Guy Laliberté and his fledgling circus troupe launched its first permanent Las Vegas production with Mystère at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in 1993. This year, the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil celebrates 30 years and significant milestone anniversaries for three of its six Las Vegas resident productions: Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino marks 10 years in June; O at Bellagio Resort & Casino reaches 25 years of aquatic entertainment in October; and the groundbreaking Mystère commemorates 30 years in December.
Setting the stage for Cirque du Soleil’s major success in Las Vegas, Mystère’s 13,000 shows have been attended by over 17 million since the first performance in 1993. The production pushes the boundaries of what dreams and artistry can achieve when fusing high-energy acrobatics with evocative choreography. O features breathtaking acrobatics under, on, and above the water, while Michael Jackson ONE blends acrobatics, dance, visuals, and surround-sound theatre to highlight the King of Pop.
“When we began our partnership with Cirque du Soleil, we had great respect for the creative ambition of Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste-Croix and Franco Dragone,” says Bobby Baldwin, a former senior executive with Mirage Resorts and MGM Resorts.
“There was never a question they would create a special entertainment experience even for Las Vegas, where the bar is quite high. What they did was immediately change the entertainment landscape of the city. And then Cirque du Soleil did it again. And then again,” he says. “They made history, and it’s gratifying to have been part of that.”
Based in Montreal and originating in the early 1980s, Cirque du Soleil celebrates 30 years of redefining how the world views the circus and has become a global leader in live entertainment with the creation of several world-class experiences across six continents. More than 220 million people have been inspired by Cirque du Soleil shows in over 70 different countries.
