When you play online casino games, you want to see what luck has in store for you. But a ticket to a Cirque du Soleil show promises an astounding and perhaps even life-changing experience. If you’re planning a trip to a luxurious casino resort to play casino table games, you might want to book a ticket to a show to end off a fantastic night of gaming.
Why you have to watch a Cirque du Soleil show
Watching a performance from this Canadian performance company is genuinely breathtaking. A Cirque du Soleil show is a visual experience like no other. The show is not your conventional circus but a phenomenal performing troupe, complete with exceptionally talented dancers, musicians, fire breathers and many more incredible acts. Vibrant colors, live music, innovative choreography and wild costuming collide to create a story that will be imprinted in spectators’ minds forever.
The group that would originally go on to become Cirque du Soleil was founded in the early 1980s. They started with performances on the streets of the village Baie-Saint-Paul near Quebec, Canada. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with shows performed all around the globe. Cirque du Soleil shows don’t disappoint, but some of them have awed viewers and elevated the show to even greater heights. So, what is the best Cirque du Soleil Show? Here are our top 10 Cirque du Soleil shows, ranked in order of popularity.
10. Drawn to Life
Drawn to Life was released in November 2021, making it one of their latest shows in a long line of incredible acts. This current Cirque du Soleil show tells the story of a daughter, Julie, who discovers that her recently deceased father, an animator, has left behind one last story just for her.
Audience members will get to join this young woman as she’s taken on a Disney-inspired magical adventure that is a love letter to both the exquisite art on the stage as well as the art created by animators behind a desk. It features iconic animation from the studio and a number of different acts, including aerial straps, juggling, lassoing and a Russian swing.
9. Quidam
Quidam may have been released in April 1996, but it’s still worthy of the ninth spot on our top 10 list. The show featured 46 world-class acrobats, singers, musicians and characters and toured five continents.
The story follows a young girl, Zoe, who feels trapped in her regular, boring life. She is invited to a new world by the titular Quidam, a strange being wearing a coat and gloves and carrying an umbrella. He gives her his hat as an invitation to join him, which is unsurprising since he has no head and, therefore, no use for it!
Audiences can expect to be wowed by German wheel tricks, diabolos (Chinese yo-yos), aerial contortions on silk, Spanish webs and more. Unlike other Cirque du Soleil performances, Quidam’s central theme and setting are not magical or fantastical. Instead, it follows real people in a world with real problems.
8. Zumanity
This was Cirque du Soleil’s first venture into a more “mature” and “adult-focused” show and premiered for the first time in September 2003, but closed in 2020. This show explored human sexuality and, as you’d expect from a cabaret show, featured a lot more skin, teasing and sensuality than the company’s more family-friendly shows.
Audiences got to enjoy a show that featured incredible contortionists, aerial chains, dancing and all the classic elements of Cirque du Soleil. Added to that were live singing performances, stripteases and eroticism all around.
7. La Nouba
La Nouba, released to audiences for the first time in December 1998, may not have had the same story-driven performances that other shows on this list do. However, it more than made up for it with its atmosphere of excitement. Each of the show’s many imaginative and engaging segments was tied together by a theme that saw the worlds of two sets of characters collide, one of which was bright and colorful, the other which was dark and muted.
This show featured cycles, aerial cradles, breakdancing and a veritable smorgasbord of performances.
6. Dralion
If you are a fan of Chinese-themed entertainment and Cirque du Soleil, chances are you went to see Dralion, which premiered to audiences in April 1999. This show aimed to drive home a message encouraging humanity and nature to come together. The four elements – air, water, fire and earth – were each represented by different colors and human characters in the show.
Dralion audiences got to feast their eyes on bamboo pole acts, aerial hoops, hoop diving, aerial pas de deux and other mesmerizing acts.
5. Michael Jackson ONE
Number five on our list is an ode to the king of pop, which first hit the stage in May 2013 and continues to wow audiences today. In partnership with The Estate of Michael Jackson, Cirque du Soleil created a show which sees four characters stumble upon various items belonging to the iconic star. They are then transported into Michael’s world, where a character known as Mephisto taunts them at every turn.
Mephisto, who represents the dark side of media and fame, must be defeated by each of the four “misfits” through the power of Michael’s music before they can be free of their own personal demons. Each song in the show features a number of different performances, including rotating bungees, Russian swings, rhythmic gymnastics and more.
