(image via Cirque du Soleil) Truly sad news as the powers that be at Cirque du Soleil have announced the spectacular and sensual Las Vegas production, ZUMANITY, will close permanently. The show, which opened in September 2003, featured European-style circus acts in a sensual, often sexually-ambivalent environment. The hostess of the show, the gifted and revered drag performer Edie, has developed a worldwide following due to the long-running production. From local ABC News affiliate KTNV:
After wowing audiences with more than 7,700 shows, the last performance of Zumanity took place on March 14, 2020 before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International have solidified their commitment to the partnership and the four shows remaining in the Cirque du Soleil portfolio. Contract extensions for “O” at Bellagio, The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage, KÀ at MGM Grand and Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay have been signed.
Additionally, Treasure Island and Cirque du Soleil have recommitted to Mystère with a contract extension.
Darren Young (image via Instagram) Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: WWE superstar Darren Young (above) is styling in his new Pride face mask. “Powered by Pride and not built to be defeated by #Covid19#quarantinelife“ • Pink News: An anti-gay right-wing American pastor defied social distancing orders amid the coronavirus pandemic to host a live reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion starring his teenage son and daughter as Jesus and Mary. • KIT212: Kenneth rounds up the what’s what in local gay rags across the U.S. and the world like this week’s issue of Adelante Magazine featuring Carlos Arcos on the cover: Carlos Arcos covers Adelante Magazine (photo: Paul Culver) • CNN: Ammon Bundy, the rancher who led an armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, said he plans on holding a huge Easter gathering despite stay-at-home orders implemented during the coronavirus pandemic. Bundy told CNN he wants to gather hundreds of people in Idaho saying he believes it’s his constitutional right to assemble, even as state and local officials urge people to socially distance to avoid spreading the virus further. • The Advocate: The marvelous Catherine O’Hara chats about the lessons her beloved Schitt’s Creek character, Moira Rose, learned after losing her fortune and how the series is more timely than ever. In the series finale earlier this week, Moira officiated her son David’s wedding to his fiancé, Patrick, clad in ecclesiastical pope garb as tears of joy ran down her face sending the moment deliciously over the top. Catherine O’Hara as ‘Moira Rose’ in the finale of Schitt’s Creek • Project Q Atlanta: The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office arrested nine men during a three-day sting using Grindr, charging them with a host of misdemeanors and felonies after aggressively pursuing at least one of the men on the hookup app. At least one of the men arrested is openly gay and is accused of offering drugs for sex to an undercover officer on Grindr. But screenshots of their conversation don’t support the allegations included in the man’s arrest warrant. • Cirque du Soleil: The over-the-top world-wide phenomenon that is Cirque due Soleil is offering a series of spectacular specials for you while we’re all #TogetherAtHome. This week’s one-hour special highlights performances from the Cirque productions of Alegria, KOOZA and KÀ! If you’ve never seen Cirque, I encourage you to sit back, hit the play button and make sure you watch in full-screen mode. Simply awe-inspiring.
Ruby Lewis, currently starring on Broadway in Cirque du Soleil’s first Great White Way extravaganza, Paramour, has released a holiday single cover of John William’s classic “Somewhere in my Memory.”
From Ms. Lewis: “I jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with producer David Wise and Engineer Rick Mckee on this project because I’ve always wanted to find a way to lend my voice for a cause. My grandmother and namesake, “Miss Ruby,” has suffered from Dementia and Alzheimer’s for years now, and it’s been my deep desire to do everything I can to help eradicate the disease in my lifetime. I’m hoping the release of this single will move people, as well as raise awareness and make a big step toward a cure.”
According to reports from audience members, the incident occurred Saturday night during the latter stages of the production at MGM Grand. Guyard-Guillot was one of the artists suspended by a wire from the show’s vertical stage in the show-closing Final Battle scene. As she ascended to the top of the stage, she slipped free of her safety wire and dropped to the open, unseen pit below the performers.
After the incident, one eyewitness seated in the middle of the audience and just a few rows from the lip of the stage said Guyard-Guillot dropped from the left side of the set (or on the right side, as audience members face the production) over a distance of at least 50 feet. The show momentarily continued, but then the music halted, and the performer’s screams and groans could be heard from below the stage. One source close to the production said she died on the way to a hospital.
