======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) T h e U n o f f i c i a l C i r q u e d u S o l e i l N e w s l e t t e r ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.CirqueFascination.com ------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================= VOLUME 10, NUMBER 10 October 2010 ISSUE #81 ======================================================================= Bonjour et bienvenue! Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. It's been a rather interesting month to say the least, wouldn't you say? Cirque du Soleil officially announces its next two productions - IRIS in Hollywood, California (set to debut Summer 2011) and "Radio City" in New York City, New York (also set to debut Summer 2011) - but there's also rumblings about the closure of one of its newest productions - BANANA SHPEEL. At press time the premature closure of BANANA SHPEEL has not been officially announced; however, its scheduled stop in San Francisco has been officially canceled without news on the show's future. So interesting times indeed. That being said I'd like to thank Wayne Leung for allowing us to include his review of Banana Shpeel in Toronto, which provides a well thought out analysis of the good, the bad and the ugly of BANANA SHPEEL. Also inside this month we've got the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web and, of course, all the pertinent posts on Cirque du Soleil's various social widgets in our OUTREACH section. So, let's get started! Join us on the web at: < www.cirquefascination.com > Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > - Ricky "Richasi" Russo =========== CONTENTS =========== o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre * Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub * Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain * Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque * Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History o) Fascination! Features * "My Thoughts on Banana Shpeel" By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) {As Published on Cirque Tribune} o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= OYEZ OYEZ - Banana Shpeel - Canceled! {Oct.05.2010} ----------------------------------------------- According to the Examiner.com, Banana Shpeel, Cirque du Soleil's new style vaudeville show, just cancelled its San Francisco engagement. The show, currently running in Toronto through October 10th, was to play the Golden Gate Theatre October 16 through November 14, 2010. Patrons who have purchased tickets for Banana Shpeel performances through SHN Theaters will receive a full refund. They will be contacted by SHN Audience Services or they may call 888-SHN-1799 directly. Banana Shpeel was also set to play to audiences in Orange County, California following the San Francisco engagement. Information pertaining to that engagement or the show's immediate future has not beenmade available. La Nouba's New Rope Act {Sep.02.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Dewayne Bevil, the Orlando Sentinel's self-proclaimed "Theme Park Ranger" writes today about the recent changes to Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba, performing nightly at Downtown Disney West Side. To tweak "La Nouba" requires more than a hop, skip and a jump. The Cirque du Soleil show at Downtown Disney's West End now sports a skipping-rope segment that involves two new Japanese artists as well as many troupe members - including trampoliners, trapeze artists and women who normally dangle high above the stage floor from red ribbons. Skippers Yusuke Funaki, 29, and Shoichi Kasuo, 24, arrived in Orlando in June to prepare for the new act, which was placed near the beginning of the show in July. They were inspired by a performer in another Cirque show - Nori, a skipper in "Quidam." "My first impression was 'What a fun thing to do,'" Funaki says through a translator. At the time, he was an aerospace engineer on weekdays and skipped rope on weekends. "It's not about transition," he says of his career path. "It's more like the priority has changed." Read more of the article here: < http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-09-02/travel/os- bevil-disney-cirque-du-soleil-la-n20100902_1_rope-double- dutch-la-nouba > {SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel} Cirque Announces Radio City Show! {Sep.14.2010} ----------------------------------------------- CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PREMIERE A MAJOR NEW SPECTACLE AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN SUMMER 2011 Cirque du Soleil announced today that it will debut a major new acrobatic spectacle next summer at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York. Proudly presented by iShares(r), the new show, whose name will be announced in the coming weeks, will be directed by acclaimed film and theatre director François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk). Previews will begin for the new production in June 2011, with the premiere date to be confirmed shortly. Directed by François Girard, the new showtakes place in an abandoned theatre and follows a magician who has lost his love and with her, his magic has disappeared. As he cries and begs the Gods for her return he is plunged into a world inhabited by surreal creatures. The diverse cast of 71 international artists transports the audience into a fantastical and suspenseful world, blurring the boundaries between the real and imaginary. Along with François Girard, the creative team consists of 12 creators under the artistic guidance of Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberté: François Girard - Writer and Director One of Quebec's most highly-regarded creators, François Girard is equally at ease in cinema (Silk, The Red Violin), opera, visual arts and theatre and has earned an enviable international reputation over the years. A keen music lover, he is particularly known for the hybrid worlds he creates in which music plays a predominant role. His works are recognized for their great musicality, both in terms of sound and image. This will be his second creation for Cirque du Soleil, following ZED, the Tokyo resident show. Line Tremblay - Director of Creation Line Tremblay has worked in many capacities for Cirque du Soleil since the company was founded in 1984. Starting in 1992 she worked as the assistant to the director for the creation of the shows Mystère, Alegría, Quidam, "O" and La Nouba. Line also contributed her talent to Quidam as Artistic Director and was Director of Creation for the Corteo and ZED. Stéphane Roy - Set and Props Designer Stéphane Roy has worked as both a set designer and artistic director on over 100 productions in Montreal and abroad. While primarily active in theatre and dance, he has also worked in film, television, advertising and variety shows. Stéphane designed the sets for the Cirque du Soleil shows Dralion, Varekai, Zumanity and KOOZA. Alan Hranitelj - Costume Designer Alan Hranitelj has participated in many group exhibitions and fashion shows both in Slovenia, where he's been living for the past 25 years, and abroad. In 1991, he designed haute couture collections in Milan, but he soon quit catwalks and returned to his first love, stage. He mostly designs for drama, opera and film. This is his first show for Cirque du Soleil. Nick Littlemore - Composer and Musical Director Nick Littlemore is an Australian musician and producer, known as frontman of acclaimed electronic act Pnau (with Peter Mayes) and one part of electro pop-duo Empire of the Sun (with Luke Steele). He is also a member of art-rock band Teenager (with Pip Brown a.k.a Ladyhawke). As a producer he has worked with Sir Elton John, Groove Armada, Ellie Goulding, Robbie Williams, Flora Purim and many others. This new production will be his first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Sir Elton John will be guiding his protégé Nick Littlemore through the creative process of this new production. Debra Brown - Choreographer Dancer and choreographer Debra Brown is internationally-renowned for her unique body of work blending acrobatics and dance. Ever keen to diversify and reinvent, Debra has forged her impressive and unconventional creative path, working with artists and groups from a wide variety of disciplines. She worked with François Girard on ZED and this new production will be her eleventh production with Cirque du Soleil. Elena Kolyadenko - Choreagrapher Elena Kolyadenko has been active in the artistic world in Ukraine and Russia for many years. For the past seven years, she has created and has been managing the Ukraine dance group FreedomBallet. She has worked on a number of productions on many capacities: casting, staging, musical orchestration, and costume design. Moreover, she has been a ballet coach for the Shchepkin Theater (Ukraine), as well as manager and choreographer for the Art Classic Ballet. This will be her first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Alain Lortie - Lighting Designer More than 25 years ago, Alain Lortie began working with multi- talented Quebec artists such as Michel Lemieux, Marie Chouinard and Edward Lock, and has since collaborated on many variety, opera and music shows both in Quebec and Europe. He also designed the lighting for several productions in Asia. Alain has worked with many Quebec stage directors including Robert Lepage and François Girard. He created the lighting design for the Cirque du Soleil shows Soleil de Minuit and DELIRIUM. Raymond St-Jean - Image Content Designer Director, video designer, writer and editor Raymond Saint-Jean began his career directing music videos and short films. Since then, he has turned to dramas, documentaries and films about the performing arts. Raymond has made his talents as a "video set designer" available to a number of artists and companies in the arts world across North America. Raymond previously worked on the Cirque du Soleil show, ZAIA, the resident show in Macau. Steven Dubuc - Sound Designer A self-taught creator with an adventurous mind, Steve Dubuc worked on a large number of artistic projects across the globe as a sound engineer, chief sound engineer and sound technician. He has worked as a technical director on various Cirque du Soleil shows. This will be his second Cirque du Soleil show as sound designer, following ZAIA. Florence Pot - Acrobatic Performance Designer With her university training in physical education and sports psychology, Florence Pot took on many projects in the world of gymnastics as a trainer and choreographer prior to joining Cirque du Soleil as an acrobatic scout and, later, chief scout. In 2006 she accepted the invitation to become Acrobatic Performance Designer on the Cirque du Soleil resident show ZED in Tokyo-a role she reprised on the big top show TOTEM. Danny Zen - Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer Danny Zen first arrived at Cirque du Soleil in 1990 to work as a welder in the company's workshops, and then worked as mechanic, head usher and tent technician before becoming head rigger on Quidam in 1996. Danny also worked at Montreal's National Circus School and later participated in the development of aerial acrobatic elements at Cirque du Soleil. Danny was on the creation team for the big top shows Corteo and KOOZA. Eleni Uranis - Makeup Designer Eleni Uranis joined Cirque du Soleil in 1989 as assistant to costume designer Dominique Lemieux. This led to many other projects and in 2004 Eleni's career took a new direction with the Cirque du Soleil makeup department, creating designs for the touring show Dralion. She has also designed the make-up for the Tokyo resident show ZED and the New York seasonal holiday show Wintuk. iShares(r) is the presenting sponsor of this new production. American Express(r) is the official sponsor. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} BANANA SHPEEL Reviews in Toronto = Not Good {Sep.20.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Although a recent review from the Toronto Star have been rather glowing of Cirque du Soleil's "Twist on Vaudeville", other media outlets in Toronto haven't been as nice on their take of the show - as reported on CirqueTribune: From The Toronto Sun: [The clowns] are charged with carrying the full weight of a second-rate narrative that Shiner has imposed as seeming justification for forsaking the big top for the theatrical big-time. And frankly, that's where things start to fall apart; for in attempting to hitch a ride on vaudeville's rather shabby coattails, the folks at Cirque seem to have overlooked the audience on whose collective imaginations Cirque's success has been built. Over the years, Guy Laliberte and Gilles Ste-Croix have consistently refused to simply tell a story, instead setting scenes that force every member of their audience to impose his or her own narrative -- a brilliant way to draw an audience into a show ... Now, with a narrative served up on a platter -- Shiner takes the whole premise of the Ed Sullivan Show and almost succeeds in converting it into the Dead Sullivan Show as a Schmelky Spectacular, overseen by impresario Marty Schmelky, played by Rutigliano -- it all just seems a little tedious, as he tries to pass an amuse-bouche off as a main course... But ultimately, though no one is killed in this collision between Cirque and vaudeville, no one really walks away uninjured either. From Eye Weekly: [David Shiner] makes the clown acts the show's focus and turns the measly five acrobatic acts into short interludes in two hours of "comedy." If the clown acts have always been your favourite part of Cirque du Soleil, this show is for you. If not, you have been warned ... If a show makes clowns the most important element, they should at least be funny ... but Shiner has given none of them interesting material unless you think "shut up" is a witty comeback line ... The three clowns who join them really lower the tone. One is horrid caricature of a senior with palsy and Alzheimer's and we're supposed to laugh when his walker is kicked away and he falls down. The second is a horrid caricature of a sleazy Latino whose specialty act makes fun of deaf people. The third is a would-be flasher in red briefs, who is funny as in "creepy," not "ha-ha." But the final three acts, though amazing in themselves, suffer from being too similar - hand-to-hand followed by hand balancing followed by contortion and balancing. Cirque du Soleil is famous for its costumes, but Dominique Lemieux's are downright ugly here. The period shifts unaccountably from the 1920s in Act 1 to the 1960s in Act 2 - a bit odd since vaudeville was dead by the '60s. To remain creative, a company needs to experiment; this experiment just doesn't work out. It would be better for Cirque du Soleil to withdraw Banana Shpeel than flog it on tour and endanger its reputation. From The Globe and Mail: Since Banana Shpeel's New York run, only minor changes have taken place. The show still seems like, if I can quote myself, "a reinvention of The Muppet Show with clowns in the place of Kermit and his cohorts" that works in its own idiosyncratic way, but never feels entirely worth the effort... The scripted jokes fall pretty flat much of the time. Perhaps, in retrospect, it was unwise for Cirque to hire a mime (David Shiner) to write and direct their first show with proper dialogue... The foulness of the language and the sexual jokes are a poor fit with this colourful show. Sure, they would hardly raise an eyebrow in a teen comedy, but in the context of Cirque's otherwise uplifting aesthetic, the crassness (a character calling another "retarded", an "elderly" clown shaking like he has Parkinson's) seems tasteless - even, perhaps, sacrilegious... Dominique Lemieux's shiny, spangly costumes are the definition of gaudy. Particularly appalling are the neon and glow-in-the-dark flapper outfits - they look like the early Nineties doing the Twenties... Simon Carpentier's songs are a mish-mash poorly matched with the dance sequences. Jared Grimes's tap numbers are all about clatter, speed and athleticism, but leave subtlety in the wings. They're the equivalent of watching Bulkin do 1,000 push-ups: impressive, but what's the point? Read the original interviews here: Toronto Sun: < http://jam.canoe.ca/Theatre/Reviews/B/Banana_Shpeel /2010/09/20/15412931.html > Eye Weekly: < http://www.eyeweekly.com/arts/theatre/article/ 102242--banana-shpeel The Globe and Mail: < http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/theatre/ cirques-banana-shpeel-needs-a-lot-of-fingers/ article1715120/ > {SOURCE: CirqueTribune} Hollywood 2011 is - "IRIS" {Sep.22.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil announced today that it will debut a brand new production, IRIS, exclusively at Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards next summer. The name The word "iris" refers to the adjustable opening-or diaphragm- that controls the amount of light that passes through a camera lens. The word also refers to the colored part of the eye. IRIS will take a unique look at the world of cinema. Directed by French director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, IRIS is a lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art. Bringing together dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation, the show takes spectators on a fantastic voyage through the history of cinema and its genres, taking them into the heart of the movie-making process. From illustration to animation, black and white to colour, silent films to talkies, fixed shots to swooping camera movements, spectators witness the poetic construction/deconstruction of this art as an object and as a way of transcending reality. Along with Philippe Decouflé, the creative team consists of 13 creators under the artistic guidance of Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberté: Philippe Decouflé - Writer and Director Trained in multiple disciplines including miming and circus arts, French dancer and choreographer Philippe Decouflé founded his own company - DCA - in 1983. His career path also led him to create videos and a series of outstanding advertisements during the 1980s. Teaming up with costume designer Philippe Guillotel, he staged the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Albertville in 1992, which attracted considerable attention. Philippe Decouflé also created the show Désirs that has been running at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Paris since 2009. IRIS is his first show with Cirque du Soleil. Jean-François Bouchard - Director of Creation The signature of Jean-François Bouchard is associated with many interior design concepts (bars, restaurants, boutiques, etc.) brought to life in Montreal between 1985 and 1995. He joined Cirque du Soleil as a designer in 1988 to create the interior design of the boutique connected to the La Nouba theatre in Orlando. He later became one of the key players in Cirque du Soleil's special events team. IRIS is Jean-François Bouchard's first show as Director of Creation. Jean Rabasse - Set Designer Jean Rabasse has earned an enviable reputation in the world of film, theatre and dance as a set designer and decorator. He has been the resident designer for Philippe Decouflé's dance company DCA for more than ten years. His film credits include award- winning movies such as Vatel, directed by Roland Joffé, as well as Delicatessen and La Cité des enfants perdus, both directed by Caro and Jeunet. After Corteo and The Beatles LOVE, IRIS marks Jean Rabasse's third participation in a Cirque du Soleil show as Set Designer. Philippe Guillotel - Costume Designer After a decade in the world of fashion, designer Philippe Guillotel discovered dance, and through it, his true calling- costume allied to movement. His signature is associated with the works of some of the most prominent stage and film directors in France. Since 1985, he has worked extensively with renowned French choreographer Philippe Découflé for whom he designed the costumes seen in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. In cinema, Philippe Guillotel designed the costumes for the feature Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre, directed by Alain Chabat. He has also made his mark in the worlds of show business and music. IRIS is Philippe Guillotel's second Cirque du Soleil show following The Beatles LOVE. Danny Elfman - Composer Danny Elfman is a musician best known for composing music for television and cinema and leading the rock band Oingo Boingo as singer/songwriter for almost 20 years. He is a frequent collaborator of long-time friend Tim Burton and has scored most of his films. