======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) 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 12, NUMBER 3 March 2012 ISSUE #98 ======================================================================= Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. It's been a tumultuous sixteen months for Cirque du Soleil: first, back in October 2010, the company's new twist on vaudeville slipped on its own shpeel and closed. Next, nine months later on July 24, 2011, we received the shock of our lives - the magnificent ZED in Tokyo would close by year's end (due in large part to the earthquake and subsequent disaster). Four months later to the day, on November 24, 2011, Cirque du Soleil and MGM International announced the closing of VIVA ELVIS in Las Vegas by end of 2012, citing poor ticket sales. And on February 7, 2012, an announcement that closed ZAIA in Macau in two weeks time, also citing poor ticket sales. And these are the shows that made it out of the gate. There have been a few other high profile projects that didn't even get that chance, and were scuttled from active development or at least put on indefinite hold, they are: a resident show in Dubai, UAE that was originally scheduled to open in 2012, then 2013; and an arena-only show directed by Michel Laprise with Andrew Watson as Director of Creation and Michel Granger as Production Manager (rumored to be inspired by extreme sports) was due to tour end of 2012, then pushed to 2013 before being canceled. However, these last few months haven't been all doom and gloom. Our favorite circus does have a few bright spots to showcase for all its troubles: first is ZARKANA, Cirque's third attempt at a resident show in New York City (following a successful run of "Wintuk" and a dismal performance of "Banana Shpeel) and was met with moderate success (although I feel there's much work to be done there). Second is IRIS, Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Hollywood, Californa, which premiered to great success. And lastly with the premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL Tour, which is criss- crossing the North American continentant (and soon Europe), breaking sales and attendance records (mostly) for the company as it goes along, although reviews are mixed. The future looks bright too. Mystère re-opened recently with the integration of some of ZED's acts (Flying Trapeze, Silks and an update to the Chinese Poles choreography). Come April AMALUNA, Cirque du Soleil's 32nd production since 1984, will make its debut on the old quays of Montreal. "World's Away", a new 3-D film from Cirque du Soleil, James Cameron and Andrew Adamson, which features performances from various Cirque productions in Las Vegas, is due to arrive. And, for those who found MJ IMMORTAL to be one hell of a show, by May 2013 you'll have another reason to celebrate: the coming of the new Michael Jackson Resident show at Mandalay Bay. What else might be coming our way? We'll have to wait and see! And in not really keeping with the doom-and-gloom attitude, we thought now would be a good time to take a look back at all those projects Cirque du Soleil announced over the years, but never came to fruition. As always we've got the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web and, of course, updates to Cirque's tour schedule. 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 * "ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and Press Releases" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) * "Cirque's Dreams of the Past: A What If? Part 1: Cirque to Reside" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= Show & Tell: Meet Amanda Ritchie of 'Zumanity' {Feb.03.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- John Przybys of the Las Vegas Review-Journal took a moment recently to meet Amanda Ritchie, Zumanity's Straps performer and dominatrix. # # # Q: What brought you to Las Vegas? A: I came to Vegas (in 2008) because I knew that this was where everything was. Actually, my brother was the one to say, "You should go to Vegas, because that's where all the Cirque (du Soleil) shows are." I knew I wanted to be in Cirque. That was the ultimate goal of mine. Q: How did your "Zumanity" audition go? A: I auditioned for the "Straps" number, which is a bondage number. She's wearing a nude unitard so it's like she's naked, and she has a mask on, and the whole purpose of the act is for her to please herself and, in the end, have an orgasm. (Laughs) So this is what I auditioned with. Q: Guessing that was new ground for you? A: (Laughs) Oh, yes. Absolutely. I am so shy, and I hide behind things, and I hate speaking in front of people. And to find out the act was mic'd - it was a live performance - I was a little intimidated and out of my element. # # # Read more of the Q&A here!: < http://www.lvrj.com/neon/show-tell-meet-amanda-ritchie-of- zumanity-138630419.html > {SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal} ZAIA Closing! {Feb.07.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- The Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) and Cirque du Soleil Tuesday said they were ending a 10-year contract after just three and a half years, underlining the difficulty some companies have faced trying to transform the Chinese gambling haven into an entertainment destination. The Quebec-based entertainment company will perform its last Zaia show-its first permanent production to open in Asia-on Feb. 19 after several years of disappointing ticket sales, the companies said in a joint statement, Average occupancy at the Zaia show in January was just 40%, according to a representative for the Canadiann company, whose productions have been popular in the West, particularly in the U.S.'s gambling capital Las Vegas. The combined cost of creating the show and the custom-built theater for Zaia exceeded US$150 million, according to an August 2008 press release for the show's premier. "In view of the market trend and customer demand shown in the research we've conducted, the company will again be investing to redesign the theater," said Gus Liem, Vice President of Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. (1928.HK). Read the original release here: < http://www.nasdaq.com/article/sands-china-cirque-du-soleil-to- end-10-year-zaia-contract-after-just-35-years-20120207- 00397 > {SOURCE: NASDAQ} More on ZAIA's Closing {Feb.08.