Le Reve

 I first saw LE REVE (THE DREAM) when it first opened and was very impressed with the show. Since that time the show and the theatre where it is presented have been transformed into something extraordinary and special.

     What used to be a gorgeous theatre has been redesigned into an intimate showplace. There used to be 2087 seats but that has been reduced to only 1606 with no seat more than 12 rows from the stage. The theatre itself has been repainted in warmer tones and given new roomier seats (thank you) and more plush surroundings. On top of all this they have created what they call a Champagne Circle where 100 luck guests sit in custom chairs while they sip Perrier Jouet and eat chocolate covered strawberries. This V.I.P. treatment is worth the additional bucks. Video screens are provided to see preparations for the show and live underwater cams catch what goes on in the water.

    When Le Reve first opened it was criticized (unjustly) for being too like two other Cirque Du Soleil shows,  “O” AND “KA”, both of which used so- called aqua theatres.  While I like these two shows very much I think I sat too far away to get the full impact. But I found LE REVE different. “O” has an almost feminine feel to it, while “KA” is characterized by
the choreography of Jacque Heim of the Diavolo Dance Theatre and actually tells an epic story about two twins.

     LE REVE, as its name suggests, has a dreamlike quality and has a distinctly masculine feel to it. It takes us into the dreams of a young girl where she meets sea monsters, angels, past and present lovers. The water pool becomes her subconscious from whence all the apparitions appear or into which they disappear. Some appear from above and dive from enormous breathe-holding heights. The gymnastics are outstanding and thrilling, often provoking either a sense of beauty or danger, or both.

     LE REVE was originally put together by the remarkable Franco Dragone. He did this project outside the auspices of Cirque Du Soleil and apparently they weren’t very happy with that. But when all is said and done he has created a masterpiece. Steve Wynn is not one to sit on his laurels or accept critics scorn lightly. He keeps tweaking the show, bringing in new dance numbers (a terrific tango) or bringing in a Tony award-winning lighting designer. My theatre companion was so knocked over by the show he was speechless for minutes afterwards and could only mutter “wow”.  Wow indeed.  This is a must-see in Las Vegas.

LE REVE THEATRE at the WYNN LAS VEGAS 3131 Las Vegas Blvd  South 702 770 WYNN or www.wynnlasvegas.com