2003 comments about Zumanity

If you have seen Zumanity, please ADD your own comment.

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Zumanity
Date Seen: 12/03 - Bad Show
We were extremely disappointed in the Zumanity show we saw two weeks ago in Las Vegas. Both my husband and I are cirque de soleil fans and this was our 4th show. Though we are far from prudish, we thought the show was not erotic, but vulgar and garish. It's enough to turn you off sex altogether. It lacked the creativity and wonderment of all the other cirque shows.

It makes me wonder if they were trying to cater to the lowest common denonimator. I certainly hope they will rewrite some of the acts. If we had wanted a cheap peep show, we wouldn't have paid good money to see this one. In particular, the host of the day was totally vulgar. We certainly expected a lot more from the creators of the Cirque.

DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL.
<quandra1 -at- yahoo.com> - USA - Added 01/03/04 - [24.69.255.***]    2413

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Zumanity
Date Seen: 11/03 - Undecided
Zumanity is hard to describe and hard to rate. Certainly caught my interest and many parts of it were intriguing. I have been to Mystere at least 10 times, "O" about four times and several other Cirque du soleil around the country. Was I disappointed, the answer would be yes. Two reasons: 1. Not as grand or as what I would call cirque du soleileeee as you see at Mystere'. The old people humor (the puritans) that I realize was supposed to be crude and banal was just plain boring. Some of the acts were excellent. The circle of love at the end was anti-climantic and was lacking in energy. Finish with these thoughts, Glad I went? probably, will I ever go again?? No Way.
<greg.lanting -at- filer.k12.id.us> - Twin Falls ID USA - Added 12/19/03 - [65.103.222.***]    2384

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 11/03 - Good Show
Zumanity is definitely not for everybody- reflected in the reviews below. I, however, enjoyed the show- it's another good performance put together by Cirque du Soleil. Once you get past the fetishism, many of the acts were quite good. The two female performers in the water-filled half globe were my favorite. It is a wonder how they can perform without getting hurt! As for the overall theme of the show: love and lust, it's walking a fine line between what is tasteful and something that is vulgar. In my opinion, it was done artistically. Yes, there were portions that might offend some (blow-up doll for one), but if you can overlook that as simple humor, you will get enjoyment out of it. Overall, a recommended show.
<bliu21 -at- hotmail.com> - USA - Added 11/29/03 - [68.237.71.***]    2348

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 11/03 - Bad Show
Someone posted that we Americans "just don't get it." So what's to get-- Sex at an all time "how low can you go?" If you think humping a blow up doll and a cow is hysterical, then this is your show. S&M, bondage, group sex, calling the ever present devil "Jesus", and several weird fetishes are other highlights you can look forward to. I was especially appalled by the woman pleasuring herself with much moaning and then choking herself right before orgasm to heighten the intensity. This is not theater or art---it is filth and perversion disquised as entertainment. Take you $95.00 and go to any other show in town---go shopping---gamble--ANYTHING will be better then going to this freak show!! SHAME ON CIRQUE DU SOLEIL!!! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT !!!!

<thesmiths -at- cableone.net> - Omaha NE USA - Added 11/24/03 - [24.119.15***]    2342

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 11/03 - Bad Show
terrible show!!!! i wasted almost $200 on this piece of crap show!!!
<Z63CHEVYII -at- AOL.COM> - Toledo OH USA - Added 11/18/03 - [64.12.96.***]    2325

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 11/03 - Good Show
Done mostly in good taste !!! I would see it again !!!! The end of the show could use more energy !!!
<denric44 -at- aol.com> - South Berwick ME USA - Added 11/15/03 - [152.163.252.***]    2316

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 11/03 - Good Show
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, that's what makes sites like this one valuable. But some of you people, really, really, really don't get it. That's fine, of course, but to suggest that this is a "bad show" is simply wrong.

I read below that one person described Zumanity as a cross between Cabaret and Rocky Horror. "That's pretty close," I thought ... then I realized that the reviewer meant that as a slam. Jeez.

The show acknowledges, and at times parodies, the traditions of European cabaret and Las Vegas "exotic" reviews. It is risque, bawdy and hilarious. It does not really show you as much as you think you are seeing, but it certainly does show a lot. It features the wonderful music and physical grace that are the hallmarks of Cirque du Soleil. It also suggests that sexuality is not the exclusive province of human Barbie dolls and over-buffed macho men. Puritans of all sorts, beware.