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- A few more tid-bits on Cirque du Soleil ZAIA's closing... Why Macau Tourists Didn't Flip for Cirque du Soleil? # # # [I]t comes down to time, and visitors to Macau seem to have little of it. According to the territory's government, visitors (the overwhelming majority of which come from China) stayed an average of just 1.5 nights during the first 11 months of 2011. The average visitor to Las Vegas stayed 3.6 nights in 2010, according to the most recent statistics available. # # # SOURCE: Wall Street Journal Blogs: < http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/02/08/why-macau-tourists- didnt-flip-for-cirque-du-soleil/ > What's next? # # # Cirque du Soleil and Sands China also revealed that they were currently discussing a variety of options for working together on other projects. They said that "both organizations are excited by what might come next", without disclosing details of any possible new shows. # # # SOURCE: Macau Daily Times: < http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/33551-ZAA-ending-- year-run-Venetian-Macao-this-month.html > ZAIA's Closing: No "Zaied" to replace Viva Elvis? {Feb.09.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- From the Las Vegas Review-Journal today: # # # Cirque du Soleil has announced it will pull the plug on "Zaia" on Feb. 19 at the Venetian Macao. After 31/2 years, Cirque and casino operator Las Vegas Sands have given up on the title that was running at 40 percent attendance. While the bustling casino floors of Macao have propped up the bottom lines for Las Vegas-based companies, Asian players are so focused on gambling they are not as interested in a diverse resort experience. Las Vegas audiences for "Mystere" and "Viva Elvis" will see new acrobatic numbers transplanted intact from "Zed," the Cirque show that recently closed in Japan. But while the company is "attempting to reassign our artists as much as possible," says Cirque spokeswoman Renee-Claude Menard, "Zaia" performers who end up in Las Vegas shows would be retrained to perform existing content. Menard also says not to expect either "Zed" or "Zaia" - or even a hybrid of the two starting with "Z" - to replace "Viva Elvis" at Aria. She also shoots down talk that the permanent version of the Michael Jackson tribute "The Immortal" would be redirected to Aria from Mandalay Bay to replace "Elvis." ... # # # I guess that now rules out "ZAIED", as a friend put it: A little girl floating between heaven and earth causes the two worlds to meet. {SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal} Cirque not giving up on Macau {Feb.14.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- From the Macau Daily Times: # # # ZAIA, Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Asia, will close its doors next week but the Canadian company has not given up on the Macau market, founder Guy Laliberté has pledged. The show's final performance will be Sunday, cutting short a 10- year contract that led gaming operator Sands China to invest over USD 100 million (MOP 800 million) in building a custom-made theatre in 2008. But Laliberté revealed to Québec website Canoë that only the first three years of the contract were guaranteed. "We reached the end of a three-year guaranteed contract," he said. The head of Cirque du Soleil admitted that the MSAR remains a gaming city with little room for high-end entertainment. "Macau is still a place mainly for gamblers. It's not yet an international destination. We didn't reach the [attendance] figures we had set as a goal," he said. Cirque du Soleil and Sands said they were discussing a variety of options for working together on other projects but didn't disclose details of any possible new shows. In fact, Sands has announced it will turn the ZAIA theatre into a multi-purpose theatre. But Laliberté said the company believes it could still make a return. "It doesn't mean we are writing off Macau, however. It was a special adventure because we were the first to set up a resident show down there. That's life!" he said. Last September Cirque du Soleil president Daniel Lamarre said the company wanted "to have three permanent shows in Macau one day," also as a foothold to bring more touring shows to Asia and establish permanent venues in mainland China and India. # # # Read the original release here: < http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/33716-Macau-door-not- shut-Cirque-Soleil-founder.html > {SOURCE: Macau Daily Times} ZAIA: Was too Common? {Feb.16.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- According to this blurb from TTG Asia, it is suggested that perhaps one of the reasons ZAIA failed in this market was because it was "too common": # # # According to a spokesperson for The Venetian Macao, the move to axe Zaia was a commercial one made after extensive research into consumer needs. "Results showed us that customers wanted a greater variety of productions. Therefore, we decided to move on and redesign (the old venue into) a new multi-purpose theatre to meet customer needs," the spokesperson said. The redevelopment of the theatre which was purpose-built to house Zaia will convert the 1,800-pax venue into a multi-purpose one capable of accommodating a variety of performances such as concerts, plays and magic shows. Air Cruise Travel executive director, Eric Chang, said: "The show was not doing well enough simply because there was a better option, the House of Dancing Water. In the eyes of (mainland) Chinese visitors, the show (Zaia) is very common and not a big difference from any good show in many theme parks or acrobatic performances in (mainland) China." # # # OUCH! See the original post here: < http://ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=3113 > {SOURCE: TTG Asia} Cirque to Perform at 84th Academy Awards (Feb 26th)! {Feb.17.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PRESENT EXCLUSIVE ONE-TIME-ONLY PERFORMANCE AT THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS. Troupe Will Pay Tribute to Hollywood's Biggest Night with Its Largest Ensemble Cast Ever Assembled in One Act Beverly Hills, CA - Oscar telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have invited Cirque du Soleil to present a wholly unique and exclusive performance for the 84th Academy Awards, it was announced today. The one-time-only event will feature the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act. The performance will be accompanied by music by Academy Award- nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema. More than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil productions around the world will converge in Los Angeles on Oscar Sunday to bring the dynamic showcase to life. The act marks the second time Cirque du Soleil has performed during an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe's first appearance, at the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions about creating a permanent show at the Kodak Theatre and resulted in the creation of IRIS. