Criss Angel reportedly signs 10 Year-Deal with Luxor

Richard Kaufman · Postby **Richard Kaufman** » July 26th, 2006, 7:40 am

As reported on screamscape.com:

"According to the Las Vegas Food & Beverage Magazine, the Luxor and Cirque du Soleil are apparently close to signing famous magician Criss Angel to a 10 year contract for a show created for him. Criss Angel is a three time winner of the Magician of the Year award (2001, 2004, 2005)."

Word is that it's a 200 million dollar deal.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 8:10 am

Just be more specific,I think he won the Merlin award twice and the Academy of Magical Arts awards once. Maybe I'm wrong.

I do realize that the post was not a quote from Mr. Kaufman.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 9:59 am

If true, good for him and good for magic.

Jim Maloney_dup1 · Postby **Jim Maloney_dup1** » July 26th, 2006, 10:19 am

More good news for Criss:

"A&E Network announced that the hit series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK, will be picked up for a third season, after record-breaking ratings in its sophomore season."

http://www.realitytvwebsite.com/news072006d.html

-Jim

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 10:24 am

Congratulations Criss!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 11:04 am

Criss made it into the big house! Bless him!
Steve V

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 11:15 am

That would be neat to see.

For his sake though - I hope part of the budget would be in renovating parts of the Luxor. The place has become a dive over the years. Not sure why - they have the coolest looking place on the strip aside from the Venetian.

Pete Biro · Postby **Pete Biro** » July 26th, 2006, 11:28 am

Great news.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 11:32 am

While I, like most of you, congratulate Chris on this, I was sure hoping he would tour. Oh well, just another reason to go back to Vegas.

Amos McCormick · Postby **Amos McCormick** » July 26th, 2006, 11:53 am

For our sakes, I would hope that some of the budget would be invested in SHAMPOO!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 11:56 am

Criss is smart to take the deal. Anyone who has toured knows how quickly it becomes a chore to move from city to city, even with people making you as comfortable as possible.

I would make this observation - doing a stage show where one must entertain and be an attraction that people will pay to see is far different from doing a television series that allows cuts and edits and that people can see for free.

I hope Criss pulls it off. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with.

Jim Maloney_dup1 · Postby **Jim Maloney_dup1** » July 26th, 2006, 12:12 pm

Originally posted by David Alexander:
I would make this observation - doing a stage show where one must entertain and be an attraction that people will pay to see is far different from doing a television series that allows cuts and edits and that people can see for free.

Criss did have a show that ran in NY for a couple of years, so I'm sure he's aware of what will be required by the venue.

-Jim

Richard Kaufman · Postby **Richard Kaufman** » July 26th, 2006, 12:59 pm

Criss's goal has always been the live show. He sees the TV series as part of what's necessary to achieve his goal.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 26th, 2006, 2:25 pm

I think this is great! It all sounds perfect and just right!
Congrats Criss!

Erik Hemming · Postby **Erik Hemming** » July 26th, 2006, 2:26 pm

Wonderful news!

I doubt he'll have a problem filling a Vegas stage with magic.

Plus, Criss Angel working with Cirque de Soleil is about as brilliant an entertainment match as I can think of....

I caught him when he was doing Mindfreak off of Time Square. It was great theater and entertainment squeezed into a cumbersome space.

Given a permanent Vegas venue, and the long term investment, I can't imagine he won't be given the freedom to do something wild, wicked and wizardly.

Here's hoping the Zeitgeist flows with him....

Gordo

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 9:04 am

finally its happening!

this is great news for all those who like to experience an alternative way of doing magic

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 12:00 pm

This is confirmed ina Bloomberg News article which ran July 18th

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... er=culture

"MGM Mirage is planning a Cirque show starring magician Criss Angel at the Luxor theater vacated by ``Hairspray.'' "

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 4:06 pm

If CA gets a deal like this. I can only imagine what Cyril will get. Much better entertainer. And BTW how many of you will get to feed at the trough?

No need to answer this is a rhetorical(sp?) question.

Pete Biro · Postby **Pete Biro** » July 27th, 2006, 6:04 pm

As much as I admire Cyril, he doesn't have the exposure here in the USA and the management team (yet).

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 6:23 pm

Originally posted by Pete Biro:
As much as I admire Cyril, he doesn't have the exposure here in the USA and the management team (yet).

I wonder what would happen if he went after the Chinese entertainment market and had something built over there, say in HK?

Pete Biro · Postby **Pete Biro** » July 27th, 2006, 6:53 pm

What do you mean J.T.??? Have "props" built in H.K.? It isn't the props, it's the name and exposure from CA's TV shows. That's how Copperfield got to where he is... by TV exposure.

Cyril, or anyone, can go to someone like John Gaughan and have a show built.

I know of another young guy that has a H U G E deal to design a M A J O R show for a Las Vegas showroom... but it is super secret.

I think the Casino's are looking for the 'NEXT SIEGFRIED AND ROY' show.

Right now Vegas is trying to emulate Broadway bringing in shows like Phantom, Hair Spray, etc. that were/are hits in NY.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 7:10 pm

Originally posted by Pete Biro:
What do you mean J.T.??? Have "props" built in H.K.? ...

I was thinking of a theater gig Pete. Get set up and become a tourist attraction for the Pacific rim and China. He as culture appeal.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 27th, 2006, 7:54 pm

Originally posted by Pete Biro:
...Vegas is trying to emulate Broadway bringing in shows like Phantom, Hair Spray, etc. that were/are hits in NY.

