======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) 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 11, NUMBER 7 July 2011 ISSUE #90 ======================================================================= Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. The last couple weeks of June (through the first week of July when I would be putting together all the issue’s parts and pieces) have been rather demanding. I’ve been here, there, and everywhere for both business and pleasure. And in the midst of trying to vacation, and seeing a new Cirque du Soleil show, I’m also knee-deep in the preparations to leave Orlando for more opportune waters in Atlanta, which will happen sooner rather than later. It is this reason - I’ve just been so busy - that this issue is without the links from Cirque du Soleil’s social widgets this month, but you will find some interesting Zarkana pieces within. First, in the Features section, you’ll find the press room materials Related to the show, and my "thoughts" on the production as seen at the end of last month. Second, in the news section, you’ll may discover links to recent reviews of the show, from high-profile news organizations to bloggers, which shed light on what others think about the show (note: it’s not pretty). As always we've got the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web and, of course, updates to Cirque's tour schedule within. 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) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain * Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History o) Fascination! Features * "Creation: The Driving Force" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials * "Zarkana: An Irresistibly Odd Escape..." By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials * "My Thoughts on Zarkana" By: Ricky Russo - Orlando, Florida (USA) o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= Desigual and Cirque sign a Worldwide Partnership {Jun.01.2011} ------------------------------------------------- Desigual and Cirque du Soleil (cirquedusoleil.com) announced today a worldwide partnership bringing together the worlds of art, show business and design in a range of clothing and accessories. This first "Desigual inspired by Cirque du Soleil" collection was designed by the Desigual creative team and inspired by the creative universe of Cirque du Soleil. Mario D’Amico, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cirque du Soleil and Manel Adell, CEO of Desigual, unveiled the new partnership at an event held in the Tapis Rouge VIP tent near the Big Top where the Cirque show Corteo is playing at Escenario Puerta del Ángel, Recinto Ferial Casa de Campo, Avenida Portugal, Madrid until June 5. "Cirque du Soleil and Desigual have much in common," said Mario D’Amico. "Desigual has chosen to be different in the clothing industry with its outstanding designs and whimsical, fashionable clothes. Cirque du Soleil has brought a similar innovative spirit to circus arts and live entertainment." "Desigual and Cirque du Soleil represent the most exciting cooperation of two emblematic global worlds," added Manel Adell. "We share a passion for arousing emotions and developing products that are so creative and innovative evoking the most memorable experiences. The partnership of the two brands evolved in a most natural way. We were born in 1984, we both have a decidedly unconventional nature and we both connect emotionally with our audiences to create a WOW effect." The "Desigual inspired by Cirque du Soleil" collection will be introduced July 4 at the SS11 New & Good collection catwalk hosted by Desigual, at the European fashion industry at Bread and Butter in Berlin (July 6-8) and in North America at Magic in Las Vegas (August 22-24). A line of 60 items of clothing and accessories for men, women and children will be available in November at the desigual.com online store. In December, it will be available at over 8,000 Desigual points of sale worldwide, including over 200 brand stores and shop-in-shops in department stores such as Corte Ingles, Galeries Lafayette, Coin and The Bay. At the same time, Cirque du Soleil will make the collection available at its show boutiques around the world. About Desigual Desigual is characterized by its distinctive, optimistic, colorful designs. The firm began life under the leitmotif "Desigual is not the same." In recent years it has recorded sustained annual growth of over 50% and currently employs 2,900 people of 72 nationalities. Desigual forecasts a turnover for 2011 of over €500M and a presence at over 8,000 points of sale worldwide. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Press Room} No Cirque for Dubai {Jun.06.2011} ------------------------------------------------- According to Emirates24|7, plans for a base on Palm Jumeirah for Canadian firm "set aside": # # # "There is no plan for a Cirque du Soleil permanent base in Dubai at all right now. This project has been set aside," company’s Corporate PR Manager Chantal Côté said. In May 2007, Nakheel and Cirque du Soleil had announced a 15- year partnership to develop a permanent show on Palm Jumeirah. The two companies were to jointly design and build a 1,800-seat theatre that will be home to the first ever Cirque resident show to be staged outside of the United States and the Far East. A Nakheel spokesperson declined comment. Asked if Cirque was in talks with any other companies in the UAE to host a permanent show, Côté said: "We are not speaking to any other party in the UAE." Asked if Nakheel or Istithmar were in talks to sell their stakes, Côté said: "They cannot sell their stake without the consent of Cirque du Soleil’s founder Guy Laliberté. There are no discussions to that effect at the moment. They still own 20 per cent of Cirque du Soleil." # # # Confirmation that Cirque du Soleil would not persue the Dubai show does not come as a surprise. News about the show has been scarce lately. In a recent interview with Fascination!, Martin Lord Ferguson and Ella Allaire eluded that they had written demo songs for the show; we wonder now if any music written may see the light of day... Read the full article here: < http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/no-cirque-du-soleil- stake-sale-2011-06-05-1.401036 > {SOURCE: Emirates24|7} Ray Wold: Burning Clown {Jun.07.2011} ------------------------------------------------- From the Las Vegas Review Journal: # # # The hobo sits on his chair, casually reading a newspaper, seemingly oblivious that his shoe has caught fire. Movement is almost imperceptible as the flames spread from his foot to his legs, and then to his arms. Life has beaten him down so far that he no longer feels the pain. The flames burn orange and blue, and it’s funny how he doesn’t notice. Now, in the vernacular of firefighters, he is fully involved. He rises from the chair and slowly walks away, tipping his cap. Meet Ray Wold, Burning Clown. # # # Read the rest of the original article here: < http://www.lvrj.com/news/burning-clown-lights-up-o-show-at- bellagio-123180163.html > {SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal} The GRAMMY Museum Celebrates LOVE {Jun.13.2011} ------------------------------------------------- Check out this fantastic exhibit now on display at the GRAMMY Museum located at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, California (corner of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street), on the campus of L.A. LIVE - The Beatles LOVE: A Fifth Anniversary Cirque du Soleil Showcase! # # # Residing on the Museum’s third floor, The Beatles LOVE: A Fifth Anniversary Cirque du Soleil Showcase celebrates the anniversary of LOVE, the permanent show at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Including signature show pieces, elaborately embellished costumes, original production instruments, and more, the exhibit includes 13 unique looks from the show never before exhibited in a museum. Visitors also enjoy a three minute vignette featuring 3D footage from LOVE, set to the music of Revolution, Hey Jude, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and Help! Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, LOVE brings the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion of The Beatles to create an intimate and powerful entertainment experience. It captures the essence of love that John, Paul, George and Ringo inspired during their astonishing adventure together. The soundtrack to The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, produced by Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin, won two GRAMMY® Awards in 2008 and went Double Platinum in 2011. In 2010, the critically acclaimed LOVE documentary All Together Now won the GRAMMY Award for "Best Long Form Music Video." The Beatles LOVE: A Fifth Anniversary Cirque du Soleil Showcase will remain on display through February 2012. # # # Check out the GRAMMY Museum’s website here: < http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php? section=exhibits&page=beatles_love > {SOURCE: The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE} Guy talks Zarkana {Jun.14.2011} ------------------------------------------------- Guy Laliberte, founder and owner of Cirque du Soleil, discusses the circus’s new show "Zarkana," the outlook for the company and his nine-day visit to the International Space Station in October 2009. Laliberte speaks on Bloomberg Television’s "InBusiness with Margaret Brennan." See video interview here: < http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/cirque-du-soleils- laliberte-discusses-zarkana-show/2011/06/13/ AGOrYLTH_video.html > {SOURCE: Washington Post / Bloomberg} IRIS, Exclusively at Kodak Theater {Jun.16.2011} ------------------------------------------------- A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD OF CINEMA Written and Directed by Philippe Decouflé EXCLUSIVELY AT KODAK THEATRE PREVIEW PERFORMANCES BEGIN JULY 21, 2011 Cirque du Soleil will present IRIS, a new major, resident production created exclusively for the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center, home of the Academy Awards® with preview performances starting July 21. Proudly presented by Sun Life Financial, IRIS will premiere on September 25. A poetic phantasmagoria inspired by the world of cinema, IRIS presents an imaginary journey through the evolution of cinema - from the foundations of the art form to the bustle of the soundstage - through optical effects and film genres. IRIS transposes into a language of dance and acrobatics all of cinema’s splendor, inventiveness and, above all, its sense of wonder. When the two young heroes - Buster and Scarlett - find themselves plunged into the joyful chaos of a film set, their escapades transport the spectator into a kaleidoscope of movement, moods and images supported by an orchestral score. IRIS conjures up a place between motion and picture, light and sound, that shifts constantly between reality and make-believe, to explore the limitless possibilities of cinema. By combining dance, acrobatics, live video, film footage and interactive projections, the show illustrates both the mechanics of cinema and its extraordinary power to deceive the eye. About Philippe Decouflé IRIS is written and directed by French stage and film director, artistic director, dancer and choreographer Philippe Decouflé. For Philippe, cooperation with others is essential to his process. In 1983 he gathered together a group of artists and artisans who have been with him ever since as members of his dance company DCA, which has created scores of playful and fantastic productions that represent a veritable revival in contemporary dance. In 1992 Philippe created the magnificent opening and closing ceremonies of the Albertville Olympic Games. Watched by two billion viewers, this work earned him an international reputation. 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. The creative team Along with Philippe Decouflé, the creative team consists of the following distinctive talents: o) Guy Laliberté Artistic Guide o) Gilles Ste-Croix Artistic Guide o) Philippe Decouflé Writer & Director o) Danny Elfman Composer o) Jean-François Bouchard Director of Creation o) Pascale Henrot Assoc. Director of Creation o) Jean Rabasse Set Designer o) Philippe Guillotel Costume Designer o) Daphné Mauger Choreographer o) Patrice Besombes Lighting Designer o) Anne-Séguin Poirier Props Designer o) Olivier Simola Projection Designer o) Christophe Waksmann Projection Designer o) François Bergeron Sound Designer o) Boris Verkhovsky Acrobatic Performance o) Shana Carroll Acrobatic Performance o) Pierre Masse Rigging & Equipment o) Nathalie Gagné Makeup Designer Tickets information Tickets range from $43 to $133 (VIP tickets are available at $253). Tickets can be purchased on line at www.cirquedusoleil.com/IRIS or by calling 1-877-943-IRIS. For parties of 12 or more, contact Cirque du Soleil group sales by calling 877-504-7164. For Preferred Seating and other American Express® Cardmember benefits, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/amex. Sponsors Sun Life Financial is the presenting sponsor of IRIS. Infiniti and American Express are the official sponsors of this new production. About KODAK Theatre Kodak Theatre is the crown jewel of the Hollywood & Highland Center, a retail, dining and entertainment venue located in the heart of historic Hollywood. The theatre opened in November 2001 and soon became known to more than one billion people across the globe as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards®. Kodak Theatre was designed by the internationally-renowned Rockwell Group to be as glamorous as its onstage artists and celebrity guests, yet capable of serving the enormous technical needs of a live worldwide television broadcast on Oscar® night. For more information visit: http://www.kodaktheatre.com {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Press Room} C|Net Reveals LOVE’s Secrets {Jun.19.2011} ------------------------------------------------- "Love," Cirque du Soleil’s successful celebration of The Beatles, is five years old this month. Now that the show has reached this milestone, Cirque du Soleil is willing to unveil more of its secrets. Last week, Tom Wegis, technical director for "Love," served up an all-access, stat-soaked, guided tour of the show’s backstage world now it’s had five years to settle and grow into its surroundings. Read the original article here: < http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20072093-1/for-fifth- birthday-cirque-reveals-more-love-secrets/#ixzz1PvOBcaGg > {SOURCE: C|Net} The Zarkana Sundae? {Jun.22.2011} ------------------------------------------------- According to Broadway World, NYC’s Serendipity 3 has concocted a new sundae! # # # To celebrate the World Premiere of Zarkana, the major new acrobatic spectacle from Cirque du Soleil at Radio City Music Hall, Serendipity 3 has created the unique and over-the-top Zarkana Sundae, available exclusively at Serendipity 3 for a limited time. The delightfully grand Zarkana Sundae begins with a red "deco" style goblet filled with vanilla and chocolate ice cream drenched in both white and milk chocolate sauces. A fantastical mountain of whipped cream, dusted in edible pixie dust props up a black & white Zarkana cookie encrusted with sugar rubies. A red sugar rose and life-sized gummy eyeballs further embellish this delightfully twisted sundae. A gummy snake more than two feet long enwraps this over-the-top concoction that is topped with a black balloon cloud. Zarkana is currently in previews at Radio City Music Hall and the World Premiere is June 29, 2011, with performances continuing through October 8, 2011. SERENDIPITY 3 is located at225 East 60th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. # # # Read the original article here: < http://broadwayworld.com/article/Serendipity-3-and-Cirque-du- Soleil-Unveil-The-Zarkana-Sundae-20110621#ixzz1Q1clY49i > {SOURCE: BroadwayWorld.com} Reviews for ZARKANA are In! {Jun.30.2011} ------------------------------------------------- And they are decidedly mixed-to-negative... Check them out here: 'Zarkana' unveiled in New York with mixed results < http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/entertainment/article/ Zarkana-unveiled-in-New-York-with-mixed-results-1446423.php > Theater review: 'Zarkana' -- 1.5 stars < http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/theater-review-zarkana- 1-5-stars-1.2994774 > New Cirque du Soleil show is sensory overload < http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE75T0AF20110630? irpc=932 > Cirque Brings Flying Spider-Woman to Radio City: Jeremy Gerard < http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-30/cirque-s-zarkana- brings-flying-spider-woman-to-radio-city-jeremy-gerard.html > BlogCritics Review of Zarkana < http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/circustheater-review- nyc-cirque-du-soleils/ > Radio City Is Transformed Into a Cirque Tent < http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/theater/reviews/cirque- du-soleils-zarkana-at-radio-city-review.html > Theater review: "Cirque du Soleil: Zarkana" < http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/theater/ 124760234_Acrobats_shine_in_Cirque_s_latest __despite_distractions.html > Cirque du Soleil Zarkana Review < http://thejetsetgirls.blogspot.com/2011/06/cirque-de-soleil- zarkana-review.html > Zarkana: Theater Review < http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/zarkana-theater- review-206954 > Cirque du Soleil features musical, character and circus spectacle, no 'wow' factor < http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2011/06/30/2011- 06-30_zarkana_review_cirque_du_soleil_features_musical_ character_and_circus_spectacle_.html?r=entertainment > Cirque Du Soleil's Zarkana Murky But Fun At Radio City < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-cirque-du- soleils_b_888054.html > Review: Zarkana < http://www.stage-rush.com/2011/06/review-zarkana-cirque-du- soleil/ > Cirque du Soleil pitches tent at Radio City Music Hall < http://newyork.timeout.com/arts- culture/theater/1633609/review-cirque-du-soleil > ======================================================================= 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 & Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis} o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions {Iris & Zarkana} 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 Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Corteo: Valencia, ES -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Alicante, ES -- Jul 28, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011 Sevilla, ES -- Sep 8, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Paris, FR -- Nov 4, 2011 to Dec 31, 2011 Barcelona, ES -- Jan 19, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Amsterdam, NL -- Mar 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Gijón, ES -- Jul 25, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012 Zurich, CH -- Sep 7, 2012 to Oct 14, 2012 Antwerp, BE -- Nov 2, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012 Koozå: Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to Jul 18, 2011 Osaka, JPN -- Aug 4, 2011 to Oct 10, 2011 Nagoya, JPN -- Nov 23, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012 Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Sendai, JPN -- Apr 19, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Ovo: Chicago, IL -- Jun 29, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Calgary, AB -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011 Mexico City, MX -- Oct 30, 2011 to Nov 20, 2011 Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012 Portland, OR -- TBA Brisbane, AU -- TBA Sydney, AU -- TBA Melbourne, AU -- TBA Totem: Montreal, QC -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011 Toronto, ON -- Aug 11, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 San Francisco, CA -- Oct 28, 2011 to Dec 18, 2011 London, UK -- Jan 6, 2010 to Jan 29, 2012 San Jose, CA -- Mar 2, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Varekai: Manila, PH -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 São Paulo, BR -- Sep 15, 2011 to Nov 27, 2011 Rio De Janeiro, BR -- Dec 7, 2011 to Jan 8, 2012 Belo Horizonte, BR -- Jan 18, 2012 to Feb 12, 2012 Brasilia, BR -- Feb 22, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Recife, BR -- Mar 29, 2012 to Apr 22, 2012 Salvador, BR -- May 3, 2012 to May 27, 2012 Curitiba, BR -- Jun 7, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012 Porto Alegre, BR -- Jul 11, 2012 to Aug 5, 2012 Buenos Aires, AR -- Aug 17, 2012 to Sep 16, 2012 Santiago, CL -- Sep 28, 2012 to Oct 28, 2012 ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Saltimbanco: Asia-Pacific ------------ Brisbane, AU -- Jul 8, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Newcastle, AU -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 Sydney, AU -- Jul 27, 2011 to Aug 14, 2011 Wollongong, AU -- Aug 17, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Auckland, NZ -- Aug 25, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 Russia & Beyond ---------------- Shanghai, CN -- Sep 25, 2011 to Oct 4, 2011 Ekaterinburg, RU -- Oct 15, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 Kazan, RU -- Oct 26, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011 Moscow, RU -- Nov 3, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011 St. Petersburg, RU -- Nov 16, 2011 to Nov 21, 2011 Kiev, UA -- Nov 26, 2011 to Dec 4, 2011 Vilnius, LT -- Dec 15, 2011 to Dec 17, 2011 Riga, LV -- Dec 21, 2011 to Dec 23, 2011 Tallin, EE -- Dec 28, 2011 to Dec 30, 2011 Graz, AT -- Feb 22, 2012 to Feb 26, 2012 Alegría: North American Tour ------------------- Jacksonville, FL -- Jun 29, 2011 to Jul 3, 2011 Raleigh, NC -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011 Florence, SC -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Sunrise, FL -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011 Charlotte, NC -- Aug 3, 2011 to Aug 7, 2011 Estero, FL -- Aug 10, 2011 to Aug 14, 2011 European Tour ------------- Oberhausen, DE -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011 Leipzig, DE -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011 Stuttgart, DE -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011 Munich, DE -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011 Salzburg, AT -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Berlin, DE -- Oct 12, 2011 to Oct 16, 2011 Bremen, DE -- Oct 19, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 cologne, DE -- Oct 26, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011 Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 2, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011 Mannheim, DE -- Nov 9, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011 Malaga, ES -- Dec 1, 2011 to Dec 4, 2011 Santiago, ES -- Dec 7, 2011 to Dec 11, 2011 Zaragoza, ES -- Dec 14, 2011 to Dec 18, 2011 Lisbon, PT -- Dec 21, 2011 to Jan 8, 2012 Granada, ES -- Jan 11, 2011 to Jan 15, 2012 Bilbao, ES -- Jan 18, 2012 to Jan 22, 2012 Toulouse, FR -- Jan 25, 2012 to Feb 29, 2012 Nantes, FR -- Feb 1, 2012 to Feb 5, 2012 Lyon, FR -- Feb 22, 2012 to Feb 26, 2012 Toulon, FR -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012 Nice, FR -- Mar 7, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012 Montpellier, FR -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Strasbourg, FR -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012 Manchester, UK -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 7, 2012 Glasgow, UK -- Apr 11, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012 Birmingham, UK -- Apr 18, 2012 to Apr 22, 2012 Dublin, IE -- Apr 25, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012 Quidam: St. John's, NL -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011 Saint John, NB -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Halifax, NS -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 Providence, RI -- Jul 27, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011 Hershey, PA -- Aug 18, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Baltimore, MD -- Aug 24, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011 Hartford, CT -- Aug 31, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 Amherst, MA -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011 State College, PA -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011 Fort Wayne, IN -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011 Hartford, CT -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011 Reading, PA -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Pittsburgh, PA -- Oct 12, 2011 to Oct 16, 2011 Milwaukee, WI -- Oct 19, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 Washington, DC -- Nov 16, 2011 to Nov 20, 2011 