LE REVE

Be prepared to enter into a state of waking reverie the second you step into the Wynn Theater to see "Le Reve". Its title is French for "The Dream" and it is an artistic and multi-faceted exploration of just that. If it appears to portray a similar aesthetic to the ever-enchanting Cirque du Soleil shows, it is because it is the creative work of Franco Dragone; former artistic collaborator with the group. However, "Le Reve" certainly posesses its own unique quality, making it a spectacle not quite like any other.

The stage is set in the center of the venue, surrounded by seats on all sides. From the ceiling to the floor, the audience is confronted with everchanging scenery: digitally animated "windows", a giant glowing orb, three oversize clocks, circular pools of water, bridges and tunnels. And that's just the stage! It comes to life, (or should I say sleep), even before the show begins, as audience members get a pre-show prevue of the show's characters- ghostly specters, silent swimmers and angelic clowns are just a few.

When the show actually begins, these characters, plus a live band hidden behind the clocks, intertwine with the etherial sets and unfathomable special effects to create a dynamic and deeply moving show. Tying everything together is the theme of good vs. evil which plays out in dramatic and intermittently humorous vignettes. All in all, Le Reve tosses reality aside, taking audiences on a journey through "a small collection of imperfect dreams".

Review by Kristine Gregorian