Criss Angel Believe Buzz

[Doug Brewer]

I think combining two elements of these types of theater, that is, magic and a cirque-type performance - would be extremely difficult. Lance Burton actually has an avante garde type sequence in his stage show that lasts maybe 10 minutes. If I remember right there are set pieces that move in and out, with dancers, music and such. As Lance moves through this setting he does magical effects. I thought this worked really well and I voiced that to my wife after the show. Ironically she disliked that sequence the most because it distracted her from the magic (this surprised me).

I think of cirque performances similar to a music performance - just sitting and watching. Is there any audience involvement with the Believe show? Even though Copperfield may pre-prepare his on-stage audience members, there is still an atmosphere/belef that people got on stage with him and saw the magic up-close. I think excluding audience involvement would exclude a wonderful part of magic performance, that is, interacting with one's audience.

I hope for magic's sake Chris can pull this off.

[MaxNY]

NC's quote "it's that the level of conviction can't be duplicated"...was well said.

Soooooooo, was it worth it? Sometimes I could be at the most boring convention, but someone throws me a bone, maybe even a quote or a story, and I take note, and say, "Yeah, that made my day."

Its hard to put a price on one man's entertainment, and we all have thresholds of pain. Spending over $400 to waddle in mud at each of the 2 Woodstocks, was the best entertainment my money ever spent. Soooooo, how much were your tixs, and, was it worth it?

[magicman1953]

Interesting piece by CA's buddy Robin Leach ....Guess the paying fans need to return in six months....http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-l ... -standard/

[Brian Morton]

Art is about communication a viewpoint of the world or an insight into reality from the artist to the viewer. Be interesting and youll attract a large number of viewers. If you dont have anything interesting to say, if youre too restrictive, too narrow, too bizarre, you wont appeal to a mass audience. Being incoherent and incomprehensible in your "message" is also a big turn-off.

Audiences are quick to pick up on ego-centric self-aggrandizing self-indulgent performers. If they are already liked, the audience usually forgives them (see William Shatners fan base as an example) but if they are exposed first off to the performers raging ego-centricity without being given the opportunity to like them, then the audience will almost certainly be turned off and stay that way. If you add on the fact that the performer seemed to go out of his way to irritate people who buy ink by the barrel, then you have a disaster waiting to happen.

Denny Haney said it pretty succinctly a long time ago.

"If they like you, they'll like your magic."

I saw Criss a long time ago in Manhattan (and for a long time, my review was the first thing that came up when you Googled his name).

He wasn't likeable then.

He's not likeable now. ::shrugs::

brian :(

[CraigMitchell]

As MaxNY reported:

"At Cirque, its called The Fixation, a play on words from the team known as The Creation. Its been the same for every one of the six Cirque shows that have landed on the Strip, plus the two shows that former Cirque co-founder Franco Dragone built for Celine Dion and Steve Wynns original Le Reve. The Creation team departs after a show is mounted and premiered and in comes The Fixation team.

For Believe, it will be absolutely no different. Totally normal and standard operating procedure, as one Cirque topper told me this week as the teams began the switchover.

So when director Serge Denencourt leaves town over the next week, its not because anything is any different. He was always going off to Italy to rest, recuperate and regenerate there. Remember hes had two straight years of putting the show together like a monstrous jigsaw puzzle with a schedule of no vacation breaks, just 20 hours a day of work seven days a week, his friend told me. Click HERE for our interviews with Serge.

It was always the plan for him to head off to his farmhouse in Italy and get rest after the opening. Nothing has changed or is different. He and the creative team brought the baby into the world successfully, and now they all move on to the next projects to get them started and up, said one of my high-up Cirque sources. Now in comes the group we affectionately call The Fixation team.

Its been the same way of working for every Cirque show, and Believe is no different. The director leaves after the premiere and then returns twice a year, maybe every third month, to see that all is well with the new set of eyes. It will be the same here with Serge. He might return every two months, three or four months, but hell be around. He has a tremendous friendship with Criss, so theyre not being separated.