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. Read the original press release here: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/news/2012/ oscars_cirque_du_soleil.aspx > {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Cirque du Soleil invests in Sid Lee {Feb.20.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil announces it is investing in a significant minority equity stake in Sid Lee that will mesh the combined talents of both Quebec organizations in order to nurture innovative projects for the benefit of their respective clients and partners. "This alliance with Sid Lee is a first step in further expanding the creative potential of Cirque du Soleil into new business ventures," said Daniel Lamarre, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cirque du Soleil. "Sid Lee's comprehensive global offering, which spans communications and includes architectural design and technology services as well as an audiovisual production company, is world-class. Synergy with Sid Lee will allow us to further unfold the creativity and innovation of Cirque du Soleil and develop new national and international business opportunities," he added. "The alliance with Cirque du Soleil will open the door to new creative projects and will allow us to bring business creativity to a higher level," says Jean-François Bouchard, President and Senior Partner, Sid Lee. "This investment makes our company even stronger and allows us to continue to innovate for our clients at home and abroad. The expertise of Cirque du Soleil at managing and exporting creativity has always been a source of inspiration for us," he added. In the immediate future, Cirque du Soleil and Sid Lee will continue to collaborate as in the past. New initiatives to arise from the alliance will be announced in due course. Sid Lee has been Cirque du Soleil's marketing Agency of Record (AOR) for more than 10 years. "Cirque du Soleil has often been like a big brother to us. We are thrilled to make our business relationship even more official. I am convinced that this alliance will enable us to take Quebec creativity to an even higher, broader level," said Sid Lee Chairman Bertrand Cesvet. Read the full press release here: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/news/2012/ sid_lee_cds_investment.aspx > {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Macau Times on ZAIA's Finale {Feb.22.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- The Macau Daily Times has a fantastic piece on the closing of ZAIA and what it means to its artists in today's edition: # # # Whatever may have caused the sudden closing, Sunday's last performance was met with high approval by a very responsive audience, and ZAIA artists played to an almost capacity crowd. As soon as the two clowns, main characters in the show, appeared, the spectators started laughing and clapping. The crowd - a mix of Chinese and non-Chinese people - cheered for the clowns, who, in turn, amused the audience by making jokes and including several audience members in the performance. The awareness of a "last time" was felt as a special vibration among both the spectators and the artists and the show ended with a standing ovation. The presence of Cirque du Soleil artists in Macau gave the city a very special charm. Being a small space with a straightforward community of foreigners, the artists could be met at parties, as for example one regular happening salsa party in Taipa, or in the streets of Macau. Thus unlike in bigger cities where life usually goes on in a more anonymous way, Macau people had the chance to see the artists not only as spectators of a show but to meet them personally and therefore get to know a very special kind of life, the artists' way of life. The news about the closing of their show came very unexpectedly to the artists, two weeks before the last performance and suddenly, one would find e-mails and face book messages circulating with lists of belongings, the artists where trying to sell as soon as possible. Bound by contract to the conditions of their blue card, they are obliged to leave Macau within ten days of the end of their contract; that is, after the last show. Hence, within around 34 days -still performing once or twice per day- they had to struggle with getting rid of sometimes newly purchased furniture, end housing contracts, find means to transport beloved pets and last but not least, search for a new place to stay, as well as a new job. Though used to a rather turbulent lifestyle and even to frequent changes of locations, having to leave Macau so suddenly and losing their job, confronted ZAIA artists with a range of organizational and emotional difficulties. Talking to some of the performers, all of them stress that they liked living in Macau a lot and most of them would have liked to stay longer. # # # Read the rest of the article here: < http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/33937-The-end-Cirque- Soleil-Macau.html > {SOURCE: Macau Daily Times} Cirque's Performance at the Oscars! {Feb.27.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil presented a wholly unique and exclusive performance for the 84th Academy Awards on Oscar Sunday, February 26. The one-time-only event featured the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: < http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54694-cirque-du- soleil-84th-academy-awards-exclusive-performance-danny-elfman > More than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil productions around the world converged in Los Angeles to bring the dynamic showcase to life. The act featured aerialists, Icarian acrobats, hand balancers, dancers and characters from IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema along with the 15- member Banquine team from Viva ELVIS in Las Vegas and a hand balancer from Zarkana, direct from Moscow's Kremlin State Palace Theatre. The act was accompanied by music from Academy Award- nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema. Cirque du Soleil presented the performance as a tribute to the movie theatre experience incorporating signature Cirque acrobatic elements and imagery along with classic film clips. The act marked the second time Cirque du Soleil performed during an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe's first appearance, at the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions about creating a permanent show at the theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and resulted in the creation of IRIS. