Cirque du Soleil History

As the home to bright lights & dazzling entertainment, Las Vegas shines with five remarkable Cirque du Soleil shows.

Cirque du Soleil: History

Formed in Quebec in 1984 by former street performers Guy Liliberte and Daniel Gauthier, Cirque du Soleil – French for “Circus of the Sun” – started as a troupe of traveling performers who used humans – jugglers, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, and more – rather than animals as their main acts. Cirque du Soleil toured the country and exploded in the ‘90s as the “modern circus” that drew from different circus styles from around the globe – including Chinese and Russian circus variations – with each Cirque du Soleil production having its own theme and storyline. Today, Cirque du Soleil boasts over 3,500 employees internationally, over 15 touring shows, and five permanent shows in Las Vegas, including Cirque du Soleil Mystere, Cirque du Soleil O, Cirque du Soleil Zumanity, Cirque du Soleil Ka, and Cirque du Soleil Love. Tickets to each of the five Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas continue to sell out as Cirque du Soleil fans – new and old – Las Vegas goers, and tourists buy their tickets to a breathtaking experience on the Las Vegas Strip. Cirque du Soleil Tickets

Cirque du Soleil: About “Mystere”

On the eve of Cirque du Soleil’s 10 year anniversary, Cirque du Soleil Mystere debuted in 1993 inside Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. As Cirque du Soleil’s move from the big top to the big stage, Franco Dragone conceptualized the idea behind Cirque du Soleil Mystere with the focus and central theme revolving around the circle of life. The set design, music, and even the theatre do well to reiterate this circular theme: some of Cirque du Soleil Mystere’s amazing acts are performed on a rotating dome; Japanese Taiko drums – symbolizing the “Big Bang” – bookend the show’s beginning and end. Cirque du Soleil Mystere’s fantastic circus acts combine acrobatics, gymnastics, dance, opera, and more, while helping to pave the way for future resident Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. Mystere Tickets

Cirque du Soleil: About “O”

Financed once again by hotel entrepreneur Steve Wynn, Cirque du Soleil O debuted as the second resident Sin City Cirque du Soleil show in 1998, this time inside the infamous Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Cirque du Soleil O – with the name derived from the French word “eau” meaning water – serves as the only aquatic show in Cirque du Soleil’s impressive repertoire. Exploring nature’s basic elements, including earth, fire, air, and water, Cirque du Soleil O is an underwater wonderland featuring a colossal 1.5 million gallon pool sitting center stage, a cast of 85 SCUBA-certified acrobats, swimmers, and divers, and a two temperate zones inside the theatre – one maintained at 84 degrees underwater and cooler for audience members. Cirque du Soleil O also boasts an innovative soundtrack featuring exotic instruments from around the world. The 1,800-seat O Theatre and its sets are truly state of the art, with a series of lifts that could transform the pool of water into a dry stage (representing earth) in a matter of seconds. O Tickets

Cirque du Soleil: About “Zumanity”

Debuting in Las Vegas’ New York-New York Hotel & Casino in September 2003, Cirque du Soleil Zumanity is touted as “The sensual side of Cirque du Soleil.” With its name “Zumanity” taken from the words “zoo” and “humanity,” Cirque du Soleil Zumanity explores the “human zoo” and more adult-themed content, such as sexuality, sensuality, and the beauty of the human body in its many shapes, sizes, and colors. While Cirque du Soleil Zumanity does depart from Cirque du Soleil’s more family-friendly fare, Cirque du Soleil Zumanity still includes an innovative soundtrack, impressive acrobatics, graceful dance, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Zumanity Theatre houses this most erotic and sensual Cirque du Soleil show and provides an intimate setting for its resident cabaret-style Cirque du Soleil show. Cirque du Soleil Zumanity boasts an exotic variety of music from all over the world, including tango, salsa, waltz, African dance, as well as rock, classical, and much more. Zumanity Tickets

Cirque du Soleil: About “Ka”

Premiering in November 2004, Cirque du Soleil KA took up residence inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. Cirque du Soleil KA went in a brand new direction that Cirque du Soleil had never tried before – the live movie, combining the language of cinema with theater. In the past, Cirque du Soleil shows allowed for different audience interpretations but Cirque du Soleil KA instilled a plot and a storyline, which centered around young imperial twins – one male and one female – who must journey down their own separate paths to self discovery. KA Cirque du Soleil incorporates martial arts styles from around the globe along with astonishing acrobatic feats performed by 80 international artists. With unique stage choices, Cirque du Soleil KA boasts a 50-ton rotating and floating stage, which allows the scenes to change perspectives seamlessly. KA Cirque du Soleil stands as the largest and most expensive Cirque du Soleil production to date. Ka Tickets

Cirque du Soleil: About “LOVE”

Based inside The Mirage in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil LOVE serves as the latest addition to Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas repertoire. Cirque du Soleil LOVE captures the music and the story of one of the greatest rock bands of all time – The Beatles! Combining reproduced and reimagined music from The Beatles along with amazing circus acts, Cirque du Soleil LOVE features 60 artists from around the world. The story of Cirque du Soleil LOVE is loosely based on The Beatles’ biography – from their rise to stardom, their brilliant catalogue of work, and their eventual break up in 1970. With fictional characters plucked right out from The Beatles’ song lyrics – including Sgt. Pepper, Lucy in the Sky, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna, and more, while each song/medley is the title of a scene. The $100 million LOVE Theatre boasts 2,000 seats, each equipped with three speakers, to make the sounds and songs of Cirque du Soleil LOVE truly three-dimensional. Love Tickets