Water wonderland
By Caroline Fontein
Leave reality behind and experience the fantastical world of Le Rêve, created by Franco Dragone, at Wynn. French for the dream, Le Rêve, depicts a colorful aquatic wonderland of beautiful and mystifying characters. The experience starts when you first enter the theater and realize that this is not your typical showroom. The circular 1608-seat theater is situated around a pool that is 68-and-a-half-feet in diameter with the furthest seat only 42 feet from the water. The 27-foot-deep pool is kept at a comfortable 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
Not only does the in-the-round theater put guests at a unique vantage point, but it also makes them feel like they are part of the show as there is no clear line between the audience and the stage. Gymnasts, aerialists and synchronized swimmers appear from every angle, at times ascending from the water, descending from the high arched ceiling or running through the theater and alongside the audience. If you are seated by an aisle, you never know when you are going to look to your side and see a masked face or other curious character staring right back at you.
Le Rêve has a loosely woven storyline that begins with a woman and man dancing and then saying goodnight and goodbye to each other. The man departs the stage, and the woman lies down to rest on a bed. Together the woman and the bed slowly disappear underwater, signifying that her spectacular dream is about to begin.
The music changes from soft and mysterious to loud and invigorating as creatures of the night arise from the water and emerge from the aisles and make their way to center stage. Some of them look playful and fun while others have a more malevolent appearance. Aerialists are lowered from the ceiling to join in the revelry, and soon the pool is transformed into a spectacular ring of fire.
This is one of the many different scene changes in the show that takes place on a platform in the middle of the pool capable of rising 15 feet above the water. There are three additional lifts that enable performers to enter from backstage without having to get wet. They can disappear and reappear in seconds, creating a constantly changing stage area. Special lighting and water effects and a stimulating soundtrack performed live add to Le Rêve's spectacular production elements.
Rain pours from the ceiling, smothering the ring of fire and revealing a bevy of beautiful women and then men who seem to materialize from the water. A tall, rotating, tree-like platform rises from the pool where male gymnasts do incredible poses and dives.
Different acts and performers seamlessly flow into each other, resulting in a fast-paced and exciting journey where each scene is more amazing than the next. One of the signature acts in the show is a tango number performed with both synchronized swimmers in the pool and tantalizing tango dancers on the platform. It begins with red high heels and then legs appearing from the water and moving around to the upbeat rhythm of the music. Couples enter the platform creating a multi-level dance extravaganza.
During another dance sequence, men with large white billowing fans walk onto the stage while the woman, whose character is dreaming, performs a whimsical dance routine. Beautiful patterns created by colorful lights are displayed on the fans as they seem to float and gracefully move above the stage. The audience also gets a view of the woman dancing on stage as a beautiful silhouette behind the fans.
While the performers dazzle the audience on stage, in the air and from the water, what's going on behind the scenes is just as amazing. During the show there are 16 divers who aid performers underwater. There are also 100 hookah regulators in the pool to help performers travel underwater or to assist them when they are performing with their heads submerged for long periods of time.
The fast-paced show means quick costume changes for the performers and a lot of running up and down stairs to get in position for their next act. A wardrobe attendant is on hand to operate one of the theater elevators, moving performers over 40 times during one 75-minute show. Eleven dressers are also working behind the scenes to assist the cast of 91 performers with 2,000 costume items.
Back on stage, the cast continues to mystify the audience with more incredible performances. A lamppost is lowered with a man wearing pants and a suit jacket effortlessly leaning on it. As the lamppost hangs in mid-air the man balances his body away from the post and horizontal to the ground using only his incredible strength and agility to achieve this feat.
Three more dream-like characters are lowered in a wire framed globe where they perform an amazing routine suspended above the water. They weave their way through the open frame and hang off of one another, creating a series of beautiful poses as the globe is lowered and then raised to different heights above the water. It is just one of many awe-inspiring moments in Le Rêve.
Champagne Circle
Guests who purchase the Champagne Circle seats get an extra special viewing experience. The Champagne Circle seats are the furthest from the stage but at only 42 feet from the water, this is still a spectacular view. Located foot-level in front of the Champagne Circle seats is a screen that shows pre-recorded backstage footage of the show before it starts. Once the lights go dim and the show begins, the screens give guests a live behind-the-scenes view of the performers when they are underwater, backstage or descending from more than 80 feet above the stage. During a synchronized swimming routine when only the performers legs are visible to the audience, the screens allow guests seated in the Champagne Circle to see how the swimmers manage to stay underwater for so long, one of the many intricacies that go into putting on this extravagant show. The Champagne Circle experience also includes complimentary champagne bottle service and a tray of two chocolate covered strawberries and six savory chocolate truffles.