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 were presented on Sunday, February 26, at the theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network as well as being televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Cirque Shows Big Brands How To Be Remarkable-And Magical {Feb.27.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Forbes has an interesting piece on Cirque du Soleil today - showing bigger brands how to be remarkable and magical: # # # With Cirque du Soleil's performance during the Academy Awards, we saw two well-known entertainment brands trying to stay fresh. Compared to 84-year-old Oscar, "Cirque" is a young cat at 28. But it has many lessons to offer The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences-and marketers. More than 20 years after The New York times called Cirque du Soleil the "circus of the future," it has grown from 20 to 5,000 performers in 22 unique shows across more than 40 countries around the world - and that's just this year. Audiences remain enthralled: Cirque du Soleil's "Iris" set the record for ticket prices at LA's Kodak Theatre last year with a $253 ticket. The company's revenue will reportedly exceed $1 billion this year. Cirque du Soleil enters its third decade having become something all long-standing brands strive to be: consistently remarkable. Many might attribute its success to the glitz of the show - the impeccable costumes, dizzying heights and fantastical imagery. But I'd argue the "secret sauce of Cirque" has to do with staying true to its purpose while remaining surprising. No sequins required, but lessons aplenty... # # # Read the rest of the article to see those lessons: < http://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2012/02/27/cirque-du- soleil-shows-big-brands-how-to-be-remarkable-and-magical/ > {SOURCE: Forbes} "World's Away" Debuts: Dec 21st! {Feb.28.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cirque du Soleil's new 3D film "World's Away" gets a release date: it's Friday, December 21, 2012 (let's hope we're all going to be here to see it): # # # James Cameron's 3D Cirque du Soleil Feature Acquired By Paramount, which acquired rights to the unique project earlier this year, announced the date on Monday. Worlds Away features performances from elaborate Cirque du Soleil productions and an original story from Adamson, who is producing the movie with Aron Warner and Cirque du Soleil's Martin Bolduc, Ed Jones and Cary Granat. Vince Pace, co-chairman of 3D technology and production services firm Cameron Pace Group, oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the movie. # # # Read the full release here: < http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cirque-du-soleil-worlds- away-movie-release-date-295570 > {SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter} NEW Viva Elvis Visual! {Feb.29.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- In celebration of Viva Elvis' final year - not to mention the inclusion of the Banquine act from Cirque du Soleil's ZED, recently closed in Tokyo, Japan - Cirque du Soleil has created a new visual for VIVA ELVIS, which was released on Facebook today! To discover the new visual one had to select their favorite musical cut from the show (from a very short list of musical numbers provided); however, we did the leg work for you and have those images on our website. Enjoy! < http://www.cirquefascination.com/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/VivaElvis2.jpg > < http://www.cirquefascination.com/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/VivaElvis1.jpg > {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Rediscover Mystère (Video) {Feb.29.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Today Cirque du Soleil, through Mystère's Facebook page, teases us to "rediscover Mystère in a whole new way" through a time- lapse video of the theater renovation the show went through during its recent extended dark period. The renovation brought with it acts from ZED (Cirque du Soleil's defunct show in Tokyo, Japan): Flying Trapeze, Aerial Silks and a revamped Chinese Poles. Check out the video: < http://cirk.me/ziQGn7 > {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem, Varekai & Amaluna} 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, 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 ------------------------------------ Amaluna: Montreal, QC -- Apr 19, 2012 to Jul 15, 2012 Quebec, QC -- Jul 25, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012 Toronto, ON -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 30, 2012 Vancouver, BC -- TBA Corteo: Barcelona, ES -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012 Amsterdam, NL -- Mar 22, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Antwerp, BE -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 28, 2012 Gijón, ES -- Jul 25, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012 Zurich, CH -- Aug 31, 2012 to TBA Berlin, DE -- Nov 28, 2012 to TBA Koozå: Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Phoenix, AZ -- Jun 8, 2012 to Jul 15, 2012 Houston, TX -- Jul 26, 2012 to TBA Dallas, TX -- Sep 19, 2012 to TBA Tampa, FL -- Nov 8, 2012 to TBA London, UK -- Jan 2013 to TBA Ovo: Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012 Portland, OR -- Apr 5, 2012 to May 13, 2012 Brisbane, AU -- Jul 14, 2012 to Aug 3, 2012 Sydney, AU -- Sep 13, 2012 to Oct 7, 2012 Melbourne, AU -- Jan 17, 2013 to Feb 3, 2013 Adelaide, AU -- Feb 27, 2013 to TBA Perth, AU -- Apr 14, 2012 to Apr 28, 2013 Totem: San Jose, CA -- Mar 2, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012 San Diego, CA -- Apr 25, 2012 to May 13, 2012 Boston, MA -- Jun 10, 2012 to TBA Washington, DC -- Jul 11, 2012 to TBA Atlanta, GA -- Oct 25, 2012 to TBA New York, NY -- Nov 19, 2012 to TBA Varekai: Brasilia, BR -- Feb 23, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Recife, BR -- Mar 30, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012 Salvador, BR -- May 3, 2012 to May 13, 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 Lima, PE -- Nov 16, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012 Bogota, CO -- Jan 10, 2012 to Feb 24, 2013 ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Saltimbanco: Bordeaux, FR -- Mar 2, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012 Dijon, FR -- Mar 9, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012 Rome, IT -- Mar 15, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Casablanca, MA -- Apr 6, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012 Beirut, LB -- May 10, 2012 to TBA Manila, PH -- Aug 9, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012 Alegría: 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 Brussels, BE -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 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 Budapest, HU -- May 17, 2012 to May 20, 2012 Prague, CZ -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012 Hambgurg, DE -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Hanover, DE -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012 Nuremberg, DE -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012 Vienna, AT -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012 Belgrade, RS -- Jun 29, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012 Tel Aviv, IL -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 18, 2012 Lille, FR -- Nov 21, 2012 to Nov 25, 2012 Paris, FR -- Nov 28, 2012 to Dec 2, 2012 Quidam: Austin, TX -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012 Frisco, TX -- Mar 7, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012 San Antonio, TX -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 Champaign, IL -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012 Roanoke, VA -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Knoxville, TN -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012 Evansville, IN -- Apr 26, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012 Green Bay, WI -- May 1, 2012 to May 2, 2012 Duluth, MN -- May 4, 2012 to May 6, 2012 Saginaw, MI -- May 16, 2012 to May 20, 2012 East Lansing, MI -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012 Grand Rapids, MI -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Toledo, OH -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012 Rockford, IL -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012 St. Louis, MO -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012 Indianapolis, IN -- Jun 27, 2012 to TBA Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 19, 2012 to Jul 22, 2012 Regina, SK -- Jul 25, 2012 to Jul 29, 2012 Edmonton, AB -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 12, 2012 Kamloops, BC -- Aug 15, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012 Kelowna, BC -- Aug 22, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012 Abbotsford, BC -- Aug 29, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012 Victoria, BC -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 9, 2012 Honolulu, HI -- Oct 4, 2012 to Oct 14, 2012 Sault Ste Marie, ON -- TBA Dralion: Rio Rancho, NM -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012 Laredo, TX -- Mar 6, 2012 to Mar 7, 2012 Corpus Christi, TX -- Mar 9, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012 Hidalgo, TX -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012 College Station, TX -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012 Highland Heights, KY -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Cleveland, OH -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012 Hamilton, ON -- Apr 26, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012 Halifax, NS -- May 2, 2012 to May 6, 2012 Saint John, NB -- May 9, 2012 to May 13, 2012 London, ON -- May 16, 2012 to May 20, 2012 Rochester, NY -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012 Manchester, NH -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Syracuse, NY -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012 Bridgeport, CT -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012 Rosemont, IL -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012 Chicago, IL -- Jun 27, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012 Sunrise, FL -- Jul 19, 2012 to Jul 29, 2012 Estero, FL -- Aug 1, 2012 to Aug 5, 2012 Richmond, VA -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 12, 2012 Raleigh, NC -- Aug 15, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012 Baltimore, MD -- Aug 22, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012 Atlantic City, NJ -- Aug 29, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 9, 2012 CHarleston, WV -- Sep 12, 2012 to Sep 16, 2012 Minneapolis, MN -- Sep 19, 2012 to Sep 23, 2012 Ontario, CA -- Oct 24, 2012 to Oct 28, 2012 Long Beach, CA -- Oct 31, 2012 to Nov 4, 2012 San Deigo, CA -- Nov 14, 2012 to Nov 18, 2012 Phoenix, AZ -- Nov 21, 2012 to Nov 25, 2012 Topeka, KS -- Dec 5, 2012 to Dec 9, 2012 Tulsa, OK -- Dec 12, 2012 to Dec 16, 2012 Okalahoma City, OK -- Dec 19, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012 Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 3 & 4 2012 Jacksonville, FL -- Mar 7 & 8, 2012 Raleigh, NC -- Mar 10 & 11, 2012 Charlotte, NC -- Mar 13 & 14, 2012 Milwaukee, WI -- Mar 16 & 17, 2012 Montreal, QC -- Mar 20, 21 & 22, 2012 Quebec, QC -- Mar 24 & 25, 2012 Minneapolis, MN -- Mar 27 & 28, 2012 Newark, NJ -- Mar 30 & Apr 1, 2012 New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 4 & 5, 2012 Long Island, NY -- Apr 7 & 8, 2012 Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10 & 11, 2012 Pittsburg, PA -- Apr 13, 14 & 15, 2012 State College, PA -- Apr 24 & 25, 2012 Columbia, SC -- Apr 27 & 28, 2012 Hartford, CT -- May 2 & 3, 2012 Baltimore, MD -- May 5 & 6, 2012 Hampton, VA -- May 8, 2012 Worcester, MA -- May 16 & 17, 2012 Quebec, QC -- May 19 & 20, 2012 Dayton, OH -- Jun 6, 7 & 8, 2012 Columbus, OH -- Jun 9 & Jun 10, 2012 Nashville, TN -- Jun 12 & 13, 2012 Austin, TX -- Jun 15, 2012 San Antonio, TX -- Jun 23, 2012 Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29 & 30, 2012 Montreal, QC -- Jul 6 & Jul 7, 2012 Washington, DC -- Jul 13, 14 & 15 2012 Cleveland, OH -- Jul 17 & 18, 2012 Chicago, IL -- Jul 20 & 21, 2012 Ottawa, ON -- Jul 24 & 25, 2012 Toronto, ON -- Jul 27 & 28, 2012 Boston, MA -- Aug 3 & 4, 2012 Vancouver, BC -- Aug 10 & 11, 2012 Los Angeles, CA -- Aug 14 & 15, 2012 Salt Lake City -- Aug 21, 2012 Europe 2012: ------------ London, UK -- Oct 12,13 & 14 2012 Herding, DK -- Oct 24 & 25, 2012 Copenhagen, DK -- Oct 27 & 28, 2012 Stockholm, SE -- Nov 2 & 3, 2012 Helsinki, FI -- Nov 5 & 6, 2012 Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 16 & 17, 2012 Oberhausen, DE -- Nov 20 & 21, 2012 Munich, DE -- Nov 24 & 25, 2012 Hannover, DE -- Nov 28, 2012 Vienna, AT -- Dec 1 & 2, 2012 Manheim, DE -- Dec 5, 2012 Leipzig, DE -- Dec 8, 2012 Hamburg, DE -- Dec 11, 2012 Cologne, DE -- Dec 15 & 16, 2012 Berlin, DE -- Dec 19 & 20, 2012 Madrid, ES -- Dec 26 to Dec 29, 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 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) 2012 Dark Dates: o May 12 - 16 o September 8 - 12 o November 14 "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm Ticket Prices: o Orchestra: $150.00 o Loggia: $130.00 o Balcony: $99.00 o Limited View: $93.50 2012 Dark Dates: o April 9 - 15 o June 10 o August 6 - 12 o October 14 & 17 o December 3 - 18 