Cirque du Soleil has been putting on incredible shows in Las Vegas for decades. The wide-ranging troupe has a vast collection of shows, ranging from whimsically themed shows suitable for children to adults-only expositions, showcasing the classic Vegas-esque showgirls.

At the MGM Grand in the heart of Vegas, Cirque puts on a nightly display with their long-running variety show Ka. To newcomers and hardcore Cirque fans alike, Ka seems to stand alone as a greatly intense display of acrobatics, stage mechanics and even audience seating positions. It's a sensory experience the likes of which only Cirque can bring.

Ka is an Asian-inspired production, deviating greatly from the original Cirque show-pony productions that made them famous. The stage is unique here; instead of having a solid stage for performers, two giant platforms and five smaller, moveable platforms give an appearance of floating.

The storyline is also different. In Cirque shows past, there has really been nothing to cling to but the sights and sounds. Ka actually introduces a story to follow. In Ka, imperial twins are separated in their youth, and ultimately go through a path of discovery. “Ka” is actually a word meaning, basically, a dually powerful fire with the ability to illuminate or destroy.

During the show, there isn't much participation from the audience. Many fans of previous Cirque shows and Vegas shows in general find this to be a relief. There's a line that separates audience member from performer, and the popular consensus seems to be that Ka does well by not crossing it.

However, Ka does introduce a unique “pre-show” aspect, in which the performers - posing as the mayor, his wife, a healer, the town gossip, etc - do a meet-and-greet with the audience members. Things get serious as the show is about to begin, and the actors begin putting on their costumes and all audience members are reminded that flashes and phones are out of the question.

One of the strongest points of any Cirque show is their ostensibly magical way of blending choreography with music. In Ka, an off-stage band plays various pieces of music as the acrobatics accompany the tunes on stage. The singing is very operatic in Ka, and both the mezzo-soprano and alto voices are provided by women.

The special effects in Ka also earn high marks from the shows many viewers. By using a blend of puppetry, pyrotechnics and automation, Cirque is able to achieve a show look that's visually stunning and sure to amaze.

Like all Cirque shows, Ka receives high praise for doing what Cirque does so well, including an impeccable sense of detail in all aspects of the show, hiring the right talent to fill the acting and acrobatic positions, and in the case of Ka specifically, implementing an interesting storyline that people can actually follow and enjoy. It adds a new dimension of entertainment to a troupe whose shows were mostly noted only for their high-flying stunts and other visual effects.