'Criss Angel: Believe' opens in Las Vegas

An eclectic mix of stars appeared at the Luxor Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Halloween to take in "Criss Angel: Believe," illusionist Criss Angel's collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Among the celebs walking the opening night black carpet (yes, black -- this is Criss Angel, after all): Dominic Monaghan and Evangeline Lilly of "Lost," "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul, boxer Mike Tyson, "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris, Wilmer Valderrama ("That '70s Show"), MTV's Tila Tequila, Motley Crue's Vince Neil and Angel's date Holly Madison (a.k.a. Hugh Hefner's ex).

"Believe," which unites "Mindfreak" bad boy with the Canadian theatrical powerhouse behind such family friendly Vegas shows as "O," "The Beatles Love" "Ka" and "Mystere," reportedly cost $100 million and has $5.5 million in advance sales. Backers hope the show will run through 2028.

Did critics find magic in the show?

Reed Johnson of the Los Angeles Times says: " 'Believe' suggests less an artistic marriage made in accounting heaven than a shotgun wedding of clashing sensibilities in which the shotgun messily discharges en route to the altar."

"The basic story -- a dream/nightmare that occurs after he is rendered unconscious during a failed trick -- is out of step with nearly every other Cirque show. It has its roots in 'The Wizard of Oz,' but there's no sense of hope or possibility here," Phil Gallo of Variety says.

Joe Brown of the Las Vegas Sun says: "The single most amazing thing about 'Believe' is that it’s still so boring."

UPDATE: Richard Abowitz of the LA Times' The Movable Buffet blog reports: "Sadly, no magic or miracle saved the muddy mix of Cirque and Criss Angel from turning into quicksand."

Photos from the black carpet arrivals and after-party are below.

-- Lisa Fung

Photo: Criss Angel, center, and "Believe" cast members. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

"American Idol" judge Paul Abdul.

Boxer Mike Tyson and his date.

Marie Osmond, right, and daughter Rachael Blosil.

Evangeline Lilly.

   

Dominic Monaghan.

Neil Patrick Harris.

Reality show host Tila Tequila.

Reed Scott and Vanessa Branch.

Vince Neil and wife Lia.

Criss Angel and Holly Madison.

Photos: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Comments

[Sam]

Even with Holly Madison as the double-feature, the show is still a joke.

I;d make a better date for Criss any day! lol

Oh by the way Criss my name is Nicole Stefaniuk, I'd date you any time my pic is on the website. Take Care your angel,,,,,

[Nicole Stefaniuk]

Love you Criss!

[SUE]

Marie Osmond must have paid her Daughter Rachael a lot of money to hang out with her for this show, cuz that little Dame is a Wildcat, and I do mean WILDCAT!!!!!

[melissa]

Wonder if they have any picture taken of these people AFTER they saw this disaster...

That would be swell.

Melissa and Diane
Loyally yours.

[eajones]

yawnnnnnnnnnnn

[Candice]

I love Criss Angel & his Mindfreak Show. That's what I expected to see when I spent $237.00 for 2 tickets to his Believe Show at the Luxor on September 28th. Unfortunately it was awful. Not Criss Angel, as you expect, at all. Hardly Criss Angel at all. A waste of $237.00. Everyone was walking out & demanding their money back at the box office. I am from Montreal & callled the Luxor several times & left messages wanting a refund. No one responded. Unfortunately a total rip -off. What a disappointment because he is so talented. But the show did not reflect this. I have seen all the Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas...& this was the worst!..I did not want to see a bunch of clowns...I paid to see Criss Angel perform his illusions...& he didn't. I was robbed!

[Lee Ann]

Jeez you guys! Everyone goes to this show, which has been his dream for, what, fifteen years now? expecting to see Mindfreak. It is NOT. MINDFREAK. He kept saying that interview after interview! A real fan of Criss's would go see the show and probably like it no matter what - just goes to show you which people are fans and which aren't.

I went to the show and I LOVED it, personally. I went there expecting to see CA and Cirque du Soleil - and that's what I saw. I loved it.

[Helena]

I love Criss. He is the most talented, amazing magician, illusionist and stunt artist ever! This is not supposed to be a MindFreak show. Critics are just trying to put him down and fans should always support him. I would love just seeing Criss no matter what. If you don't, your not a fan and should not have even went. Criss deserves to be named not only magician of the decade but Man of the Decade with his amazing talents and super sexy looks. I think people are just jealous of him. He has IT and is HOT, Hot, Hot!!!

[DEBBIE]

I FEEL THE SAME WAY CANDICE FROM MONTREAL FEELS. MY FAMILY SPENT $206. IN OCTOBER TO SEE BELIEVE. WE STAYED ON THE STRIP AND THE BELL HOP AT THE FLAMINGO TOLD US THE SHOW WAS SUPPOSE TO BE TERRIBLE THAT CRISS PULLS A BUNNY OUT OF A HAT. WE DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM!! WE HAD PURCHASED OUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE, WE WENT TO THE SHOW AND COULD SEE WIRES AND TRAP DOORS BEING USED. WE COULD SEE THE WIRE ATTACHED TO CRISS AS HE WALKED DOWN THE WALL AND WE NOTICED HOW HIS TWO FRIENDS HAD TROUBLE DETACHING THE WIRES FROM HIM AS HE MADE IT TO THE FLOOR. TO THE LUXOR & CRISS WE EXPECTED SO MUCH MORE==ALSO, IF YOU DIDN'T NOTICE AFTER THE PERFORMANCE THERE WAS NOT MUCH APPLAUSE AND NO BUZZING FROM THE CROWD AS THEY LEFT. I HAVE GONE TO SHOWS IN MY LOCAL HOME TOWN (SHEAS) AND PEOPLE ARE NORMALLY EXCITED AFTER THE PERFORMANCE. CRISS WE WOULD SUGGEST YOU FIX THE SHOW AND DO WHAT YOU DO BEST--ILLUSIONS THIS IS WHAT YOUR FANS EXPECT FROM YOU. PS WE STILL LOVE MINDFREAK

[Ashley]

VVVVVVV
Some people can just critisize.
Worthless

I loved the show.
AMAZING!