MINDFREAK LIVE Unveils An Entirely New Criss Angel
Sammasseur reviews MINDFREAK LIVE – Criss Angel at Luxor
It seems fitting that the official debut of MINDFREAK LIVE took place under a sky that had just unleashed lightning, hail and a torrential downpour. After all, Criss Angel – BeLIEve at Luxor was a stormy and super-expensive fiasco, universally panned as the worst show in Vegas.
After seven and a half years of stinking up the Pyramid…and two major overhauls…Angel’s show is back with a brand-new name and most importantly, a new attitude for Angel himself. Each on its own is a major accomplishment, considering that Angel’s douchebag-ery is downright legendary. His arrogance and self-absorption have caused him to be one of the most despised entertainers in the world (my claim, not a factual statistic).
The casual reader may not know this, but the “magic community” is a group with its own culture and rites of passage. Magicians even have their own Los Angeles organization, the Magic Castle, which requires a private membership, standards of behavior and a dress code, along with performance spaces and an academy.
Having spent time with people of this community, I’ve learned that Criss Angel created lots of enemies and burned many bridges on his way to the top. He’s not respected by many (or perhaps most) of his peers. While that’s not really relevant to a show review, it might give you some insight into why Angel’s new outlook is so significant.
It would seem that a tragic personal event in the goth illusionist’s life (his toddler son is fighting cancer) has inspired Angel to rethink his reputation, behavior and approach to his craft. The tide started to turn when Angel came clean on being secretly married and a father, only three weeks after publicly denying those facts during a radio interview.
It was indeed a newly-humbled Criss Angel who stood before an invited audience of his peers and the media, essentially apologizing and asking for another chance. Here’s what Angel said at the end of the performance, to the best of my recollection:
“For those of you who hate me, I hope that you hate me a little less after tonight. And for the members of the media who are here – I ask that you review me fairly based on what you’ve seen…and judge me against what other entertainers are offering in town”.
It was an emotional closure to a truly new experience, spoken through a wave of crying and sobs. Cynics can claim that Angel’s speech was delivered with crocodile tears, but I won’t go that route. Instead I’ll give him credit for coming back to Earth and finally premiering the show that should have debuted in that same auditorium nearly eight years ago.
Criss Angel and Constance Perry from “Make A Wish” at the official opening for MINDFREAK LIVE
So, is MINDFREAK LIVE a great show? Nope, but it’s vastly improved and entertaining. M.L. is essentially a rehash of classic routines, repackaged/repurposed for short attention spans. What’s different is the way the acts are presented — with a rock star’s sensibility.
Two live musicians flank the stage, pounding out a blaring soundtrack as Criss struts around in various outlandish and chest-baring costumes. Unlike BeLIEve, it’s an accurate representation of what Angel was meant to do in a live performance.
There’s next to nothing in MINDFREAK LIVE that can’t be found elsewhere in a Vegas magic show. Mike Hammer‘s razor-blade-swallowing illusion. Nathan Burton‘s “four showgirls appearing inside a glass box” act. Dirk Arthur‘s dancing handkerchief. Mat Franco‘s tabletop sleight-of-hand. Rick Thomas‘s flying/levitation, the “disappearing here/reappearing elsewhere” routine, birds from the sleeves, sawing a lady in half. Stop me when I’ve mentioned something new to you. There’s even Alex Goude’s laser-bending act from Twisted Vegas and a tribute to Lance Burton‘s famous sword duel.
So far so good, because they’re performed expertly, accented with cool video sequences, dazzling lighting effects and clever front/rear projection. Unfortunately, two insufferable sidekicks — “Maestro” (Mateo Amieva, a carryover from BeLIEve) and his whiny-voiced assistant “FiFi” (Penny Wiggins) are concrete shoes that drag the show under water.
Mateo Amieva and Penny Wiggins play insufferable sidekicks “Maestro” and “FiFi”
Aside from unfunny jokes and lots of juvenile sexual innuendo, these characters use extreme amounts of harsh language (every single curse word gets a workout) that was completely out of place. Judging from the inexplicable applause that they got during bows, don’t expect Amieva and Wiggins to get their walking papers. But for me, this cloddish pair presents the perfect bathroom break.
Another great opportunity to visit the loo is granted by plastic Barbie doll Chloe Louise Crawford. You may remember her as the former Mrs. Murray SawChuck. Chloe notoriously walked out on her marriage to that other Vegas magician in order to snuggle up with Criss Angel, if numerous tabloid reports are to be beLIEved (haha).
Crawford is awkwardly shoe-horned into MINDFREAK LIVE in what amounts to a blatant act of nepotism…or desperation, depending on your P.O.V. But Chloe’s contributions to magic are as credible as the two that she revealed as a dancer in Fantasy (that other chest-baring Luxor show). The lame smattering of applause that Crawford received at curtain call seems to confirm this writer’s opinion. Don’t fret, Chloe….we hear there’s an opening upstairs in the Atrium Theater.
Chloe Louise Crawford displays her magical talents in MINDFREAK LIVE
Another caveat is the final segment, in which Angel addresses the audience on his commitment to defeating pediatric cancer. He introduces a video montage of children who have fought, and sometimes lost, that painful battle. It’s heart-wrenching and naturally a bit of a downer for audience members just wanting to be entertained. But in true Criss Angel fashion, the seriousness is suddenly transformed into a splashy finale, complete with two bikini-clad lovelies on stripper poles. Only in Vegas, folks!
As a whole, MINDFREAK LIVE is head and shoulders above the stinkfest that was BeLIEve. It won’t sit at the top of my “must do” list for Vegas visitors, but it’s no longer the worst show in the city, either. Luxor execs can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Still, it’s a damn shame that so many people got burned along the way…most especially, Angel’s own fans.
Side note: On September 12th, Angel will be hosting a star-studded fundraiser in his theater with the goal to raise one million dollars in one night. One hundred percent of every dollar donated will go towards pediatric cancer research. Guests include Jerry Lewis, Siegfried and Roy, Mike Tyson, Gene Simmons, Gary Oldman, Terry Fator, Flavor Flav and many more. Information and tickets are available by clicking this link.
MINDFREAK LIVE performs Wednesday through Sunday at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets start at $64.31 (plus taxes/fees) and can be ordered here. Luxor is offering a Summer Special through September 30th with reduced prices starting at $49.00.
Photos: [Sammasseur]
A fitness buff and Vegas fan. Sam enjoys shows, bargains, and cheap healthy eats.
One thought on “MINDFREAK LIVE Unveils An Entirely New Criss Angel”
Comments are closed.
I’ve never been a fan of Angel’s shtick, and given the info presented here, I likely won’t be buying tickets to his show any time soon. But, as a survivor of pediatric cancer, I can say I have a newfound respect for him and what he is trying to do.