Readers Write in Favor of Criss Angel "Believe"

"CRISS ANGEL Believe," the Las Vegas show and collaboration between Criss Angel and Cirque du Soleil, has been seen by a select few during recent previews. Most who have submitted comments have been negative. Here are some readers who are in favor of the show.

Note: To read the bulk of the readers' comments regarding the "Criss Angel Believe" Previews, please click here.

Allow Yourself to Feel It and Take in the Experience as a Whole
I attended the September 30th and October 3rd "Believe" performances. Going twice was planned in advance. I knew there would be a lot to take in, and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything. I’m not sorry I went to either show.

I think any reviews made by those who haven’t seen the show and are only reporting on the hearsay of a few people should be ignored completely. I don't understand the harsh criticisms that I have read in recent days as the shows are previews and not yet finished. In fairness to the performers and other personnel staging the show, they haven't gotten to rehearse in the actual theater for very long due to recent changes to the fire codes and having to rebuild parts of the theater.

I saw with my own eyes in August that construction was still ongoing. When I went to the show on the 30th, I saw a small illusion that didn’t work at all. It didn't bother me. I didn't expect the show to be perfect at this point. By the 3rd, that illusion worked perfectly. I also saw at least two other elements that were improved upon as well in the second show.

Rest assured that Criss Angel is a perfectionist, and he will make sure everything is perfect for the gala opening on Halloween. Judgements, especially for the technical aspects of the show, should be reserved until that time.

I have also read comments, not first hand ones, about how displeased Felix Rappaport, president of the Luxor, must be about the show. I can tell you first hand that this is not true. I spoke to Mr. Rappaport after Friday’s performance, and I am not exaggerating when I say that he was beaming. He was delighted with the show and said he had gone to every performance so far.

When you go to "Believe," you should allow yourself to feel it and take in the experience as a whole. You shouldn’t go in with the attitude that you’re going to pick it apart and try to figure out how the illusions are done. You won’t enjoy it if you’re not paying attention to the story. You also won’t enjoy it if you’re expecting it to be another episode of Mindfreak or another Cirque show.

It's something new. It's an artfully done, theatrical production which uses illusions to help illustrate parts of the storyline. It's similar to "Alice in Wonderland " or Criss' favorite movie, "the Wizard of Oz." It's about a magician who gets hurt while performing on stage and while hanging between life and death has fantastical dreams or hallucinations of finding love, reaching for it and not getting it, getting it and having it ripped away by death.

Seeing "Believe" for the first time for me was a treat for the senses. There is so much that is visually stunning; the sweeping red velvet curtain framed in gold with rabbits pulling Criss' head out of a hat, the flower Kayala hangs from among the red poppies and black sky, her enormous wedding dress that fills the entire stage with the train raised to the ceiling so Criss can walk down it.

All of the costumes are very creative and a feast for the eyes. The most stunning visual of the show for me though was Criss weeping over Kayala's lifeless body in the mist, carrying her through the rain that fell inside a picture frame, releasing her to the heavens, then levitating with her for one last goodbye. I thought of Criss' father who died in his arms and loved ones I had lost. It was so moving and beautiful that I wept.

I am looking forward to seeing the show again after the additional illusions are added and everything is fine tuned. I hope everyone will remember that what we are getting now is a "behind the scenes" look of sorts at the creative process, not a finished product. There are a lot of people working very hard to make the show a success, and they need our support and constructive feedback in order to achieve their goals and put out a show that everyone will enjoy.
Comment by KeepnItFunky - October 9, 2008

The show is beautiful and you have to have an open mind
The show "Believe" is the most awesome production, revolutionary and groundbreaking. Why? It's because the essence of true magic and supernature flows through it in a haunting beautiful vision. All elements of nature are connected and each reacts with the other to change matter - nature and super nature.

The show is beautiful and you have to have an open mind, willing to learn. It's showing us a wonderful picture of the pain and rewards of love, all kinds of love. Some people do not understand modern theatre - get with it!
Comment by MsMerlina - October 5, 2008

Sounds to Me That We Have a Lot of Closed-Minded, Stupid People
I saw "Believe" on tues 9/30/08 and I loved it. Granted the performance wasn't flawless but that is what a soft opening is isn't it? Sounds to me that we have a lot of closed minded stupid people who can’t get their brains straight on the fact that this is not "Mindfreak" it is Cirque.

Criss was great on stage and I'd pay to see it over and over again. With each performance it's getting better and better so no doubt that by the time of the gala premiere it'll be the best show on the Vegas strip and a huge success. So to all the haters keep in mind….who's making $200 million plus dollars? Hmmm, sounds to me as if he is doing something right.

Going into the show you need an open mind and willing to accept the fact that you're taken on a beautiful journey through a place where others were afraid to even touch on and Criss is bringing that to life. Although I know he won't read this…Good Job Criss. Continue doing what you do best which is bugging people out with your tremendous talent and imagination!
Comment by Amanda on October 6, 2008

It Is a Theatrical Production Very Well Done
Enough with the negativity..this show was amazing I saw it on Tues and Fri. You have to go into it with an open mind. It has a beautiful story line of Love and Evil..and yes there are illusions..it is a "Mindfreak" show..it is a theatrical production very well done. I applaud you Criss for your creativity and magic.
Comment by Debbie W - October 6, 2008

I Am Looking Forward to Being Witness to the Evolution of a Project That Is like No Other
I firmly believe that this show has great potential. Of course it's not perfected yet….something this complex takes time to evolve. If you don't want to see imperfections, you shouldn't buy tickets to preview shows.

There are a lot of technical issues that need to be worked on, but once that is done, it's my opinion that the show will be a roaring success. I plan to see the show at least once a month for the first year. I am looking forward to being witness to the evolution of a project that is like no other.

Some have complained that they couldn't follow the story line. This I can understand because the story is about Criss, his life experiences and his emotions. I suspect that one would have to know Criss and his personal history to get the full impact of the story line.

They may want to work on that aspect of the show in order to satisfy a broader audience. It needs to be done so that even those who have never heard of Criss Angel can follow and enjoy the story. Even then, I think, everyone will have their own, personal interpretation of the story.

It's like an intense fairy tale combined with a complex ballet production….where no two people will see it the same or feel it the same. That’s the best I can describe it….and it's not just because I’m an Angel fan, either.

Criss was ok individually….but the intensity of the show is a result of the whole emotionally-charged production and the ability of the players to draw you into their world, into their minds. But you have to be open to it….you have to be willing to give up your own world for a while and just let yourself go….allow yourself to feel.

Unfortunately, there aren't enough people who are comfortable enough and secure enough in their own skin to be able to let down that wall of false security and feel the raw emotion of the moment. I pity those who are afraid to let themselves feel. They are missing out on the true beauty of life.
Comment by Virginia - October 6, 2008

More Reading:
Give Time to "Believe" in Criss Angel
Readers Talk About "CRISS ANGEL Believe" Previews
Las Vegas Magic Shows
About: Criss Angel
Interview with Criss Angel
TV Review: Criss Angel Mindfreak