We loved it.
<rdollars -at- austin.rr.com> - USA - Added 11/10/03 - [24.243.237.***]    2288

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03 - Good Show
I think people that are uptight or prudish will have a very hard time enjoying this show. This is basically Cirque du Soleil without clothing...not that they wear much clothing in their other shows! All I have come to expect from Cirque was in "Zumanity": the excellent live band, the pre-show entertainers roaming the audience to loosen up the crowd, the erotically dressed people roaming just as "atmosphere" (in this particular show) , the rich texture of the performances. I love the fact that there will be a main act on stage, but there will be things going on on the periphery (people in the background striking poses, etc.) This show is not for everyone nor is it meant to be. Very funny, erotic, and the acts are breathtaking. Cirque took a real risk with this one. I am very open-minded so the girl-girl or guy-guy acts or the transvestite host didn't bother me, but they might upset some people. Don't go if you are easily offended. I loved it, but I love everything Cirque does.
<jakasper -at- earthlink.net> - Sunland CA USA - Added 01/16/04 - [63.191.41.***]    2456

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03
It's tough to rate this show because most of it was fantastic, but I found about a tenth of the show to be in extremely poor taste or pathetically juvenile. The theater space itself is beautiful. Most of the acts are terrific. There is a great deal of partial nudity and some simulated (rather well simulated) full nudity. I had never been to a topless show previously and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the women were not "augmented". The dancing, singing, musicianship, and acrobatics were uniformly excellent. The stagecraft was wonderful.
If you understand going in that the show is about sexuality (and from the ads I don't see how you could miss it), most of the show won't be particularly shocking. The act I found most distasteful was about a girl with an asphyxiation/strangulation fantasy. I try to keep an open mind, but someone who gets off on strangulation is a danger to himself and needs psychiatric help. the performer was a beautiful girl and a talented acrobat, but the concept was simply sick.
The act with the two guys kissing at the end looked like an obligatory payoff to a political constiuency. I'll admit that I didn't care for the subject matter, but that being said, I thought it was the least creative or artful of the acts.
The finale was simply stupid, with a simulated orgy and the cross-dressed MC asking the audience "Did you come?" It made Howard Stern look like Alistair Cooke. There was also some half-man/half-woman walking around with a golden willie strapped to himself. Creeeepy. If the directors are looking for something to cut, tell the girl with the straps to keep them off her neck, and drop the curtain about 10 minutes earlier.
<magicX24 -at- aol.com> - USA - Added 11/06/03 - [152.163.252.***]    2266

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03 - Good Show
Spuerb show - I just don't understand all the negative comments. Yes, it was edgy and erotic, but I thought done in a very classy manner (except for the Puritans, which were supposed to be crass). The costumes and creative and beautiful, the staging is very well done, the theatre is superbly built. The show is almost entirely topless, with natural, very beautiful women. For the ladies, there are plenty of well-built guys in tight pants without shirts. There's something for everyone - where does the negativity come from? The buzz leaving the theatre was very positive - maybe there are simply a vocal few who dislike this type of show - don't be duped by their pessimism.
<Torrignani -at- aol.com> - Birmingham AL USA - Added 10/29/03 - [198.245.25***]    2194

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03 - Bad Show
My wife and I had the great misfortune to pay $95.00 apiece to attend the
>NYNY Zumanity show on 10/15/03. Having seen Mystere. 'O', LaNuba, and
>Dralion previously, we thought we would be getting something of the
>equivalent, but with the sensual/erotic twist it was being advertised
>as. What we DID get was a vulgar, crude and poor Cirque rendition
>instead. The acrobatic acts were good, but not new. The stage antics of
>the MC and 'Puritans' blathering about 'dangling genitalia', etc., while
>all the time wagging their tongues at us was just so crude as to be
>ludicrous. The 'finale' groping/orgy scene at the end was totally boring
>and tasteless. This show was to us, the very antithesis of what we had
>come to expect of the classy Cirque Du Soleil shows we had previously
>seen. You are being way too kind in describing this show as a 'work in
>progress'. It has a very very long way to go to justify the ticket prices
>it is demanding. As it is today, I predict it will not be around 6 months
>to a year from now.
>Finally, at $95.00 apiece for the cozy 'couch' seats we had, located at
>the extreme right side of the stage was not worth the money.

