Last month we talked about audio podcasts that occasionally feature Cirque du Soleil, focusing on KNPR’s State of Nevada public-affairs show. This month we feature a podcast-only show that occasionally features Cirque elements.
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Steve Friess is a freelance writer who writes for a number of major publications. He blogs about Las Vegas on a regular basis at < http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/ > He also produces two podcasts, The Petcast (focusing on pets), and The Strip Podcast with husband Miles Smith which focuses on Las Vegas happenings. Archives of the podcast can be found at < http://www.thestrippodcast.com/ > (You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.)
The podcasts follow a standard format; “Vegas hot topics” between Steve and Miles at the beginning with the interview in the middle. The beginning banter can take awhile to get through but it’s worth it. Friess’ interview style is that of an interested conversationalist, who always does his homework and asks interesting questions of his subjects. The candid answers he gets to some tougher-than-usual questions can be fun to hear. Many of his interviews form the basis of articles Fress later writes (and are referenced in show notes below each show.) Note that some of the podcasts contain explicit language, mostly from the hosts; the iTunes archive has them marked.
The shows are archived (though not very well organized) in reverse chronological order. Shows from Jan 1, 2008 to current are on the first page, with shows from November 24, 2005 to December 31, 2007 on a second page available from a link at the top and bottom of the first page. (There are even older shows on a third page inked from the bottom of the second, but there are no Cirque-specific shows there). Here’s a list of their Cirque-related shows, in chronological order by original airdate.
THE STRIP PODCAST – Steve Friess and Miles Smith
01/19/2006 – The fun Joey Arias, original Mistress of Seduction at Zumanity talks about his early days in NYC. He also dishes on the original Man2Man couple of Silverhut & King, about surprising the Hilton sisters at the Premiere, and what kinds of rewards a job like this can provide.
05/11/2006 – Franco Dragone – The always interesting Dragone talks about going back to Cirque shows and shaking them up to bring emotion back to the performers. Steve also gets him to discuss Cirque’s first meeting with Caesars Palace. Dragone also talks openly about Le Rêve (which at that point had been opened a year) touching on the negative reviews and what the pregnant women in the first performances of the show actually meant. Finally he talks about the “A New Day” show with Celine Dion and its development.
05/25/2006 – Cirque VP of Creation Gilles Ste-Croix has a funny story about the LOVE premiere and Guy Laliberte getting stopped by security. They also discuss his upbringing, the impact the Beatles had on a young Ste-Croix, and the “symbolism of 4” in the show. He also breaks the news (quite some time before it was officially announced) about the Elvis show at Aria.
06/08/2006 – George and Gilles Martin, discussing the Beatles and LOVE – Recorded about the same time as the KNPR interview we mentioned last month. Done for an article that Friess wrote focusing on their working relationship, the conversation naturally steers towards the two of them and their process and dynamic. Goes into a bit of detail about how the musical soundscape was first developed.
12/14/2006 – George Harrison’s widow Olivia Harrison discusses LOVE. The reclusive Harrison doesn’t give many interviews so this is a coup. There is a tantalizing tidbit about Guy’s Grand Prix parties early on. She also discusses an early potential location for the show (London Battersea Park?). She discusses guarding George’s legacy, and hearing and seeing the show while keeping George in mind.
10/18/2007 – Two discussions about performing in Cirque shows in separate interviews with “O” original cast and creation artist, Russian swing diver Anastassia Dobrynina and “Mystere” bungee and Korean plank performer Margalee Drolet. The “O” interview discusses creation and Franco Dragone’s irritation with the extensive automation, and also features some soundboard audio from the show. The Drolet interview talks about working in the Cirque environment and coming back to the show after maternity leave.
06/26/2008 – Kyle Stokely, a 12-year old performer in LOVE. Also re-listing of the George and Gilles Martin interview. Stokely talks about how he got the part, what he does in the show, and what life is like as a young performer. He also talks about the famous people he’s met as a cast member, including the surviving Beatles.
11/18/2008 – Guy Laliberte! – A short interview recorded outside (so Laliberte could smoke). Friess asks some good questions about Criss Angel, Cirque’s dominance on the strip, and the investment in Cirque by Dubai. Though short Laliberte speaks frankly.
03/10/2009 – A special video episode covering a day of Cirque Dance Auditions in Las Vegas. First focusing on teaching the candidates a section of dance from “Come Together” they perform it as a group and in groups of 4 in the audition studio. Then comes improve, where they are given a word and presented with previously-unknown music and must react to it (an improve here based on the word “Chaplinesque” is fun). The 9:20 video notes just 60 of the 400 dancers auditioning were accepted.
02/08/2010 – Cirque President Daniel Lamarre – This long interview, recorded when Freiss was in Montreal to do a profile of Cirque discusses a wide range of topics, and Freiss isn’t shy about asking tough probing questions. In a fascinating discussion, Lamarre talks matter-of-factly about Cirque’s business plans, the problems (and possible solutions) with Banana Shpeel, Believe, and Zaia. He talks about expanding into the “proscenium theater” market and the Kodak LA show. He also breaks news about a show going into Radio City Music Hall, and how the Dubai show is now on more or less permanent hold. Highly recommended!
02/15/2010 – Franco Dragone (again!) – Another fascinating conversation with the compelling Belgian director. Here Franco talks about the history of why he left Cirque and what he thinks of their expansion plans (not his style). He mentions he thinks Believes problems are in the writing, and talks about the challenges of working
with Celine Dion and not overpowering her with the Dragone “brand.” He also talks about an upcoming arena show he’s working on based on “Kung Fu Panda” and his incredibly expensive Macao show “House of Dancing Waters.” Another highly recommended episode.
In the last month, we also caught a new Cirque-specific podcast on KNPR < http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/index.cfm >:
02/22/2010 – Viva Elvis debut – A discussion with members of the cast. Though the interviewer could have been stronger, there is a good discussion of the costuming, visiting Graceland, and the story of Elvis’ older brother. The wardrobe guy is dominant and comes off very polished.
Reuben Pavel – Head of Wardrobe
Marla Lowery – Dancer
Dea Norberg – Singer
Kit Chatham – Percussionist
And if you know of any other audio interviews of Cirque, let me know by sending me an email to tourdemondo@yahoo.com and I’ll list them in a future installment!
