Has anyone taken one for the board and seen Chris Angels show? I know a lot of the information at the launch of the show was very negative. But, I haven't seen any updates since.

Latest I've heard is that it's still bad even after some changes, but I have not seen it yet.

I saw it about a year and a half ago, after some changes. And there have been more changes after that. There's still a few paragraphs in my trip report from Sept '09.

I understand that all of the tricks that have "something out of nowhere" happen in the same exact spot on the stage, so you know where the trap door is.

I understand that all of the "flying" is done at the same spots on the stage, so you know where the elevators and ropes are.

I understand he still has the paid shills in the audience at each show that acts surprised that they showed up to welcome him.

I understand he still promotes his gift shop items inbetween tricks instead of at the end of the show.

I understand he still has the creepy dancing and later mutilated rabbits. Not cute bunny rabbits, but nasty brown hares that are so creepy, it makes Alice in Wonderland sweet.

I understand it's still difficult to believe it's a Cirque show.

I understand his ego is still beyond the stratosphere.

On a positive note, it is a comfortable showroom. If you live Chris Angel, if you eat and sleep and love Chris Angel, if you think Chris Angel can do no wrong, you'll love the show. Seriously, I think it's a love it or hate it show. I don't know anyone that saw the show and had to think about how to rate it.

I saw it shortly after it first opened and absolutely hated it. I'm a big Cirque fan and in no way does this seem like a Cirque show.

I wrote about it in a trip report but I can't remember when it was.

All I remember are the mutilated rabbits, a decapitated big rabbit, Chriss Angel getting electrocuted, then disemboweled, and the guy next to me leaning over to me when the show ended and saying, "Was that the biggest piece of crap or what?"

Maybe it's changed since it opened but I would never go back.

I think I have seen almost everything big on the strip and I still can not convince myself to waste money on this show. I am still hoping someone will see the current show and say something nice.

If you have a lot of curiosity about the show and are a fan of his TV show, there might be an alternative. I've seen tickets for sale as cheap as $29.00 + fees. Probably the cheap seats, but it's a nice comfortable theater.

If you're just out of choices, go to the Tix4Tonight kiosk and watch the screen scroll through and pick your poison.

Also remember that some shows change. Barry Manilow's show changed when he moved to Paris. Donny and Marie's show will change next month.

Another "different" thing to do is the backstage tours. Currently Cirque is offering a package for Love and O. I'm seriously thinking of trying the Love one. And if I like it, I might try O. It's not cheap and very limited.

I'm thinking of doing another Segway tour. It's only and weekends and I work weekends, so it's a logistical nightmare for me.

JMT, I was backstage and also way up there above the rafters at the Cirque Mystere production a couple of times because we had family members in the show.

I was mainly interested in seeing how that stage elevator worked and while down below I even tried to walk on top of that big ball whch may or may not still be in the production.

We also went to the backstage of the backstage where the cast awaited their time on stage playing pool or just sitting around chewing the fat.

It was interesting seeing it all but I'd really like to go backstage at "O" and "Ka" to see how that pool and slanting stage really work and the process involved.

How do you get tickets to the backstage tours? Is that something anyone can do or is it limited to locals?

They only way is to go to www.bestofvegas.com and click on SHOWS, then look for Cirque Insider Access. Even if you go to the Cirque website and scratch around, it will eventually take you to bestofvegas.com.

Funny you should mention it, as I am going to the Love version tonight, and will probably report on it next week.

will800, the Ka backstage I tour took was somewhat boring. All 3 stages were stationary during the tour, but you could see the huge mechanics of it. Then there was the cork and cork cleaning equipment. Other than that, it was mostly just costumes. You get a better view of the airplane and the wheels during the show when they are moving. They don't do anything on a backstage visit. I learned a lot about the show from what they told me, but there was not much to see.

There are TV specials with backstage stuff for O and Ka, and maybe others that show a lot of live action. There's one for KA where they work on one of the actuators for the stage. It's one of those shows about big things.

JMT - I'll look forward to learning about the LOVE backstage tour!