Fayetteville, NC -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA Greenville, SC -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA Hampton, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA Worcester, MA -- Dec 14, 2011 to TBA Toronto, ON -- Dec 20, 2011 to TBA Dralion: Victoria, BC -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jun 26, 2011 Penticon, BC -- Jun 29, 2011 to Jul 3, 2011 Edmonton, AB -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011 Saskatoon, SK -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 Frisco, TX -- Jul 27, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011 Indianapolis, IN -- Aug 3, 2011 to Aug 7, 2011 Atlanta, GA -- Aug 25, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011 Duluth, GA -- Aug 31, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 Tupelo, MS -- Sep 6, 2011 to TBA Huntsville, AL -- Sep 10, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011 New Orleans, LA -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 17, 2011 Orlando, FL -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011 Tallahassee, FL -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011 Birmingham, AL -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Gainesville, FL -- Oct 11, 2011 to Oct 13, 2011 San Juan, PR -- Oct 18, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 Cypress, TX -- Nov 17, 2011 to Nov 20, 2011 Beaumont, TX -- Nov 23, 2011 to Nov 27, 2011 Houston, TX -- Nov 30, 2011 to Dec 4, 2011 Richmond, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA Kitchener, ON -- Dec 13, 2011 to TBA Montreal, QC -- Dec 21, 2011 to Dec 30, 2011 Quebec, QC -- Jan 3, 2012 to Jan 8, 2012 Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: 2011 ---- Montreal, QC -- Oct 2, 2011 & Oct 3, 2011 Ottawa, ON -- Oct 7, 2011 to Oct 8, 2011 Hamilton, ON -- Oct 12 & Oct 13, 2011 Detroit, MI -- Oct 15 & Oct 16, 2011 London, ON -- Oct 18, 2011 Toronto, ON -- Oct 21, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 Winnipeg, MB -- Oct 26, 2011 Saskatoon, SK -- Oct 29, 2011 Edmonton, AB -- Nov 1 & Nov 2, 2011 Vancouver, BC -- Nov 4, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011 Seattle, WA -- Nov 9 & Nov 10, 2011 Spokane, WA -- Nov 12 & Nov 13, 2011 Euguene OR -- Nov 15 & Nov 16, 2011 Portland, OR -- Nov 18 to Nov 20, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT -- Nov 28, 2011 Las Vegas, NV -- Dec 3, 2011 to Dec 27, 2011 Phoenix, AZ -- Dec 30 & Dec 31, 2011 2012 ---- Boise, ID -- Jan 3 & Jan 4, 2012 Denver, CO -- Jan 6 to Jan 8, 2012 Sacramento, CA -- Jan 10 & Jan 11, 2012 San Jose, CA -- Jan 13 to Jan 15, 2012 Oakland, CA -- Jan 17 & Jan 18, 2012 San Diego, CA -- Jan 21 & Jan 22, 2012 Anaheim, CA -- Jan 24 & Jan 25, 2012 Los Angeles, CA -- Jan 27 to Jan 29, 2012 St. Louis, MO -- Feb 7 & Feb 8, 2012 Houston, TX -- Feb 10 to Feb 12, 2012 New Orleans, LA -- Feb 15 & Feb 16, 2012 Tulsa, OK -- Feb 18 & Feb 19, 2012 Kansas City, MO -- Feb 21 & Feb 22, 2012 Indianapolis, IN -- Feb 24 & Feb 25, 2012 Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 2012 Milwaukee, WI -- Mar 16, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Montreal -- Mar 20, 2012 to Mar 22, 2012 Quebec City, QC -- Mar 24 & Mar 25, 2012 Minneapolis, MN -- Mar 27 & Mar 28, 2012 Newark, NJ -- Mar 30 & Apr 1, 2012 New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 2012 to Apr 5, 2012 Uniondale, NY -- Apr 7 & Apr 8, 2012 Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10 & Apr 11, 2012 Pittsburg, PA -- Apr 13, 14 & 15, 2012 State College, PA -- Apr 24 & 25, 2012 Worcester, MA -- May 16, 2012 Dayton, OH -- Jun 6 & Jun 7, 2012 Columbus, OH -- Jun 9 & Jun 10, 2012 Austin, TX -- Jun 15, 2012 San Antonio, TX -- Jun 23, 2012 Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29, 2012 Montreal, QC -- Jul 6 & Jul 7, 2012 Washington, DC -- Jul 13, 14 & 15 2012 Cleveland, OH -- Jul 17 & 18, 2012 --------------------------------- 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. Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2011 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) 2011 Dark Dates: o July 6 o September 3-7 o November 2 2011 Added Performances: o July 14th o December 30th "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2011 Ticket Prices: o Orchestra: $150.00 o Loggia: $130.00 o Balcony: $99.00 o Limited View: $93.50 2011 Dark Dates: o June 12 o August 10-14 o October 9 o December 5-18 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2011 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 2011 Dark Dates: o July 26 o September 20-24 o November 22 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday Dark: Wednesday & Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2011 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!): o Duo Sofas: $129.00 o Orchestra Seats: $105.00 o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00 o Balcony Seats: $69.00 o Cabaret Stools: $69.00 2011 Dark Dates: o June 21 o August 26-30 o Septembre 2-6 o October 17-18 o December 16-20 2011 Added Performances: o November 23rd o December 31st KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2011 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00 o Category 2: $130.00 / $65.00 o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 2011 Dark Dates: o May 31 - June 4 o July 12 o August 30 - September 7 o November 15-16 2011 Added Performances: o November 27 o December 26 o December 31 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2011 Ticket Prices: o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 o Upper Orchestra: $130.00 o Lower Balcony: $99.00 o Middle Balcony: $93.50 2011 Dark Dates: o June 6 o August 4-8 o October 3 o December 1-12 2011 Added Performances: o December 28th o December 31st ZAIA: Location: Venetian, Macao (China) Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary 2011 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11): o VIP Seating: MOP$ 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 2011 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 / ¥8,500 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. 2011 Ticket Prices (all): o Category 1: $160.00 o Category 2: $130.00 o Category 3: $109.00 o Category 4: $89.00 o Category 5: $59.00 2011 Dark Dates: o June 7-14 o September 6-10 o December 6-17 VIVA ELVIS: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2011 Ticket Prices o Category 1: $175.00 o Category 2: $150.00 o Category 3: $125.00 o Category 4: $99.00 2011 Dark Dates: o July 5-16 o September 13-14 o November 8-12 2011 Added Performances: o May 29th o November 27th o December 26, 31 -------------------------------------- VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions -------------------------------------- IRIS: Location: Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA (USA) Performs: Opens July 22, 2011 Times: TBA ZARKANA: Location /// New York, NY -- Jun 9, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 Madrid, ES -- Nov 9, 2011 to Jan 1, 2012 Moscow, RU -- Feb 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012 Performances /// 2011 Dark Dates: o June 13-15, 20-22, 27-28 o July 4, 11, 18, 25 o August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 ====================================================================== COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN ======================================================================= ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History ------------------------------------ * Jul.01.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé (Vol 2) CD Released (Nâga) * Jul.02.2002 -- La Nouba Boutique pepper spray incident forces evacuation * Jul.03.2009 -- Koozå opened Minneapolis/St-Paul * Jul.04.2007 -- Cirque named top Canadian Brand by Brand Finance Canada. * Jul.05.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Rimouski * Jul.05.1985 -- 1985 Tour opened Québec [Vieux-Port de Québec] * Jul.05.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Québec * Jul.05.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Seattle * Jul.05.1996 -- Quidam opened Ste-Foy * Jul.05.2007 -- Koozå opened Quebec City * Jul.05.2007 -- Varekai opened Adelaide, Australia * Jul.06.2000 -- Saltimbanco 2000 opened Seattle * Jul.06.2006 -- Quidam opened Philadelphia * Jul.06.2008 -- René Dupéré named "Chevalier" in the Order de la Pléiade * Jul.07.1987 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Québec * Jul.07.