Zumanity

Zumanity (zoo-manity) was a resident cabaret-style show by Cirque du Soleil at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, in the theatre previously occupied by Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. The production was unveiled on September 20, 2003 (previews started on August 14, 2003) and had its last performance on March 14, 2020. It was announced on November 16, 2020 that the show would be closing permanently. It is the first "adult-themed" Cirque du Soleil show, billed as "the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil" or "another side of Cirque du Soleil". Created by René Richard Cyr and Dominic Champagne, Zumanity is a departure from the standard Cirque format. Intended for mature adult audiences only, it was centered on erotic song, dance, acrobatics, and comedy.

The inspiration for Zumanity came from multiple sources. Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté was offered the chance to create two new shows in Las Vegas, and wanted something completely new and original rather than multiple similar shows that would cannibalize off of each other's sales and audiences. Another reason was that tfhe New York-New York Hotel and Casino wanted to make their entertainment appear more "trendy", and liked the concept of a more adult Cirque du Soleil performance.