4. Mystère
Mystère is one of Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running and best Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas, having first premiered in December 1993. The show features a variety of performances based on various Greek and Roman mythological themes. This all-ages show has elements of comedy, drama and, of course, acrobatic thrills, which is likely why people keep coming back to see it again and again.
While audiences will undoubtedly enjoy the usual circus theatrics, including aerial straps, hand balancing, aerial silks, bungee and more, it’s the inclusion of ventriloquism, box tricks, drums and other art forms that really help this show remain as iconic as it is.
3. Love
Love, or as it’s otherwise known, The Beatles LOVE was first seen by audiences all the way back in 2006. Like the iconic band that influenced it, it still remains an incredibly popular show to this day.
This, and the fact that it includes a mash-up soundtrack based on The Beatles’ discography, helps it achieve a third place on our list. Again, this show departs from the narrative format of many of the other Cirque du Soleil shows and instead delivers an homage to the iconic band.
As you’d expect, the choreographed bungee, Russian swing, trapeze, inline skating and more deliver an eye-popping show, regardless of how you feel about The Beatles.
2. O
O first debuted in October 1998 and since then the water-themed performance (which some may have recognized as a play on the French word “eau,” meaning water) has been dazzling audiences with its water-bound acts for more than two decades. Yes, water-bound; you read that right.
This show is one of the most unique to come out of Cirque du Soleil (which is saying a lot) since many of its acts are performed underwater. This show takes place on a specially designed stage that allows performers to dive, swim and perform incredible feats, both in and out of the water. This brings a whole new level of entertainment to the show.
In O guests get to take in synchronized swimming, trapeze performances, aerial cradles, aerial frames and other amazing acts.
1. Kà
The number one entry on our list is Kà. It may not feature the incredible underwater feats of O, but it is equipped with a stage that can barely be described as such. It has two moving platforms, five lifts and additional platforms that appear during several acts of the show.
For us, the incredible acts of engineering and how they are incorporated into Kà are what make it our number one. It was also the first Cirque du Soleil act to tell a complete story from beginning to end, making it groundbreaking at the time. Fans are truly in for a treat with Kà, with an absolute buffet of acts on offer, including Chinese Opera, Brazilian Capoeira, Wushu, shadow puppets, baton twirling and more.
If you’re wondering what Cirque shows are in Vegas, you’ll be delighted to learn that Kà is presented at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas – host to a number of performances by some of the biggest stars who ever performed in Las Vegas.
Discover the best casino games to play online
We can’t deliver a Cirque du Soleil-level experience online, but BetMGM features many of the best online casino games. While you’re waiting for the next show, play one of the following circus-themed online games.
1. Cirque du Soleil Kooza
An online slot that lets you explore a real Cirque du Soleil show. This slot from Bally invites players to the Kooza Cirque du Soleil performance. Inspired by the show’s iconic colors and acrobatics, with an eye-catching backdrop with clowns, acrobats and spotlights. The game has a return to player (RTP) of 96% and a few thrilling bonus features.
2. Roulette
The big wheel in roulette reminds us of the Cyr or German wheel used in Cirque du Soleil and circus performances. Plus, it’s just as fun. Why not try this historic casino game live online? Head to the BetMGM live dealer online casino to learn how to play roulette at a casino.
3. Buster Hammer Carnival
For a vibrant carnival slot with a larger-than-life main character, play Buster Hammer Carnival. This online slot from developer ReelPlay has a variable RTP starting at 95.97%.
BetMGM has a wide selection of casino games that are immersive and thrilling. If you’re looking to experience your own Cirque du Soleil performance, watch one of the following performances at one of our resorts and venues.
Enjoy some of these great shows in Vegas at fantastic MGM venues
If you’re in Vegas and you want to take in an amazing Cirque du Soleil experience before you hit the Strip for some great gambling, here are the shows you can see at various MGM locations.
The Beatles LOVE – The Mirage Hotel and Casino
Michael Jackson ONE – Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
O – Bellagio Hotel and Casino
KÀ – The MGM Grand
Mad Apple – New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
With the best entertainment options and shows, an MGM casino is the ultimate Vegas date-night destination. Buy your tickets so you don’t miss out on these life-changing performances.
Play casino games online at BetMGM
You deserve a break. Why not plan a trip to see Cirque du Soleil, stop by the best nightclubs and bars in Vegas and play games at an MGM casino? If a visit to Vegas isn’t on the cards just yet, you can still have a magical time at BetMGM. Enjoy games including online roulette, jackpot slots and live dealer casino games.
For an out-of-this-world online gaming experience, register with BetMGM.
