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In layperson’s terms, which they definitely won’t use in their ads: If you see “Awakening,” you’ll wish you were a box jellyfish. Because box jellyfish have 24 eyes. You’ll wish you had more.<\/p>\n
Oh, another line for the ads: You’ll have to go a dozen times just to see “Awakening” once! Just spit-balling here.<\/p>\n
And it’s not just about visual stimulation, you’ll also love the music and will wish you were a long-eared jerboa. The animal with the highest ear-to-body size ratio of any animal. Please keep up. You can listen to the show’s soundtrack free at the official Web site<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, what happened with “Awakening,” and why could it end up being one of the best comeback stories in the history of Las Vegas?<\/p>\n Well, for starters, “Awakening” cost north of $150 million to develop and stage. That’s more than twice the $62 million investment<\/a> blown in Cirque’s disastrous “R.U.N.” at Luxor, a trainwreck that nearly pushed Cirque into bankruptcy (again). On the bright side, “Mad Apple” at New York-New York was a result of the belt-tightening at Cirque and it’s great, so there’s that.<\/p>\n “Awakening” simply didn’t connect with audiences when it opened. Wynn extensively surveyed audiences and got strong indications of what they felt wasn’t working. Tweaks weren’t the answer, the show needed to be “reimagined,” but without dumping the dazzling, kinetic stage or stunning costumes or larger-than-life puppets, all the things that were impressive from day one.<\/p>\n So, the creative team, led by director Baz Halpin, went to work. They dissected the show and attacked the structure and characters and flow and built something that feels entirely new.<\/p>\n One of the early concerns was people seemed confused by the show’s story. It was a weird bit of feedback given Cirque shows don’t require an understandable story to be successful. Several have been running decades in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Still, confusion wasn’t a great selling point for “Awakening.”<\/p>\n The story is still somewhat baffling, but here’s the quick version: In the beginning, a phoenix creates Light and Dark. They are in love and blissfully happy until something happens and they are broken up and Dark goes really dark. The main character, IO, is charged with collecting stones in various realms. When the stones are reunited, so, too, are Light and Dark and we all live happily ever after.<\/p>\n The smartest thing “Awakening” did in its retooling was take many of our recommendations<\/a>. (They already thought of everything we suggested before we suggested them, but how does that make us look better? Do you know this blog at all?)<\/p>\n Due to our extensive live theater experience of performing in “Oliver” in high school, and failing to be accepted to Juilliard, and performing magic at a family reunion one time, and having been a master ventriloquist for several weeks, we were uniquely qualified to provide guidance to a $150 million production.<\/p>\n Our main suggestions (one of which is a spoiler) were: 1) Add humor, 2) add variety acts, 3) make the main character the daughter of the other main characters (Light and Dark) so we could root for a reunion, 4) let people take photos to share in social media and 5) lower the ticket price.<\/p>\n “Awakening” did all those things.<\/p>\n The most important change: “Awakening” found its heart. There’s a genuine cathartic moment that simply wasn’t there before, as a family is reunited and the visual feast has actually served a purpose.<\/p>\n Even the name of the show has taken on new meaning. Previously, “Awakening” felt like a clever but somewhat superficial nod to Wynn’s previous show, “Le Reve,” or “the dream.” Now, a central character’s memories and love are reawakened.<\/p>\n IO’s original sidekicks have been shown the door, replaced by two Cirque-like comical characters. Their performances could be better scripted (the bulk of their dialogue is repeating each other’s names a lot), but the lighter moments are a much-needed contrast to the seriousness of “Awakening 1.0.”<\/p>\n The new ticket prices serve to make the show feel like a genuine value (tickets start at $99). “Awakening” kicks the ass of any show on Broadway, just use those prices for comparison purposes.<\/p>\n Also worth noting, parking remains free at Wynn Las Vegas.<\/p>\n We’re most shocked about the photography thing, actually. Nobody saw that coming, but hopefully it will serve as an example to other Las Vegas shows with Draconian rules about capturing photos to share with friends and family. People want to not only have amazing experiences, they want to share them. Social media is also the cheapest form of marketing, so there’s that.<\/p>\n Video is also technically permitted, but don’t do that. It can be annoying to the people behind you. Just be in the moment.<\/p>\n Exciting news! 📸 You can now capture Awakening from your point of view. Photos and videos are not only allowed but encouraged in the theater! 🎉<\/p>\n Share your #Awakening<\/a> moments with us, and don't forget to tag #MYAwakeningMoment<\/a> and #WynnLasVegas<\/a>. 🤩✨<\/p>\n 🎥: @meganfazio<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/M8W30Mw0yO<\/a><\/p>\n — Awakening at Wynn (@AwakeningatWynn) July 9, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/awaking_eye_candy-845x634.jpg\")
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