Sir Richard Branson debuts on stage at Viva ELVIS during Blue Suede Shoes. Photo: Brian Jones.
Cirque du Soleil's new Viva ELVIS at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas cast a new star for the evening, costumed him in a black leather jacket and big gold shades then put him in Elvis' pink cadillac during Blue Suede Shoes, the man being none other than Sir Richard Branson in town to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Virgin flights between London and Las Vegas. This cameo appearance comes the same day as Virgin's announcement of Virgin Gaming, an on-line tournament service.
Virgin's participation in the video or on line entertainment industry also includes it's reality series. Virgin recently began running a reality series about the flight attendants on it's entertainment screen mounted in the back of each airplane seat, an early episode featuring the girls' night out in Vegas.
So for tonight, Tuesday, June 15, Sir Richard donned an Elvisian black leather jacket and hopped into the pink cadillac on stage before 1800 theater guests. He took his stage directions and performed his cameo appearance during Blue Suede Shoes.
Unlike the big finale with everyone in sparkling jumpsuits and black plastic Elvis hair, Sir Richard appeared to keep his own long blondness. Thank you very much.
For a picture of the finale and a review, click here: Viva ELVIS.
For a slideshow and review of ARIA, click here: Viva ELVIS, ARIA via Virgin America.
The cast also joined him on the tarmack when he arrived at the Las Vegas airport, McCarran International.
After the show he mingled at the Gold Lounge, modeled after Graceland. He spent some time with the cast and with ARIA president Bill McBeath (pictured below) and other VIPS.
Las Vegas offers seven different Cirque shows, each of which has a ten year contract to start. Speaking of French Canadians, some of Celine Dion's dancers joined Viva ELVIS after Celine's show closed.
Tickets to Viva Elvis usually run $99 to $175 but Cirque offers summer discounts with tickets at $50.
Rooms at ARIA Resort & Casino begin at $129 via the internet. ARIA offers an introductory special.
http://www.virginamerica.com/va/home.do
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