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Dublin, IE * Jul.08.2004 -- Alegría opened Philadelphia * Jul.09.2009 -- Quidam opened Recife, Brazil * Jul.09.2009 -- Varekai opened Gijon, Spain * Jul.10.2002 -- Saltimbanco opened Vienna * Jul.10.2003 -- Alegría opened Vancouver * Jul.10.2009 -- Dralion opened Auckland * Jul.10.2009 -- La Nouba celebrated 5,000th performance [9:00pm] * Jul.11.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Montréal * Jul.11.1997 -- Alegría opened Berlin * Jul.11.2008 -- LOVE celebrated 1000th performance [Friday] * Jul.11.2009 -- La Nouba celebrated 5000th performance * Jul.11.2010 -- Quidam opened Santiago, CL * Jul.12.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Saint-Jean-Port-Joli * Jul.12.1994 -- Alegría opened San Francisco * Jul.13.2003 -- Cirque nominated for 1 Emmy - 55th Emmy Awards Outstanding Nonfiction Program Alternate - Fire Within * Jul.14.1992 -- Fascination opened Osaka * Jul.14.1992 -- Saltimbanco opened San Francisco * Jul.14.2006 -- Alegría opened Amsterdam * Jul.14.2006 -- Corteo opened Chicago * Jul.16.2003 -- Varekai opened Chicago * Jul.17.2008 -- Dralion opened Sydney, Australia * Jul.18.2002 -- Cirque nominated for 2 Emmys in 54th Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Alegría Outstanding Choreography for 74th Academy Awards - Debra Brown * Jul.19.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Baie-Saint-Paul * Jul.19.2003 -- Quidam opened Osaka * Jul.20.2004 -- Varekai CD released in Canada (CDS Musique) * Jul.20.2004 -- Alegría CD released in Canada (CDS Musique) * Jul.20.2007 -- Corteo Nominated for Emmys o) Category 6: Art Direction for a Variety, Music Program or Special o) Category 28: Picture Editing for a Special (Single of Multi-Camera) * Jul.21.1995 -- Saltimbanco opened Berlin * Jul.21.1999 -- Saltimbanco opened Adelaide * Jul.21.2005 -- Dralion opened Oostenede * Jul.21.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Nottingham, UK * Jul.22.1998 -- Alegría opened Antwerp * Jul.22.1998 -- Quidam opened Chicago * Jul.22.2010 -- Kooza opened Vancouver, BC * Jul.22.2010 -- OVO opened Boston, MA * Jul.22.2010 -- Totem opened Québec City, QC * Jul.22.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Winnipeg, MB * Jul.23.1988 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Toronto * Jul.23.2006 -- Varekai NAT 1 Ends (2002-2006) * Jul.24.1992 -- Fascination opened Sapporo * Jul.24.2003 -- Saltimbanco opened Oostenede * Jul.24.2003 -- Dralion opened Columbus * Jul.24.2008 -- Quidam opened Alicante, Spain * Jul.25.2002 -- Quidam opened Boston * Jul.25.2007 -- Dralion opened Osaka, Japan * Jul.26.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Québec * Jul.26.1985 -- 1985 Tour opened Toronto [Harbour Front] * Jul.26.1991 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Toronto * Jul.26.1995 -- Alegría opened Chicago * Jul.26.1996 -- Saltimbanco opened Angers * Jul.26.2001 -- Quidam opened Copenhagen * Jul.26.2007 -- Alegría opened Gijon, Spain * Jul.27.2004 -- Varekai opened Boston * Jul.27.2004 -- Varekai CD released in US (CDS Musique) * Jul.27.2009 -- LOVE celebrated 1,500th performance [7:00pm] * Jul.27.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Regina, SK * Jul.28.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened Chicago * Jul.28.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened London, UK * Jul.29.1999 -- Dralion opened Toronto * Jul.29.2009 -- Corteo opened Osaka * Jul.29.2010 -- Varekai opened Oostende, BE * Jul.29.2010 -- La Nouba celebrated 5500th performance [9:00pm] * Jul.30.2009 -- OVO opened Quebec, QC. * Jul.31.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé opened London * Jul.31.1997 -- Quidam opened San Jose * Jul.31.2003 -- Zumanity Begins Preview Performances * Jul.31.2004 -- Quidam celebrated 3000th performance [Sat, 1:00pm/Calgary] * Jul.31.2008 -- Corteo opened Calgary, AB, Canada * Jul.31.2008 -- Varekai opened Oberhausen ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= o) "Creation: The Driving Force" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials o) "ZARKANA: An Irrestibly Odd Escape..." By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials o) "My Thoughts on Zarkana" By: Ricky Russo - Orlando, Florida (USA) --------------------------------------------------------- "Creation: The Driving Force" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials --------------------------------------------------------- June 16, 2011 marks the 27th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil. From its beginnings on June 16, 1984, this young Quebec company has never stopped growing, and creation has been the key driving force behind this growth. Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to the creators who have contributed over the years to the creation of 31 unique shows through their imagination, creativity and desire to explore unknown territories. Today, Cirque du Soleil continues to bring wonder and delight to spectators around the world. 2011 is an important year for creation. In 2011, Cirque continues to push the boundaries of creation. The company is launching three major productions in North America that bear witness to the originality and boldness of its creation teams: Zarkana Written and directed by world-renowned director and filmmaker François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk), Zarkana opened on June 9 at New York City’s legendary Radio City Music Hall. This acrobatic rock opera blends circus arts with the surreal to create a world where physical virtuosity rubs shoulders with the strange. The story follows Zark, a magician who has lost the love of his life-and with her, his powers-in an old abandoned theatre populated by a motley collection of off-the- wall characters and incomparable acrobats. Afterwards, Zarkana will be presented in the largest theatres in the world, including the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow and the Madrid Arena in Spain’s capital city. IRIS IRIS is written and directed by director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé, who is the founder and artistic director of the acclaimed French dance troupe Compagnie DCA. IRIS takes spectators on a fantastic voyage through the history of cinema and its genres, into the very 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. IRIS opens on July 21 exclusively at the Hollywood & Highland Center’s Kodak Theatre-home of the annual Academy Awards Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour Written and directed by Jamie King, THE IMMORTAL World Tour is a riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world. THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience, and literally turns his signature moves upside down. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations. The show will begin its world tour at Montreal’s Bell Centre on October 2, 2011. The magic of Cirque du Soleil in Montreal By the end of 2011, Cirque du Soleil will be presenting 22 different productions worldwide, each bringing to stage the worlds imagined by prominent creators. Starting June 16, spectators in Montreal can attend performances of TOTEM under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau on the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal. Written and directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential. Tickets are on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem. Cirque du Soleil From the 20 or so performers the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists who hail from some 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to over 100 million spectators in nearly 300 cities on six continents. --------------------------------------------------------- "ZARKANA: An Irresistibly Odd Escape..." By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room Materials --------------------------------------------------------- ZARKANA CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S SURREAL ACROBATIC SPECTACLE Written and Directed by François Girard PREMIERED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK Cirque du Soleil premiered its major new acrobatic