Cirque du Soleil’s Ka show is an iconic production that has amazed audiences since its premiere in 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Set in the fictional Empire of Ka, this show combines stunning acrobatics, martial arts, puppetry, and pyrotechnics to tell an epic story of love and conflict. Figuring out what time the Ka show starts can help you plan your Vegas trip and make sure you catch this world-renowned performance.
What Is Ka and Where Is It Performed?
Ka is Cirque du Soleil’s longest running Las Vegas production to date. Since its debut, it has been viewed by over 17 million people. The show is named after the ancient Egyptian concept of “ka,” representing a person’s soul or spirit.
Ka immerses the audience in the mysterious world of twin warriors who compete to win the affection of a beautiful young woman while embarking on a perilous journey to fulfill their shared destiny. The show features a rotating stage, known as the Sand Cliff Deck, which can move vertically, horizontally, and even tilt at precarious angles to represent shipwrecks, climbs up steep mountain cliffs, and more.
Ka is performed exclusively at the Ka Theatre located inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The state-of-the-art theater was custom built to house the show and can seat almost 2,000 spectators. The enormous stage allows for towering props, expansive scenic designs, and daring acrobatic feats.
Ka Show Schedule
The Ka show schedule varies depending on the day of the week:
Monday Schedule
On Mondays, there are 2 Ka show times:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
Tuesday Schedule
Tuesdays also have 2 show times:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
Wednesday Schedule
On Wednesdays, Ka is performed at:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
Thursday Schedule
On Thursdays, there are 2 shows at:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
Friday Schedule
Fridays have 3 Ka show times:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
– 10:30 pm
Saturday Schedule
Saturdays are the busiest Ka show days with 4 performances:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
– 10:30 pm
– 11:30 pm
Sunday Schedule
On Sundays there are 3 show times:
– 7:00 pm
– 9:30 pm
– 10:30 pm
So in summary, there are between 2-4 shows per day, mostly starting between 7-9:30 pm. The later 10:30 and 11:30 pm Saturday show times are perfect for Vegas nights out.
Buying Tickets to Ka
Ka is one of the most popular Cirque du Soleil productions in Vegas, so it’s recommended to purchase tickets well in advance of your trip. Here are some tips for securing seats:
- Buy early – Tickets can sell out months in advance, especially for weekend performances.
- Aim for mid-week – Tuesday to Thursday shows generally have more availability.
- Consider VIP packages – These include premium seats, food and beverages, and behind-the-scenes access.
- Sign up for promotions – Cirque du Soleil offers deals to email subscribers.
- Book with a package – Bundling your show tickets with a hotel stay or other activities can offer savings.
Ka tickets can be purchased directly through the Cirque du Soleil website, the MGM Grand, or through authorized resellers. Prices vary based on date, seat location, and package type, but generally range from $69 – $180 per person.
Inside the Ka Theatre
The specially designed Ka Theatre aims to immerse the audience in the show through state-of-the-art staging, props, and effects. Here are some key features and facts:
| Theatre Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Seating capacity | 1,951 seats |
| Stage size | 120 ft x 120 ft |
| Ceiling height | 120 ft |
| Sand Cliff Deck | A moveable platform stage that can raise, lower, and tilt |
| Artists | 92 performers from 16 different countries |
| Crew members | 154 technicians running the show |
| Speakers | Over 600 high-end speakers |
| Lighting | 2,000+ lighting instruments and effects |
This immense performance space allows for death-defying aerial stunts, large-scale illusions, and intricate martial arts sequences with dozens of artists simultaneously. The stage technology alone makes it a marvel of modern engineering.
History of Ka
Director Robert Lepage first conceived the idea for Ka in the 1990s, though initial plans fell through. Development of the Las Vegas show began in 2002, with extensive input from martial arts choreographers, pyrotechnic experts, costume designers, and of course, Cirque’s acrobatic performers.
Construction of the Ka Theatre started in 2003 and took over 14 months to complete at a cost of $165 million USD. In comparison, most Broadway theaters today cost $10-15 million.
After extensive rehearsals and technical adjustments, Ka finally opened to the public on February 3, 2005. Within its first year, it received numerous accolades and awards, including being named Best Production Show by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In its 17+ years and nearly 9,000 shows, Ka has made its mark as Cirque du Soleil’s most technologically advanced production. It continues to wow audiences today as a must-see spectacle in Las Vegas.