IHMO It can't. Let me explain why I feel this way.

Theater is about offering a new emotional perspective upon a realistic situation. Even if only a metaphor like Into The Woods the deeper themes of stories, adulthood and the transition between novelty and responsibility are present.

Broadway has offered the likes of "South Pacific" which touches upon racism, and Orson Wells' production of "Julius Cesar" which touched upon the grim reality of living in a police state.

That's what it's there for. Be it Sartre's "No Exit" or Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" staged as a modern urban event, it's ALL ABOUT offering emotional perspective. Making you feel and care and when you leave you have something to process... the drama as it applies to your life.

Okay, on to Las Vegas. It can offer spectacle and light entertainment. However the economy depends upon a separate romance played out between Miss Fortune and The Visitor. Will she smile upon The Visitor? Only time and experience will tell. She will be there waiting.

How could we expect anything deeper than "Pyramis and Thysbee" (The Fantastics) offered in a place that is designed to help the visitor with their romance with Fortune itself? Who would presume to interfere with a shipboard romance open to all who wish to set sail?

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 12:58 am

"I know of another young guy that has a H U G E deal to design a M A J O R show for a Las Vegas showroom... but it is super secret."

Pete -- you can't do that to us ;-)

"I think the Casino's are looking for the 'NEXT SIEGFRIED AND ROY' show."

Well that's going to be a tought act to top ... S&R was a once in a lifetime !

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 1:04 am

I wouldn't get too excited about Broadway's return to Vegas. Hairspray recently closed up shop for not putting butts in seats, as have quite a few other shows. The only one as of late to have any staying power is Mama Mia. We shall see about Phantom...

Stickley

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 6:45 am

So, what you're saying is, Criss will succeed in Vegas because there's no depth to his show.

Interesting.

Peace & Love
D

Rafael · Postby **Rafael** » July 28th, 2006, 7:23 am

Having seen some of the drawings of his show (don't ask me how :-) ) I can tell you that this show will look great and different from anything you have ever seen. Think Cirque Du Soleil with projections like in Celin Dion's show & Criss Angel illusions ( His version of the visual sawing, interlude, cyborg & Matrix)

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 7:38 am

Originally posted by DeeBrennan:
...because there's no depth to his show.

Since when is there depth in a magic show?

Can you imagine the consequences of adding depth to a magic show? After seeing a guy walk through a mirror or saw a woman in half there would be nightmares and lawsuits.

Keep It Shallow (for your own) Safety

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 7:44 am

200 Mill? But, does he get "dental"?

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 12:42 pm

200 Mil...
I wonder what Lance will get in '09 when he extends his current contract?
And I'm sure he probably hasn't run out of his first 100 mil yet.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 2:13 pm

With the chance to team up with Cirque and to design a theater to your special needs, this could end up being an extremely visual show. I am kind of surprised that the show is slated for the Luxor seeing on how Criss has been working so closley (and publically) with the Aladdin. Maybe that little genii in the bottle in Aladdin can't come up with that kind of scratch. And for your second wish....................

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 5:27 pm

Originally posted by Jonathan Townsend:
[/qb]

Since when is there depth in a magic show?

Can you imagine the consequences of adding depth to a magic show? After seeing a guy walk through a mirror or saw a woman in half there would be nightmares and lawsuits. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Yeah, it would suck if magic were anything more than "Here's a trick! Here's another trick! And another! Goodnight!"

You're right, magic is WAY better for Vegas than Broadway is.

Peace & Love
D

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 28th, 2006, 8:34 pm

One reason Vegas won't overtake Broadway any time soon.... All Vegas shows are 90 mins or less. Spamalot at the Wynn? Cut shorter. Phantom at the Venetian? Cut a LOT shorter.

They want you in the casino, not the showrooms. I think there are only 1 or 2 shows longer than 90 mins in all of Vegas, they are by far the exceptions. And I don't even know which ones they may be...

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 29th, 2006, 7:09 am

Part of the Broadway-in-Vegas problem is the prices. Why would you pay $100 to see a show you can see at home for $50 when the national tour comes through?

Peace & Love,
D

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 29th, 2006, 7:12 am

...but could we please get back to the magnificence of Criss Angel? There are magazines, mass-market books, and TV commercials to be sold...

P&L
D

Guest · Postby **Guest** » July 30th, 2006, 8:52 am

Impressive, the mysteriousness of the Luxor fits him quite well, and Luxor is (or now "was") looking for something to fill there main theatre with, and this will bring some life back into the hotel. I hope this deal goes through.

J.

Richard Kaufman · Postby **Richard Kaufman** » July 30th, 2006, 2:08 pm

It's unfortunate that the Luxor is a dumpy hotel and doesn't compare to the higher end hotels. Unless they've done a complete renovation within the last three years and spend more on upkeep, it was pretty crummy the last time I stayed there.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » August 3rd, 2006, 1:58 am

I would assume that David Copperfield will end his career with a permanent Vegas gig so in his old age he didn;t have to travel constantly.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » August 14th, 2006, 6:43 pm

Congrats to Mr. Angel, he's earned it. As for Mr. Copperfield making Las Vegas his home, I've suggested it before and have been poo poo'd for even suggesting that he give up the touring...