What was the missteps by Aria? Having experienced Viva Elvis and the Aria Theater which was a beautiful space, it sure wasn’t the technology or theater space. Was it the execution of marketing? The creative shaping of Viva Elvis? Being an Elvis fan I really liked Viva Elvis, although I saw it after the re-editing of the colonel’s role. What I think sunk Viva Elvis and eventually Zarkana was the lack of focus on what these show were suppose to be in the Cirque realm. I saw disappointed people expecting an Elvis impersonation show walk out during my performance of Viva Elvis, and acrobatic feats fans disappointed from Zarkana. Zarkana had some incredible acts but felt cobbled together, unlike Ka which flows so well from scene to scene. Had MGM not been in such a rush in both cases, Vegas could have had another great Cirque show. Instead half assed attempted resulted in poorly delivered and marketed shows. MGM continues to march down the path of squeezing ever penny out of every square foot with their management strategy. I hope I am around when the revolt happens.
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