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SHOW REVIEW: 'Raw Talent Live'

A Failed Experiment: 'Raw Talent Live' a confusing mess with no clear story




"Raw Talent Live" was created in a vacuum. And those who remember their middle-school science know what happens when vacuums are breached. If you don't, go smash a light bulb or your middle-school thermos.

It will be more exciting.


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  • The show is an incoherent mess, and that opinion may well come as a surprise to its primary creator.

    After all, she spared no expense renovating a lackluster Sahara theater and filling it with talented musicians, singers and dancers and expensive video equipment.

    But the result is akin to someone going out and buying only the finest ingredients to make a souffle, without having a good, clear recipe on how to bake it.

    If you wonder where the blame lies, I can direct you to the back page of a full-color, 64-page slick-paper souvenir program (with bonus CD) that has been made available in the gift shop for an optimistically priced $20.

    "Conceived & Created by: ND ... Written by: ND ... Directed by: ND ... Produced by: ND."

    ND was only a nickname for Nicole Durr four years ago, when her highly worthwhile "Havana Night Club" played the Stardust. For this one, she described turning her local studio into "an experimental lab" for two years.

    She wanted no reporters to witness rehearsals before opening night Oct. 3. But at that point, all reviewers were welcome. Suddenly, Cirque du Soleil is looking smarter by doing a month of discounted previews for its troubled "Criss Angel -- Believe," making changes based on the reactions of paying customers.

    Anyone beyond the sycophant circle might have told ND the elaborate "Matrix"-type mythology somewhat spelled out in the program isn't communicated onstage. Or that the title becomes ironic when the attractive, sculpted performers labor in the shadows of flashy video projections (by Alex "10C" Doss).

    Side stages envelop the audience, yet the action seems dim and remote. The whole stage just seems dark, perhaps so we can see the video screens. What was supposed to be immediate is instead confusing because the audience doesn't know where to focus attention.

    Too bad, because at rare moments the Latin rhythms, sensual vocals and dynamic musicianship create a false sense of excitement, as though a good show might break out at any moment. "Raw Talent" is the rare show on the Strip to acknowledge how Latin and bilingual this region has become. One number is tinged with mariachi and another works up a Latin-pop mambo.

    Original songs are admirable. But hearing them for the first time, and with anything less than crystal-clear vocals, muddle any story they are trying to convey.

    "Raw Talent" mostly plays out like a Cirque without any center-focus acrobats. There's a basic question of just what it is we're watching: A musical with a plot? Or a revue with loosely connected dance sequences? And it isn't answered by the fragments of story given to us via projected bits of text or some hammy cartoon acting by a couple of characters intended to be audience guides.

    Not knowing just who they are, it's hard to enjoy people wrestling for control of a laptop computer "of Life," which enables them to enter virtual worlds for each musical segment.

    We see the most of a guy called Sir Real (Adamme Sosa), who is kind of a Jack Black dressed up like Alice Cooper, and Miss Conscience Guilt -- CG, get it? -- (Seidy Carrera) who runs around shouting, "Have you seen my Laptop of Life?" when the two aren't tugging on opposite ends of it.

    I'd like to think it was all aimed as broad satire, but few in the audience seemed to find any intentional humor. There were mostly nervous chuckles and polite applause in empathy with the hardworking performers, particularly in an interesting semifinale when they come out in their rehearsal clothes.

    Raw talent? Sure. Raw hubris? Absolutely.

    Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.

