are and how the looks are able to be consistent every night.
Cirque du Soleil has faced several hurdles over the years, including challenges faced during the pandemic. We take a closer look at the company's origins in Las Vegas and some of the ideas officials have for Cirque du Soleil's future.
