Q. What is a BIG TOP (Touring) show?

A BIG TOP (touring) show is one that visits many cities and countries and is housed in a blue and yellow or white colored tent. The thing to remember here is TENT! Current BIG TOP (touring) productions include: Varekai, Corteo, Koozå, OVO and TOTEM.

Q. What is a RESIDENT show?

A resident show is that which is performed in a specially designated theater. Most of these theaters exist in partnership with MGM/Mirage Resorts in the United States (“O”, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, Criss Angel BELIEVE and Elvis 2009) but there are other partnerships, such as: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (Mystère), Walt Disney World (La Nouba – consequently the first free-standing theater built for Cirque du Soleil), Las Vegas Sands (ZAIA), Oriental Land CO (ZED), Kodak Theater (Hollywood 2011) and Nahkeel (Dubai 2012). Due to the nature of resident productions, they are not crafted to be presented under the big top or in the arena setting. So you will never see these shows tour the globe.

Q. What is an ARENA show?

An ARENA show is one that is made specifically for or repurposed for and showcased directly in a stadium-like venue. These type of shows are akin to traveling concert tours, spending one to four nights in a specific location before packing up and moving on. Current arena productions are: Saltimbanco, Alegría and Quidam.

Q. What is a VENUE/SEASONAL show?

A VENUE/SEASONAL show is one that is not performed in either a specially designed resident theater or in the Grand Chapiteau setting. These types of shows may perform for a very limited time (perhaps for one one season), or tour like a Braodway production in performing arts centers. Wintuk is an example of a venue show that is also seasonal, as it is only performed from November through January. Banana Shpeel is another example of a venue show that is also seasonal.

Q. Where are the shows now?

• Saltimbanco = Arena / Europe
• Alegría = Arena / North America
• Quidam = Arena / North Ameria
• Varekai = Touring / Europe
• Corteo = Touring / Japan & Russia
• Koozå = Touring / North America
• OVO = Touring / North America
• TOTEM = Touring / North America & Europe
• WINTUK = Venue / New York City
• BANANA SHPEEL= Venue / New York City
• Mystère = Resident / Las Vegas, Treasure Island
• “O” = Resident / Las Vegas, Bellagio
• Zumanity = Resident / Las Vegas, New York-New York
• KÀ = Resident / Las Vegas, MGM-Grand
• LOVE = Resident / Las Vegas, The Mirage
• BELIEVE = Resident / Las Vegas, Luxor
• Viva ELVIS = Resident / Las Vegas, Aria/City-Center
• La Nouba = Resident / Walt Disney World
• ZED = Resident / Tokyo Disneyland
• ZAIA = Resident / Venetian Macau

Q. How can I get Tickets?

Tickets to all shows can be purchased through a variety of means: at the local Cirque du Soleil Box Office (on tour), the theater box office (resident shows), or through Cirque du Soleil directly at www.cirquedusoleil.com. All tickets can be picked up through “will call” at the Cirque du Soleil Box Office, Theater Box Office or self-printed through Cirque du Soleil’s website (where applicable) at time of purchase. Some tickets also have the option to be mailed to your home address. Tickets typically go on sale a few weeks before the Grand Chapiteau sets up stakes, so be sure to watch the Cirque du Soleil ticket website (www.cirquedusoleil.com/tickets/) for tickets going on sale in your area.

Q. When will Cirque be on Television?

Cirque du Soleil will occasionally pop up on North American, European, Asian and Australian Television at random; However, you can find Cirque programming on CTV (in Canada) and BRAVO (United States) on a fairly regular basis. BRAVO and CTV are official networks in their footprints and will usually announce “Cirque Weeks” and other special programming as its available. To see when Cirque will be on Bravo or another network (though their schedules are illusive), check the Cirque on TV listings.

Updated: Apr.23.2010