‘Awakening’ At Wynn Las Vegas: An Epic Battle Of Light And Darkness

If you’re seeking an exciting show with lots of moving parts, a fun storyline, and incredible talent, “Awakening" in Las Vegas is the perfect option.

This stunning, immersive theatrical production combines acrobatics, cutting-edge technology, and captivating storytelling. The show features a dynamic blend of performances, intricate choreography, and visual effects, set in a comfortable high-tech theater. 

The audience is wowed from the moment they walk into the venue. The show focuses on a mythical journey, exploring themes of transformation and discovery, all while showcasing breathtaking aerial acts, vibrant costumes, and dazzling special effects. It’s a show designed to engage all the senses and leave a lasting impression on its audience.

“Awakening” is a unique show that mixes fantasy with technology in a way that’s like a “live-action film.” With beautiful dance and jaw-dropping acrobatics, along with illusions, puppetry, and costuming, plus the unique stage, the show immerses the audience in their epic journey.

Donna April, 26, portrays IO in the show and has been part of “Awakening” since its creation in 2022. She began performing during adolescence after seeing a touring production of “Cats” piqued her interest.

“During the start of the second act, one of the cats who entered the house crawled up to me and ate a pretzel right out of my hand. A simple moment, created by a performer, brought me and only me directly into this imaginary world,” she told The Blast exclusively.

“I’ve had maybe one other moment like that in my life from an audience perspective. But that feeling is what made me want to become a performer.” 

Donna auditioned for the show in July 2021. It was the first in-person audition after the pandemic.

“With that in mind, the energy in the room was buzzing with gratitude. It was quite magical. I think we were all hungry to be there,” she said. “I looked around at what the other dancers were wearing - sneakers and loose-fit clothes, implying it was more hip-hop or street jazz movement and in all honesty, I thought I was going to get cut immediately.” 

But that didn’t happen. In fact, after making it through the first round of dance cuts, Donna was given a monologue to learn. After delivering that monologue, she was asked a bunch of questions including, “Are you afraid of heights?” and “Are you afraid of confined spaces?”

“I responded with something quick, ‘Why? Do you want to put me in a suitcase or something?’ Not knowing that was the type of response the IO character would have said,” she explained.

“They kept me on the hook for the next few months. After a few Zoom calls and workshops, I eventually earned the role in January 2022.” 

Donna further shared the “unique experience” of learning her role. She said she “took such pleasure in discovering” her character and found that she related to her in many ways.

IO is a central character who embodies courage, curiosity, and the essence of light. She plays a pivotal role in the show's mythological narrative, as she guides the audience through a journey of transformation and discovery. IO’s captivating journey reflects the overarching themes of Awakening, emphasizing the importance of inner strength, connection, and the transformative power of light and unity.

“IO has changed and is still evolving as the show progresses,” she said. “It certainly keeps things interesting as an actor, portraying different versions of one character. It’s been a great learning experience.” 

Donna shared that the best part of the show is that it's brought together “some insanely talented people.” 

“I often get overwhelmed by the talent amongst the cast and what the audience and I get the opportunity to witness every night,” she continued.

Donna gets to take the audience through an entire journey through many realms. 

“In the show, my character travels from the realm of fire to the realms of water, earth, and air, all of which have their spectacles. But the Earth scene specifically is by far one of my favorites,” she told The Blast.

“Choreographed by the GOAT that is Mandy Moore, she was so incredibly thoughtful throughout her entire process and showcased the dancers’ abilities with the puppetry of Michael Curry paired with the music of Brian Tyler. She created such a harmony throughout the number that even if you’re not watching the acrobatics, the lighting is designed to highlight, and you’re lock enough to catch a glimpse of the dancers, some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen have come out of that number.”  

There are many moving parts throughout the entire show, including the large stage. That in itself presented a bit of a learning curve for the performers. 

“The first few months of creation were on a flat, nonmoving floor, so translating that to this stage took some getting used to,” Donna explained. “It’s also entertaining to see new cast members come in and figure out how to navigate it all.”

Speaking of the intricate stage, Donna said the performers who step onto the stage “have a fear and respect for it.” 

“It’s an extreme piece of machinery and the responsibility of each performer to be smart, cautious and always prioritize safety,” she said. “But honestly, some of my favorite memories from the show are when things don’t go according to plan. I enjoy the way it challenges my spur of the moment problem assessing, solving skills. It keeps me sharp.” 

The Blast recently had the chance to catch a showing of "Awakening."

From the moment you walk into the theater, the adventure begins. The seating is so comfortable and no matter where you're seated, you have the perfect view of everything. The stage is unique in itself and there's a lot to take in, but not in an overwhelming way. The performers are top-notch, the storytelling is intriguing and captivating, and the experience as a whole was so amazing that there's really not just one way to describe it.

The easiest way to describe "Awakening" is by saying it's magical. We highly recommend this show for anyone looking to be completely wowed.

For more information and tickets, visit their website.