Sammy Shore, echoing the feelings of several who attended the world premiere of “Viva Elvis,” was disappointed.

“I thought there should have been more about Elvis, about his life. More of a personal touch,” says the 81-year-old comedian who was Elvis’ opening act from 1969 to 1972. “Too much Cirque.”

Or not enough.

Some complained the acrobatics in the show were too minimal and not spectacular, by Cirque du Soleil standards. Several pieces were familiar from other Cirque shows.

“They really needed someone you could relate to in the show,” says Shore.

The production is heavy on music (naturally) and choreography (naturally) and light on Cirque (not natural).

“Elvis” mixes live music, vibrantly colored period-piece costumes (‘50s and ‘60s) and mixed-media to tell the story of The King – beginning with his birth in Tupelo, Miss. (for those who didn’t know, Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth).

The progression follows Elvis through his early years.

There weren’t a lot of early years in the life of the shooting star who glowed so brightly only to have the star dimmed when he was drafted into the Army.

His early recordings were edgier, challenging the establishment.

Then he was drafted and after his discharge two year’s later the rebelliousness seemed to have been sucked out of him by the military.

The army and huckster Col. Tom Parker guided his career with an eye on the buck rather than music that took chances.

His music became more mainstream, his movies a production line of films that seemed to never stop.

It is a tribute to Elvis’ charisma that he survived and still managed to create memorable music as long as he lived.

Cirque presents 30 Elvis songs in its production, using various methods to get the music out.

Some songs are by live performers. Some are by Elvis on tape.

As is the case for most Cirque shows, Elvis is a work in progress.

It has the foundation to become a memorable production and probably will as it evolves over the months and years.

One of the earliest changes was doing away with Elvis on stilts and Elvis being squashed by a giant blue suede shoe.

What: “Viva ELVIS”

When: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays

Where: The Elvis theater at The Aria

Tickets: $99 to $175

Information: 531-2031

by Jerry Fink