Both Cirque founder Guy Laliberte and Luxor President Felix Rappaport have said previously that as in all Cirque shows, elements may be changed, restaged, dropped and new segments added over the first six months of life for a new show until Cirque, at its expense, pronounces it totally complete. Even then, Cirque continues the process to ensure fresh life for every show.

Its identical to what has been done with every Cirque show on the Strip. Believe is no different. They still do that at Mystere, and thats been a phenomenally successful 15-year run as a result, I was told.

Shows like these are totally unique, unlike any other stage show produced anywhere in the world. These are complicated spectaculars, and every part of them is worked on until were satisfied. Its impossible to make changes overnight and instantly with such technical features. So its really a minimum four-month, subtle process of change. Go see any show six months after its opening, and youll find it very different from the first night.

So now you know the true story before any outrageous, untrue headlines break loose!"

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/

[Jonathan Townsend]

Perhaps the Long Island theme could be hilighted and after a few long island iced teas it would all make sense?

[MaxNY]

I can never keep up with the Casino Joneses...From what I have heard this one owns that one, blah blah.....Doesn't anyone else think that the same entertainment corporation working in 6 seperate Casinos, spells trouble? Someone doesn't want someone else's something to do so well...Payoffs, big money. I am the kind of guy who likes a conspiracy. Maybe he was set up to fail. I've only stayed at the damn Orleans, but can't keep my eyes off that black diamond! Jealousy. Oh yeah, did I mention money?

[Gord]

As MaxNY reported:
So now you know the true story before any outrageous, untrue headlines break loose!"

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/

So the truth is they left a broken show and will fix it at some undetermined time in the future?
And the truth is this type of thing is par for the course for the Cirque?
Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

Gord

[Rick Ruhl]

I can never keep up with the Casino Joneses...From what I have heard this one owns that one, blah blah.....Doesn't anyone else think that the same entertainment corporation working in 6 seperate Casinos, spells trouble? Someone doesn't want someone else's something to do so well...Payoffs, big money. I am the kind of guy who likes a conspiracy. Maybe he was set up to fail. I've only stayed at the damn Orleans, but can't keep my eyes off that black diamond! Jealousy. Oh yeah, did I mention money?

There are times in a business you need a loss to make thing even. It's crazy, but true.

[Timothy Drake]

Well now I truly BeLIEve that the show is in trouble for them to make this statement.

As silly as it seems that they would admit the show needs changes they might not have any other choice. Word of mouth reviews are killing them. Planting the idea that the show will be different as time moves on can't hurt them. It can only help them and when you are in a corner like this what other choice do they have.

This is similar to Robin Leach talking about how the show was changing every day during the previews and how it was going to be revamped and sensational by Halloween. A few days before Halloween a Cirque rep said the show was 10 times better than it was only weeks before and it still got poor reviews on Halloween.

I don't know how many times they can claim it keeps getting better as soon nobody will believe them. If I was stuck with their problem I might be saying the same things.

Best,

Tim

[CraigMitchell]

The Cirque 'fix-it' article directly contradicts Criss' earlier statements that the show was at "110% perfection"

If everything was so perfect before - why the need to fix anything ?

[Richard Kaufman]

What do you expect Criss to say? "My show is in big trouble. Half of it is crap. We need an infusion of cash and new talent to fix it." I don't think he's going to say that. They're going to pretend things are dandy and hope to sell enough tickets so that they don't loose too much money while they overhaul it.

[Timothy Drake]

What do you expect Criss to say? "My show is in big trouble. Half of it is crap. We need an infusion of cash and new talent to fix it." I don't think he's going to say that. They're going to pretend things are dandy and hope to sell enough tickets so that they don't loose too much money while they overhaul it.

I think the only time Criss will acknowledge a problem is AFTER it is fixed. That only makes sense. Until then he will continue to find ways to " wag the dog" as he has been now. His love life is getting MUCH more press than the bad show reviews.