spectacle, Zarkana, at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Wednesday, June 29. Proudly presented by iShares, the limited engagement will run through October 8, 2011. Zarkana is written and directed by acclaimed film and theatre director François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk). ABOUT FRANCOIS GIRARD --------------------- 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. THE CREATIVE TEAM ----------------- o) Guy Laliberté Artistic Guide o) Gilles Ste-Croix Artistic Guide o) François Girard Writer and Director o) Line Tremblay Director of Creation o) Stéphane Roy Set and Props Designer o) Alan Hranitelj Costume Designer o) Nick Littlemore Composer and Musical Director o) Debra Brown Choreographer o) Jean-Jacques Pillet Choreographer o) Alain Lortie Lighting Designer o) Raymond St-Jean Image Content Designer o) Steven Dubuc Sound Designer o) Florence Pot Acrobatic Performance Designer o) Danny Zen Rigging & Acrobatic Equipment o) Eleni Uranis Makeup Designer ABOUT THE SHOW -------------- Zarkana is an acrobatic rock opera that blends circus arts with the surreal to create a world where physical virtuosity rubs shoulders with the strange. The story follows Zark, a magician who has lost his powers and the love of his life - in an abandoned theatre populated by a motley collection of off-the-wall characters and incomparable acrobats. He runs into the Mutants, four sirens as sinister as they are fabulous, who are determined to divert him from his quest. Zarkana is a visual vortex set in a slightly twisted musical and acrobatic fantasy universe where, little by little, chaos and craziness give way to festivity and love regained. The diverse cast of more than 75 international artists transports the audience into a fantastical and suspenseful world, blurring the boundaries between the real and imaginary. THE MAIN CHARACTERS ------------------- Zark is a magician who returns to the abandoned theatre where he was successful several years earlier. His friends the White Clowns come out of hiding to try and help him put a show together, but nothing works the way he wants: His magic powers are out of control because Lia is missing. Lia was Zark’s assistant, but above all, she was the love of his life. Without her, there can be no magic. The Mutant Ladies are four women - The Pickled Lady, Mandragora, Kundalini and Tarantula - who each in their own way try to seduce Zark. The Pickled Lady is the result of one of the Mad Scientist's experiments that went wrong: Helped by ladder specialists, Sleepy Child opened the lid of the Pickle Jar into which she had dropped her teddy bear. To the dismay of the Mad Scientist, she fell in too and turned into a creature with six arms. Mandragora is the incarnation of the ivy that has spread throughout the theatre. When Zark turns her down she pulls back, closing her medallion forever. Kundalini is a snake woman. The most sensual of the Mutant Ladies, she in turn tries to seduce Zark, using all her charms. Tarantula is the spider woman in her web. More determined than her predecessors, she will be the last to try to win the heart of Zark. Fifteen White Clowns are part of a small gallery of eclectic characters that populate the world of Zarkana, including: The Mad Scientist, assisted by his apprentice, is dedicated to experiments that are strange, to say the least: His Pickle Jar gives birth to the Pickled Lady, and his cannon sends Pokus on a flight to another planet. And then there’s his quantum machine…. Ti-Boss is a spoiled little girl. She has a whip and behaves like a veritable "clown tamer." The Jovians are the extraterrestrial creatures who live on the planet Jovia. The Oracle communicates with the past and the future. ACTS & PERFORMANCES ------------------- Juggling While the White Clowns keep the beat and the whole theatre comes to life, a juggler tosses balls in the air and bounces them off the ground and a variety of surfaces to create sounds - which she even accompanies with tap-dancing steps! Ladder Trio A cry rings out: Sleepy Child is imprisoned on her perch. The White Clowns, aided by three ladder specialists with a confusing mastery of balance, come to her rescue. Too late... Sleepy Child turns into the Pickled Lady in front of our eyes. Rope Duet Two artists perform a graceful duet of fantastic moves on ropes while Mandragora sings from the top of the arch to attract Zark’s attention. Flags Witnessing Zark’s distress, the Latin Lovers juggle flamboyantly colored flags and toss them high in the air in an attempt to attract Lia’s attention and signal to her that her lover has returned. Russian Bar The White Clowns come charging back on stage while the Russian Bar performers show off their skills. Projected high into the air from a single bar supported on the shoulders of powerful porters, the vaulters perform complex acrobatic movements with multiple somersaults and twists before landing back on the bar to spring into their next takeoff. High Wire While Kundalini sings, accompanied by a chorus of fire-breathers, a quartet of high wire artists with amazing balance and precision move at high speed on their wire, running, performing breathtaking somersaults and creating column formations. Sometimes perched on a pole held by two partners, sometimes skipping or dancing on one foot, the tightrope walkers execute their routines with incredible self- control. Cyr Wheels and Cerceaux Pokus is being chased through a strange world by the extraterrestrial Jovians! Seven artists perform a group number on Cyr wheels while others hang in the air, twisting and turning through hoops to create a dizzying tableau that fills the stage. Sand Painting The Oracle, a character played by an accomplished sand painter, summarizes the events of the first half of the show in pictures and gives a brief preview of the story that is about to unfold next. Flying Trapeze When Tarantula appears in the middle of her enormous web, clowns emerge from cocoons to invade it. Acrobats launch themselves off platforms in acrobatic flight formations and are then caught by the skillful hands of the porters. This unique number with a classical aesthetic involves 12 performers in three aligned corridors, allowing simultaneous criss-crossing flights to create an incredible visual effect. Wheel of Death The Mad Scientist wants to test his quantum machine, but his experiment will yield unexpected results. Two Wheel of Death artists, one of them wearing a full head mask at one point, leap into action on their apparatus to perform jumps with amazing speed, control and teamwork. The wheel at the front of the stage is powered solely by their physical strength. Hand Balancing In a moment of poetry and grace, an artist performs a series of elegant figures, seemingly effortlessly transferring his weight from one arm to another as he smoothly twists and swirls on a slippery surface. Banquine In a number that showcases the amazing agility of the human body, 15 artists perform acrobatics and create human pyramids in a spectacular sequence of perfectly synchronized aerial crossovers. SETS & VIDEO CONTENT -------------------- In the lyrical, fantastic world of Zarkana, the setting - an abandoned theatre - is a character in its own right. The walls breathe, move and sing. The main set elements consist of three sweeping arches - all sculpted by hand - representing three of the four mutants who try to divert the magician Zark from his quest. The first arch represents Kundalini the Snake Lady, whose world is populated by dozens of slithering snakes. It’s the largest of the three arches and is decorated with more than 150ft of handpainted resin "snakes" which started out as styrofoam sculptures that were used to create molds for the liquid resin. The second arch, which also serves as a video screen, harbors Mandragora, a plant-like creature that comes to life with "arms" extending out like scissors nearly 100 feet. The third represents the Pickled Lady, a video-based creature with six arms who lives in a large pickle jar. Set Design The overall aesthetics were inspired by the Art Nouveau movement of the last century, as well as the works of Gaudí and Klimt, while many of the organic shapes in the set elements are a nod to the master French glassmaker and jeweler René Lalique. More perceptive observers