LAS VEGAS, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" is doing poorly at the Aria in Las Vegas and MGM Resorts wants the show replaced by the end of next year, a company memo states.
It would mark the first time a Cirque du Soleil production has been pushed out the door since the Canadian entertainment company started staging permanent shows in the gambling mecca in 1993, the Las Vegas Sun reported Wednesday.
"As attendance levels have not been meeting expectations, we have asked our partners at Cirque du Soleil to replace the show," the newspaper said a company statement it had obtained stated. "We will work closely with Cirque as we explore future entertainment options."
"Viva Elvis" cast members, who have done 900 performances seen by nearly 1 million people, got the bad news Wednesday in a memo from Cirque du Soleil officials, the Sun said.
"All of us are saddened we may have to bring 'Viva Elvis' to the end of its journey," Cirque Chief Executive Officer Daniel Lamarre said in the letter to cast members. "The artistic merit of the production is exceptional. … We were given the notice by our partners there. We respect the decision as ticket sales have not met expectations. … I am proud of our work on this show and understand that this is simply a business decision."
