Cirque du Soleil’s ‘O’ Hits 12,000th Show, Pulls in 20.2 Million Viewers Since 1998

Cirque du Soleil's groundbreaking aquatic masterpiece, O, recently achieved a historic milestone, marking its 12,000th performance at the Bellagio Theater. Since its debut on October 15, 1998, 'O' has mesmerized over 20.2 million guests — equivalent to filling Allegiant Stadium 287 times — solidifying its status as the most successful single production show in history.

"'O' was the most successful stage show in the history of entertainment," said MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle to the Los Angeles Times.

A marvel of artistry and athleticism, 'O' features a 1.5-million-gallon pool as the centerpiece of its breathtaking performances, blending gravity-defying acrobatics with water's elegance. The production draws inspiration from the concept of infinity, seamlessly merging theater, aerial acts, and synchronized swimming into a visually stunning spectacle. The cast includes eight former Olympic athletes, emphasizing the show's commitment to world-class athleticism.

Cirque du Soleil, a Las Vegas entertainment staple, has revolutionized the city's theatrical landscape since launching Mystère at Treasure Island in 1993. Today, the company produces six resident shows across Las Vegas, including "The Beatles LOVE" and "Michael Jackson ONE," attracting millions of visitors annually.

Adding to its uniqueness, the Bellagio Theater housing O features a custom climate-control system with four distinct microclimates, ensuring optimal conditions for performers and guests.

Performances run Wednesday through Sunday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Bellagio Resort & Casino. For tickets and more information, visit Cirque du Soleil's 'O' website.

John, Paul, George and Ringo didn’t quite know what to expect when they arrived at New York City’s JFK Airport on February 7, 1964 on The Beatles’ first trip to America. However, it’s a moment that’s permanently etched in music history thanks to the photos and video captured that day.

“Beatlemania” was a force, and two-and-a-half months after the shocking tragedy of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, it was just what America needed.

In hindsight, it's wild to think about how a band coming to the United States warranted this type of media attention. At the same time, not enough is said about how funny The Beatles were. The way they fielded questions at this press conference at JFK Airport is an incredible lesson in how natural charm can just shine through. Plus, there wasn't media training in the '60s like there is today. This was just The Beatles being themselves, and it's brilliant. (Side note: It's also wild to see George Harrison casually smoking a cigarette during the indoor press conference. What a different time!)

It does not get more historic than the sheer existence of a newsreel. Between the footage of The Beatles getting off their plane at JFK Airport and the narrator of the newsreel, there's just a magic about it all. The newsreel states about 3,000 teens were waiting for The Beatles to land. Considering the security at airport nowadays, it is an amazing thing to watch.

In the newsreel's caption on YouTube, Paul McCartney is quoted saying, " ... There were journalists on the plane, and the pilot had rang ahead and said, 'Tell the boys there's a big crowd waiting for them.' We thought, 'Wow! God, we really have made it.'"