Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York

I’ve seen many Cirque du Soleil productions over the years: O, KÀ, Zumanity, Alegría, Mystère, OVO, and now Mad Apple. I was excited because I expected something different, with comedians, singers, and dialogue, while still delivering the magic that defines Cirque du Soleil. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the weakest Cirque shows I’ve seen. The show promises to transport you to New York while competing with productions like Absinthe, Atomic Saloon Show, Rouge, and Awakening. Sadly, I never felt immersed in New York or even in a uniquely Las Vegas experience. I left feeling that I would have had a better time at any of those competing shows. The first major issue was the sound. From Section 205, the live band felt distant, as if the music never reached the audience. A live band should create energy throughout the theater, but instead it sounded trapped behind the stage. The lighting also felt flat, with constant blue tones that didn’t help create the show’s atmosphere. I also expected far more New York-themed props and scenery. The few moments when performers entered the audience were brief and lacked interaction. The comedy was the biggest disappointment. Las Vegas welcomes visitors from all over the world, yet much of the humor depends on understanding nuanced English. One of my friends couldn’t follow most of the jokes. More universal comedy—or even a classic Cirque clown—would make the show much more accessible. At the July 22, 9:30 PM performance, Paul Ogata repeated jokes centered on his ethnicity and one joke involving a couple that dragged on far too long. Adam Kuchler has excellent physical expression, but his routines weren’t memorable, especially the hand-shadow act. I was surprised he didn’t perform the colorful brick routine I’ve seen online. Paul Dabek’s performance relied heavily on shouting and exaggerated stereotypes of an aggressive New Yorker, with very little magic. Overall, the comedy felt far below the standard I’d expect from Cirque du Soleil. The singers were excellent, although again the sound system didn’t do them justice. The dance ensemble was another highlight and helped create some New York energy. However, several scenes had multiple acts happening simultaneously, making the stage feel cluttered instead of exciting. The basketball performers deserved more attention instead of being hidden in the background while another act was happening. I also think hiding the band at the back of the theater is a mistake. They should be visible and integrated into the show. The Brooklyn Bridge sequence was visually beautiful but lost its impact because another performance happened at the same time. Overall, I’d rate Mad Apple 2/5. The biggest improvements needed are the sound system and the comedy. For anyone considering this show, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. I understand many people choose it because it’s one of the more affordable Cirque productions, but I believe there are better options at similar prices, such as Rouge and several other Las Vegas shows. If you want the true Cirque du Soleil experience, I’d recommend O, Mystère, or almost any other Cirque production instead. Those shows leave you amazed and remind you why Cirque du Soleil is world-famous. Sadly, Mad Apple did not.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My second time at Mad Apple and it delivered once again. This show stands apart from the traditional Cirque du Soleil format — less classical circus, more New York nightlife energy — and that's exactly what makes it special. The music is outstanding, the costumes are stunning, and the performers bring a level of passion and skill that makes every moment memorable. Congratulations to the entire production team and cast for consistently delivering such a unique and captivating experience. Already looking forward to the next visit.

Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York is a fun, high-energy twist on the traditional Cirque experience. This isn’t your typical Cirque show—it blends comedy, live music, acrobatics, and Vegas nightlife vibes all in one. It feels more modern, loose, and interactive compared to the classic productions, which makes it stand out on the Strip. One of the coolest parts is the pre-show experience—you can actually go on stage beforehand to the bar, grab drinks, and take photos. It sets the tone right away and makes the whole night feel more immersive. The performances are impressive and creative, with strong talent across the board. Some acts are genuinely jaw-dropping, while others lean into humor and crowd interaction, which keeps things fun and unpredictable. We bought tickets last minute and paid about $140 CAD each for center seats. And honestly—big win—it was good enough that I did NOT fall asleep. That alone says a lot after a long Vegas day. Overall, a fun, energetic night out with just the right mix of chaos, comedy, and talent to keep you entertained from start to finish.

I recently saw Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York Hotel & Casino and it was one of the most fun shows I’ve caught on the Strip. It blends impressive acrobatics, live music, dance, and comedy, all capturing the fast-paced, nightlife energy of New York City. The performers were top-notch, especially the aerial acts that had everyone watching closely. What I liked most was how the show mixes high-skill performances with humor, so it keeps things fresh the entire time. The theater also feels intimate, so you’re never too far from the action. Overall, it’s a lively and entertaining show with a great vibe. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in Las Vegas

I wanted to catch a show while staying at the New York-New York Hotel, so I decided to head down to the first floor and grab tickets for **Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil**. Honestly, I’ve seen a few Cirque shows before, but this one completely caught me off guard—it drops the usual abstract, dreamlike storylines and replaces them with a raw, high-energy variety show format that completely channels the fast-paced spirit of New York City night culture. The whole production feels incredibly vibrant and up-tempo. It seamlessly blends those jaw-dropping, traditional Cirque acrobatics and contorsionismo with high-energy dance routines, great live music, and a heavy dose of stand-up comedy. The casting is spectacular, and the performers manage to keep the audience completely hooked from the second the lights go down. What really stood out to me was the overall vibe of the theatre itself. It’s a fun, rowdy, and intimate space compared to the massive arenas on the Strip. The energy in the room was so infectious that by the time the final acrobatic act wrapped up, I completely understood why people end up coming back to see it a second time. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced twist on the classic Vegas stage show that keeps you laughing and cheering the entire hour, this is easily one of the best nights out you can catch on the Strip.