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 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 2012 Dark Dates: o March 20 o May 15-26 o July 24 o September 18-22 o November 27 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday Dark: Wednesday & Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 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 2012 Dark Dates: o April 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 o June 19 o August 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31 o September 1, 2, 3, and 4 o October 23 o December 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 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 2012 Dark Dates: o April 3 o May 29 - June 2 o July 31 o August 1 o September 28 - 29 o November 20 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm Ticket Prices: o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 o Upper Orchestra: $130.00 o Lower Balcony: $99.00 o Middle Balcony: $93.50 2012 Dark Dates: o April 5 - 9 o June 4 o August 2 - 6 o October 1 o December 6 - 19 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. 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 2012 Dark Dates: o April 10-14 o May 29-31 o June 1-2 o July 17-21 o September 4-11 o December 18-25 VIVA ELVIS: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm Ticket Prices o Category 1: $175.00 o Category 2: $150.00 o Category 3: $125.00 o Category 4: $99.00 2012 Dark Dates: o March 13-17 o May 8 o July 10-21 o September 18 o November 13 NOTE: VIVA ELVIS to close by end of 2012 -------------------------------------- VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions -------------------------------------- Zarkana: Moscow, RU -- Feb 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012 New York, NY -- Jun 6, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012 IRIS: Location: Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Friday @ 8:00pm Saturday @ 2:00pm and 8:00pm Sunday @ 1:00pm and 6:30pm DARK: Monday 2012 Dark Dates: o TBA Ticket Prices: Weekday Matinees: o Category Premium - $253.00 USD o Category 1 - $123.00 USD o Category 2 - $93.00 USD o Category 3 - $68.00 USD o Category 4 - $43.00 USD Saturday Matinee & All Evening Performances: o Category Premium - $253.00 USD o Category 1 - $133.00 USD o Category 2 - $103.00 USD o Category 3 - $78.00 USD o Category 4 - $43.00 USD ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub o) Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, Youtube & Twitter --------------------------------------- CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub --------------------------------------- The Gadgets of IRIS {Feb.08.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Visual delight abound in IRIS A Journey Throught the world of cinema by Cirque du Soleil at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Not least among them are 360 unusual props, many automated and motion-controlled, all crafted specificaly for this production. A quirky, vintage-looking camera dolly, for example, keeps with the unique interpretation of the world of early cinema that IRIS provides. But there's a catch: It is topped with a working camera that projects live video. The piece serves as an acrobatic apparatus, too: artists wheel the seat to spin on their heads, and they flip through its tripod base. "Props used in Cirque du Soleil shows tend to be a little different," says Jared Peter, head of props. The versatile camera dolly is one of three "baby machines" created for IRIS by Anne-Séguin Poirier, the company's Montreal-based props designer. Others include a roving spotlight and a trumpet-shaped gramophone speaker on tricycle wheels. In development for three years, "They're our prize props, little creatures that roam about the stage in the first part as kind of an ode to the beginnings of cinema," Peter says. "They interact with the artists and other costume and prop elements of the show. We went through many, many revisions. It's amazing how much time and how many people it took to make those pieces work." Every prop in IRIS is "a designer creation," he adds "Nothing is off the shelf. Everything has been meticulously designed by Anne or has evolved via the builders and Anne collaborating together." Originally from the San Francisco Bay area with a background in television, film and live theater, Peter joined Cirque du Soleil in 2005. He moved to Los Angeles to join the IRIS team after working on Cirque shows The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage in Las Vegas and Zaia in Macao, China. It's a move, he says, that's paid off "Constructing props for a Cirque du Soleil show is incredibly creative and rewarding." Read more about the props of IRIS here: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2012/2012-01-18- iris-gadgets.aspx > TOTEM VOICES: An Original Webseries {Feb.13.2012} --------------------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil presents TOTEM VOICES: an original 8 episode original documentary webseries introducing select artists from TOTEM. The webseries offers a rare personal and authentic look at the artists embodying the characters inhabiting the imaginary world of TOTEM: Joe, Christian, Denise and Massimo, Pippo, Alya, Dmitry, Louis-David and Rosalie share in turn their joy, challenges and triumphs. TOTEM VOICES | Episode: "Denise & Massimo" Introducing Denise and Massimo, the Roller Skates Duo in TOTEM from Cirque du Soleil. From their caravan in Italy, these lovebirds share their life passion - the stage and their love for one another. Check out Episode One - "Denise & Massimo" here: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2012/2012-02-10- totem-massimo.aspx > --------------------------------------------------- NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter --------------------------------------------------- ---[ ALEGRIA ]--- {Feb.25} Added 7 new photos to the album "Alegria on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde" LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set =a.10150687370780746.459038.38543815745&type=1 > ---[ AMALUNA ]--- {Feb.13} While rehearsals are in full swing, our Director Diane and Creation Director Fernand take a moment to talk about the story of the show. LINK /// < http://cirk.me/xFDFRV > {Feb.03} Today, hear more from our Director, Diane Paulus. Diane tells us how she always dreamed to create a show under a tent, and now she actually has a chance at actually doing it. LINK /// < http://cirk.me/zi0yog > ---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]--- {Feb.27} Performance by Cirque du Soleil during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards(r) from