<paulshuser -at- aol.com> - Northborough MA USA - Added 10/20/03 - [64.12.96.***]    2173

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Zumanity             
Date Seen: 10/03 - Good Show
We bought tickets for this show before I had read any of the reviews below. I was a little skeptical after reading them. Now that I have seen the show...I would definitely go see it several more times. EXCELLENT SHOW!! It is absolutely NOT for the conservative/prudish person or one who is uncomfortable with open sexuality. After the first act or two, we actually forgot to pay attention to the fact that the performers were half naked. We were just amazed by the talent they all have. I loved Joey, the Mistress of Seduction! He would make the perfect girlfriend for Dr Frankenfurter. If you liked Rocky Horror Picture Show you will like this show even better!!
<shambolain -at- yahoo.com> - AZ USA - Added 10/18/03 - [24.121.55***]    2169

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03 - Good Show
We went with 3 other couples. I hadn't planned on going but couldn't be left out of the convesation after the show. Is it worth $75 per ticket? Good question. The music was powerful. but at times I was wondering what would be next, in the sense of get this act over with. But we that attended have laughed so hard at the puritians actions afterward it made our tripto Vegas that much better
<pit707 -at- turbonet.com> - USA - Added 10/13/03 - [63.161.20***]    2161

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03 - Bad Show
If there was a Zero rating, this show would have gotten it.

Zumanity- The title itself doesn’t even fit for this show. It implies that there is humanity in the sexuality that they choose to exhibit, and I couldn’t have found that less than the case. I may be from the Midwest, and with that a certain “stigma” attaches…but I do have an art background and can see the beauty in a Mapplethorpe. There was very little beauty here. Definitely not enough redeemable qualities. 10% being anything that you would expect of Cirque du Soleil and the other 90% being complete and utter raunchiness. No, I am not some prude who just is having a hissy over the nudity, this show just sucks. I, too, had a screaming chick sitting next to me that left me with one ear ringing, and would laugh, loudly, at everything as though it was funny. After the other comments I read, I would question if she ~was~ planted in the audience. If so, I think she didn’t get the expected reaction. After the Puritan came out bopping the blow up doll (no, that isn’t a joke), we left. We DID climb over the other 5 people in our row rather than sit in that show any longer. I would rather see another topless dance show, a strip show, heck even a true porn or ANY other show than this one, barring watching lethal injection. There needs to be truth in advertising, and my husband and I felt completely duped by seeing the Cirque du Soliel name, and the show being such an utter piece of complete cr*p. I can believe that the crew has talent, but it sure wasn’t shown off in this show. And the original comments about this being a show for “lovers” and showing sensuality and eroticism… I think the only person this show would put “in the mood” is a cross dressing transsexual that is into sadomasochism and on Quaaludes. Ergo…uh, it probably won’t fit with most mainstream audiences. How they started with such an interesting topic for a show and ended up going soooo wrong I have no idea.

If this is the “other” side of Cirque du Soleil, than I certainly hope they cover it again, smack a Masterlock on it and throw away the key. I left wanting to poke any image of these depressive sexual deviant characters from my eyes. Definitely save your money or choose another Cirque du Soleil show. This isn’t art folks, it ain’t even close.

And to the Canadians who seem to think that the reason for us Americans hating the show is because we are too uptight…uh, no. We just have taste. This show was the epitome of (as you say) “tits, feathers, and bad song and dance”, which is why some of us are upset at paying $75 + a ticket to see something that we could have seen down the strip for $29.95.

<stmpsister -at- mchsi.com> - USA - Added 10/08/03 - [12.219.36.***]    2151

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 10/03
My friend and I saw the show and thought it was stunning and original. We did comment at the time that we didn't think the average American would get it or would be offended. Us Canadians find it so amusing that for a country that was founded by people that didn't want the tight moral constraints of their European brethren, that you could turn so judgemental of anything outside of your uptight narrowminded conservative way of thinking. I encourage anyone that wants to see an evocative piece of theatre to support this show. If you just want tits, feathers, and bad song and dance numbers there is still lots of shows in Vegas for you
<timmytulip -at- hotmail.com> - Calgary AB CAN - Added 10/02/03 - [142.59.197.***]    2122

