Before he ever ran a circus company, Guy Laliberté was an accordion player, fire-eater and stilt-walker. But today, his career is similar to that of a trapeze artist. He’s let go, done a couple of flips, leaving the audience to wonder where he’ll land.
“I am always looking for opportunities, keeping my eyes open,” Cirque du Soleil’s co-founder said Saturday night prior to the One Night for One Drop charity event at Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand. “We have projects we want to focus on at this moment in time. We are full of creative projects.”
Laliberté’s most recent project has been the Frooogs Camp, a roving, whimsically themed RV village and accompanying fairground of art, F&B and theater installations. Laliberté has tabled that idea and has been selling off the frog-inspired rolling community. He’s taking more of a backseat role in his next road trip.
Laliberté also occasionally DJs his own private parties. With his name recognition, he could establish a headlining residency at a Strip nightclub (we thought of this while returning to the Hakkasan and its dazzling surroundings).
Laliberté sold off his majority interest in Cirque in 2015, coming out of the transaction a billionaire. He remains Las Vegas entertainment royalty, with shows he launched on the Strip, “Mystere” at Treasure Island, “O” at Bellagio, “Ka” at MGM Grand and “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay still carrying the company brand. “Mad Apple” was developed after he sold, replacing “Zumanity,” and the company also acquired Blue Man Group in the post-Guy era.
At 66, Laliberté is still creative, exuding a childlike vision for his next project. He teasingly says he will be back.
“It’s about the right opportunity. You know, I’ve been spoiled and blessed at the beginning of Cirque du Soleil here, so context is very important to me,” Laliberté said. “But I would love to come back to do something in Las Vegas.”
Big in Berlin, Mexico
Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre said the company’s two latest shows — Alize in Berlin and Ludo in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico —- have “brought a really different kind of content” to the production company.
The Berlin production is “acro-magic,” the show in Mexico is a 360-degree aquatic spectacle.
The types of shows that have soared in Las Vegas. But the company is not in an aggressive, expansionary frame of mind in Las Vegas at the moment.
“The one thing that has been affecting us is less visitors from Canada, less visitors from Mexico. Those are the two main things,” said Lamarre, a Cirque exec since January 2001. “But now it seems that the numbers are catching up, and now we are seeing our occupancy gaining momentum. That’s good for us.”
Lamarre said he’s encouraged by “Ka’s” resiliency. Often the subject of shutdown speculation, the production has signed on through 2027 at MGM Grand. Lamarre said he and MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle marveled at the show’s longevity as the partners signed the extension.
“It seems as if people are rediscovering ‘Ka,’ in the same way they rediscovered ‘Mystere’ after COVID,” Lamarre said. “If you last long enough, people will circle back to you.”
Top doc
Carrot Top is developing a documentary about his life and career. It’s in the early, or “sizzle reel” stages. But we anticipate great humor and intrigue from Carrot Top, who arrived in Vegas with his orange hair and box of props 30 years ago and is now an entertainment graybeard.
“We’re just starting to shop it around, but it goes all the way back to my Florida days,” the comic whose legal name is Scott Thompson said on the One Drop blue carpet. “But to see all the old props and old interviews just blew me away.” To recount, his first prop was a Neighborhood Watch sign. “Where did I find this? I stole it,” was the joke, and a career was born.
Around the room
Famous/noteworthy/intriguing guests waded into the event. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi (daughter to Prince Albert II of Monaco and granddaughter to Grace Kelly); reality TV personality Galyna Saltkovska (formerly of Peacock TV’s “McBee Dynasty”); Lady Gaga’s sister and On Stage Essentials founders Natali Germanotta and Alex Dolan; models and twin sisters TK Quann and Cipriana Quann; the casts of Chippendales at Planet Hollywood and Fantasy at Luxor, with producer Anita Mann; magic couple Murray Sawchuck and Elizabeth; and Brendan Theatres owner Johnny Brenden.
The night’s highlight was a one-night-only performance of “Ripple” by Live Edge Entertainment, in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality. Cirrus Aviation founder and CEO Greg Woods was honored as One Night for One Drop 2026 honoree, recognizing the company’s water-sustainability efforts.
Cool Hang Alert
“Pictures of Sound: A Sonic Experience Bringing Sound to Life” takes over The Usual Place at 100 Maryland Parkway, Unit 110, at 8 p.m. Friday. This is an as-billed indie musical journey with Lowbroh, Quinn Ayers, MiMi, HKG and Stolen Street Signs (Carrot Top has an alibi). Ages 21-over, free parking with validation (you are awesome!) Go to theusualplace.vegas/shows for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source neon.reviewjournal.com ’