Key Moments in Ka’s History:
- 1990s – Director Robert Lepage conceives idea for Ka
- 2002 – Cirque du Soleil officially begins development of Ka
- 2003-2004 – Construction of Ka Theatre in MGM Grand
- February 3, 2005 – Ka has its world premiere in Las Vegas
- 2005 – Named Best Production Show at Las Vegas Review Journal awards
- 2016 – Ka performs its 5000th show
- 2019 – Ka temporarily closes when stage malfunctions, injuring performer
- 2022 – Ka returns from pandemic closure, delighting audiences with its grand spectacle once again
Unique Acts and Elements of Ka
As Cirque’s most expensive production ever, Ka spares no expense in bringing jaw-dropping spectacles to the stage. Here are some of the show’s most acclaimed and technical feats:
The Sand Cliff Deck
The show’s moving platform stage can raise over 50 feet, tilt at 10-degree angles, spin 360 degrees, and travel at high speeds, transporting both performers and audience into Ka’s mythical realm. Combined with projections, lighting, and set pieces, the Sand Cliff Deck allows seamless transitions between scenes and creates immersive effects.
Battle Spears
In Act 1, warriors perform an exhilarating martial arts duel while balancing atop 10-foot battle spears that sway and spin. This fusion of weaponry skills and precision balancing keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Aerial Straps Duet
The passion of Ka’s two main characters is highlighted in an intimate mid-air dance using aerial straps. As the artists intertwine and embrace
40 feet above ground, it’s a stunning display of strength, control, and intimacy.
Wire Fights
Incorporating Hollywood-style special effects, aerial artists reenact gravity-defying combat and chase sequences by flying through the air on near-invisible wires. These wire fights add a thrilling cinematic feel.
Dance of the Twin Wheels
Balancing within two giant rotating wheels, costumed characters perform an evocative dance. It manipulates the wheels’ angles and speeds for added drama.
Vertical Wall Performance
In a signature Ka act, aerialists leap, flip, and traverse a 90-foot vertical wall – without safety ropes. This dizzying routine showcases their phenomenal courage and precision.
Fiery Finale
Pyrotechnics and projections create an explosive fiery finish. As the stage appears to erupt in flames and smoke, it’s a dramatic end highlighting the immersive experience of Ka.
These unbelievable sights, along with a soaring soundtrack, elaborate costumes, and creative multimedia, transport Ka’s audience into its mystical setting. The show fully utilizes the Ka Theatre’s potential for grand, transcendent live entertainment.
Critical Reception of Ka
Since its premiere, Ka has earned widespread praise from critics and audiences for its breathtaking imagination and scale.
Reviewing its debut in 2005, the New York Times declared it “a work of genius that leaves other circus creation far behind.” The Hollywood Reporter described it as “easily the most lavish production show ever mounted.”
In Las Vegas, where productions aim to constantly Raise the bar, Ka has maintained its reputation as the city’s preeminent theatrical experience through major technical enhancements and performance innovations over the years.
Recent reviews have continued to extol Ka as a pinnacle of live entertainment. Forbes (2022) stated, “Ka remains an absolute must-see in Las Vegas, transporting you into a place of pure imagination.”
The Las Vegas Sun (2021) raved, “With its cinematic grandeur and fabulous signature acts, Ka is Cirque du Soleil at its best.”
Some key phrases that commonly appear when critics describe Ka:
- Breathtaking
- Unforgettable
- Technically extraordinary
- Jaw-dropping
- Mesmerizing
- Magical
- Absolute artistic triumph
While individual highlights like the martial arts spear fight or vertical wall routine often draw praise, reviewers especially emphasize how Ka transcends any one moment through its full integration of story, staging, effects, and artists. The sum total creates an unparalleled live spectacle that engages the senses on every level.
Conclusion
Cirque du Soleil’s Ka is an unmissable production on the Las Vegas Strip, blending theater, acrobatics, and stunning visuals to create an extraordinary experience. With shows starting between 7-9:30 pm most nights, Ka’s schedule offers flexibility for Vegas trips. Due to its popularity, buying tickets well in advance is recommended.
Once inside the state-of-the-art Ka Theatre, audiences can expect to be transported from the opening warrior spear ritual through a death-defying odyssey, with an explosive, fiery finale. Ka represents live entertainment at its most ambitious and immersive. With its exceptional artistry, poetry in motion, and moments of breathtaking beauty, Ka richly deserves its reputation as one of Las Vegas’s grand spectacles.