Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil(R) Written and Directed by Vincent Paterson

Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil(R) Written and Directed by Vincent Paterson

WORLD PREMIERE TONIGHT at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirque du Soleil, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises, a CKX, Inc (NASDAQ:CKXE) company, celebrates the world premiere of its latest resident show Viva ELVIS(TM), at ARIA Resort & Casino(TM) at CityCenter in Las Vegas tonight.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cirque/42112/

In attendance at tonight's event: Priscilla Presley, Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, Inc., Bill McBeath, President and COO of ARIA Resort & Casino and Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque du Soleil among other distinguished guests.

The show

Viva ELVIS, a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music, is a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley. Nostalgia, modernity and raw emotion provide the backdrop for his immortal voice and the exhilaration and beauty of his music.

Created in the image of The King of Rock 'n' Roll - powerful, sexy, whimsical, truly unique and larger than life - the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music and whose image embodies the freedom, excitement and turbulence of his era.

Viva ELVIS focuses on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas: Elvis Presley. Significant moments in his life - intimate, playful and grandiose - blend with timeless songs that remain as relevant today as when they first hit the top of the charts.

The Music

In paying homage to the music of Elvis, Cirque du Soleil set out to present the songs of the King of Rock 'n' Roll in a contemporary form that evokes the spirit of Elvis in every way. Thirty of Elvis' songs are used in the production, with remixes designed to accentuate and boost the emotional charge of his performances. Elvis' voice is the only male singing voice in Viva ELVIS, joined by occasionally live female singers and an energetic live band. The only way to convey the true vitality and seductive charm of Elvis is with Elvis himself.

The Costumes

The Viva ELVIS costumes are inspired by Presley's life, his entourage, his concerts and his films. The fabulous imagination of '50s and '60s America, expressed through the cinema, advertising and magazines of the time, was a source of inspiration for costume designer Stefano Canulli.

The Theatre and Sets

The Elvis Theater, designed by Creation Director Johnny Boivin from Cirque du Soleil, has a conventional proscenium layout reminiscent of an opera house. The stage, the backstage area and wings accommodate the large-scale set elements and the need for speed in changing scenes imposed by the rapid pace of the show. Mark Fisher's set designs illustrate many of the most significant events in the life and career of Elvis.

The creative team

Artistic Guide Guy Laliberte
Artistic Guide Gilles Ste-Croix
Writer and Director Vincent Paterson
Director of Creation Armand Thomas
Musical Director and
Arranger Erich van Tourneau
Set Designer Mark Fisher
Costume Designer Stefano Canulli
Acrobatic performance
Designer Daniel Cola
Acrobatic Equipment and
Rigging Designer Guy St-Amour
Lighting Designer Marc Brickman
Image Content Designer Ivan Dudynsky
Sound Designer Jonathan Deans
Napoleon and Tabitha
Choreographers Dumo
Mark Swanhart
Catherine Archambault
Props Designer Patricia Ruel
Makeup Designer Nathalie Gagne

Viva ELVIS is presented exclusively in the custom-built Elvis Theater at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas. The international cast of 76 artists is comprised of dancers, musicians, singers and acrobats.

TICKET PRICES
Viva ELVIS ticket prices are $175, $150, $125 and $99.

Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis.

Beginning February 21, 2010, Viva ELVIS will be performed Friday through Tuesday at 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm. There will be no shows on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

TO RESERVE TICKETS
By phone: 877-253-5847 or 702-531-2031
Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis

In person: At the Elvis Theater box office at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter or any of the MGM MIRAGE box offices in Las Vegas.

PLEASE NOTE:
-- Video images and sound bites will be available on February 19 for
download at: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cirque/42112/

-- For creative team biographies, show images and additional information,
visit the Cirque du Soleil press room at:
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/pressroom/default.htm

(Registration is required to access images)

Video: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cirque/42112
Source: Cirque Du Soleil, Inc.

CONTACT: Kate Whiteley, Kirvin Doak Communications, +1-702-737-3100,
kwhiteley@kirvindoak.com; or Ann Paladie, Cirque du Soleil, +1-702-352-0226,
ann.paladie@cirquedusoleil.com

Web Site: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis

-------
Profile: intent