Alright, I've read some reviews online about Criss' "Believe" show and they couldn't be more different. One reviewer couldn't help but bash just about every aspect of the show, including the lack of magic .. and the other was filled with praise and fluff, with no actual review.

Was anyone there this past weekend?? I'd really like to hear the truth if it can be told. I even read that cell phones were confiscated at the door, apparently they didn't want any type of footage leaked out.

I'll be waiting patiently by my computer ... with all my Criss Angel "bling" on.

Steve

Check on the Las Vegas Review Journal for a story interviewing members of Saturday night's audience. To put it mildly, they didn't like it.

As Bidgewater posted...there are only negative reviews from the Las Vegas Journal thus far. It doesn't sound good.
Here is the link.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/29875759.html

Rich B.

Wow,the future of Vegas Magic looks so bright I've gotta where shades....AC

What I find interesting is that some of those who didn't like the show say "It wasn't anything like his TV show." The criticism of Criss Angel (well, one of them anyway) has been that his image as a magician has relied so heavily on video editing. Cirque du Soleil has five successful shows on the strip. So I wonder, where lies the problem with this show?

Yes, that 'old' guy David Copperfield is BETTER! LOL

What a GREAT READ! I guess Criss is finding it hard to live up to the FAKE editing of his TV show. LOL

Down in FLAMES! LOL

ray

You're being sarcastic....right??

Without all the cool video editing, Chris isn't such a great magician now is he?

The ironic part is that Chris used to put on one heck of a show!!!!!!

Ok let's look at expectations (this may be a long post, so Steve, I don't expect you to read all of it - LOL)

1) Criss is a magician, and has in the (distant) past proved he was good with a live show. This is NOT a Criss Angel magic show!

2) People are going to see Chris do a magic show, same issues arise here as to when folks debated here when is dancing too much dancing in a magic show. Dancing rabbits may not be their thing. Even if well done, and by the Cirque.

3) Criss has "Mindfreak" groupies, I would think that this demographic will not support the show financially, or in attendance, and will certainly not want to see a "cirque" type show.

4) Criss's image needs an overhaul, over 40 biker dude with a shirt off/open is not his strong selling point. And I don't think this image will pull the $$$$ gamblers. (At his ticket price, and bearing in mind their age range.)

5) Vegas has been going family, this is not a family show.

6) I live in "Cirque" city (Montreal) and have never been to see one of their live shows. As a performer I feel I should ie. know your competition, but I have no interest in seeing one of their productions. Maybe this carries over to other variety performers/magicians? I find it much ado about nothing, and somewhat pretentious.


I hope the show can be saved, but it is sounding more like a "cirque" show, than a Criss Angel magic show. Maybe Criss has sold his soul?

Good PR, about a good magic show, helps all of us sell our product.

B

Blair you're killing me .. but I did make it through you post. Thanks for breaking it up into smaller sections .. that makes it easier to read.

Maybe I need glasses ... who knows??

Steve (the aging rocker)

A thought that occurred to me: With the heavy TV production schedule, when has Angel had the time to devote to the show's rehearsal? From what little I have read of the pre-production, the dancers and other cast members have been rehearsing for several months. What about our boy? He's too busy doing a TV show, etc.

My 2¢

Chris

And now, he's in a multi-million dollar show!

I am sure the Cirque had him tied down for rehearsals. If he didn't commit I am sure they would have pulled the plug. It's their brand that's at stake.

QUESTION: I heard Criss was under contract with the Cirque, if it is shown that he does not pull, and the show needs a MAJOR revamp, can he be dropped? Saving both the casino and the Cirque mega dollars?

B

In all fairness, this wasn't a proper review on the show, but fan reaction. The show actually might be somewhat good (yes probably needs tweaking as every Cirque show does after a couple of months).

The main problem that is evident is that this show is failing to connect with the Mindfreak audience. That failure to connect can result in the failure of the show.

I don't quite understand the comments about not seeing wires in other CDS shows. I'm assuming they are talking about the safety wires and some lifting wires. I'm thinking that people went to the show to see people "flying" with no visible means which might not have been the actual purpose of the bit they are talking about (again, need a proper review to understand).

To add to my point, you can see someone stated that it was "fake". Obviously someone was in the mindset of he was really supposed to do things. Therefore, this comment is really pointless as it doesn't say anything about the show.

Considering the source, the show will have a difficult time recouping as it needs to go after a different demographic to succeed than the current Mindfeak fanbase.

Maybe Criss is having David M coach him as payback for all the coaching Criss gave Dave.

LOL

B

But isn't that EXACTLY what a review is? Your reaction to a show written on paper?

I was actually looking for some opinions from someone that was actually sitting there in the audience. Good news is one of my buddies will be there tonight .. and I'll finally hear the truth about the whole deal. If we're lucky .. he might even share it here on the Café.

I'll keep his true identity a secret for now so he's not pulled out of the crowd, beaten and locked away in a small room. Although .. he might like that.

Steve

I am reposting this in here because there are some major haters in here! I'm sure most of us have tried to be ambitious. We have tried to put too many new illusions in our show. Sometimes everything works and most of the time we have some work to do! Chris must have some work to do, but he has a great team behind him, I am sure they will get it working right. All the Chris haters now have something to hate about. But what goes around comes around. Trust me I am not a fan of many of his shows but I am a brother in one of the greatest arts in the world. We should support him! No matter what we personally think of him!
Anthony

Hey Steve,

Look forward to having a review. Hopefully there will be enough positives in the show to make it a top notch draw. Good press, Entertainment Tonight etc. can help us all!!!

You may want to ask your friend to observe what kind of make-up the audience has (young/old/hip/business/family etc.). Also, what percentage of the show is Criss.

B

I agree, what goes around comes around.

When you build up an audiences expectations by doing miracles on TV that can not be done live...

...well as you said. What goes around...