Like I said.... PT Barnum reborn! That's been his real talent all this time. As much as I am not a fan I have to admit he's earned every buck he ever made based alone on his PR talents.

Best,

Tim

[David Vamer]

Anyone want to bet the over/under on when Criss flakes and doesn't show up for work?

[Richard Kaufman]

I don't think that the appearance of Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend on Criss's arm is anything less than planned. It deflects attention from the show's bad PR.

To answer David's question, I don't think Criss will "flake" and not show up for work. He is not a stupid person and the consequences of such an event would cost him dearly.

[Tim Ellis]

I think Mac King should fill in for him one night.

Same show, just Mac King doing the Criss Angel bits. I'd pay to see that!

[Ray T. Stott]

Perhaps the [color:#FF0000]Long Island [/color]theme could be hilighted and after a few long island iced teas it would all make sense?

[size:11pt]It's not Long Island, Jon.

It's [color:#FF0000]Lon Giland.[/color][/size] :)

[size:11pt]Not exactly conjuring but magic in its own right.
Enjoy.
[/size]

[CraigMitchell]

Following Keith Barry's not so positive review of Believe - Criss returned the favour some would say:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/34137784.html

"Early in Keith Barry's hypnomagician show Wednesday at Planet Hollywood Resort, Criss Angel, Holly Madison and three members of their entourage stood up in the seventh row and began leaving.

Barry, the newcomer from Ireland, stopped the show and said, "I'd like to give a shout out to Criss Angel, who is in the house, in fact he's just leaving."

Angel turned around and a bit sheepishly said something like, "Good show, man."

Angel's party, including his two bodyguards, had barely left the showroom when text messages began flying with breathless news that Angel had snubbed Barry.

I gave all parties the opportunity to address the matter on Friday.

Angel's spokesman, Steve Flynn, said Madison "started feeling bad almost as soon as they sat down. Criss didn't want to get up right then and be rude.

"Twenty minutes later, she was worse for wear. She was resting her head on Criss' shoulder. Criss was concerned it would look like she appeared bored."

The decision was made to leave, Flynn said "No disrespect was intended by any stretch of the imagination. She was not feeling well."

End of story, right?

"Regardless," said Barry's manager, Eamonn Maguire, "it looked bad."

"Twenty five minutes into the show he got up and left. That never looks good," he said.

Fast forward to Thursday night. Angel, Madison and Barry were walking the red carpet, within speaking distance, at the world premiere of Paris Hilton's 'Repo! The Genetic Opera."

There was no acknowledgement, no apology. "They were 10 feet from each other," said Maguire.

I e-mailed Maguire back, asking if he was suggesting Barry deserved an apology.

"I am sure it never crossed (Angel's) mind," responded Maguire, "and maybe best left that way. As my father always says, 'manners maketh the man.' "

Barry, reached after the other interviews, said, "It is what it is. On a personal note, I've never walked out of somebody's show, good, bad or indifferent. I was surprised."

"I did hear Holly wasn't feeling good. But I thought it would have been nice had he had come over to me.

"But Vegas is a small town," said Barry. " I'm sure our paths will cross again."

[Timothy Drake]

With all the people walking out of BeLIEve I can't imagine anyone being more sensitive to it than Criss at this point. Is he really that much of a jerk that he'd do this on purpose to another performer only to deny it later? I don't think so.

The explanation from the Angel camp seems fair and plausible. Is there nothing better going on in Vegas to report on?

Best,

Tim

[Roger M.]

Not a lot of choice for the chap in the equation (Angel) but to be the stand up guy and take the unwell lady home.

Better than having her puke all over the place in the middle of Barry's show.

[Richard Kaufman]

You never know what's really going on in these situations, so there's little use in speculating. Plenty of people feel unwell and leave a show early. Plenty of people just leave a show early.

[Roger M.]

But we do know what happened, Steve Flynn told us what happened.

He said young Madison was ill, and couldn't remain at the show.....Criss was her date and was the logical (at least for the last 100 years anyway) person to take her home.

