"O" by Cirque du Soleil — Local services in Paradise

TLDR: see any other Cirque de Soleil show in Vegas if you are looking for the Cirque experience. This is not it. Or go see Absinthe for about the same ticket price. Also, please Cirque de Soleil and Bellagio do something to get your audience under control or at least feign rule enforcement

As a Cirque de Soleil fan, it saddens me to write this review. I've seen 5 cirque shows to date, and this is at the bottom of the list. I definitely fell for the hype, and I feel I have to judge this show based on the ticket price. Tickets are not cheap. It is the most expensive cirque show in Vegas. I bought these as a father's day gift for a father-daughter trip to Vegas and really thought I was introducing my dad to the height of Cirque de Soleil based on my expectations of O. I'm a little embarrassed I took him to the show and hyped it up based on my expectations. Sadly, I doubt he will ever attend another Cirque de Soleil performance after this experience.

Based on the ticket price, hype/promotion, and reviews, I was expecting something truly exceptional. A tall order based on the prior cirque shows I've seen. I was intrigued by the water concept, and one of the stars is for the set design and technical aspects of the show. I can understand why tickets are so expensive when you see the stage and movement of platforms and water. Sadly the show is not worthy of the set or performers. It seems like maybe water is not Cirque's element. Perhaps they should stick to earth, air, and fire.

The 2nd star is for the performers. When they are allowed to do what they do best, they shine. Sadly, the storyline, cohesion, development, and music is just not up to par. This is the first Cirque show where I can say I hated the music. It is usually so amazing that they can pull off exceptional live music with all the variables.

The acrobatics, diving, synch swimmers, and contortionists were amazing. The performance seemed a little off at times compared to other Cirque performances. Acrobatics and dance choreography seemed a bit off sync, particularly the fire spinners. I really wanted to love it. I was rooting for the performers and the strength and work that goes into their performances is clear. I wish I could have seen this show in prior years, as it seems to have passed its prime.

The clowns. I hated them. You'll find that to be a common experience in these reviews. Clowns tend to be a necessary part of the cirque shows for transitions and performer breaks. Usually there is some character development of the clowns and supporting characters. O seems like a grab bag of performers who were all dumped on a stage together. Usually, I have some amusement or appreciation of the clowns in a performance. In O, the clown segments drag on, are nonsensical, and honestly were the part of the show leading me to consider walking out or taking a nap. I was too committed to my sunken cost to consider walking out, but I am not surprised others make that choice.

The audience was pure chaos. The moment I showed up 5 minutes after doors were supposed to be open, and they were not with a line stretching past the poker room, I should have known it was going to be a rough show. Again, the simple act of entering the show was unlike any Cirque show I have attended before. They seemed unprepared for all the people who bought tickets to show up. I attended Mystere several weeks ago, and it was a completely opposite experience. Very professional, smooth, and enjoyable. It is a smaller venue. But it was orderly, and I could enjoy the show.

They continued to seat people throughout the show, and it was extremely disruptive. Having ushers flashing their lights to assist late arrivers to their seats was more disruptive than the non stop cellphone use by audience members. Despite intervention by staff, audience continued to turn on phone lights, take pictures, and video throughout the show. I kept waiting to be engaged enough in the show to not the notice the chaos around me, but that never happened. The disrespect by the audience...

I've seen this show multiple times and I used to enjoy it. I always recommended it to friends coming to town, as well to my customers that come into my store.

That has changed. I just saw it again recently and it is not nearly as good.

One of the biggest concerns I have is the quality of the performers. The athleticism does not come through like it used to. They have added things I would call stage dressing. Characters just standing around on stage. Yes, they've always had this, but now it's filled with even more of these characters instead of what Cirque was built on. Acrobatics.

They removed some performers from different acts, maybe to save money. The trapeze act towards the end was really disappointing. The girl performing could hardly stay on the bar. That's what I'm saying. The quality of performers has gone way down.

About 20 to 25 minutes of this 90 minute show that you are paying on average $165 per seat to see, is built around two clowns. The thing about these clowns is that they're not even funny. They're just a filler. Maybe why they're changing set pieces or something else. They are not entertaining. They do not elicit many laughs. You will find that exact feedback in many reviews here online.

For what Cirque du Soleil now charges for tickets for the show, it is no longer worth it. I had really sold some relatives on this show, telling them how great it was. They purchased the tickets the tickets for all of us and it was not anywhere close to being worth it. I was embarrassed.

Please keep in mind as I write this review, I am a big Cirque du Soleil fan and have been for years. Just the theaters they perform in here in Vegas are amazing. However, please save your money and DON'T go to the O show. This particular show is no longer worth it. Go see Ka or Michael Jackson One. Those shows are priced accordingly.

This show needs to shut down for a while and decide what it really wants to be.

To the Cirque du Soleil staff who reply to these reviews. Do me a favor. Don't reply to mine. The words that you put in response to people's negative comments here, they mean nothing. The survey that I completed, meant nothing.

Don't just take my word for it. Read the other reviews. This used to be a good show, but it has changed. Maybe people who are seeing it for the first time, don't realize that. They see a lot of special effects and I think it's good. But it's not. This show has become a big letdown.

To summarize. I am a big Cirque du Soleil fan, please don't spend your money on this show. It's a waste at this point.

** One thing I found very interesting. When I've attended this show before almost every seat was taken. This was the first time ever where there were many open seats. That goes hand in hand with how poorly this show is...

Title: A Magical Masterpiece at the Bellagio!

In the heart of Las Vegas, inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, exists a world so captivating and immersive, it leaves you speechless – the "O" by Cirque du Soleil. A testament to the wonders of human creativity and ingenuity, the stage design of the show is a marvel in itself.

The producers have crafted the most breathtaking aquatic stage setting I have yet witnessed – it is a fusion of intricate designs, cutting-edge technology, and exquisite artistry that leaves no stone unturned in offering a top-notch entertainment experience. The stage effortlessly transitions from a solid platform into a deep, crystal-clear pool within moments, creating an impressive spectacle.

Every element in the entire production is truly marvelous: from the vivid lighting to the grandiose costumes, the scenography, dances, synchronized swimming, and death-defying aerial acrobatics. But it is the magical stage that forms the cornerstone, offering endless possibilities and creating a surreal backdrop for the unforgettable performances.

Watching the talented performers blend with water and land while maintaining the ballet-like flow is thought-provoking and inspiring. It's a dance with the imaginable forces of nature, harnessed skillfully to the rhythm of human imagination.

The spectacle of water, fire, air, and earth elements captured and presented on the stage provides spectators with an indelible feast for the senses. It’s the awe-inspiring environment akin to a dreamscape, a brilliant mixture of reality and fantasy that the stage contributes to, which elevates the overall experience to another dimension.

Incredibly, the magnitude of this spectacle doesn't overpower the nuanced storytelling and subtle artistic expressions that are beautifully woven into the performance. It’s a balance seldom seen, with the stage design playing an essential role in orchestrating this harmony.

In essence, the "O" by Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is a must-see, primarily due to their praiseworthy stage work that ensures an unmatched entertainment experience. Whatever heights your expectations may reach, expect "O" to surpass them. A trip to Las Vegas isn't complete without diving into this fantastic world of imagination and spectacle created by...