Powered by Cirque Du Soleil
Of the countless times Las Vegas has raised the bar for live entertainment, there may be no greater triumph than “O”. This October marks 25 years for the iconic Cirque du Soleil production, surpassing an astounding 11,300 performances, and bringing more than 19 million guests on a journey of love, adventure, courage, and wonder.
Across the world, many will recognize “O” for its imaginative interplay of water, fire and acrobatic marvels. From the simplest street performance to the most lavish of operas, “O” is renowned for world-class acrobats and swimmers, towering high divers, impossible aerial feats, and astounding aquatic acts.
However, few may know how the 1.5-million gallon spectacle came into existence...
The Origins of “O”
When Bellagio Resort & Casino was being constructed in the mid- 90s, the now legendary property was searching for a breakthrough show that would elevate it to the world’s most romantic destination.
Inspired by the massive success of Mystère, the entrepreneurs behind Bellagio requested Cirque du Soleil to develop an aquatic-themed show that would complement its majestic fountain and water features. At that time, most Las Vegas stages were still filled with comedians, dancers, magicians, and showgirls, but visionary “O” Writer and Director, Franco Dragone, dared to steer the production in a new direction altogether.
When “O” premiered on October 15, 1998, it was an entertainment revelation. “It was so new that we didn’t know if people would accept this,” says Didier Antoine, one of Dragone’s longtime collaborators and an original “O” cast member. “It wasn’t just circus, or dance, or theater... Franco combined everything together... He didn’t separate the art.”
Never before had audiences witnessed swimmers, dancers, aerialists, acrobats, and musicians all performing on the same stage. Never before had seven massive hydraulic lifts been incorporated so seamlessly within a single stage. Never before had a show merged the spirit of European opera houses with such a magnitude of aquatic acts. It was an unheralded fusion of talent, technology, and pure imagination that has inspired countless other shows and directors in the years that followed.
A Vision Everlasting
On the Las Vegas Strip, residencies come and go, stages are built and dismantled, and technologies shift all the time, and among this backdrop of change, there’s something beautifully timeless about “O”.
According to Antoine, the magic lives on not in sweeping changes, but in the enduring vision of its late creator. “The spirit of the opening, the spirit
of Franco’s creation, the motivation to carry this legacy forward... Everyone who’s been involved over the last 25 years–you can feel how much they respect [Dragone]. Even now, performers still ask me, “What was Franco’s vision?’”
The palpable excitement of opening night has only grown brighter, and with so much nuance packed into every performance, it’s no wonder that guests return over and over to relive the odyssey. “It’s amazing the impact this show still has on people,” hails Antoine. “After the pandemic, many shows closed, but “O” has thrived. People come to see [the show], and for 90 minutes, they can forget everything going on in the world.”
Today, “O” isn’t just a jewel in the crown of Cirque du Soleil. It stands as an emblem of live entertainment itself.
As this icon of entertainment celebrates 25 years of grace and grandeur, it continues drawing audiences from around the world to Las Vegas. Inspiring awe in guests of all ages, inviting curious souls on a journey through water and wonder, and building on a legacy that will captivate generations to come.