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards and won a Grammy Award for Tim Burton's Batman and an Emmy Award for his Desperate Housewives theme. He is also known for creating the main title theme for The Simpsons. IRIS is his first Cirque du Soleil show as Composer and Musical Director. Daphné Mauger - Choreographer Daphné Mauger has been active on the French artistic scene for a number of years. Former graduate of the Conservatoire de danse de Paris, she pursues her career as a dancer and choreographer on a number of productions. In 2008, she worked with Philippe Decouflé on the production Triton 2 ter. IRIS is her first collaboration with the Cirque du Soleil. Patrice Besombes - Lighting Designer Patrice Besombes began his training in theatre before he discovered dance. After joining Maison de la danse de Lyon as a technical director in the early 1980s, he worked with the emerging generation of French choreographers of the time. He became one of the official lighting directors of creators such as Carolyn Carlson and Philippe Decouflé. Patrice Besombes' credits as a lighting designer include the works On the Other Side for the New York City Ballet and Triade et Amoveo for the Paris Opera, both by choreographer Benjamin Millepieds. His work can also be seen in theatre and opera. This is Patrice Besombes' first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Anne-Séguin Poirier - Props Designer For the past 10 years, Anne-Séguin Poirier has worked as a set and costume designer for theatre, circus, opera and exhibits. Since 2005, she has created sets for multimedia creators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, including DELIRIUM (Cirque du Soleil) and the Starmania opera they both directed. She has also designed costumes for choreographers and directors Peter James, Gypsy Rider, Shanna Carroll and Guy Alloucherie, at Montreal's National Circus School. Anne-Séguin Poirier's credits as a costume designer include the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games. IRIS is her first Cirque du Soleil show as Props Designer. Olivier Simola et Christophe Waksmann - Projection Designers Olivier Simola and Christophe Waksmann are both members of the dance company DCA founded by French director Philippe Decouflé, with whom they have worked closely for many years. Olivier Simola has worked on many productions either as film director (video and cinema), stage director or dancer. Christophe Waksmann works as a dancer, camera operator, director, film editor and image designer for numerous dance companies in France. IRIS is their first Cirque du Soleil show. François Bergeron - Sound Designer François Bergeron is a long-time collaborator with Cirque du Soleil. Since 1990, he has worked in Europe, Asia and North America for numerous museums and producers of variety shows, plays and musicals, including Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, which toured or ran on Broadway from 1997 to 1999. He created his own company in Los Angeles that produces shows worldwide, including in Asia and the Middle East. François Bergeron took part in the creation of the Tokyo DisneySea theme park in Japan for Walt Disney Entertainment. Boris Verkhovsky & Shana Carroll - Acrobatic Performance Designers -- A former athlete in the Russian Men's National Team in Sport Acrobatics, Boris Verkhovsky immigrated to Canada from Byelorussia in 1978 following studies in physical education and sports (specializing in coaching). Later, he became head coach of the Canadian National Trampoline and Tumbling Team and, in 1993, was approached by Cirque du Soleil to consult on a proposed act for the show Mystère. Boris Verkhovsky was named head coach of acrobatic training and is currently director of acrobatic performance and training at Cirque du Soleil. He also contributes his expertise to the design of acrobatic acts for new shows. This is his first Cirque du Soleil show as an Acrobatic Performance Designer. Pierre Masse - Acrobatic Rigging and Equipment Designer Pierre Masse's career spans just about every genre of the performing arts. He was involved in major productions with the Opéra de Montréal, the Grands Ballets Canadiens and Céline Dion as well as a production of Les Misérables. He has collaborated with Cirque du Soleil since 1996 and took part in the creation of Quidam, Varekai, Zumanity, KÀ and CRISS ANGEL Believe. This is Pierre Masse's second Cirque du Soleil show as Acrobatic Rigging and Equipment Designer following TOTEM. "We are thrilled to have found such a spectacular home in LA," said President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Daniel Lamarre. "The city is at the forefront not only of film, but music, architecture and art as well. It is our hope that IRIS will be a welcome addition to Hollywood as a destination for visitors. " IRIS features a cast of over 72 performing artists from all over the world and will be presented exclusively at Kodak Theatre next summer. Tickets information Tickets are currently on sale for parties of 12 or more through Cirque du Soleil group sales by calling 877-504-7164. For advance ticket information, join Cirque Club at www.cirquedusoleil.com. For Preferred Seating and other American Express(r) Cardmember benefits, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/amex. Sponsors Infiniti and American Express are the official sponsors of this new production. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Alegría: Blow-by-Blow {Sep.24.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Fans of Cirque du Soleil take pride in themselves for knowing each and every show - from its acrobatic numbers to the depth of its theatrical elements - inside and out, which is why, I would say, that we don't pay too much attention to reviews published about an established show in newspapers. What for? The review usually covers the same general points discussed ad nauseum before, right? True enough. But this morning I ran across a blog post from The Pacific Northwest Islander's Arts Blogger, Michael Bowen, who attended Alegría's premiere in Spokane on Wednesday evening. And although you won't find anything ground-breaking about the show within his review, it's presented in one of the most unique ways I've seen - a blow-by-blow, twitter style. Check out the blog post here: < http://www.inlander.com/spokane/blog-1745-a-blow-by-blow- account-of-last-nights-alegria-prem.html > {SOURCE: Pacific Northwest Islander} Viva Elvis: The Album Tracklisting Revealed! {Sep.29.2010} ----------------------------------------------- First Single, "Suspicious Minds," Mixed by Brendan O'Brien, Impacts Radio Monday, October 18 Legacy Recordings Celebrates Elvis' 75th Birthday Year with an Epic New Studio Work Inspired by "Viva ELVIS" by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas Viva ELVIS - The Album Available Everywhere Tuesday, November 9 NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, proudly announces the release of Viva ELVIS - The Album, a 21st century celebration of Elvis and his music, featuring the voice of the king in a whole new context. Viva ELVIS - The Album will be available everywhere on Tuesday, November 9. Produced and arranged by Erich van Tourneau, with assistant producer and assistant arranger Hugo "Wedge Montecristo" Bombardier, Viva ELVIS - The Album is a multi-faceted audio extravaganza creating a larger-than-life musical portrait of Elvis through newly re-imagined versions of "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's Alright," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender," "King Creole," "Bossa Nova Baby," "Burning Love," "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "Suspicious Minds" as well as instrumental interludes based on "Memories" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (piano interlude). Three of the tracks on Viva ELVIS including "Suspicious Minds," the album's first single, were mixed by Grammy Award winning producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen). Four of the album's tracks were mixed by Serban Ghenea with the remaining five mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau. Musicians on Viva ELVIS include Elvis Presley (vocals); Erich van Tourneau (bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano and keyboards); Dea Norberg, Jennlee Shallow, Sherry St-Germain, Stacie Tabb (guest singers); Patrick Lavergne and JS "The Flash" Chouinard (basses); Mike Plant, Steve Nadeau, Martin Bachand and Paul Deslauriers (electric guitars); Olivier Goulet (acoustic guitar); Guy Belanger (harmonica); DJ Pocket (scratch). The album's horn section includes Jean-Francois Thibeault (trombone), Bruno Dumont (saxophone), David Perrico (trumpet), Jean-Francois Gagnon (flugel horn). When working on the music for Viva ELVIS, van Tourneau -- aided by Hugo Bombardier, Assistant Producer and Assistant Arranger on Viva ELVIS - The Album -- spent more than 3,000 hours reviewing countless albums, films, concert recordings, interviews and home recordings of Elvis. More than 17,000 samples of Elvis' songs - the raw material for the show - were made during the process. Working with tens of thousands of samples of Elvis' voice, van Tourneau and Bombardier often wove several sequences and sounds into the same songs, sometimes changing details such as the key and tempo. In creating Viva ELVIS - The Album, van Tourneau was looking to accentuate and boost the emotional charge of the songs with the incorporation of ragga, punk or hip-hop elements into classic recordings. In all cases, however, the goal was to respect and understand the essence of the original recordings. "I would like to acknowledge all of the incredible composers, musicians and technicians responsible for making this music with Elvis originally," said van Tourneau. "The album Viva ELVIS would not be what it is today if not for their remarkable contributions." The postmodern studio masterwork invokes the spirit and essence of Elvis from a contemporary perspective while furthering the revolutionary impulses of Elvis' sound. Viva ELVIS - The Album re-imagines the king's own vocal performances in a broad variety of new musical settings. This new sound echoes Elvis' own versatility and ability to master all music genres, from Delta blues to rockabilly, from raw soul to gospel, from Southern folk to Vegas pop, while incorporating elements of garage rock, punk, urban and hip-hop. In celebration of all eras of Elvis' musical genius, Viva ELVIS - The Album includes songs from Elvis' rise to fame in the '50s, his movie soundtracks, his triumphant return to the stage in the "'68 Special," and his ground-breaking appearances in Las Vegas. Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil, a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music, opened earlier this year in a specially designed 1,800 seat theater at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley, Viva ELVIS focuses on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas: Elvis Presley. Significant moments in his life - intimate, playful and grandiose - blend with timeless songs that remain as relevant today as when they first hit the top of the charts. Viva ELVIS - The Album is a 21st century venue for rock's first and biggest superstar. The King's Music Lives! Viva ELVIS - The Album - produced and arranged by Erich van Tourneau Track Listing ------------- 1. (Opening) (mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau) 2. Blue Suede Shoes (mixed by Serban Ghenea) 3. That's Alright (mixed by Brendan O'Brien) 4. Heartbreak Hotel (mixed by Brendan O'Brien) 5. Love Me Tender (mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau) 6. King Creole (mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau) 7. Bossa Nova Baby (mixed by Serban Ghenea) 8. Burning Love (mixed by Serban Ghenea) 9. (Memories) (mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau) 10. Can't Help Falling In Love (mixed by Serban Ghenea) 11. (You'll Never Walk Alone) (piano interlude) (mixed by Robert Meunier & Erich van Tourneau) 12. Suspicious Minds (mixed by Brendan O'Brien) Read the full press release here: < http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viva-elvis---the- album-tracklisting-revealed-104003028.html {SOURCE: PR Newswire} ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Varekai} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam & Dralion} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis} o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions {Wintuk, Banana Shpeel, Iris, & "Radio City"} NOTE: .) