At the risk of this writer dating herself, I first saw “O” at Bellagio shortly after it premiered on Oct. 17, 1998. While specific acts had faded from memory—until I experienced the show again recently—the emotion it evoked was a familiar one. Then as now, the beauty of “O” is hard to put into words; it lives in the space between heartbeats, demanding to be felt rather than explained. From the haunting music to the gravity-defying artistry, “O” stirs something profound about the limitless possibilities of the human body and spirit.
Since its debut more than 26 years ago, this dreamlike production has captivated more than 20 million audience members over 12,000-plus performances. In a city built on spectacle and change, “O” isn’t just another show; it’s a Vegas institution that proves some productions don’t just entertain, they transcend. With no spoken dialogue, the story ripples through movement, music and visual metaphor, creating a performance that feels part circus, part ballet and part waking dream—all unfolding on a shimmering, 95-foot-wide aquatic stage filled with 1.5 million gallons of water. Performers dive, leap and seemingly fly above, on and through water in ways that defy logic, at times becoming one with the water itself.
What makes “O” truly extraordinary isn’t just the 76 performers gracefully moving above the surface—it’s the invisible world working below. During every single performance, 14 technical team members are submerged underwater, breathing through apparatus while moving scenery, props and equipment in a choreographed, timed-to-the-second dance that the audience never sees.
“There’s a whole world of action underneath the water that you would have no concept of as an audience member,” says Niall Sheehy, the production’s company manager. This underwater crew, part of a larger team of more than 150 technicians, divers and stage crew members, helps create the seamless magic where stages sink, rise and disappear entirely beneath the water.
For the world-class acrobats and gymnasts who join “O” (fun fact: there are eight Olympians currently on the roster, more than any other show in the world), mastering a water-based performance requires learning entirely new skills. These performers, who’ve spent years perfecting their moves, must master the art of plunging into water from impossible heights while maintaining their artistic precision. With two performances daily (delivering around 500 shows annually), the performers are always refining their artistry.
“These world-class performers are constantly finding ways to grow and to challenge the boundaries of human performance. It’s a very natural thing for our performers to be focused on elevating the complexity and the technical aspects of what they do every day,” Sheehy says. “Alongside that, the artistic staff, in particular our artistic director, is also finding ways on a daily basis to find that freshness for the performers.”
Even if you’ve seen “O” before, you haven’t really seen “O.” The show’s layered complexity means that repeat visitors discover new details they missed the first time. “It doesn’t matter how often you watch ‘O,’ you will notice something that you haven’t seen before,” Sheehy says. “It’s a living, breathing show.”
Bellagio. 702.693.7068. bellagio.mgmresorts.com
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