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Zumanity
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
Zumanity will thrive for maybe a year only because theres enough curiosity seekers that want to throw away $75 a ticket to see this trash, just so they can be in on the hype. Don't get me wrong. I liked "X" at the Alladin. Ok, to be fair lets mention some good points. When you walk in you see the midget in a glass "cage" making faces at you from above. It was interesting. You look at erotic images through holes in the sofa style padded wall. I got to meet one of the puritans while waiting to be seated, whom at the end of the show... happened to end up stark naked with a feather covering up his essential areas. He gave me a leaflet "Woe betide ye who fails to injest the warnings here under" "A culmination of this sin...neither vestments, exposing and fondling parts... co-miningling bodly secretions... and fornication in public places... in Satanic contentment" He asked me what are those paid military people?, You know the ones that cold stop this horrid show. And he was right whether he meant it or not.

The highlight was the aerial act with the midget, but you can go to the Venetian and see a similar thing at "V". Just because it used a midget, doesn't mean is new.

I have nothing against homosexuality, what ever floats your boat, but I don't need to see a black man and a white man tongue kiss for 25 seconds on stage. Unnesessary and tasteless especially for a MGM Mirage hotel that puts out quality like S+R, Mystere and even La Femme. Steve Wynn would never have allowed such garbage in his hotel. Then theres the simulated orgy with gropping that makes no sense at all.

If the producers of this show ever read this commentary, understand that the trashy non-sense overshadows whatever good this show has to offer which leaves the spectator only to remember the non-sense which is why in the end this show will fail. I'd be surprised if the show lasted past next summer as your $75 would be much better spent gaming.




<toejamdoc -at- webtv.net> - Brooklyn NY USA - Added 10/19/03 - [209.240.198***]    2171

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03
I liked Zumanity WAY better than Mystere (worst show ever!) They bill this as a sexually oriented show. If that isn't what you want don't go to the show. If you think the only people in the world who have sex or are sexual are "beautiful" hetero people than don't go to this show. It's not for you. If you are open minded and enjoy seeing things a little out of your normal day to day lifestyle than this is the show for you. There was a thing or two that I don't think belonged there & the show we saw had apparently cut the scene of the men kissing but had it been there I wouldn't have minded. My husband didn't enjoy it much but then he was probably hoping more for something like Midnight Fantasy. Zumanity's adds insinuate thst you will leave the show looking for action, we weren't, not even a little bit but over all it was a still a great show that could use some tweaking.
<dmscharlemann -at- 93xrocks.com> - USA - Added 10/08/03 - [69.9.93***]    2152

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
Having seen many Cirque do Soliel shows, I was anxious to see Zumanity. I am really glad that this was not my first experience with a Cirque show, because I doubt that I would seek out other Cirque shows had this been my only exposure to them. There were times it was very entertaining. The funny parts were very funny. But there were two parts that made me uncomfortable. One involved a girl and straps and moaning and fake pubic hair. The other involved two men making out after they threw each other on the floor a dozen times -eeeuuuwww. It was just icky. I would never see it again - not even for free.
<1711 -at- nethawk.com> - USA - Added 09/25/03 - [24.236.13***]    2087

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Good Show
I saw Zumanity the night before the official premiere. I liked the show immensely and the show got a standing ovation. Celebrities at the premiere have given very positive comments (including Hugh Hefner). Other commenters seem shocked that this is an adult show even though it clearly states outside the theater that it is for adults only. Maybe they were expecting a typical Vegas girlie show dating from the 1950s. If you are expecting a girlie review or the usual Cirque du Soleil show you will be dissappointed. However, if you are looking for sophisticated artistic adult entertainment then you will probably like the show. The show includes all types of individuals in its scope, including older, overweight, straight, gay and in between. Don't go if you are easily shocked or narrow-minded.
<rbchadwick -at- msn.com> - USA - Added 09/22/03 - [209.150.6***]    2060

