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'AWAKENING' Reborn Part 2 - The Updated Review

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'AWAKENING' Reborn Part 2 - The Updated Review

What works, what doesn't, and whether you should revisit Wynn's high-tech spectacle...

"Can AWAKENING be saved? Yes, I believe it can, but not without major retooling. In its current state, the show has no hook. There’s nothing to grab audiences and make them choose it over branded, celebrity-based extravaganzas like Cirque du Soleil’s Vegas offerings and Katy Perry’s PLAY. Ticket prices that start at $125.00 up to $600.00 have to be addressed as well."

"Another problem is the lack of a human element. There’s no heart or soul to this epic. Despite all the hoo-hah that Sir Anthony bellows about magic, light, darkness, and love, the wafer-thin characters offer nothing to care about."

- VEGAS 411 review of AWAKENING, 1/13/23

The entertainment industry loves redemption stories. Whether they revolve around real-life figures or stage and screen sagas, "second chances" are something we can all relate to. Now Wynn Las Vegas has given its signature production AWAKENING an opportunity to hit the "restart" button, and the results are remarkable. In part one of this review, I detailed the rocky road that led to AWAKENING's reopening on June 30th. Now, after two post-revision viewings, I can delve into the specifics of what makes the show so much better now....item by item.

What the heck is this show?

A big gripe from previous AWAKENING attendees was that they didn't know what they were about to see...and often left feeling just as confused. Was it a musical? A play? A magic show with acrobatics? In its current form, AWAKENING is very much a "Bollywood film" come to life. In fact, entertainer Michael Shapiro (RECKLESS IN VEGAS) noted that it would make a terrific animated film, flip-flopping the current trend of turning movies into shows.

The Indian cinema industry releases dozens of eye-popping spectacles every year. Most of them have huge casts, athletic heroes, dazzling costumes, colorful sets, fantasy-based quests, and simple dialogue....all punctuated by spectacular (and often random) musical numbers. That's AWAKENING in a nutshell, albeit as seen through a Sin City filter. As mentioned in part one, the Fifth Element...uh...elements have been excised from the storyline. In their place is a fable of sorts, in which the personifications of darkness and light are tormented by being able to embrace only at dusk and dawn. Their rebellion against nature causes the Creator to separate them, erasing memories of their love and spreading darkness throughout Creation.

If this sounds familiar, then you may be a fan of LADYHAWKE, the 1985 film starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer. Based on a French medieval legend, the Richard Donner adventure featured Matthew Broderick as a young orphan. He's tasked with breaking a vengeful Bishop's curse in order to reunite a warrior and maiden who can only see each other fleetingly at daybreak and sunset.

Photo: Warner Bros In AWAKENING, that orphan is IO (pronounced Eye-Oh), a red-haired young lady raised by a warrior tribe known as the Phoenix. After a brief introduction from the character "Light", a fiery opening number introduces the Queen of the Phoenix. She selects IO for a journey to reunite Light and Darkness, thus restoring balance to the universe. Along the way, she'll discover the secrets of her own origin. [embed]https://vimeo.com/842588845[/embed]

Where's the sense of fun?

People come to Las Vegas shows to forget about the real world. They want to be entertained and uplifted, factors that were sorely lacking in AWAKENING version one, Audiences couldn't connect with the poorly-conceived characters, who were thieves, bullies, and self-centered jerks. Much-ballyhooed (and sometimes overly familiar) magic illusions felt shoe-horned into the plot, resulting in silence where there should have been applause.

IO's sidekicks "Bandit" and "Boo", once a pair of criminals, now serve as comic relief. Assigned by the Queen to aid and protect, they're actually more of a hindrance. Their antics seemed to win over audiences at the performances I attended, but I found them to be overly silly. Their contemporary pop-culture references also took me out of the timeless fantasy setting.

This may seem like nit-picking, but dispatching a pair of buffoons on a universe-saving mission just doesn't work. Their presence would make more sense if IO met them along the way and invited them to join her, a la Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow. But they do indeed add much-appreciated levity to the proceedings. As for the show's title, it actually means something now. I won't spoil the surprise, but its explanation was immensely moving.

The costumes are stunning, but...

My original review offered a disapproving opinion of AWAKENING's nonetheless incredible costumes: "The cast seems game, but their gorgeous faces and shredded bodies are barely visible until the final bows. Before that, they’re trapped inside overly elaborate Soyon An costumes, rendering them as little more than stiff-moving mannequins much of the time."

The Kingdom of Darkness is sleek, sexy, and fierce

Thankfully, Ms. An has revised her designs to allow for freedom of movement. The performers' physical abilities and sex appeal can now shine through. The designs are just as dazzling as before but are much more aesthetic and practical. This is especially noticeable in new dance sequences created by award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore (La La Land).

What about the magic?

As mentioned above, much was made about the inclusion of magic in the plot and production. Previously, "Magic" was a glowing red dot, the literal baby of Darkness and Light, whom IO and her friends kidnapped (what?). On their journey, they harnessed the offspring's powers in unclear ways that were somehow tied to onstage illusions.