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate touring dates and locations available, the information in this section is subject to change without notice. As such, the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of these listings. .) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque du Soleil. For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts, please visit our website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 > Corteo: Kazan, Russia -- Aug 21, 2010 to Sep 26, 2010 Moscow, Russia -- Oct 9, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010 Brussels, BE -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Vienna, AT -- Feb 11, 2011 to TBA Madrid, ES -- Apr 2, 2011 to TBA Valencia, ES -- Jun 16, 2011 to TBA Alicante, ES -- Jul 28, 2011 to TBA Sevilla, ES -- Sep 8, 2011 to TBA Paris, FR -- TBA Koozå: Vancouver, BC -- Jul 22, 2010 to Sep 5, 2010 Calgary, AB -- Sep 16, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Miami, FL -- Nov 12, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to Apr 12, 2011 Ovo: Washington, DC -- Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Atlanta, GA -- Nov 4, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010 Dallas, TX -- Jan 28, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Houston, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 Cincinnati, OH -- Apr 22, 2011 to TBA Chicago, IL -- Jun 30, 2011 to TBA Seattle, WA -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA Quidam: Bogota, CO -- Oct 19, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 NOTE: Begins Arena Tour after Bogota! Totem: Amsterdam, NL -- Oct 7, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 (*) London, UK -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 (*) Charlotte, NC -- Mar 3, 2011 to TBA Baltimore, MD -- Apr 7, 2011 to TBA Pittsburgh, PA -- May 12, 2011 to TBA Montreal, QC -- Jun 16, 2011 to TBA Toronto, ON -- Aug 4, 2011 to TBA San Francisco, CA -- Oct 21, 2011 to TBA Varekai: Oostende, BE -- Jul 29, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Zurich, CH -- Sep 17, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Barcelona, ES -- Nov 5, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Taipei, TW -- Jan 20, 2011 to TBA ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=1831 > Saltimbanco: Granada, ES -- Sep 29, 2010 to Oct 3, 2010 Madrid, ES -- Oct 6, 2010 to Oct 10, 2010 Lisbon, PT -- Oct 13, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Prague, CZ -- Nov 12, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Zagreb, HR -- Nov 17, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 Belgrade, SB -- Nov 24, 2010 to Nov 28, 2010 Basel, CH -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Budapest, HU -- Dec 8, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010 Nurnberg, DE -- Dec 15, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010 Antwerp, BE -- Dec 22, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Lille, FR -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Paris, FR -- Jan 13, 2011 to Jan 15, 2011 Johannesburg, ZA -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 Cape Town, ZA -- Mar 23, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 Perth, AU -- Apr 21, 2011 to TBA Adelaide, AU -- May 12, 2011 to TBA Melbourne, AU -- May 25, 2011 to TBA Hobart, AU -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011 Brisbane, AU -- Jul 8, 2011 to TBA Newcastle, AU -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 Sydney, AU -- Jul 27, 2011 to TBA Wollongong, AU -- Aug 17, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Auckland, NZ -- Aug 25, 2011 to TBA Alegría: Honolulu, HI -- Oct 15, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010 Boise, ID -- Nov 4, 2010 to Nov 7, 2010 Houston, TX -- Nov 10, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Phoenix, AZ -- Nov 17, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 Tucson, AZ -- Nov 24, 2010 to Nov 28, 2010 El Paso, TX -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Oklahoma City, OK -- Dec 22, 2010 to Dec 26, 2010 Wichita, KS -- Dec 29, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Baton Rouge, LA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Colorado Springs, CO -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Broomfield, CO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Loveland, CO -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Laredo, TX -- Feb 2, 2011 to Feb 6, 2011 Hidalgo, TX -- Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Corpus Christi, TX -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Tulsa, OK -- Feb 23, 2011 to Feb 27, 2011 North Charleston, SC -- Mar 17, 2011 to TBA Knoxville, TN -- Mar 23, 2011 to TBA Charlotesville, VA -- Mar 30, 2011 to TBA Atlantic City, NJ -- Apr 6, 2011 to TBA Greensboro, NC -- Apr 13, 2011 to TBA Biloxi, MS -- Apr 20, 2011 to TBA Southaver, MS -- Apr 27, 2011 to TBA Roanoke, VA -- May 4, 2011 to TBA Columbia, SC -- May 11, 2011 to TBA Louisville, KY -- Jun 9, 2011 to TBA Nashville, TN -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA Tampa, FL -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA Jacksonville, FL -- Jun 29, 2011 to TBA Raleigh, NC -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA Duluth, GA -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA Sunrise, FL -- Jul 20, 2011 to TBA Charlotte, NC -- Aug 3, 2011 to TBA Estero, FL -- Aug 10, 2011 to TBA Quidam: Kingson, ON -- Dec 11, 2010 to Dec 14, 2010 Montréal, QC -- Dec 18, 2010 to Dec 30, 2010 Quebec, QC -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Chicoutimi, QC -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Vancouver, BC -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 13, 2011 Everett, WA -- Mar 16, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 San Jose, CA -- Mar 24, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 San Diego, CA -- Mar 30, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 San Francisco, CA -- Apr 6, 2011 to TBA Long Beach, CA -- Apr 20, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 Ontario, Ca -- Apr 27, 2011 to May 1, 2011 Reno, NV -- May 4, 2011 to TBA Dralion: Trenton, NJ -- Oct 20, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Buffalo, NY -- Oct 27, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010 Reading, PA -- Nov 2, 2010 to Nov 7, 2010 Youngstown, OH -- Nov 10, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Windsow, ON -- Nov 17, 2010 to NOv 21, 2010 Oshawa, ON -- Nov 24, 2010 to Nov 28, 2010 Worcester, MA -- Dec 16, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010 Philadelphia, PA -- Dec 21, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Boston, MA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Grand Rapids, MI -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 St. Louis, MO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Hoffman Estates, IL -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Detroit, MI -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Austin, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 San Antonio, TX -- Mar 23, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 Peoria, IL -- Apr 22, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 Cypress, TX -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA Beaumont, TX -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise noted. (*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the $7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where applicable. Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=40 > Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50 o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View) 2010 Dark Dates: o September 4 - 8 o November 3 "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Orchestra: $150.00 o Loggia: $130.00 o Balcony: $99.00 o Limited View: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o October 10 o December 8 - 21 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9): o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00 o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00 o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00 o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00 o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00 2010 Dark Dates: o September 21 - 24 o November 16 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday Dark: Wednesday & Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!): o Duo Sofas: $135.00 o Orchestra Seats: $99.00 o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00 o Balcony Seats: $69.00 o Cabaret Stools: $69.00 2010 Dark Dates: o September 14 o October 12 - 13 o November 30 o December 1 - 14 2010 Added Performances: o September 16th o October 14th o November 29th o December 30th KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00 o Category 2: $125.00 / $62.50 o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 2010 Dark Dates o September 7 - 11 o November 16 - 17 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 o Upper Orchestra: $130.00 o Lower Balcony: $99.00 o Middle Balcony: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o October 7 o December 3 - 13 ZAIA: Location: Venetian, Macao (China) Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11): o VIP Seating: MOP$ 1288 / MOP$ 1288 o Reserve A: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 394 o Reserve B: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 294 o Reserve C: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 194 ZED: Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan) Performs: Varies One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary 2010 Ticket Prices (Non-Peek / Peek Time): o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥15,000 / ¥16,000 o Category 2 ("Stage-Side"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 2 ("Center"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 3 ("Wide View"): ¥9,500 / ¥10,500 o Category 4 ("Value"): ¥7,500 / ¥7,800 BELIEVE: Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted into the theater. 