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    Hootiemcboobie wrote on December 14, 2008 10:05 AM: I agree with Mike...you took the words right out of my mouth! It is not that the performers are bad, they are great and the music can be entertaining but the story itself just doesn't come clear. There is just too much going on. And what is up with the flying burritos and tacos? You wouldn't even have that kind of bad dream after eating too much Taco Bell! It has been the worst show I have ever seen. I am glad it was comped! Bring back Roseanne!


    sambagirl wrote on December 13, 2008 11:58 AM: I agree with most of the comments made by Mike W. The dancers are some of the most talented I've seen here in Las Vegas as well as the singers. THey do need to work on the sound so that we can understand them better. Rather than just hand out the flyer as you walk into the theatre you should be instructed to read it before the show starts. That may help a bit. There is a TON of potential for this show and it's plot, but it needs help quickly. As a former NYC dancer, I can appreciate the level of talent from these young performers, they just need better material. THe fact that they are fellow Latinos makes me happy, especially since I've found the not so welcoming attitude towards latino culture is this town. If the show were called Fuego Latino I'm sure the attendance would be even less. However, the show does need help by someone other than ND to tweak it and live up to its potential. A fresh set up eyes is what the show's management needs and then it won't matter if it's at the Sahara, if it's latino flavored. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVAMP IT, DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!


    malinda wrote on December 08, 2008 01:45 PM: What a load of crap. I didn't get it. Dancers and singers were good though. Staff was really rude in the shop outside. I waited like 10 minutes in the shop and no one ever spoke to me. Stuff was really overpriced anyway. There are many better shows to see in Vegas. Don't waste your time or money. Besides they give away tickets for every show from what I can gather.


    pathos wrote on December 08, 2008 05:13 AM: Anyone who doesn't get it just doesn't understand ND's vision.


    LVNativeDancer wrote on December 02, 2008 08:45 AM: The performers in this show are incredibly talented, but what a sin to waste their talents in such a terrible way. I was bored & confused by the content of this show. It truly was a waste of money (luckily I had a good night at the tables!) I know art is subjective, but a bad show is simply a bad show. I would not recommend going to see this show. But, again, I do hope the performers find a better show for themselves.


    dancer wrote on November 22, 2008 02:21 AM: you all are so nonsense talking about that show like that without having any type of notion of what dance/act or sing means,you have to be blind or stupid not to be able to see or hear the great dancers,singers or actors there those people are working there asses of to give the best thats all i have to sayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy


    rawwriter wrote on November 16, 2008 01:03 PM: Hubris, sometimes spelled hybris (ancient Greek ὕβρις), is a term used in modern English to indicate overweening pride, self-confidence, superciliousness, or arrogance, often resulting in fatal retribution. In ancient Greece, hubris referred to actions which, intentionally or not, shamed and humiliated the victim, and frequently the perpetrator as well. It was most evident in the public and private actions of the powerful and rich. The word was also used to describe actions of those who challenged the gods or their laws, especially in Greek tragedy, resulting in the protagonist's downfall.

    Hubris, though not specifically defined, was a legal term and was considered a crime in classical Athens. It was also considered the greatest sin of the ancient Greek world. That was so because it was not only proof of excessive pride, but also resulted in violent acts by or to those involved. The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to mutilation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, or irreverent "outrageous treatment" in general.

    The meaning was eventually further generalized in its modern English usage to apply to any outrageous act or exhibition of pride or disregard for basic moral laws. Such an act may be referred to as an "act of hubris", or the person committing the act may be said to be hubristic. Atē, ancient Greek for "ruin, folly, delusion," is the action performed by the hero, usually because of his/her hubris, or great pride, that leads to his/her death or downfall.


    sahara worker wrote on November 15, 2008 06:26 PM: i work at the sahara and all i can say is i went to see the show also for free and i didnt like it. it made no sense, the people were rude and i can see why the theatre was practically empty. my wife made us get up and leave. she hated the show. i dont know if the dancers are good or not but im another unhappy person like below. i dont have any reason to talk bad about the show except for the show was bad


    cristal wrote on November 12, 2008 05:44 PM: M.W> did not state that the dancers/singers/actors/musicians are bad. its the producer that went in the wrong direction. "ND" needs to get off her high horse and hire some people to help her re-amp the show. Big bucks could bring in big names. ie, twyla tharp, mia michaels, etc...get it together RAW TALENT. mike is not stupid


    cubano wrote on November 12, 2008 01:03 AM: mike you are so stupid, this show is amazing there is greats actors and dancers ,who are doing it with all their passion


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