That red light is now a power source from the scepter of Darkness. Possessing it allows IO and friends to visit the realms of Water, Earth, and Air. Characters appear and disappear, Oz-like, through magical chambers. Acrobats and aerialists guide the heroes from place to place. providing lush eye candy and exciting Cirque-style acts along the way.

Has that horrible orgy sequence been excised?

"Suddenly, out of nowhere, a Victorian orgy bumps, grinds, and crotch-thrusts for what seemed like eight minutes. It’s an almost sure bet that the orgy sequence will be excised. Numerous people got up and left the theater during this part as I stared at the stage in disbelief."

Yes, it's gone!!! A mildly sensual sequence has been introduced, making AWAKENING suitable for all ages. The "Air Realm" is now represented by a set that's deliberately gaudy, tongue-in-cheek, and campy. Influences of Roman, Indian, and Egyptian cultures combine in a song-and-dance number that culminates in an impressive levitation stunt.

What about the Anthony Hopkins narration?

Still there. The new storyline necessitated a return to the recording studio for Sir Hopkins. but this time it's utilized properly. The previous version made it unclear whether the narrator was part of the storyline, as he sometimes spoke to characters. Now his inclusion is subtle, unobtrusive, and more of what it should have been all along.

Pricing and Marketing

Live entertainment is an ever-evolving art form, dependent on the economy and varying tastes. With roughly one hundred shows to choose from on any given night, guests want to know what they're paying for and will seek out the best price available.

Wynn missed the boat when AWAKENING was first launched, rolling out a vague ad campaign and very lofty prices. Prior to its relaunch, prices and performance times were adjusted to reflect the current market. The base category is now a reasonable $99 (plus taxes/fees). Wynn/Encore hotel guests have reported being offered deals upon arrival, readers told VEGAS 411 that deeply-discounted seats are sometimes made available to veterans, and locals are receiving mailers offering $79 tickets. VEGAS.COM is currently listing discounts of up to 28%.

The hard-working cast is undoubtedly pleased to finally see bodies in seats, which leads us to...

Technology vs. the Human Element...

Achievements in lighting, sound, and set design have ushered in a new era of live-stage production. We've witnessed what can be done with technology in Broadway shows like Disney's FROZEN and HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. Here in Vegas, we've seen it employed to great effect in Cirque du Soleil's KA and The Beatles LOVE. But what happens when electronics overshadow the human element of storytelling? A cold reception, that's what. In a one-on-one with AWAKENING's creator/producer, Baz Halpin told me that a primary goal of the reimagining was to make the elaborate stage and technology serve the storyline. The opposite had previously been true, with the set overtaking the cast as a central character. I asked Halpin why a show that revolved around natural elements like fire and water would remove the enormous LE REVE pool and replace it with an electronic facsimile. His response (and I'm paraphrasing here) was "I loved LE REVE. I'd see it every time I came to Las Vegas. But it would be impossible to redress that set to represent the realms of Water, Earth, and Air. It would always be strictly a pool. I think audiences are more accepting of technology now, too."

As for those obnoxious, protruding seat speakers..they still remain. Showgoers will continually complain about hitting their heads and faces on them, despite a pre-performance warning. It's unavoidable. Fortunately, they're used to great effect, especially when it comes to creating an atmospheric soundscape. In fact, the entire sound and visual design seems to have been tweaked and leveled. Attending no longer feels like an assault on the senses.

Lead performers April Leopardi and Datuss Jared-Freeman Puryear are extremely talented individuals who were quite frankly held back before. Their previous performances were very one-note. Now Leopardi, a well-respected aerialist/choreographer/dancer, shines in a character arc that allows her to display sensual physical talents and touching emotions as "Darkness". Puryear, whose "Light" once felt like a riff on Chris Tucker's "Ruby Rohd" from The Fifth Element, reveals awesome pipes and an astonishing physique in a memorable new song (below). [embed]https://vimeo.com/842980428[/embed]

Final Thoughts...

When LE REVE opened at Wynn in May of 2005, it was greeted by a chorus of bad reviews. Revised several times, the aquatic spectacular enjoyed a fifteen-year run on the Strip. But more recent duds like Bat Out of Hell, Criss Angel's AMYSTIKA, and Cirque du Soleil's R.U.N threw in the towel without attempting to turn things around. The complicated birth of AWAKENING is a strong reminder that it takes more than a concept and deep pockets to create a hit. But with patience, artistic vision, the right combination of talent, and audience feedback, even a poorly-received production can transform from a stumble into a gait. AWAKENING may still experience growing pains in the weeks and months ahead, but that little red spark of magic has bloomed into a lush, rewarding experience. Whether it thrives is now up to you.

AWAKENING performs Friday through Tuesday at Wynn Las Vegas. Show times vary by date. Tickets start at $99 (plus taxes/fees) and can be purchased here. All photos/videos by VEGAS 411 unless otherwise noted