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
We are avid Cirque fans! We live approx 1000 miles from Las Vegas. Yet, we've hopped on a plane or actually driven that far JUST to see a Cirque du Soleil show. That's the sole reason we go. We spend our precious vacation days to do this. We have seen "O" three times now. We've seen "Mystere" twice. We love them both. Imagine our disappointment and disgust when we visited "Zumanity" for the first time this week. Frankly, we felt our vacation was ruined. It is most definitely NOT worth the money, no matter what price you pay. I agree with what has already been said here. This show belongs in some low-lit, dingy back door area advertised by the little cards they hand out on the LV sidewalks. Cirque, if you know what's good for business, take your name off this show. If this show appeals to anyone, it is the minority. I imagine the serious lack in $'s will speak for itself much louder than any of our comments here.
<aviator314159 -at- yahoo.com> - - Added 09/19/03 - [12.36.21***]    2052

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
A cross between "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Cabaret". The advertising was totally misleading. I can't believe that Cirque du Soleil would have their name on this. If you really want to see this show - go now because it won't be around long.
<mcmovie -at- AOL.com> - Hamburg NY USA - Added 09/15/03 - [205.188.208.***]    2041

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
The previous comments are on the mark as far as I am concerned. For this production the name of the company should be changed to Carni du Soleil, because they are running what is in essence a sexual Geek and Freak show. Make no mistake about it, the cast is very talented. The 9-piece live band and the singer is very good. The theater facility is the kind of place college drama departments would kill for. The acrobats are the best part of the show, along with the band. But this is a topless show.

This show is not going to work for 90% or more of the potential Las Vegas audience. If you like an actor who plays a transexual as the host, then you might like this show. If you like that type of perspective on human sexuality as you are led through a show, then you might like this show. If you are comfortable with male sexuality, you might like this how. If you are comfortable with male on male sexuality, then you might like this show.

For me the weakness of this show is the fact there are around 16 topless performing women, and in the context of the presentation of the show, none of them are particularly sexually inspiring. For someone like me who loves beautiful women, I have never seen a topless show that at least didn't have one moment of attraction. But this show doesn't communicate feminine sensuality at all. When I watched this show, I had one of the best seats in the house, no cheap $55 bar stool for me, and I wanted to leave but I would have had to climb over 9 people in my row, any direction I went.

The most romantic moment was when they pulled an older couple from Denmark out of the audience. You thought it was a spontaneous moment, until they turned into a couple of ballroom dancers. It was setup. How much of the rest of the show was a set up? I had an obnoxious member of the audience loudly clapping in rhythm to an apparent spanish flamingo dancer's clapping, just before the climatic very long male-to-male kiss. And then she yelled "nice a**" at the transvestite host to which he responded, "thank you honey." Either she was a plant or she was genuinely loving the exploration into the gay sexuality aspect of the show. Either way she was obnoxious.

There is nothing romantic about this show unless you consider various alternate life styles (and by the way the green boa constrictor on the guy with feathers has to qualify for some alternative sexual life style which I don't know the name of). But it does not communicate the beauty of the feminine form, which is an amazing accomplishment for a topless show. Save your $55-$95 and go see two other topless shows in Vegas for that money. I don't see how this show is salvagable. And Carni du Soleil is so powerful that they have mainline Las Vegas reviewers waiting until they get the show together by September 15th. They can not radically change the show at this point (Sept 10th), so let's see how their official response from critics is. Make no mistake, they got a standing ovation by many of the 1,000 people there. But this audience was young and apparently devoid of romantic instincts, as is the show.
<pkarnold -at- swbell.net> - Austin TX USA - Added 09/11/03 - [64.218.161.***]    2025

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 09/03 - Bad Show
Buyer beware! If you want to watch Sadism, Macrocosm, Transvestites, lesbianism and man on man passionate kissing under the banner of “art” this is your kind of show. I walked out. I am no prude. I went expecting a sexy show and was blindsided. We loved Mystere and O. Wait to see if they change this show. If they don’t the show is doomed
<job1man -at- adelphia.net> - USA - Added 09/07/03 - [24.50.180.***]    2016

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Zumanity       
Date Seen: 08/03 - Bad Show
Advertised as a romantic show for couples. Have to wonder what kind of couples they were talking about. Crass, vuglar, definitely leaning hard toward the gay crowd. This was in-your-face sexual antics and an endless parade of bare-butted men and topless girls. Romantic? Not even close. We walked out and won't be back. Frankly expected more class from Cirque du Soleil. This looked like it was scripted by the perverts in a men's prison.
<zterrell7 -at- wmconnect.com> - Taylorsville UT USA - Added 08/27/03 - [198.81.26***]    1992

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