Before we get started, we here at Fascination would like to extend TORUK-The First Flight’s cast and crew a hearty congratulations for performing its 600th show in Sanya, China on April 30th! And now…
The big news of the month is, of course, the official announcement that Alegría, one of Cirque du Soleil’s most iconic shows, will return to celebrate its 25th anniversary. “Staying true to the essence of the original creation, Alegría will retain its unique spirit of joy and optimism for which it was renowned around the globe. Cirque du Soleil will revisit the show through today’s lens to ensure it is as inspiring as it was 25 years ago.”
“Alegría has marked a whole generation of Cirque du Soleil fans. We want to honor their connection to the show and recreate the emotions they felt back in 1994, while leveraging all the possibilities offered to us today. Alegría is a rallying anthem for change and hope, and that is, after all, timeless”, explained Diane Quinn, Cirque du Soleil’s Chief Creative Officer.
Cirque du Soleil first presented Alegría in April 1994, a production destined to change the history of the company, an emblematic show that was to win over more than 14 million spectators. Under the traditional Big Top and in its arena version, Alegría visited 255 cities around the world in its 19 years of touring before finally bidding audiences farewell on December 29, 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Since its last performance, Alegría has remained very much alive in the hearts of its fans, who regularly request its comeback. Its emblematic title song, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995, continues to be a fan favorite and remains Cirque du Soleil’s most watched song on YouTube still today.
“It was important for us to highlight the immense impact that Alegría has had on our fans as well as our company. Audiences and employees alike have asked for its return for years, and what better way to do so than through the celebration of its 25-year anniversary. As we continue to look forward and strive to innovate in everything we do, we wanted to pause and celebrate one of the shows that has made Cirque du Soleil what it is today – a global leader in live entertainment”, said Yasmine Khalil, Chief Executive Producer at Cirque du Soleil.
Alegría will premiere in Montreal’s Old Port on April 18, 2019, 25 years after its official premiere, before setting out for a limited tour under the Big Top. Check our ITINERAIRE section for stops in Gatineau and Toronto following its Montreal run. AND, be sure to read the “Cirque Brings Back Alegria, Changes Direction” news article within for more information regarding the Alegria announcement and more.
Cirque Club members can purchase tickets online now at:
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/alegria
Check out these fantastic videos about Alegria’s return:
o) The Return of an Icon! /// https://youtu.be/kA9PYuCL6xs
o) Very Special Performance of Alegria’s Theme Song /// https://youtu.be/mKvZJSrN-Bw
o) One Hour Non-Stop Alegria! /// https://youtu.be/hggqE-8PQU4
o) The Best of the Alegria Press Conference /// https://youtu.be/uCNDl-5r07k
And follow Alegria on:
o) Facebook: facebook.com/Alegria
o) Twitter: @Cirque #Alegria
o) Instagram: cirquedusoleil #Alegria
“We would like to sincerely thank you all for the messages of love and support that you sent us from around the world over the last weeks,” said Cirque du Soleil through its Facebook Page. “The VOLTA family has decided that it was now time to step back on stage, confirming that we will resume the representations of VOLTA in East Rutherford, New Jersey, starting on the 20th of April at 8 PM. We can’t wait to see you again.”
VOLTA returned to performances on Friday, April 20th in New Jersey, offering a tribute to the aerialist who died last month on stage. It was the first show since the March 17 accident that claimed the life of Yann Arnaud, 38.
VOLTA began with a tribute to Arnaud, the 38-year old aerialist who perished after falling about 20 feet to his death. The accident happened March 17th during an aerial straps routine in Tampa. New Jersey’s tour was postponed in the wake of that death, and opened with an on-stage speech honoring Arnaud, as the performers hugged each other while surrounding a tribute wreath dedicated to his memory.
“Yann loved to perform,” said an unidentified speaker at the start of the show. “He performed in Paris, in Las Vegas, many cities around the world. In our production of TOTEM and more recently in VOLTA and he gave joy to many, many people. And I believe it is the only way to bring honor to him by also doing what we love. To inspire dreams to touch hearts, and share with you our entertainment. So I’m going to ask for your love and support tonight to raise the roof with your applause in celebration of Yann. On behalf of the VOLTA family, our largest Cirque du Soleil family. I have the great honor to dedicate this show to our Superman, our hero, our papa, Yann Arnaud. Yann, this is for you!”
The show ended with a moment of silence in Arnaud’s memory, as the performers knelt around the memorial wreath.
Although a day after its big debut, VOLTA was again canceled, but this was just for one show. The company says it chose to do away with a two-show lineup at the Meadowlands on Sunday because performers remained emotional after the death of one of their peers. Marie-Helene Lagace, head of public relations for Cirque du Soleil in Montreal, said that the company couldn’t have known the performers’ state of mind until the show returned on Friday. “It’s actually proven to be more emotional than we anticipated,” Legace said. “The conclusion after that first show is that presenting two shows per night is too soon for them. It’s absolutely essential that they are in the right state of mind before going on stage. All of the other shows are being presented as scheduled.”
The other shows did go on, but… not without a hiccup. On Friday, May 4th, a trampolinist missed her jump and slammed her head on a perimeter bar during the show. “There were four men and two women. It was the intermission, and they were building up for their finale,” one spectator said after the show. “The one girl jumped two stories onto the trampoline, then went up — and on her way back down went too far and smacked her upper back and neck area on the perimeter bar.” There was a thump and a scream. “Then the other performers signaled to cut the music, that there was an emergency. The paramedics came out. They ended up walking her out on her own.” And then the show resumed about 15 minutes later.
Hang in there VOLTA.
Cirque du Soleil’s Special Events team has been in the spotlight quite a bit this year, most recently for presenting the opening and closing ceremonies for the Dubai World Cup (see the news section within), but you’ll find them in the news again for Helene Fischer’s tour: On April 9th, Semmel Concerts and Helene Fischer were awarded for “Arena Live Tour of the Year” at the German Live Entertainment Awards. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group’s 45 Degrees and 4U2C teams designed the tour.
And that’s not all. In addition to “DIVA” at Andorra la Vella and “Juste une p’tite nuite” (an Hommage to Les Colocs) – both presenting this summer in Andorra and Quebec respectively, 45 Degrees also recently announced that Cirque du Soleil will be performing in Monaco, as 45 Degrees has been asked to create a unique performance at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival. “This original 75-minute production will pay tribute to Monegasque history and culture through the creative lens of Cirque du Soleil. Set in a fantasy world, inspired by the glamour of the 1920’s, the performance will carry the audience on a journey filled with exciting and fantastic adventures in search of love.” From August 14 to 18th, Cirque du Soleil will be in the Hall of Stars for 5 unique performances!
Price: €353.50 on August 14, €253.50 from August 15th to 18th € per person excluding drinks
Opening doors: 8:00 p.m.
Event type: Dinner – Show
Dinner: at 8:30 p.m.
Dress code: Mandatory jacket
Additionally, MSC Cruises, who partnered with 45 DEGREES to offer unique on-board entertainment experiences on board its newest ships, highlighted SONOR, one of two shows available exclusively aboard MSC Meraviglia. Check that out here: https://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=11497
Okay, so let’s go!
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