“(The artist) was being hoisted up the side of the stage and then just plummeted down,” said Dan Mosqueda, visiting with his wife and 10-year-old son from Colorado Springs, Colo. “Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the choreographed fight. But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage.” Mosqueda’s wife, Annie, has a background in theater and tweeted about the incident soon after it occurred.
Minutes after the artist’s fall, a recorded announcement was played on the theater’s sound system informing ticket-buyers that refunds or vouchers to future shows would be offered to those in the audience, and the crowd was dismissed.
Cirque released a statement this early afternoon: “The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard, artist on the production ‘Ka,’ that happened on Saturday, June 29, in Las Vegas. The artist’s immediate family has been informed of the accident. Our thoughts are with her family and the entire Cirque du Soleil family.”
It is the first reported death from an accident onstage in Cirque’s 30-year history.
My sincerest condolences to the family of Guyard-Guillot and to the cast of KA.
Last night was the opening of the new Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. And when Cirque named this show “ONE” with capital letters, they meant it. This is ‘The ONE.’
From Cirque du Soliel’s press release:
Michael Jackson ONE is a sonic, tonic fusion of acrobatics, dance and visuals that takes the audience on an immersive journey through the music and spirit of Michael Jackson.
Driven by Michael’s powerful, multi-layered music – heard like never before in a riveting, state-of-the-art surround-sound environment – ONE takes the audience through a series of seamless visual and musical tableaux, at the heart of a world that is in turn majestic, playful, magical and heart-warming.
In Michael Jackson ONE, Michael’s artistry and spirit are expressed through the vibrant energy of the cast of 63 dancers and performers, underscored by aerial performance, driving acrobatics, and vivid choreographies that use the urban/hip hop idiom as a springboard for exploration.
ONE is a heartfelt tribute to the work, innovative spirit, and legacy of Michael Jackson – the King of Pop, the genius, the visionary, the One.
The world premiere attracted celebrities including Justin Bieber, Neil Patrick Harris, Ryan Kwanten, Allison Janney and Alfre Woodard. Also in attendance were Michael Jackson’s brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie.
From beat one the audience in immersed in the world and music of Michael Jackson. Where Cirque’s first tribute to Jackson, Immortal, was a huge stadium-sized event that left some critics lukewarm – not enough MJ, not enough Cirque – this is all Cirque and all Jackson.
The acts are spectacular and each has it’s own relationship to Michael’s music videos, dance moves and life. “Michael Jackson ONE” gets it right taking the audience on an amazing journey.
This is easily one of the best shows Cirque has created that takes a known entity and brings that to life in the fabulous world that can only be Cirque.
In addition, the opening night gala was a great time on the Mandalay Beach. Food and drink were everywhere, and I met two of my FAVORITE actors, Alfre Woodard (who sat behind me during the show and hugged me during the curtain call as we all danced) and Ryan Kwanten (of True Blood). Michael and I spent a long time with Ryan and his girlfriend Ashley at the party, and both could not have been more down to earth and fun.
Great night.
With Ryan Kwanten of True Blood
With the FAB Alfre Woodard (True Blood, Desperate Housewives, Passion Fish, Miss Evers Boys)
Show Schedule for Michael Jackson ONE:
Starting July 1, performances are Saturday to Wednesday at 7:00pm and 10:00pm. Starting September 3, performances are Saturday to Wednesday at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. There are no performances on Thursdays and Fridays.
Unless you travel to Las Vegas or a major city where Cirque may sit one of their shows down for a run, it’s possible you’ve never experienced the magic of Cirque du Soleil live.
Worlds Away is a gorgeous compilation of acts from seven Las Vegas shows: O, Kà, Mystère, Criss Angel Believe, Zumanity, Viva Elvis, and The Beatles Love.
Executive produced by James Cameron and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Adamson.
From the Zumanity Facebook page: Zumanity is ringing in 2013 by adding a new character! Check out the pics below as we go behind the scenes at the final costume and make up fitting for “Scottish Fantasy!”
Artist: Alex Stabler Costumes: Thierry Mugler Makeup: Nathalie Gagné
Zumanity is easily one of my favorite shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Gorgeous production, gorgeous cast and always something new to appreciate. Like Mr. Stabler…
