Le Rêve -- The Dream

Notes

*Prices may be subject to additional fees.

LVA Review

(This show was reviewed in the June 2005 LVA; some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate.)

First things first. The Wynn Theater is a spectacular theater-in-the-round, the only one of its kind in Las Vegas. None of the 2,100 seats is more than 40 feet (14 rows) from the stage, so there isn’t a bad one in the house. The decor is gorgeous and the high-domed ceiling serves as the spectacular backstage for the performers’ entrances and exits throughout the show.

Secondly, everything about this show is expensive. Not only is it the product of a literal mega-budget, it’s now the highest minimum-priced ticket in town at $121, eclipsing Danny Gans at $100. Cocktails purchased from the lobby bar are $12, draft beers are $5, and nothing else is less than $6, including a minuscule box of popcorn. Put one and two together, along with the fact that it has the Steve Wynn seal of approval, and you’d have to bet that this show would be top-shelf.

Unfortunately, thus far it’s a major disappointment.

Le Reve, which means the Dream, might be aptly named given the real possibility that you’ll find yourself yawning through much of the show. Le Reve’s subtitle, “a series of imperfect dreams,” is also appropriate—though so are “in progress” or “still working out the kinks.” Better yet, what’s the French word for “disjointed”? The lack of continuity is evident in what’s supposed to be one of the show’s unifying elements — a quartet of “slapstick” actors who appear at odd times during the show, killing any momentum that’s been built to that point. Throw in comics in tutus, couples writhing in sexual poses, a misplaced rubber chicken, pregnant divers, gratuitous balancing boys, and a topless she-man acrobat and you’ve got the makings of a flop.

This isn’t to say that everything is rotten in Wynnmark. The total devotion to the water theme is ambitious and fresh. Everyone gets wet, whether they’re wearing bathing suits or three-piece suits (if you sit in the front row, you’re provided with a blanket to stay dry). And the water allows for some amazing high-wire bits (since no net is necessary), the topper of which is the most mind-boggling distance drop we’ve ever seen. The high divers in O do some fancy flying, but this feet-first plunge is initiated from the very top of the domed interior structure, some 150 feet above the pool. The speed the human body attains in free fall is exhilarating and there’s an air of extreme danger, but the whole thing lasts all of two minutes. It’s just too little to make up the slack.

We weren’t the only ones who were befuddled by this show. Walking out, we eavesdropped on audience conversations: nothing positive. Other reviews have been uniformly bad and the showroom on the Monday night of our visit was only 85% full. Our advice? Give it a pass, at least until the show is revamped.