Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian entertainment company, with outposts in Las Vegas and Dubai, now aims to plant a flag in New York City with a new show, “Paramour,” opening on May 25, 2016, at the Lyric Theatre on 42nd Street. The show features ambitious aerial acrobatics and showstopper musical numbers. But the most radical element may be this: it has a plot. In over 30 years, Cirque has never before made a show that is so heavy on dialogue and story.
“In order to be respected on the ‘Great White Way,’ we know that a show with a narrative is the only way you will succeed long-term,” said Scott Zeiger, president of Cirque du Soleil Theatrical, a new, New York-based division focused on producing story-driven entertainment.
Among the challenges for “Paramour”: developing a story that resonates with audiences, integrating a team of both actors and acrobats, and re-sizing the circus for a Broadway theater (Cirque’s artists usually perform under a tent or in purpose-built venues.)
“It’s the riskiest thing I’ve done in my life,” Zeiger said.
{ SOURCE: WYNC | http://www.wnyc.org/story/risky-business-cirque/ }
