Cirque du Soleil's Mad Apple Brings NYC to Vegas

Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil has been putting on acrobatic extravaganzas in Las Vegas since 1993, but that all came to a screeching halt in early 2020. All the shows — including crowd-pleasers like O and Love — went dark and the sexy, queer-friendly Zumanity at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino shuttered for good. The company nearly did as well. Cirque declared bankruptcy in 2020 and changed ownership.

Now, a new production has opened at Sin City’s New York-New York resort. Mad Apple hopes to inject more comedy and grit into Cirque’s Vegas repertoire. Headlined by stand-up star Brad Williams, freestyle rapper Chris Turner, and vocalist Xharlie Black, Mad Apple aims to capture the thrill of a wild night out in Gotham, with all the music, dancing, fashion, and street life the city offers.

“From pre-show magic and boozy libations at the stunning stage bar, to the band playing the biggest musical hits inspired by the city, Mad Apple blurs the lines between circus, live entertainment, and New York nightlife culture,” according to Cirque. “Each act is like a snapshot from a different nocturnal side of New York, brought to life by underground stars, high-flying acrobats, street performers, up-and-coming entertainers, and the biggest musical hits to come out of the City.” We’re already in an Empire State of Mind.

This piece initially ran in the Summer 2022 issue of Out Traveler, available on newsstands.