will notice these influences in the design of the acrobatic equipment - especially in the lines at their extremities. Keen observers will also note that the shape of the hole through which Zark makes his first entrance reproduces the outline of Manhattan, while the moon above the stage marks the exact position of Radio City Music Hall. Image and Video Content The complex video content of the show was developed with a cinematic approach and plays an integral role in the storytelling. The goal was to bring maximum credibility to this strange parallel world through lifelike moving images on an enormous LED wall at the rear of the set, and projections on the second of three arches that react to the movements of the performers. There are more than three million pixels of LEDs on the 90ft by 40ft light wall upstage and the LED arch made of of 118 separate panels. This setup allows for the larger-than-life cinematic tableaux that lend the surreal world of Zarkana a heightened sense of reality. From the audience’s point of view, the divisions between live action, stage effects, lighting and projections are seamless. The Zarkana stage consists of a sliding platform that retracts like a huge drawer to allow for rapid set and equipment changes, and the lighting is designed to make these transitions practically unnoticeable, almost invisible. Zoom on a few details o) No alterations could be made to the structure of the Radio City Music Hall - a national landmark since 1978 - so the entire Zarkana set sits on top of the stage. Not a single bolt was attached to the structure. o) The cradle stations used in the flying trapeze act do not employ steel cables to keep them in position. They rely entirely on "hanger tubes" for their rigidity. The structure of the high wire number installed on the floor of the theatre’s orchestra pit is freestanding, without any anchor points. o) The walls on either side of the stage are covered with a representation of a patchwork of 1ft ceramic tiles, each one different and hand painted with gold leaf on a fabric that allows for transparency and onto which images can be projected. The patterns of the tiles evoke the works of Gustav Klimt and the Art Deco style. o) During the high wire act the video arch is gradually invaded by writhing snakes that pay close attention and react to the artists’ movements. This effect is created with infrared cameras. Flames shooting up from the stage are reflected on the undulating forms of the snakes using the same technique. o) The 60ft x 33ft curtain of ropes that Zark conjures up in a failed attempt to use his powers suddenly drops onto the stage like a Kabuki curtain. o) The two Eagle’s-head bandstands that house the musicians on either side of the stage are 28ft tall and weigh more than 9,000 pounds each. COSTUMES -------- A modern twist on the 1920s and 1930s The characters in Zarkana inhabit a surreal world inspired by the American circus sideshows that flourished in the 1930s and the spirit of the golden age of Coney Island. The overall visual aesthetic of their costumes - 250 in all - is a modern take on the look of the 1920s, the 1930s and the Art Deco movement. In addition to his own vast experience, intuition and knowledge, Alan Hranitelj drew inspiration from various sources and artists of that era, including Catalan artist Joan Miró and Russian/French designer Erté. These references provided a departure point for his far-ranging and resolutely modernist approach to the look of the show’s characters. The color palette - an exercise in nuance and subtlety One of the biggest challenges Alan’s team faced was to give a major emphasis to the traditional white of circus clowns in the costumes of the 15-artist house troupe - called "Movers" - and to integrate it with the wider overall color spectrum of the show. The Movers are not in fact completely dressed in white. Their costumes incorporate a hint of color associated with one of the show’s numbers, each of which has been assigned a distinct color. As each number plays out, the color associated with the subsequent number is subtly signaled by its nuanced presence on their costumes, creating an almost imperceptible bond that runs throughout the whole show. Red and pink - symbols of love and passion Flowers are important to the overall color scheme and design motifs of the costumes, and the reds and pinks of roses play a particularly significant symbolic role in the show, representing the love and passion between Zark and Lia - the only characters dressed predominantly in red. There are rose patterns on Zark’s hat and the printed images of roses on his cape have been enlarged more than 200 times. Zark’s roses blend thematically with the projections at the show’s finale, when thousands of roses fill the stage. There is also a suggestion of red in the costumes of the artists who perform the Banquine number, because they are the characters who reunite the lovers. Fabrics and printing To create the costumes for Zarkana’s quirky crew of oddball characters and acrobats, Alan worked with a wide range of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, and neoprene, and specialized color printing techniques such as sublimation, many of which were developed by the innovators in the Cirque du Soleil costume workshop. Costume Closeups o) The Mutant characters who try to seduce Zark have some of the most distinctive costumes in the show. The mutant Mandragora borrows her visual identity from the pistil - the reproductive organ - of the mysterious and magical mandrake plant, long associated with erotic love and physical desire. o) Kundalini, the dangerous snake-woman mutant, meshes religious symbolism with her sinuous serpentine character and costume. Because she performs close to fire-eaters her costume had to be made fireproof. o) Tarantula, the spider-woman mutant’s costume suggests all of the perceived danger in her arachnid identity. Her spider legs are extensions to her costume that are attached to the mechanism that allows her to descend to the stage from the ceiling. o) The costume of the Oracle, a mystical character played by a sand painting specialist, was directly inspired by Erté, the Russian/French artist and designer who created evening gowns made with exotic fabrics from India. o) The costumes of the extraterrestrial Jovians were originally inspired by a fictitious tribe that lived off the bounty of the sea. When they went fishing, they wore costumes that made them look like fish to fool their prey. The Jovians’ costumes are made of double-laminated Lycra and decorated with bubbles that represent the foam excreted by the fish. o) The lead singer, who plays three of the four mutants, had her entire body, together with the harness she wears throughout the show, scanned with 225 precise measurements. The data were used to produce a cast that minimized the need for in-person costume fittings. --------------------------------------------------------- "My Thoughts on Zarkana" By: Ricky Russo - Orlando, Florida (USA) --------------------------------------------------------- On Sunday, June 26, 2011, I took the opportunity to see one of the last few preview performances of Cirque du Soleil's new venue show - Zarkana - now taking up temporary residence at Radio City Music Hall in mid-town Manhattan. Joining me for this viewing were friends and fellow Cirque du Soleil fans Douglas Metzger, his wife Mary, and a small contingent of their friends and kids. We went in to our experience blind, meaning, little of the show’s content (acts, music, and theme) was known to us; therefore, we hoped to reserve judgment of the show on its merits rather than prior expectations. But even keeping that in mind, Zarkana at times was a little hard to swallow. Zarkana is one part acrobatics and one part rock opera with a penchant for the macabre (floating eyeballs that follow the action on stage, anyone?), which seems more attune to the early dark inklings of Criss Angel Believe than a classic acrobatic Cirque du Soleil show, as some pre-staging interviews led us to believe. Although comparing and/or contrasting each new show to those who came before it isn't perhaps the best way to review a new production. As a fan of Cirque du Soleil for more than a decade, and one who has seen virtually every show the company has produced