In the complete and total void that is any other verifiable fact about this petty little affair, why on earth would anybody waste even a single calorie doubting what Steve Flynn said?

Do we presume that everything everybody says is a lie just for the sake of being contrary?

Angel left because his date was sick.......that pretty much sums everything up nicely, and "no" it's not a press worthy story when viewed in daylight.

[Richard Kaufman]

Why would you believe anything someone's PR spokesperson said?

[Tim Ellis]

Well some people might have assumed that Criss would approach Keith after the show, either in person or by phone, and say "Sorry man, didn't mean to look uncool but my chick was illing".

Or... at least Criss' PR man would contact Keith's manager and say "No disrespect was intended by any stretch of the imagination. She was not feeling well."

But instead, they spoke to the reporter instead of each other, so it simply doesn't look good.

[Roger M.]

Why would you believe anything someone's PR spokesperson said?

Why wouldn't you?

[Rick Ruhl]

Why would you believe anything someone's PR spokesperson said?

Why wouldn't you?

There are lies, damn lies and then there are PR people! :)

[Richard Kaufman]

PR people are hired to spin [censored] into gold. Truth is rarely in their vernacular.

[Kevin Connolly]

Hmmmm. Spin? Damage control? Like the press confrence was. ;)

[David Thomas]

How do the reviews of Keith's new show compare to the reviews of Criss'? Have any been released?

[Jonathan Townsend]

Let me get this right - CA and company have to take off - the performer points him out to the audience anyway - CA waves hello and says something nice about the show - and folks still want to get involved. Okay - awkward.

Is there more to this tale?

[Magic Newswire]

Let me get this right - CA and company have to take off - the performer points him out to the audience anyway - CA waves hello and says something nice about the show - and folks still want to get involved. Okay - awkward.

Is there more to this tale?

Well... Keith was none too shy in expressing his opinion of Criss when he spoke with us and according to his comments in that interview, this isn't the first time that he's been "snubbed" by Criss.

[Magic Newswire]

How do the reviews of Keith's new show compare to the reviews of Criss'? Have any been released?

LV Sun of Keith's Show : "Laugh then Be Amazed"

[Richard Kaufman]

Keith Barry is a nice guy with promise: that's why I put him on the cover of Genii when he had his first TV special. He's not the least bit arrogant or high-handed, but he's also not rich or famous yet, either. :)

[Tim Ellis]

Is Jim Callahan performing in Vegas soon? I wonder if Criss will pop in to see his show? ;)

[Roger M.]

Geez Richard, you got a hate on for PR people or something?

My actual employment brings me in contact with a large number of PR people, and I find them to be as honest as anybody else I come into contact in this world we live in, magicians included.

My point is simply that a sensible explanation was offered up by somebody directly associated with Angel, and folks still want to make this out to be some big deal.........it's all so much soap opera.

[Richard Kaufman]

"My actual employment brings me in contact with a large number of PR people, and I find them to be as honest as anybody else I come into contact in this world we live in ..."

No comment necessary. Your words speak for themselves.

[Timothy Drake]

"My actual employment brings me in contact with a large number of PR people, and I find them to be as honest as anybody else I come into contact in this world we live in ..."

No comment necessary. Your words speak for themselves.

I was thinking the same thing. LOL

Best,

Tim

[Disparity1]

Is there more to this tale?

There is ALWAYS more to the tale. However, when someone spends years and years crafting and then fine tuning a reputation for being an [censored], and then something like this happens, it's easy to think of him that way. It's what he always wanted, so who can blame anyone in the public for finding it difficult to see him being nice, considerate, polite or genteel? To assume the worst is to do what he has asked us to do for a long time.

He owns it now because he's earned it.

[Roger M.]

Richard, you certainly don't know Steve Flynn, and yet you proclaim him an untrustworthy liar.

Your words speak volumes!

[Dustin Stinett]

One of my familys dearest friends is an attorney. Hes a wonderful guy with whom I would entrust the lives of my family.

How do you know when a lawyer is lying?

He moves his lips.