the Hollywood and Highland Center, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= a.341729072532106.77802.161171830587832&type=3 > --- [ DRALION ]--- {Feb.25} Congratulations to Dmytro Negodin for 5 incredible years with Dralion. Dmytro started with the show in 2006 as a trampolinist in the act - Trampo-wall. Keep jumping for the Stars Dmytro! {Feb.09} Here is another great TV segment with one of Dralion trampolinists! Dralion is performing at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO until Sunday. Enjoy! LINK /// < http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid= 1441682746001&odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext% 7CFRONTPAGE%7Cfeatured > {Feb.09} Great show and great crowd last night at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO! here's good photo coverage of Premiere Day! LINK /// < http://www.westword.com/slideshow/ backstage-at-cirque-du-soleils-dralion-36106032/ > {Feb.03} Cool behind the scene segment of Dralion! Come check it out at the 1st Bank Events Center in Broomfield, CO. LINK /// < http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/ 2012/02/video-cirque-du-soleils-dralion- comes-to-colorado/28884/ > ---[ IRIS ]--- {Feb.09} Matias Plaul, one of our Trampoline artists, talks about visiting his home town in Argentina over the break! LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTN7-qr1Jis > {Feb.02} Kevin and Andrew Atherton, our aerial straps act in IRIS by Cirque du Soleil are backstage at the KODAK Theatre sharing their plans for the break (and Superbowl weekend!). IRIS is currently on an extended dark to make way for the Academy Awards, and will return with performances starting March 24th. LINK /// < http://youtu.be/1RPiJ1Qezv4 > ---[ KA ]--- {Feb.15} Check out this article and video by USA Today, where they go behind-the-scenes of KÀ and discuss some of the technical aspects of the show! LINK /// < http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-02- 11/cirque-du-soleil-ka-technology/53039268/1 > ---[ LA NOUBA ]--- {Feb.02} Get to know the musicians from La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, and catch a few pointers to becoming a successful musician! LINK /// < http://youtu.be/uR0FDnhHpHc > ---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]--- {Feb.20} This morning interview in Kansas City! LINK /// < http://fox4kc.com/2012/02/20/michael-jackson-cirque- de-soleil-immortal-tour/ > {Feb.19} Interviews in Tulsa, OK LINK /// < http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx? subjectid=269&articleid=20120219_11_A21_CUTLIN784558 > LINK /// < http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx? subjectid=269&articleid=20120212_269_D3_CUTLIN670897 > ---[ OVO ]--- {Feb.07} Watch the exclusive backstage interview with Michelle Matlock, the Ladybug from OVO, after last night performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. LINK /// < http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/backstage-with- bryan/dwayne-johnson-miranda-cosgrove-cirque-du-soleil-ovo--- backstage/#.TzGhN4WJN5o.facebook > {Feb.07} Watch our special performance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" from last night here - what do you like most about the performance? LINK /// < http://cirk.me/xo4xRq > {Feb.02} OVO cast out today at the Santa Monica Pier! LINK /// < http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos- snc7/p480x480/409038_10150566562164614_62744104613_ 8604476_1714544044_n.jpg > ---[ SALTIMBANCO ]--- {Feb.24} Great feature of Saltimbanco on ORF TV with the trapeze artists in Graz, Austria!! LINK // < http://tvthek.orf.at/programs/70020-Steiermark-heute > {Feb.09} Successful Premiere for Saltimbanco from Cirque du Soleil for the 1st time in Bucharest, Romania!! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? v=10150529997001650 > {Feb.04} Added 9 new photos to the album LIVE performance with Saltimbanco artists@Coffee with Gala Show!! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= a.10150647885787959.449592.41245692958&type=1 > ---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]--- {Feb.16} Hey Beatles LOVE fans! Start sharing the message of LOVE with your friends and family, themed to your favorite Beatles track! Select from a variety of tracks by The Beatles, including Octopus's Garden, Strawberry Fields, Lady Madonna, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Use the link below to start sharing your LOVE! LINK /// < http://cirk.me/fbblp > {Feb.12} The cast of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil performed live Friday night to open up the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year event honoring Paul McCartney. LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7oB9ur7ps > ---[ VIVA ELVIS ]--- {Feb.22} Added 13 new photos to the album "Thank you OVO for hosting Viva ELVIS' 2nd Anniversary!" LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= a.10150557955149109.374220.167136344108&type=1 > ---[ ZAIA ]--- {Feb.19} Dear fans, our final show has just finished very very very perfectly. Thank you so much for your great support throughout the years. We'll never forget that. Herein, we would like to give all our best wishes to you, and look forward to seeing you all someday in the future, in the ZAIA theater again! LINK /// < http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ash4/s320x320/419864_10150686712983064_40707978063 _11262384_1002292415_n.jpg > {Feb.18} Tomorrow, we will have our last show, and now, why not just take two minutes to review the most dazzled parts of ZAIA together? Enjoy it! and look forward to seeing you all tomorrow in the theater! LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hF8YZfz7j8 > ---[ ZUMANITY ]--- {Feb.14} Looking for a way to sex-up your look for tonight's hot Valentine's Day plans? Look no further than tips from our fabulous wig & makeup supervisor Roger Stricker who shows how you can incorporate Zu into your night out! LINK /// < http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/zumanity--inspired- valentine-day-makeup/apk4w_zX0B2gisoGUc5K5A > ======================================================================= 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 there's over 92,000 pounds of equipment that flies during Mystère? o) Did you know that Bruce Rickerd, Mystere guitarist, has never missed a performance? As of February 2, 2012, he has performed in all 8,601 shows. And he is in all the acts! Special mention to Sandra Stimmel Huntsman, the puppet at the beginning, and Alice the Snail at the end have also been in every show! o) Mystère's intricate lighting system, controlled