CKX And Cirque Du Soleil To Develop Elvis Presley Shows And "Experiences" Worldwide

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

CKX And Cirque Du Soleil To Develop Elvis Presley Shows And "Experiences" Worldwide

 

The Elvis World Tour Kicks Off in 2008

 

New York, N.Y. (May 18, 2006) – CKX, Inc., (NASDAQ: CKXE), through its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises, has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Cirque du Soleil for the creation, development, production and promotion of Elvis Presley Projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, as well as multimedia interactive "Elvis Experiences," throughout the world.

 

Elvis Presley Projects, expected to debut beginning in 2008, will consist of:

 

-Touring shows that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley.

 

-Permanent shows at fixed locations that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley.

 

-Multimedia interactive entertainment "Elvis Experiences" that incorporate the music, memorabilia, audiovisual works, and the life and times of Elvis Presley.

 

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc., commented, "This arrangement will allow fans around the globe, who have only seen Elvis Presley in movies or listened to his music, to truly experience what it was like to see Elvis perform. Cirque du Soleil remains one of the most stunning and exciting entertainment experiences on the planet and brings the creative genius needed to produce shows and multimedia events that will capture the true Elvis Presley."

 

Guy Laliberté, Founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, commented, "This new arrangement, with such incredible new partners as Robert F.X. Sillerman and his team, promises to be a most exciting and stimulating creative project for Cirque du Soleil. It also clearly demonstrates our intention to pursue the diversification of our artistic content through different live productions."

 

CKX and Cirque du Soleil will each own 50 percent of each Elvis Presley Project, sharing equally in the costs of creating, developing, building and producing each project and in the profits from each Project. CKX will also receive royalty payments on various aspects of its intellectual property used in the Elvis Presley Projects.

 

The parties have agreed to open at least one touring show in Europe and/or Asia and one "Elvis Experience" outside of the United States by 2008. Beginning in 2009, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened in each of the next six years. Beginning in 2014, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened every two years during the next eight years, through 2021. Shows in Las Vegas are not included in this arrangement at this time.

 

Source: www.elvis.com

Plans for Elvis themed Cirque du Soleil show collapse?:

 

Rumors are rampant around Vegas show-business circles this morning that the giant alliance between Cirque du Soleil and Robert FX Sillerman to launch an Elvis Presley show in the new MGM City Center, currently under construction, has collapsed.

 

Luxe Life will attempt to obtain official Cirque clarification this morning, but staffers learned over the weekend that the two producing entities had allegedly agreed to part company. Before the rumored shakeup and split, plans called for Cirque to develop the Elvis show for the 2009 opening of the three hotel-towered mega-city on 70-acres of land between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo hotels at center-Strip.

 

It has only been two weeks since public sales began on the residences at City Center. As of this weekend 1,500 reservations have been taken out of 2,700 total units. The sales staff has added 300 sales in just 14 days from the 1,200 that were snapped up opening weekend, indicating still strong demand for on-Strip condominium projects.

 

Cirque has been simultaneously developing a new magic show with 'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel for the Luxor which Luxe Life will have all the latest details on Wednesday. Cirque director Gilles Ste-Croix confirmed the Elvis project to Luxe Life several months ago adding he also wanted to develop an ice-skating themed entertainment spectacular sometime in the future. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: Vegas Popular/Luxe Life)

 

EIN Comment: If this rumor is true it is major setback for EPE. A high profile show like Cirque du Soleil would have brought Elvis' music to new generations of fans.

 

Source:http://www.elvisinfonet.com/

 

Oh dear :huh:

ELVIS AND CIRQUE STILL ON!!!:

Luxe Life is always happy to clear up misinformation when it comes to rampant rumors. We finally got word from Cirque officials about our story on Monday about the rumored breakup of the Elvis/Cirque du Soleil deal for their proposed joint 2009 show at City Center and we're happy to now tell you Elvis and Cirque are still together! Our friends at Cirque advised: "Regarding the Cirque du Soleil Elvis production at City Center, just to let you know all systems are go with that project, so the rumors you heard were incorrect."

(News, Source: Vegas Pop)