2010 Ticket Prices (all): o Category 1: $160.00 o Category 2: $125.00 o Category 3: $99.00 o Category 4: $79.00 o Category 5: $59.00 2010 Dark Dates: o October 12 - 16 VIVA ELVIS: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (Previews / Regular) o Category 1: $149.38 / $175.00 o Category 2: $128.75 / $150.00 o Category 3: $108.13 / $125.00 o Category 4: $86.68 / $99.00 2010 Dark Dates: o September 14 - 16 o November 17 - 25 -------------------------------------- VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions -------------------------------------- Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 > Wintuk: Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City (USA) Show Schedule: Performances are held November 17, 2010 through January 2, 2011 from Wednesdays through Sundays. There are no performances on Monday and Tuesday (with the exception of December 21, 27 and 28, 2010). Ticket prices range from from $30 to $220 based on category and performance date. Please see the Cirque du Soleil website for ticket details: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/wintuk/ tickets/schedule.aspx > Banana Shpeel: Banana Shpeel is going on tour! Check out the show at these locations: Toronto, ON -- Sep 14, 2010 to Oct 10, 2010 San Francisco, CA -- Oct 16, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 [CANCELED] Orange County, CA -- Dec 7, 2010 to Dec 26, 2010 [UNKNOWN] ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= --- [ "O" ] --- {Sep.29} Take a glimpse into the auditions that were held in the "O" theatre a couple weeks ago! LINK /// < http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/sep/22/ cirque-du-soleil-auditions/ > {Sep.24} A few artists from "O" will be in the Gift Shop (in front of the "O" Box Office) signing autographs and posing for photos tonight from 6:30pm-7pm! If you are around, come say hello! --- [ ALEGRIA ] --- {Sep.30} Honolulu, Hawai'i: Special sneak peek into the world of Alegria and Cirque du Soleil @ Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, earlier today, Sept 29. Micah Naruo (Fire-Knife Dancer) talks about his experience on tour, Denys Tolstov (Hand Balancer) honoured the audience with his performance while the Old Nostalgic Birds amused the curious ones! LINK /// < http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/ story.asp?S=13241621 > {Sep.24} Group picture for the WALL OF FAME / Spokane Arena! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 469706515745&set=a.132917855745.130630.38543815745 > {Sep.17} Recent photo shoot to capture new images from the Alegria Arena Tour FOTO [8] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid= 275905&id=38543815745&ref=mf > {Sep.14} This morning @ King5, New-Day NW: a special performance from Denys Tolstov, Hand Balancer... LINK /// < http://www.king5.com/new-day-northwest/A-special- performance-from-Cirque-du-Soleils-Alegria- 102836529.html > {Sep.09} According to this reporter, "The hardest part about reviewing any Cirque du Soleil production? Running out of adjectives." LINK /// < http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/ spectacular-spectacular/ > {Sep.09} In Victoria, BC, until Sunday! Here is a great behind the scene sneak peek with Alexander Dobrynin (Flying Man) and Trudy McIntosh (Power Track)! LINK /// < http://www.atv.ca/victoria/4994_73660.aspx > {Sep.04} Curious to know more about the music in the show? In this article, Frederick Kraai, Musician (Saxophone), talks about his role, the importance of the live music in the show...plus Micah Naruo, artist (Fire-Knife Dance), who loves performing on stage! LINK /// < http://www.mondaymag.com/articles/entry/ the-joy-of-alegria > --- [ BANANA SHPEEL ] --- {Sep.30} Life backstage at Banana Shpeel is always interesting...Performances in Toronto through October 10 only. LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=479117861799 &set=a.336070321799.187634.153330866799 > {Sep.24} The contortion act performed live on Breakfast TV in Toronto. It's a very early start to the day, but it was fun! LINK /// < http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/610559991001. 000000/banana-shpeel-contortion-act/ > {Sep.20} The Toronto Star raved about Banana Shpeel and said "the whole presentation has a fresh pizzazz that's highly welcome". Read the full review here: Banana Shpeel: Third time's a charm for Cirque act! LINK /// < http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/theatre/ article/863470--banana-shpeel-third-time-s-a- charm-for-cirque-act > {Sep.19} Toronto audiences are great and very responsive to Banana Shpeel. Check out the artists backstage at the Canon Theatre. FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 474228531799&set=a.336070321799. 187634.153330866799 > {Sep.13} With Banana Shpeel previews starting Tuesday, the street team hit the Toronto International Film Festival to distribute popcorn in cool buckets. FOTO [23] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=488564 &id=346913040639&fbid=10150248174245640&ref=mf > {Sep.09} Great photos of Wednesday's rehearsals on the Toronto Star website. | Photojournalist Steve Russell covered the famous Cirque du Soleil troupe as they rehearse for their upcoming show "Banana Shpeel." Dancer Joseph Wiggan shows up for Cirque du Soleil rehearsal on Queen Street West for their upcoming show "Banana Shpeel" which will run from September 14 to October 10th. LINK /// < http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/ 2010/09/cirque-du-soleil.html > --- [ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ] --- {Sep.09} We're loving our new video which puts YOU right in the action of all seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas! Click the link below to check it out! LINK /// < http://bit.ly/99YW5N > {Sep.04} Hi friends of Cirque! Call it a late Spring break or an early Fall break, but it's still summer in Vegas so come see us between now and the end of October for $50! (http://promo- www.cirquedusoleil.com/las-vegas/summer-2010/index.htm) Thanks again to everyone who came to see us in L.A. a few weeks ago, some familiar faces even made it into the digital pages of LIFE Magazine! LINK /// < http://www.life.com/image/103544744 > {Sep.02} Cirque founder Guy Laliberté a happy birthday! --- [ DRALION ] --- {Sep.24} More, more and even more images of the Dralion cast rehearsing in Montreal. Only three weeks to go before the North American Premiere Arena show in Trenton, New Jersey Foto [13] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid= 506976&id=39340140194&ref=mf > {Sep.10} Still rehearsing in Montreal, the Dralion cast is getting familiar with the Arena stage. Curious to see them in action! VIDEO [0:30] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/ video.php?v=443709730352&ref=mf > {Sep.10} The cast just arrived in Montreal to rehearse for the upcoming North America Arena Tour FOTO [5] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=481610&id=39340140194&ref=mf > --- [ KOOZA] --- {Sep.27} If you pass by Calgary, AB, don't miss the KOOZA window display at the Holt Renfrew tunnel inside The CORE/TD Square Mall LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 432346856338&set=a.71836936338.88957.34324811338 > {Sep.27} Interview with KOOZA Artistic Director Adam Miller - learn more about the show & artists! LINK /// < http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/index.html? releasePID=W1Pz2SiF2lWU7NI88zSd2PWAuq2n_Gku > {Sep.25} Did you know there is a school on KOOZA? Watch the video to find out! VIDEO /// < http://start.shaw.ca/Start/enCA/Videos/Featured Videos.htm?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7BA0BB5630-EAFE- 4F8B-9D52-78105E5D8967%7D&NRORIGINALURL=%2Fstart%2FenCA%2 Fvideos%2Ffeaturedvideos.htm%3FfvPgID%3D%7B764490F7-4F60- 465C-8686-CE55D51B52F7%7D&fvTitle=Kooza+School&href3 D171C4BD6BC=mms%3A%2F%2Fprdmediax1.shaw.ca%2FStart%2F ShawTV%2FCalgary%2FSept24%2F24kooz.wmv&NRCACHEHINT =Guest&fvPgID=%7B764490F7-4F60-465C-8686- CE55D51B52F7%7D&detection=declined > {Sep.17} REVIEW & PHOTOS: Cirque du Soleil brilliant under the Calgary Big Top! LINK /// < http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/ Cirque+Soleil+brilliant+under+Calgary+Photo+ Gallery+Review/3538764/story.html#ixzz0znWGoRrc > {Sep.17} REVIEW: Cirque du Hooray!! LINK /// < http://www.calgarysun.com/entertainment/ 2010/09/16/15367206.html > --- [ KÀ ] --- {Sep.25} Happy Saturday, KÀ fans! The majority of our artists and crew have graciously sacrificed their upcoming weekend to take a bunch of new photos of the show's characters, so check back here next week for a sneak peek of the new show photos! Also, in case you missed our appearance on "World's Toughest Fixes" back in May, you can stream it online on Netflix, check it out! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 491560181928&set=a.176667951928.146847.31527171928 > --- [ LA NOUBA ] --- {Sep.30} Over the break our technicians, riggers and electricians had rope access training which allows them to work in a high area of the theater where access with a ladder, lift or scaffolding isn't possible. In this situation the ropes are the primary means of support, positioning and safety protection. It's serious stuff, but it looks like fun! FOTO [9] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=217729&id=16315569901&ref=mf > {Sep.16} La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Our musicians made a rare daylight appearance this week. They were featured for an hour on WUCF, 89.9 FM and performed some amazing original music! FOTO [7] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=209463&id=16315569901&ref=mf > {Sep.09} La Nouba took to Twitter for a chat with Jennifer B. in the wardrobe department at La Nouba! See what she does here! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=207437&id=16315569901&ref=mf > --- [ MYSTERE ] --- {Sep.25} Mystère by Cirque du Soleil Happy Saturday, Mystère friends! Our 8,000th performance on October 17th is right around the corner, and we're putting the finishing touches on an exciting change to one of our acrobatic acts. Stay tuned for more info and maybe a sneak peek. Here's a hint about which act it is, any guesses as to what the change might be? LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 469185969918&set=a.121054974918.123251.18155469918 > {Sep.18} Ever wonder what Mystère would look like performed in a cubicle? Well wonder no more! Earlier this week we paid a visit to some of the hard working men and women who are kind enough to sell tickets to our show. Please join us in thanking them for all of their hard work and enthusiasm! Mystère goes Corporate Casual! FOTO [50] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=277542&id=18155469918&ref=mf > {Sep.15} Mystère mega-fan John Hunt attended the show for the 69th time last night! Great seeing you John, as always! I think we've already asked how many times you've seen Mystère (and feel free to share), but to try to even the playing field let's add all Cirque du Soleil shows. How many times have you attended a Cirque du Soleil show - resident, big top and arena? LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 465176324918&set=a.121054974918.123251.18155469918 > --- [ OVO ] --- {Sep.17} Backstage at Cirque du Soleil's OVO LINK /// < http://www.tbd.com/articles/2010/09/ backstage-at-cirque-de-soliel-s-ovo--10601.html > {Sep.16} Closer Inspection: Not-so-creepy crawlies - September 12, 2010 - Washington Post Magazine LINK /// < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/artsandliving/magazine/closer-inspection/ 20100912/index.html > {Sep.07} Learn how the OVO Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau is raised! LINK /// < http://dcstylespot.com/2010/09/03/ the-raising-of-le-grande-chapiteau/ > --- [ SALTIMBANCO ] --- {Sep.30} Almost sold out in Granada!! LINK /// < http://www.ideal.es/granada/v/20100930/ cultura/reyes-galaxia-circense-20100930.html > {Sep.28} Saltimbanco