The spectacular stage show Awakening is making waves at Wynn Las Vegas. This mythical, magic-filled production—driven by technologically advanced effects, dazzling costumes, expressive choreography, and outstanding sound design—is proving to be a new favorite in the Las Vegas entertainment scene. The show boasts of having a creative powerhouse at its helm. Best of all, global Filipino talent Ehrlich Marz Ocampo gets to showcase his leviwand expertise to help make the show truly unforgettable.
Photo by Joe Janet/Wynn Las Vegas
Way before his America’s Got Talent television debut, Ehrlich Ocampo had been innovating a performance art that has caught the attention of live entertainment creatives around the world. His leviwand presentations, a genre of object manipulation that integrates magic, dance, acrobatics, and technology, play to sold-out houses and receive standing ovations. “Leviwand lured me with its artistry, magic, and dance. And when we first danced together, it was like finding my long-lost soulmate,” he shares.
Awakening is Ehrlich’s latest addition to his growing performance portfolio. The grand 75-minute show conceived and created by Bernie Yuman, Baz Halpin, and Michael Curry, and narrated by two-time Academy Award®-winner Anthony Hopkins tells the love story between Darkness and Light and how relationships may shatter and get pieced back together. Aside from being a featured performer in the show’s climax called The Confrontation, a fight choreography with his trusty leviwand on hand, he plays vital behind-the-scenes roles in the production. Aside from training and teaching fellow performers his techniques, he also shares his know-how of LED props including the required programming that helps bring the show to life. The work makes him giddy with excitement. “Being here in Vegas is so surreal! It blows my mind to think I am a featured performer in the biggest, newest, most technologically advanced show in the entertainment capital of the world. From practicing on the streets in Manila to the Vegas stage, it’s hard to fathom sometimes.”
How does Ehrlich feel that his leviwand technique is vital to the show’s most crucial moment?
“All the years of hard work and commitment are paying off. It’s a prominent ‘introduction’ of me as an artist and leviwand as an art to the Las Vegas entertainment scene. I feel the pressure to keep up the performance quality and even elevate it more.”
Awakening director and producer Baz Halpin shares the thought process behind the decision to cast Ehrlich. “In casting for Awakening at Wynn Las Vegas, we sought the best talent in the world—unique performers with abilities that not only were of the highest caliber but were such that you could not see them anywhere else. Awakening is the largest spectacle mounted in Las Vegas in the last 20 years. It comprises the highest form of excellence in staging, design, magic, technology, dance, and performance. We searched for a performer who could embody the impossibility of an illusion with the artistry of dance. Ehrlich Ocampo exemplifies the incredible ability and artistry that we were looking for. His ‘leviwand’ performance is magical and energetic and captivates the audience.”
Ehrlich’s journey to the Vegas stage began in 2013 when he began perfecting his leviwand technique. He first introduced his act to international audiences at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (World Circus Festival of Tomorrow) in 2016. In this largest circus competition in the world, he showcased his magical prop work and display of dexterity before an audience of peers as well as an esteemed jury. He recalls, “I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I believed it was something special that I wanted to share with the world.”
In 2018, Cirque Du Soleil took notice of Ehrlich’s leviwand innovation, leading them to the decision to cast him in Syma: Sail Beyond Imagination, a touring production on MSC Cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean. He fondly remembers the moment he got the good news. “I was caught by surprise. I knew it would take a long time for me to get cast because it was such an unusual circus act, but I finally got a project with the biggest circus company in the world.” He was given the role of The Stranger One, an eccentric outcast who mesmerizes the sailor Syma to further explore the depths of the island he is stranded on. The result was a breathtaking performance that merged makeup, acrobatics, and technology in an immersive experience that wowed audiences on the MSC Bellissima. David Poulin, Director for Creation of Cirque du Soleil at Sea gives him high praise, “Ehrlich is the dream artist any manager dreams of. He’s always professional, attentive to detail, and always working towards improving every aspect of his work. You truly believe he’s displaying superpowers.”
Photo by Levi Walker
Riding on the success of his America’s Got Talent audition and with the judges’ unanimous opinion that “it’s an artwork we’ve never seen before”, it was not a surprise that producers and industry creatives sought him out. Giulio Scatola, Creative Director & Choreographer who happens to be his former boss shares, “When I saw Ehrlich perform, I was so impressed by the artistic and technical aspects of this art form. It was a very original combination of disciplines, bringing together dance, acrobatics, and magic.”
He performed and delivered a talk at the prestigious Blackpool Magic Convention in 2022, where he shared his expertise in leviwand artistry with the world’s leading magic community. This world-class performer is intent on sharing his talent with individuals interested in his performance style. “I’ve always been passionate about sharing my art with others. My mantra is to ‘make waves’ which means I believe the work I do in this life must benefit not only me but also others. If other people hadn’t made waves that affected me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And who am I not to share what I was given?”
Ehrlich Ocampo is a welcome addition to the Las Vegas entertainment landscape. His unique skills are imbued with kindness and generosity. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and talents with everyone, making him a valuable asset to an industry always looking for growth. With his creative drive, we are looking forward to seeing more of his contributions in Awakening and hope to see more of his magical work at Wynn Las Vegas
To see more of Ehrlich Ocampo’s work, visit his official website. Follow and interact with him on his official social media channels in YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.
