Cirque-le of life

I was in Vegas earlier this week for some work meetings and caught the latest Cirque du Soleil show, "Ka," at the newly redone MGM Grand. Goodbye Dorothy, hello poker room!

Now having seen three Cirque shows -- "Mystere," "O" and "Ka" — it's fair to see that all three are very different from each other. "Ka" is very much about the incredible set design and production design. There's a huge stage that not only rotates but becomes completely vertical at one point in the show and the performers climb from the bottom to the top.

"Ka" is also more linear in its storytelling than the other two as well. If I was to suggest to first-time Cirque-goer which production to see of the four currently playing on the Strip (there's also "Zumanity" at New York-New York, which has received mixed reviews and in 2006 there will be another Cirque show opening that's based on the music of the Beatles), I'd recommend "Mystere" because it showcases the incredible acrobatic skills of its performers better than the others. You'll definitely be wowed.

That being said, the Cirque shows are not cheap. Top seats go from anywhere between $100-$150 depending on which show you see, so while it might be an event that comes with a high price tag, it's worth saving up for.