in Granada LINK /// < http://www.ideal.es/granada/20100923/local/granada/ cirque-soleil-llega-granada-201009231708.html > {Sep.24} Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil Reviews in Zaragoza! LINK /// < http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/noticias/ noticia.asp?pkid=611982#EnlaceComentarios > {Sep.24} El Circo del Sol en Zaragoza. LINK /// < http://www.elperiodicodearagon.com/servicios/ galerias/galeria.asp?pkid=26128&page_IMG=2 > {Sep.22} Opening tonight en Zaragoza! LINK /// < http://www.heraldo.es/noticias/detalle/ saltimbanco_abre_telon_zaragoza.html > {Sep.06} Playing in Munich at the Olympiahalle until Sunday ! LINK /// < http://www.merkur-online.de/nachrichten/kultur/ cirque-soleil-imperium-kehrt-zurueck-901830.html > {Sep.01} Currently playing in Berlin!! LINK /// < http://www.berlinonline.de/berliner-zeitung/ archiv/.bin/dump.fcgi/2010/0826/ kulturkalender/0081/index.html > --- [ THE BEATLES LOVE ] --- {Sep.30} Behind the scenes look at LOVE with Vegas.com! LINK /// < http://www.vegas.com/vegasminute/ > {Sep.30} Here we are performing on America's Got Talent! VIDEO [5:41] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10100206589434999&ref=mf > {Sep.29} What would John Lennon have been like at age 70? Check out this story by Ivor Davies that talks all about Lennon and his life. LINK /// < http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/ Imagine+Beatles+John+Lennon+story+photos/ 3582677/story.html > {Sep.25} Check out this video made from LOVE dancer Cameron McKinlay! It's a behind the scenes look at LOVE's performance on "America's Got Talent"...enjoy....xoxo VIDEO [x:xx] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQOohXczC4 > {Sep.24} Oct 9 marks what would've been the 70th birthday of John Lennon... Yoko Ono and Mayor Bloomberg honour John Lennon with new documentary on eve of his 70th birthday. LINK /// < http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article- 1314982/Yoko-Ono-Mayor-Bloomberg-honour-John-Lennon- new-documentary-eve-70th-birthday.html > {Sep.21} Get to know LOVE performer Delphine Gaillard, who performs in LOVE as John Lennon's mother "Julia", in this great UK interview... LINK /// < http://www.gamblingonlinemag.co.uk/people.php > {Sep.15} Thanks everyone for your support! In case you missed our performance on "America's Got Talent" (or you just want to watch it again!), check out this video link. PEACE AND LOVE! The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil on America's Got Talent FINALE VIDEO [x:xx] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1wB8nsUfkA > {Sep.15} LOVE on America's Got Talent, Sept. 2010 FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=198918&id=14653468665&ref=mf > {Sep.15} We're having a blast rehearsing for our performance on America's Got Talent tonight -- and we've got some pics! Don't forget to tune in! 8 pm on NBC! FOTO [13] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=198918&id=14653468665&ref=mf > {Sep.13} We are stoked for Carlos Santana's brand new album, "Guitar Heaven...The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time" in- stores Sept 21. The first single from the album is a stirring rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," featuring India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma! And we found the song on You Tube. Simply brilliant! VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DeOSLNbhfg > {Sep.11} The Beatles voted #1 in "Greatest Artists of All Time" Vh1 report!!! LINK /// < http://www.newsopi.com/showbiz/vh1-top-100-artists- of-all-time-list-of-greatest-artists-of-all- time/4177/ > {Sep.10} A great interview with Yoko from TIME magazine...she is one of the biggest supporters of LOVE, thank you for enlightening us with this interview, Yoko! LINK /// < http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/ 0,8599,2017363,00.html > {Sep.10} Neil Diamond and Herbie Hancock sing "Yesterday" in support of Stand Up to Cancer charity event LINK /// < http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/09/ neil-diamond-teams-with-herbie-hancock-for-a-good- cause.html > {Sep.07} Check out this cool video, all about the LOVE Skaters! Produced by original cast member, Daniel Ortiz. VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Lpldu3uQg+ > {Sep.07} A little history lesson by writer Bruce Spizer from The Beatles performance on the Ed Sullivan show! LINK /// < http://www.beatlesagain.com/the-beatles- on-ed-sullivan.html > {Sep.04} Day 2 of rehearsals with Napoleon and Tabitha (aka NappyTabs) in preparation for LOVE's performance on the finale of "America's Got Talent" Sept 15. A special act for tv that is NOT currently in the show, and music by Giles Martin get excited!!! --- [ VAREKAI ] --- {Sep.22} Premiere of Varekai in Zurich - a real success! LINK /// < http://ch.tilllate.com/de/photoalbum/overview/1 0342970#p1 > LINK /// < http://zuerich.usgang.ch/picture.php?n=420392 > --- [ VIVA ELVIS ] --- {Sep.19} Here's a behind the scenes video of a photo shoot at the theater. This video was created by our talented performer Aaron Felske. The characters were photographed by Eric Jamison for our new show logo. What do you think of the new logo? VIDEO [1:25] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=439505582001&ref=mf > {Sep.11} In case you missed our performance of Blue Suede Shoes on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, here's a link. Let us know what you think! VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EJW-Nx573c > {Sep.03} On The Download: Cirque Du Soleil's 'Viva ELVIS' LINK /// < http://www.accesshollywood.com/on-the-download- cirque-du-soleils-viva-elvis_article_36455 > --- [ WINTUK ] --- {Sep.30} Ever wonder what the Wintuk characters do in the off-season? VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E188OVfbcFw > {Sep.28} Here's a look at what the Wintuk promo team was up to lately! FOTO [7] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=475966&id=98244255320&ref=mf > {Sep.27} On Sunday, Sept 26 in NYC, Cirque du Soleil participated in the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction hosted by Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. We'll be selling fun Cirque merchadise and auctioning a Vegas trip and Opening Night tickets to our new 2011 show at Radio City Music Hall. Here's Wintuk at the Broadway Flea Market! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 10150270546850321&set=a.10150270546845321. 538895.98244255320 > {Sep.24} The Power Track artists are training in Montreal! VIDEO [0:06] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=447116987995&ref=mf > {Sep.15} We've been having a blast at these events! Here's a look at what the Wintuk promo team was up to lately! FOTO [18] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=475966& id=98244255320&fbid=10150250545725321&ref=mf > {Sep.13} We're very excited to be starting the season soon! Here's a look at what's in store! VIDEO [0:40] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10100193476613199&ref=mf > {Sep.08} Check out the Photos of the Wintuk Promotional Team in action over Labor Day Weekend. FOTO [7] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=530893&id=98244255320&ref=mf > --- [ ZED ] --- {Sep.30} ZED is celebrating today its second year of life and fun together with the amazing team of artists, technicians and staff. Long live ZED! {Sep.26} Article about ZED on Mainichi Shinbun LINK /// < http://mainichi.jp/enta/art/news/ 20100921ddm013070106000c.html > {Sep.16} The beautiful Mai Sato- Our first Japanese female artist- introduced to the Japanese audience by NTV's NEWS ZERO VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkTSyvLtSI > {Sep.14} Some voices from ZED on this NHK show. Enjoy! LINK /// < http://www.nhk.or.jp/50voice/movie/35/movie02.html > --- [ ZUMANITY ] --- {Sep.30} Gearing up for Gay Days Anaheim this weekend! We'll be performing at the Kingdom event on Saturday night with our fabulous Edie Entertainer and a scandalous performance from our show. If you still haven't purchased tickets, there's still time! Hope to see you there sex kittens! {Sep.21} It's official - we celebrated 7 fabulous years yesterday, Monday, Sept. 20! A special thank you to all of our supportive & wonderful friends. Some truly amazing moments over the years - see below for a new clip of some of our talented artists doing an interview with Las Vegas' summer campaign "Camp Vegas." LINK /// < http://www.pokerguideblog.com/uncategorized/camp- vegas-cast-interview-at-zumanity-cirque-du-soleil/ > {Sep.19} We're wishing our Facebook fans a relaxing weekend! See the link below for a sneak peak of our fun & fabulous Botero Sisters mingling with the crowd at our Mix & Mingle event during FABULOUS Las Vegas! More footage can be found a www.Vegas.com VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3EetYEpYVE > {Sep.18} Zumanity Out and About FOTO [2] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=160312&id=13931088846&ref=mf > {Sep.01} We're proud to announce that our beautiful and talented singer, PARIS RED, has won 2 awards at this year's Las Vegas Black Music Awards for Best Female Jazz Vocalist and Best Major Show Performer. Congratulations Paris! ======================================================================= COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN ======================================================================= o) DIDYAKNOW - Facts at a Glance about Cirque o) HISTORIA - Cirque du Soleil History --------------------------------- DIDYAKNOW? - Facts About Cirque --------------------------------- o) Did you know the practice of foot juggling was transformed in 1840, when Richard R. Carlisle Risley got the idea of replacing objects propelled in the air with... a child? o) Did you know that before "Cirque du Soleil: Parade of Colors" (ISBN# 0-8109-4515-0) was published in 2003, Cirque had been looking to create children's books based on its productions? As far back as 1998, Cirque wanted to enter the publishing world with an illustrated children's book inspired by Quidam, Cirque's latest show at the time. o) Did you know that the German Wheel was invented in 1925 by Otto Fick, and was used as a Nazi propaganda device? That's right! The German Wheel actually became the most practiced sport by Hitlerian Youth during the rise of the Nazi Movement. During the 1936 Olympic Games, the Nazi propaganda machine even placed a Swastika in the middle of the wheel. When the Third Reich fell, the Wheel was banned worldwide. It was Israel, in the 1970s, which brought the Wheel out of obscurity and back into the light, making it the more dynamic and artistic sport we know today. o) Did you know that Alegria is the top selling Cirque album to date? Yes, with over 800,000 copies sold. Quidam is next with about 500,000 sold. o) The name of the spectacle, ZAIA, is inspired by a Greek first name meaning "the life" and points out mythical Gaïa, Greek goddess of the ground and symbol of planetary ecological balance. o) Did you know the forest in Varkeai consists of over 300 "trees" between 15 feet and 35 feet tall? The forest is also interspersed with twenty-odd "acrobatic trees" that its inhabitants can shinny up to see what's going on. Extending out of the golden forest is the stage, the terrain on which the characters move about. It's a golden clearing with a diameter of 42 feet. Specially designed for the show's aesthetic and acrobatic needs, the stage harbors five traps, two turntables and an elevating platform. o) Did you know that the ring-like apparatus used in Dralion to allow performers to fly around stage and to allow the singer to ascend to the stars is called "The Sun"? The Sun is one of three pieces used during the show. The other two are used as a catwalk and to encompass an enormous lantern. o) Did you know La Nouba has 20 motorized line sets, 1400 lighting instruments (of which 60 move) and 18 cameras that are automatically controlled? o) Did you know that 30 surround loudspeakers are used in "O"? They are distributed behind the balcony, on the face of the balcony but firing forward to cover the main floor, and there are some built into the side walls. The proscenium framing contains 2 loudspeaker clusters, with more along its sides. A series of compact loudspeakers contained in the stage lip bolster coverage to the first few seating rows not getting complete mid/high output from the clusters due to logistics. ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History ------------------------------------ * Oct.01.1996 -- Alegría opened Fukuoka, Japan * Oct.01.2002 -- La Nouba goes 2-tiered seating * Oct.01.2003 -- Varekai Premium CD Released (CDS/Musique) * Oct.01.2008 -- ZED Gala Premiere in Tokyo * Oct.02.1987 -- Cirque Réinventé opened San Diego * Oct.02.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Paris * Oct.02.2003 -- Alegría opened Portland * Oct.02.2003 -- Dralion opened Mexico City * Oct.02.2007 -- Dralion celebrated its 3000th performance [Osaka, Japan] * Oct.04.2002 -- Dralion opened Sacramento * Oct.05.2010 -- Banana Shpeel's Tour is Canceled * Oct.06.1994 -- Alegría opened Santa Monica * Oct.06.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Madris, ES * Oct.07.2003 -- Region 01 DVD release: Alegría and Varekai * Oct.07.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Rome * Oct.07.2009 -- Alegría Arena opened Pittsburg, PA * Oct.07.2010 -- TOTEM opened Amsterdam, NL * Oct.08.1992 -- Saltimbanco opened Santa Monica * Oct.08.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Oslo, Norway * Oct.09.1992 -- The Saltimbanco CD was released in US (RCA/Victor) * Oct.09.2001 -- Region 01 DVD Release: Journey of Man (also VHS) * Oct.09.2009 -- Guy Laliberté will make an announcement from space concerning ONE DROP. * Oct.09.2010 -- Corteo opened Moscow, RU * Oct.10.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Santa Monica * Oct.10.2001 -- Alegría opened in Adelaide, Australia * Oct.10.2002 -- Alegría opened Mexico City * Oct.11.1994 -- The Alegría CD released in US (RCA/Victor) * Oct.11.2000 -- Dralion opened in McLean, Virginia * Oct.12.1995 -- Alegría opened Washington DC * Oct.12.2000 -- Saltimbanco 2000 opened Tokyo, Japan * Oct.12.2007 -- Quidam opened Guadalajara, Mexico * Oct.12.2010 -- Viva Elvis CD Released (Planned) * Oct.13.2005 -- Alegría opened Tokyo, Japan * Oct.13.2009 -- ZED Album Released * Oct.13.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Lisbon, PT * Oct.14.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened in Washington DC * Oct.14.1998 -- Saltimbanco opened Ottawa (Special Performances) * Oct.14.2009 -- Alegría Arena opened Philadelphia, PA * Oct.14.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Aalborg, DK * Oct.15.2004 -- Dralion opened Madrid, Spain * Oct.15.2008 -- Alegría opened Seoul, South Korea * Oct.15.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Honolulu, HI * Oct.16.2009 -- Koozå opened Santa Monica, CA * Oct.16.2010 -- Banana Shpeel opened San Francisco, CA (Canceled) * Oct.18.2005 -- KÀ CD released (CDS Musique) * Oct.19.1998 -- "O" premiered at Bellagio, Las Vegas * Oct.19.2004 -- "Tapis Rogue: Solarium" CD Released (CDS Musique) * Oct.19.2006 -- Dralion opened Frankfurt * Oct.19.2007 -- Alegría opened Brasilia, Brazil * Oct.19.2008 -- Guy Laliberte awarded honorary doctorate by Université Laval in Quebec City, Quebec * Oct.19.2010 -- Quidam opened Bogota, CO * Oct.20.2003 -- "Cirque for Life" film even in Portlan, Oregon * Oct.20.2007 -- Zumanity celebrated its 2000th performance * Oct.20.2008 -- "All Together Now" Documentary screened in theaters * Oct.20.2010 -- Dralion Arena opened Trenton, NJ * Oct.21.2008 -- "All Together Now" Documentary released on DVD * Oct.21.2009 -- Alegría Arena opened Reading, PA * Oct.21.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Copenhagen, DK * Oct.22.2003 -- Canadian premiere of Varekai on CBC * Oct.22.2003 -- Quidam opened Fukuoka, Japan * Oct.22.2006 -- Quidam NAT 3 Ended. * Oct.22.2009 -- Dralion opened Guadalajara, MX * Oct.23.2008 -- Dralion opened Canberra, Australia * Oct.23.2009 -- Quidam opened Belo Hoizonte, Brazil * Oct.23.2009 -- Varekai opened Moscow, Russia * Oct.25.1988 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Montréal * Oct.25.1991 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Washington DC * Oct.25.2007 -- Varekai opened Antwerp, Belgium * Oct.26.1999 -- Dralion CD released in Canada (RCA/Victor) * Oct.26.2000 -- Quidam opened Frankfurt * Oct.26.2001 -- New Musical Director "O" (John-Paul Gasparelli) * Oct.26.2006 -- Corteo opened Washington, DC. * Oct.27.2005 -- Varekai opened Charlotte * Oct.27.2006 -- Alegría opened Madrid, Spain * Oct.27.2010 -- Dralion Arena opened Buffalo, NY * Oct.28.1997 -- Cirque Collection CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor) * Oct.29.1987 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Santa Monica * Oct.29.1998 -- Quidam opened Atlanta * Oct.29.2004 -- Alegría opened Tokyo, Japan * Oct.29.2007 -- Guy Laliberte announces One Drop Foundation * Oct.30.2001 -- Region 01 DVD Release: Le Magie Continue, Saltimbanco, Cirque Réinventé, and Baroque Odyssey. (Also released on VHS) * Oct.30.2008 -- Koozå opened Washington, DC. * Oct.30.2008 -- Quidam opened Brussels, Belgium * Oct.31.2002 -- Saltimbanco opened Madrid * Oct.31.2007 -- Dralion opened Nagoya, Japan * Oct.31.2008 -- BELIEVE gala premiere in Las Vegas * Oct.xx.2001 -- CirqueClub premiered ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------- "My Thoughts on Banana Shpeel" By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) {As Published on Cirque Tribune} ------------------------------------------------------- When Cirque du Soleil "re-invented" the traditional circus the company transformed it into an art form. The creative minds at Cirque took a form of entertainment that was thought of as crass, tawdry and somewhat archaic and completely re-imagining it, infusing it with creativity and artistry to create something fresh, daring and avant- garde. Similar to traditional American circus, Vaudeville is an anachronistic form of entertainment rife with possibility for re-invention. The question with Banana Shpeel is whether or not Cirque du Soleil, a company whose mission is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world, would be able to successfully re-invent Vaudeville the way it re-invented circus. After all, the company successfully re-invented a genre of performance before so, theoretically, they could do it again. But, alas, they haven't. Banana Shpeel doesn't so much re-invent vaudeville as it regurgitates it. Now, I know some will inevitably decry that we die-hard fans have it out for Banana Shpeel because we never want Cirque to branch out and try new things, that's simply a false assumption. The disdain levelled at Banana Shpeel stems not from the fact that it's a different style of show from what we've seen before from Cirque du Soleil but that it is simply a poor show with few redeeming qualities and it by no means lives up to the expectations of the level of quality we've come to expect from the Cirque du Soleil name. With BS, the company has, in effect, broken their contract with their audiences or, to put it less politely, pulled the old bait-n-switch and cheated its loyal customer base. Cirque du Soleil is a well-established entertainment brand and some of the values associated with the brand are creativity, artistry and avant-garde physical performance. The brand has a reputation to uphold, people go into a Cirque du Soleil show expecting to be wowed, they expect their imagination to be invoked, their senses provoked and their emotions evoked. Performance quality, artistry, and attention- to-detail are all concepts that Cirque has conditioned us to expect of its performances. These are the core, inalienable values of the Cirque du Soleil brand. Consumers expect the company to uphold these values and anything less is essentially false advertising. That, in a nutshell, is why Banana Shpeel doesn't work. After all, any shmuck can take a few off-the-shelf circus acts, slap silly costumes on them and throw them on a stage. The schmuck in- particular responsible for Banana Shpeel is David Shiner who, with this endeavour, has proved definitively that he is incapable of directing a show that is not filled with asinine, juvenile, bathroom humour. Nor, apparently does he have a lot of new ideas; the clown car sketch from Quidam is re-hashed in Banana Shpeel and the black-light dance number that opens the second half of the show is suspiciously similar to Kooza's skeleton dance and a botched magic act also similar to Kooza's appears in Shpeel. Banana Shpeel represents a dearth of creativity and vision for Cirque du Soleil and the failures of the show rest largely on the shoulders of David Shiner who has proven that he is not ready for prime time. Hopefully Shpeel will be his swan's song with Cirque du Soleil, his style is incompatible with the Cirque brand. The following is my review/post-mortem of Banana Shpeel. CLOWNS First, let's talk about the clowns. Banana Shpeel is over-run with them, it is a show directed by a clown and the majority of the show's run time is occupied by clowning. Now, full disclosure here, I'm generally not a fan of clowns or clowning. They're at best a necessary evil in any given Cirque du Soleil show. I rarely find clowns funny, often find them tedious and sometimes find them downright annoying. The clowns in Shpeel land well in the "annoying" end of the spectrum. At best, clowns in Cirque du Soleil should be treated as the sprig of parsley garnishing a steak dinner; something that is there to complete the overall experience but that should be unobtrusive and easily tossed-aside to get to the meat. Creating a show based almost entirely around clowning thereby inverting the equation simply does not work and is doomed to fail. It would be akin to going to an upscale steakhouse, ordering the special and being served a large plate of parsley garnished with a few tiny shavings of steak. Firstly, the