"We hope you have enjoyed the show … We're sorry but it's time to go."
Those lyrics from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" have a special poignancy in Las Vegas right now, with Cirque du Soleil's announcement that '"The Beatles Love" will be ending its 18-year run at the Mirage on July 7 as that property continues its transition to the Hard Rock Las Vegas.
"It's been an honor for all of us at Cirque du Soleil to collaborate with the Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. on what can only be described as a masterpiece," Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group CEO Stephane Lefebvre said. "We are grateful to the creators, cast, crew and all involved in bringing this show to life and we know 'The Beatles Love' will live on long after the final bow."
One of six Cirque shows being produced in Las Vegas, "The Beatles Love" opened in 2006 in the space where Siegfried & Roy previously performed. Its stunning 360-degree stage housed brilliant aerial artistry, colorful props and costumes, thoughtful video and unforgettable choreography set to a soundtrack of Beatles hits.
“Here Comes the Sun,” part of Cirque du Soleil's “The Beatles Love” production at the Mirage. The show is closing this summer after 18 years. Photo Credit: Cirque du Soleil
A Beatles connection
The production was the result of the friendship between Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and George Harrison, who died several years before the show's premiere. Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles worked with the band's archive and used portions of 130 songs to create the 26-track soundtrack, which won a Grammy.
More than 11.5 million guests have seen the production. Among them are two of the Fab Four (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr), Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, who have attended several times to celebrate the show's premiere and milestone anniversaries.
"The Beatles Love" is performed twice nightly Tuesdays through Saturdays, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets for performances through June 29 are on sale now. Tickets for the final week of performances in July will be available in the coming weeks.