Seven Cirque Du Soleil Shows Collide For Charity

For one extraordinary night, and in an unprecedented manner, seven Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas resident productions became one for ONE DROP, the non-profit organization established by Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberté.

To share the experience around the world, an exclusive broadcast of the full-scale production is available for online viewing at ONEDROP.org through March 31, with a donation of $5 or more to ONE DROP.

ONE DROP partnered with MGM Resorts International and Lamborghini to present One Night for ONE DROP, a global philanthropy event to raise funds and awareness to ensure water is accessible across the globe. The evening featured more than 230 artists from the seven Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil productions in a once-in-a-lifetime performance on World Water Day, Friday, March 22, 2013, at the “O” Theatre at Bellagio Resort & Casino.

Celebrities joining the night’s blue carpet event and after-party at the Bellagio pool included Guy Laliberté; Olympic gold medalist swimmers Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin; Britney Spears; Shania Twain; Pamela Anderson; Criss Angel; recording artist/actress Jackie Evancho; Danny Elfman; musician Tom Higgenson (pop-punk band Plain White T’s); actress Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect); performance painter David Garibaldi; vocal quartet The Canadian Tenors; supermodel Oluchi Orlandi; Olympic gold medalist rowers Mary Whipple and Erin Cafaro; Holly Madison; Coco Austin.

Special guest performers, including platinum-selling recording artist Jackie Evancho and performance painter David Garibaldi performed alongside the incredibly talented Cirque du Soleil artists to celebrate the earth as an artistic creation and highlight water as the essence of life. Victoria’s Secret model Orluchi Orlandi dazzled the audience in an original gown designed by Roberto Cavalli specifically for the performance. A breathtaking dance piece choreographed by Sonya Tayeh from “So You Think You Can Dance” and an original composition by award-winning composer Danny Elfman were also featured in the extraordinary extravaganza created and directed by Krista Monson.

Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil and Chair of ONE DROP, said, “I was deeply touched by the performance. I know the amount of work and dedication all the performers and employees put in to touch our hearts and they accomplished this in a phenomenal manner. I truly wish to thank them for volunteering their time and talent for ONE DROP and creating the most unbelievable ripple effect. I am also very humbled by the generosity of the Las Vegas community and partners. For 20 years they have made us part of their community and they have now embraced our dream of water for all today and forever.”

Through April 4, there is an online auction – with proceeds benefitting ONE DROP – offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, art, memorabilia, VIP event packages and more. Auction items will include a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster, a watch from the private collection of Prince Albert II of Monaco, jet-setting trips around the world, original sculptures by Richard MacDonald and Rabarama and the couture gown designed by Roberto Cavalli and worn by Oluchi Orlandi. Items can be viewed and bid on at charitybuzz.com/ONEDROP.

One Night for ONE DROP culminated a week-long effort for the charity by Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International. During that week, ONE DROP presented ‘Walk for Water,’ a 22-mile walk from Lake Las Vegas to the Bellagio Fountains to underscore the difficulty faced by millions of people who spend several hours each day collecting water. With more than 150 participants, their journey ended with a water-pouring ceremony at the Fountains and a proclamation read by Mayor Carolyn Goodman to ONE DROP founder Guy Laliberté.

ONE DROP is a non-profit organization established in 2007 by Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil. The charity strives to ensure that water is accessible to all, today and forever. From its inception, ONE DROP has significantly and sustainably improved the living conditions of 300,000 people worldwide.