clowns use (insipidly written) English dialogue throughout the show which breaks what was formerly a cardinal rule of Cirque du Soleil that there should be no discernible language used in its shows. Another main pillar of the Cirque du Soleil brand is that it is international. The Cirque brand sells on the image that it is universal and based on the universal language of images, music and physical performance. More, specifically, Cirque sells in North America because of its image that it is esoteric, vaguely European- inspired and is a form of accessible high-culture. The use of English dialogue detracts from the universality of the Cirque du Soleil experience, it makes it too culturally-specific to North America and really gives it a sense that it is cheap, low-brow and crass which is completely antithetical to Cirque's established brand. The clowning is the usual David Shiner material similar to what we saw him do in Kooza; audience plants, inane dialogue and juvenile slapstick most of it asinine, annoying, tedious and unfunny. Banana Shpeel's humour is just so utterly stupid, the schtick so insipid that most of it is insufferable. The clown ensemble consists of Marty Shmelky (Danny Rutigliano) the cantankerous (read: loud and abrasive) theatre producer, his assistant Margaret (Shereen Hickman) she's the most tolerable of the clowns, the comic duo of Daniel Passer and Wayne Wilson (they have some semblance of a rapport with each other and Wayne is almost likeable as the straight-man in the clown ensemble) and the "audience volunteers" played by Gordon White, Claudio Carneiro and Patrick de Valette (each more annoying than the last, they're tiresome after their first appearance in the show and downright insufferable by the end). The problem here is the tone of the humour, one can be stupid and still be funny if you make clever use of self-referential humour or sly allusions (shows like Spamalot and The Drowsy Chaperone use this style of humour), one can also be crude and funny if the context of the crudeness is smart enough (Avenue Q works on this level). The problem with Banana Shpeel is that it is just full-on stupid. It's low-brow, asinine and insipid, without even the slightest hint of intelligence or even cleverness. The clowning just dragged on and on and made for an incredibly tedious evening. SET Some of the show's design elements are actually quite good. The set makes good use of the proscenium stage, the band is elevated on a bandstand, there's an LED backdrop used to create a variety of effects, various backdrops and set pieces are flown in from the fly space, a mechanical deck is employed up-stage that can tilt upward and transform into stairs for some of the dance numbers. Overall, the use of the proscenium stage is more successfully executed than in Wintuk although the creative team didn't even attempt to present a single aerial act in Banana Shpeel. COSTUMES The costumes in Banana Shpeel are hit-and-miss. Dominique Lemieux was trying to emulate the style of Vaudeville but it seems her only trick to putting a "twist" to the costumes is to cover them with massive amounts of sequins. She also misses the ball completely on some costumes; the hand-to-hand duo look like they're dressed in cheerleading outfits and the contortionists are dressed like Power Rangers. MUSIC The musical score of Banana Shpeel is entirely utilitarian, it mostly serves as background music. It doesn't advance a story, heighten emotion or create ambience. At best it's there to provide a beat for the dancers and fill in the silence during the acts. The style is typical of Simon Carpentier's work in previous Cirque shows; generic, brassy faux-jazz or throw-away pieces that sound like a mix between the music they play in the background of nature documentaries and the soundtrack to a softcore porn. The lead vocalist, Alexis Sims, does get a couple solos during the show but unfortunately there's just nothing noteworthy or remotely special about the score of Banana Shpeel, the music is just completely forgettable. CHOREOGRAPHY Unfortunately, the choreography of the individual acts is either non- existent or extremely basic. There are a few ensemble dance numbers in the show choreographed by Jared Grimes. They're big, splashy production numbers of the type you'd see in any sort of variety show. The dancers are obviously talented and the numbers are entertaining (though they tend to be a tad too long, they're still a merciful break from all the insipid clowning). Unfortunately, the dancing in Banana Shpeel completely lacks context. They're just splashy production numbers for the sake of having splashy production numbers; mildly entertaining but ultimately pointless. There are no intelligently thought out, integrated choreographic concepts in the show. It's just empty razzle-dazzle. ACTS Quite frankly, in the context of the other acts we've seen in Cirque du Soleil, the circus acts on offer in Banana Shpeel are pedestrian. There is next-to-no context supporting their inclusion in the show. It's not that the circus acts presented in the show are "bad", the performers are obviously talented. However, while the acts themselves are passable you can see similar acts performed at circuses, cabarets, variety shows and even at busker festivals anywhere. Without the artistry, performance quality and creativity that one typically expects of a Cirque du Soleil show there is absolutely no value added. Which begs the question, why would I pay over a $100 per ticket to see something that I could easily toss a couple bucks into a hat to watch on the street? The Foot Juggling act feels like something I've seen over and over in Cirque and although the performer is talented the act is nothing new. The inclusion of a Tap Dance Duo is a nod to traditional Vaudeville. While it's a first in a Cirque du Soleil show I found the act really kitschy. The Hand-to-hand Duo's act is average. The presentation leaves a lot to be desired. The act is not integrated into any sort of coherent concept and it's very chunky: skill - choreography - skill - choreography - etc. Tuan Le's hat juggling number is reminiscent of Octavio Alegria's in Varekai and he's at least given some dramatic pre-text in the show (he's a puppet come to life). The act is otherwise just a typical juggling number. The handbalancing act by Dmitry Bulkin aka "Dima Shine" is the highlight of the show. Dima plays a pierrot clown throughout the show and is revealed to be a sculpted Adonis at the start of the number. It's the only moment where an act in Banana Shpeel even resembles a real Cirque du Soleil act and the one instance where they try to establish any sort of mood for an act. The singer and trumpeter frame the handbalancer on stage and the music creates a dream-like ambience. The contortion act, despite being a crowd-pleaser, is definitely an old re-tread. The presentation of the act with the vaguely Asian- inspired music is a tired cliché, I've seen so many contortion acts like this in traditional Chinese circuses and the presentation in Shpeel presents us with nothing new or interesting and is one of the least interestingly presented contortion acts I've seen in a Cirque show. Its very inclusion in the show is a prime example of the lazy, cynical approach to production the company took with this show. "Oh no David Shiner, your show bombed in Chicago and NYC. People there thought it wasn't 'cirquey' enough? Okay, we'll fix it by throwing in one of our most tired clichés; an off-of-the shelf, run-of-the-mill contortion act. Problem solved." Banana Shpeel's spectacular failures in Chicago and New York are well documented. To Cirque du Soleil's credit they seem to have taken a lot of the criticism and acted on it, the show does not seem to be the absolute disaster it did in its Chicago and New York incarnations. However, it's too little, too late and the end result is still not a show that I'd be willing to pay to see or anything I'd be satisfied with had I bought a ticket based solely on the Cirque du Soleil name recognition. At this point the show is being kept alive only on Cirque du Soleil's own hubris. The higher-ups at Cirque are too stubborn to admit that the show is an awful representation of what the company is about and they're bent on throwing good money after bad, putting a show that is an embarrassment to the Cirque du Soleil name on tour, alienating its fan base. Cirque du Soleil is a big enough company to be able to take the financial hit and swallow the losses on Banana Shpeel. They could quietly close the show and try to save what little face they have left. Instead, the company seems bent on taking the show on tour to proscenium road-houses across the continent for one- or two-week stints, just long enough to sell tickets by using the Cirque du Soleil name and high-tail out of town before the bad press and word of mouth catches up with the show in any given city. It's a series of hit-n- runs and it can't be good for long-term sustainability of the company if it wishes to maintain the power of its brand. Perhaps my sentiments can best be summed up by a brief exchange I had after the show when somebody asked me if I enjoyed the "Cirque du Soleil" show. I responded, it's NOT "Cirque" . . . it's Banana Shpeel. It's also not anything I'd ever care to see again or recommend anybody spend money to see. ======================================================================= SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================================= Fascination! is a monthly publication, available through subscription via Yahoo! Groups or on the World Wide Web in text format at the newsletter's website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. To subscribe, please send an email to: < CirqueFascination- subscribe@yahoogroups.com >. To unsubscribe, please send an email to: < CirqueFascination-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >. To Subscribe via Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News) use the following: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 >. To view back issues, or other online Newsletter content, please visit us at: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. Join us on the web at: < www.cirquefascination.com > Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > Have a comment, question or concern? Email the Fascination! Newsletter staff at: < CirqueFasincation-owner@yahoogroups.com >. We are anxious to hear any and all comments! ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 10, Number 10 (Issue #81) - October 2010 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2010 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or translated without the consent of the "Fascination! Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission (unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination! Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil, Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement intended. { Oct.07.2010 } =======================================================================