in one form or another, drawing conclusions and comparisons from past endeavors is, unfortunately, inescapable. And though I welcome the new, the bizarre, the untried... the concept of macabre meets acrobatics here doesn't mix most of the time. And generally speaking: there's too much atmosphere too little new skill. THE CONCEPT ----------- Zarkana is a visual vortex set in a slightly twisted musical and acrobatic fantasy universe where, little by little, chaos and craziness give way to festivity and love regained. The story follows Zark, a magician who has lost his powers and the love of his life - in an abandoned theatre where he was successful several years earlier, finding the theater populated by a motley collection of off-the-wall characters and incomparable acrobats. His friends, the White Clowns, come out of hiding to try and help him put together a show, but nothing works the way he wants: His magic powers are out of control because Lia, Zark's assistant, is missing. Without her, there can be no magic - she is the love of his life! But also within the theater are the Mutants, four sirens as sinister as they are fabulous - The Pickled Lady, Mandragora, Kundalini and Tarantula - and they are determined to seduce him, diverting him from his quest. THE SHOW -------- In the lyrical, fantastic world of Zarkana, the setting - an abandoned theatre - is a character in its own right. The walls breathe, move and sing. The main set elements consist of three sweeping arches - all sculpted by hand - representing three of the four mutants who try to divert the magician Zark from his quest. The first arch represents Kundalini the Snake Lady, whose world is populated by dozens of slithering snakes. It’s the largest of the three arches and is decorated with more than 150ft of hand painted resin "snakes" which started out as Styrofoam sculptures that were used to create molds for the liquid resin. The second arch, which also serves as a video screen, harbors Mandragora, a plant-like creature that comes to life with "arms" extending out like scissors nearly 100 feet. The third represents the Pickled Lady, a video-based creature with six arms who lives in a large pickle jar. The overall aesthetics were inspired by the Art Nouveau movement of the last century, as well as the works of Gaudí and Klimt, while many of the organic shapes in the set elements are a nod to the master French glassmaker and jeweler René Lalique. Upon this setting a number of acrobatic feats are staged, they are: Juggling, Ladder Trio, Rope Duet, Flags, Russian Bar, High Wire, Cyr Wheel & Cerceaux in the first half; Sand Painting, Flying Trapeze, Wheel of Death, Hand Balancing, and Banquine in the second. THOUGHTS -------- At this stage of the show's development, much of its first-half is rather weak acrobatically. I personally enjoyed opening the show with the juggler, something simple; however, much of the routine is similar to other juggling acts I have seen inside and outside of Cirque du Soleil. There was nothing new presented here. And though the Flags piece was rather interesting in a Cirque setting, it might have been more appealing had it not given off a strong BLAST vibe. Even the Russian Bar routine (performed by a single female) was a nice diversion, but little in the way of innovation. To be quite honest the show actually held my attention until the tight-rope number, the second-to-last act in Zarkana's first-half. During the set-up for this piece, the background became more projected than it had previously been (or I hadn't noticed much up to this point) and turned into a serpent's layer of sorts. The arches and columns of the inner proscenium turned into vestiges of snakes whilst rising from the middle of the stage, in an image I would have thought belonged in some other kind of Broadway production, the female singer... as a snake. "Snake lady" then "serenades" us in the most whiny, god-awful screech whilst the guys of the tight-rope turn a rather lack-luster performance on the wire. As a seasoned veteran of Cirque performances, I know it's hard to turn a more inspired performance than the boys from Kooza, but could you have at least made it look like you were enjoying yourself? This particular number is a great example of the jarring mix that Zarkana is trying to project, in my opinion. Neither the act’s staging nor its accompanying music made any sense to each other. The two contrasted harshly rather than being complimentary, which you desperately need in order to have a successful presentation. And because the act didn't seem to have it, the performers had nothing to work with - their performance was out of tune (no pun intended and no thanks to the screeching wretch) with what was going on around them. The mess that is the Tight Wire, the kind of WTF moment - that's Whisky Tango Foxtrot - that unfortunately bleeds over into the next number, a combination Cyr Wheel / Aerial hoops piece that is neither one or the other. The echo of the previous number still prevails here and it ruins what should be an explosive and triumphant ending to the first half of the show. Rather than keeping us spellbound for the restart of the show some twenty minutes later, we sat in confusion wondering what we were taking part in. Its presentation, much like the ladder, rope and Russian bar didn't raise the bar - if you'll pardon the pun - of numbers Cirque has employed (and created) in the past. Meaning: it's nothing I haven't seen before, and better, in other shows. This leads me to another point I've harped on before - innovation. If you look over Cirque du Soleil's catalog, for the most part you'll find innovation in the acts it presents. For example, the Russian Swing. The first time Cirque audiences were introduced to the apparatus was in 1992's Saltimbanco, a single-form piece with little degree of difficulty. We saw the apparatus again in 1998's "O" and not only did Cirque double the number of apparati, Cirque also included water rather than a firm stage. Cirque upped the ante in 2002's Varekai when performers not only tossed themselves into huge canvas screens but also tossed themselves from swing to swing. But there is a silver lining here. Much of the pain of the first half of Zarkana was washed away by the awesome performances of the Sand Painting, Flying Trapeze, and Banquine numbers (our performance didn't have Hand Balancing and Wheel of Death as presented here was lackluster compared to Kooza's), so the show did end on a high note, relatively speaking. Otherwise, we’ve seen juggling of this caliber before, a ladder act (aka Corteo, and it’s done much better there), a Spanish Rope duet (in Ovo, also done better there, and in Corteo), an anemic High Wire (good god, could these guys have any less stage presence and energy?), Cyr Wheel & Hoops (a mash-up of both disciplines at the same time that does neither justice, or anything new), and a single Russian Bar piece which is better than everything else in the first half of the show, but still lacking. The clowns, to me, were not funny. And the music... it's just average. There's nothing remarkable about it. In the end I fear without a number of significant changes, retooling and hard decisions, Zarkana will go the way of Banana Shpeel in New York City - to the place where failed shows end up. Cirque du Soleil has a lot riding on this show’s success, especially if it wants to capture the New York City market, but alas I don’t feel present-day Zarkana has what it takes to capture New Yorker’s imagination. Or the fans. With that said, if you’re in New York City before the show’s temporary-final curtain call, give Zarkana a chance. You may find it to your liking way more than I did and in reality that’s all it takes. ======================================================================= SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================================= Fascination! is a monthly publication, available through subscription via the World Wide Web in text format at the newsletter's website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. To subscribe, please visit our website and enter your name and email address in the "About Fascination" box and press Subscribe. You'll receive an email to confirm your selection. 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