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Future Elvis Show Located At CityCenter

October 20, 2008 | Book
CKX, Inc., its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises and Cirque du Soleil have reached an agreement with MGM Mirage to create a permanent Elvis Presley show at CityCenter’s resort-casino, currently under construction on the Las Vegas Strip. The show is expected to open with the resort in late 2009.

Cirque du Soleil’s creative team is inspired by this new extravaganza. The creative combination of live musicians and singers, projections, dance and the latest in multimedia sound and lighting technology are stimulating and aim at offering an emotional bond with the audience. The show will bring Elvis back to Las Vegas for millions of his existing fans and create a buzz that will enable the persona of Elvis to reach untold numbers of new fans.

A design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and the world’s foremost architects and designers, CityCenter will open in 2009 on 76 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts. At the heart of the action on the Las Vegas Strip, CityCenter will feature a soaring 61-story, 4,000-room resort-casino; two 400-room non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental; approximately 2,650 luxury condominiums; and The Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc., commented, “I am pleased that during this time, when we remember Elvis Presley and celebrate his life, we are able to announce his return to Las Vegas, a place where he truly rose to iconic status. And with the remarkable creative talent of Cirque du Soleil, fans who saw Elvis perform, as well as those who never had a chance to see him, will be able to experience Elvis in an entirely new and exciting way. This will be the first step in establishing a twenty-first century presence in Vegas for the King.”

Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, commented, “This new creative challenge is exactly what we strive at accomplishing in the development of our new productions. Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to be involved in CityCenter and we are particularly honored to be entrusted with this assignment. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the public will have an unforgettable encounter with the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis had a unique relationship with his adoring fans in Vegas and a large part of our mission is to recreate the excitement and the spirit of joy he generated here.”

Bobby Baldwin, President and CEO of Mirage Resorts, an MGM Mirage operating division, said, “We are thrilled to partner with our friends and colleagues at Cirque du Soleil, who are known the world over for creating memorable entertainment experiences.

With this show we will bring together Elvis, an icon of Las Vegas entertainment history, with CityCenter, a destination that represents the future of this remarkable city.”

The announcement represents another step in the creative partnership between CKX and Cirque du Soleil. In May, the two companies announced an agreement for the creation, development, production and promotion of Elvis Presley Projects, featuring touring and permanent shows as well as multimedia interactive “Elvis Experiences” throughout the world. CKX and Cirque du Soleil to open at least one touring Elvis show in Europe and/or Asia, and one “Elvis Experience” outside the United States. Beginning in 2009, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened in each of the next six years.

Source:ElvisMatters
Ruthie wrote on October 21, 2008
This must have been the new construction I noticed between Bellagio & Monte Carlo. Now I know what it is going to be! How exciting!
samcra wrote on October 21, 2008
Great news, I may have to make a visit to Vegas.
Steve P wrote on October 22, 2008
Don't get too excited, I have seen this story before and it is way out of date. We were told this in Elvis Week 2006! Another Elvis website does point out that this is old news and who knows what CKX can now do in this bad economic climate. I wonder where elvismatters got it from.
elvislives72 wrote on October 22, 2008
Steve's right. it's an old article for some reason rehashed. But the latest on the City Center and Cirque-Elvis show is that it's still on schedule to open in November 09 as planned. The 6 year plan may have changed due to the global economy, although it's starting to improve, but it won't stop or delay the plans altogether as some may think. My understanding is that Sillerman and EPE are still moving forward to redevelop the area around Graceland but in portions and not everything all at once. In fact we should be hearing something concrete within the next few months around Elvis' birthday.
Harvey Alexander wrote on October 22, 2008
Will Wayne Newton play the part of Elvis in this wonderful production of Liberace-styled flashy Vegas sparkle and shallow pomp and circumstance?
Ruthie wrote on October 22, 2008
I feel so sorry for some people. They must never have a good day. There's medication for that.
Harvey Alexander wrote on October 23, 2008
No, Ruthie dear. It's called living in the real world without wearing rose coloured spectacles. Why do you think this show is going to be so great? It'll be even more gaudy and brash than some of Elvis' later jumpsuits. This is NOT the way to remember the world's greatest entertainer. Then again, some people are easily impressed, arent they.
Ruthie wrote on October 23, 2008
Living in the real world successfully requires an open mind. Yes, this may be brash but we don't know that yet. Life is easier if you give people & projects the benefit of the doubt. I have learned never to say never. Besides, this is entertainment, not the construction of the next World Trade Center. The purpose of entertainment is to give us some joy in life & joy, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Some are going to like it & some aren't. Lighten up.