The cast members of Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" jumpsuit into their jobs.
Anybody know what the usual career trajectory is for a lasso expert? It’s not something I ever figured I’d think about but a travel-related coincidence brought the question on.
Last February, I spent some time at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. One highlight of the trip–and there were many–was lasso expert Loop Rawlins’ one-man rope-spinning gun-slinging whip-cracking show. And it was truly a one-man gig. If I’m remembering correctly, he even set the set up and hit play on the music.
Last Tuesday night, I sat down in the theater of the shiny-penny new Aria Hotel & Casino at CityCenter for a preview performance of Viva Elvis, the latest Cirque du Soleil show to hit Vegas. Several scenes in, the stage was dominated by a bunch of hungungous Elvis-as-cowboy sculptures. But the massive Warholian Elvi–that’s the plural of Elvis, right?–weren’t the jaw droppers for me. Loop was. There he was, lassoing away on the stage–and I’m darned sure he didn’t have to set up the stage this go-around.
Did he lasso an Elvis?
One of the Elvi did take a tumble but Loop had nothing to do with it.
Howdy all,
I am the other trick roper/gun spinner on stage with loop. at one point I was roping the giant Elvis, but later it was changed. My loop had to be pretty big to catch that Elvis. Anyhow, to answer your question about life of a roper, I have made a life out of spinning a rope and a humorist, like Will Rogers for the past 25 years … and going strong. Here is some info:
Take a look and thanks for cowboy mention .. we like to keep the American Cowboy in the spotlight!
Will
Oppsss: http://thesop.org/story/entertainment/2010/02/25/robert-paul-reyes-interviews-cirque-du-soleil-star-will-roberts.php
The story
Will
Will –
Thanks for stopping in. It was great to see you perform onstage–definitely my favorite part of the show. And thanks for filling us all in your life a bit. You made my day! Now, what’s the proper thing to say to a roper to wish them well for upcoming performances? Does break a leg work since you’re doing a theatrical show? Considering what you do during that show, it feels wrong.
Jenna
p.s. Please pass along a hello to Loop, too.