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‘Criss Angel: Believe’ opens in Las Vegas

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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.

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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

‘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.

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