NEW YORK (AP) — Cirque du Soleil is planning a stunning new show on the Las Vegas Strip this spring that appropriately turns its typical script on its head.

“Mad Apple” will feature comedians, close-up magic and a band playing pop music on stage alongside the famous Cirque acrobats in a new hybrid form of live entertainment.

The show – inspired by New York’s eclectic nightlife with its jazz cubs, street musicians, comedy and live music – will replace “Zumanity” at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in May on the Las Strip. Vegas.

“We really wanted to do something happy and festive,” veteran producer Simon Painter told The Associated Press ahead of Tuesday’s unveiling. “It’s basically a giant party, the biggest party in New York.”

“Mad Apple” will be the Cirque’s sixth show in Las Vegas and the first brand new since emerging from bankruptcy protection with new owners. In 2020, it had to suspend its productions worldwide as the pandemic crushed live entertainment.

Visitors enter the performance space before the show to find a huge bar and are greeted by magicians. The bar then turns into a stage and the show begins, with the infamous Cirque clowns replaced by two stand-up veterans – Brad Williams and Chris Turner.

“I’m the first comedian to be part of a Cirque show and do traditional stand-up comedy,” Williams said. “It’s really exciting for me because I like doing things that I’ve never done before.”

Usually, a Cirque show means pre-recorded atmospheric, whimsical world music, but not here. A live band with singers will remain on stage for most “Mad Apple” hits like Billy Joel and Lady Gaga, including tunes from the Gershwins and notable jazz, culminating in “some kind of big party at Studio 54”, said Painter. . “The whole show is set to the New York soundtrack.”

Unlike many Cirque marquee shows, there will be no narration. “Given the current state of the world and everything else, we wanted to make a piece that was pure entertainment,” Painter said.

“Mad Apple” won’t skimp on physical stunts, with acrobats falling on a New York taxi, an acrobat swinging off a New York street sign, and the show ending with an acrobat doing tricks on an aerial pendulum. of the Empire State Building.

“You could go see a Cirque acrobatic show. You can go see a live band. You can go see a magician. You can go see a comedian – and that’s four separate shows. Or you can go see ‘Mad Apple’ in New York-New York and it will all be in one show,” Williams said. “It’s a Cirque show that really tries new things.”

When approached by Painter, Williams asked what kind of comedy the creative team was looking for. Should there be a theme, subjects to avoid or suggested areas? “Simon said the most beautiful thing a performer could ever hear,” Williams said. “He said, ‘All I care about is that it’s funny.'”

The show promises to somehow wink at the Canadian roots of Cirque. The now-global entertainment giant started humbly with just a few traveling musicians in Quebec.

The painter’s company, The Works Entertainment, which Cirque acquired in 2019, has developed several other live shows, including “The Illusionists” and “Circus 1903,” which have always had a strong comedic element. Neil Dorward, veteran director of The Works, will direct “Mad Apple”.

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Marc Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

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