by a Strand 550 I lighting console, consists of over 1100 lighting instruments. Included in the lighting inventory are: 144 color scrollers, 40 super scans and more than 200 conventional ETC lighting fixtures. There are over 700 lighting cues during the show. Located within the lighting booth are four special effects projectors with image scrollers and gray-scale dimming shutters used to create the dream- like world of Mystère. o) Props, equipment and performers are elevated to the stage level from the trap by means of four moving lifts located at the heart of the stage. The center stage has a 28-foot turntable that rotates up to 10 revolutions per minute. Each of the lifts can support 300 pounds per square foot and are controlled by a motion cue system designed by Mirage Resorts Entertainment Technologies Group. The lifts were constructed by Gala Corporation of Montreal and assembled in Las Vegas. o) Treasure Island's rigging use Gala's Vertilift drum system. Each of the 23 battens is suspended by steel cables directly from a shaft that both supports the battens and turns the grooved cable drums that wind the cables. The shaft is supported by rollers that ride in the same grooves as the cables. As a result, the entire shaft- all 120' of it--moves laterally as the cable is taken up, ensuring there is no change in fleet angle. ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History ------------------------------------ * Mar.01.1988 -- Le Cirque Reinvene opened Santa Monica (third time) * Mar.01.2008 -- Corteo opened San Diego, California * Mar.04.1999 -- Quidam European Tour Began in Amsterdam * Mar.04.1999 -- New Tour Name Released -- Dralion * Mar.04.2005 -- Quidam opened Melbourne * Mar.04.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Little Rock, AK * Mar.04.2009 -- Quidam opened Belfast, UK (Temporarily Arena) * Mar.04.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Youngstown, OH * Mar.05.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Lyon * Mar.05.2009 -- Alegría opened Dubai, UAE * Mar.06.1997 -- Alegría opened Amsterdam * Mar.06.2001 -- Alegría opened Melbourne, Australia * Mar.06.2002 -- Dralion opened Los Angeles * Mar.06.2003 -- Alegría opened Houston * Mar.06.2003 -- Varekai opened Atlanta * Mar.07.2007 -- Madison Square Garden Show "Winter Tale" Announced! * Mar.07.2007 -- Saltimbanco "Arena Tour" Announced! * Mar.08.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Shreveport, LA * Mar.09.1995 -- Saltimbanco opened Amsterdam (European Tour Began) * Mar.10.2006 -- Dralion opened Geneva * Mar.11.1994 -- Saltimbanco Japan Tour Began (ends 9/11) * Mar.11.2007 -- "O" celebrated its 4000th performance [Sunday, 10:30pm] * Mar.11.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Louisville, KY * Mar.12.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened San Antonio, TX * Mar.12.2009 -- Cirque Dubai 2010 is once again delayed until 2010 * Mar.12.2009 -- Quidam opened Newcastle, UK (Temporarily Arena) * Mar.13.2003 -- Dralion opened Raleigh * Mar.14.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film showcased in Santa Barbara * Mar.14.2003 -- La Nouba celebrated 2000th Performance [Friday, 6:00pm] * Mar.14.2006 -- Varekai opened Portland * Mar.15.1998 -- Mystère celebrated 2000th Performance [Sunday, 7:30pm] * Mar.15.2006 -- Saltimbanco opened Santiago, Chile * Mar.15.2007 -- Varekai opened Canberra, Australia * Mar.17.2003 -- IBM and Cirque come together in 3-Year Partnership * Mar.17.2005 -- Dralion opened Barcelona, Spain * Mar.18.1999 -- Saltimbanco opened Sydney, Australia * Mar.18.2004 -- Varekai opened San Diego * Mar.18.2009 -- Quidam opened Birmingham, UK (Temporarily Arena) * Mar.18.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Laredo, TX * Mar.19.2002 -- Saltimbanco Extended CD Released (BMG/CDS Musique) * Mar.19.2006 -- Quidam opened Long Beach * Mar.19.2009 -- Cirque Unveils new Casting MySpace Page * Mar.20.2007 -- Quidam opened Seoul, South Korea * Mar.21.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Corpus Christi, TX * Mar.22.1996 -- Alegría Japanese Tour (until Sep. 8, 1996) * Mar.22.2005 -- Zumanity CD Released (CDS Musique) * Mar.22.2007 -- Corteo opened Houston * Mar.22.2007 -- Cirque Luxor (Criss Angel) Announced! * Mar.23.1993 -- Nouvelle Expérience CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor) * Mar.23.1999 -- Alegria: Le Film CD Released in Canada (RCA) * Mar.23.2000 -- Alegría celebrated 2000th performance [8:00pm/Biloxi] * Mar.24.1998 -- Cirque Collection CD Released in US (RCA/Victor) * Mar.24.2002 -- Cirque performed at the 74th Academy Awards * Mar.24.2004 -- "The Bar at the Edge of the Earth" opened * Mar.25.2004 -- Alegría opened Atlanta * Mar.25.2009 -- Quidam opened Manchester, UK (Temporarily Arena) * Mar.26.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Wichita, KS * Mar.28.1995 -- Alegría opened New York City * Mar.28.2009 -- "O" Honored Earth Hour 2009 * Mar.29.1994 -- Mystère CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor) * Mar.29.2002 -- Quidam opened Charlotte * Mar.30.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened New York City * Mar.30.2000 -- Quidam opened Valencia, Spain * Mar.31.2009 -- Quidam opened Dublin, Ireland (Temporarily Arena) ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= o) "ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and Press Releases" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) "Cirque's Dreams of the Past: A What If? Part 1: Cirque to Reside" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- "ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and Press Releases" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- On February 7, 2012, the Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Cirque du Soleil announced they were ending a 10-year contract after just three and a half years and closing ZAIA, underlining the difficulties faced trying to transform the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau into an entertainment destination to rival that of Las Vegas. As such, ZAIA - Cirque du Soleil's first permanent production to open in Asia - would have its final show on February 19th after several years of disappointing ticket sales, the companies said in a joint statement. Average occupancy at ZAIA in January was just 40%, according to a Cirque du Soleil representative, not enough to recoup the cost of day-to-day operations nor the $150 million plus price tag for creating the show and its custom-built theater. There is no denying that ZAIA had a tumultuous three and a half years, but we had hoped the show would be able to survive its initial troubles and slouch off any further misgivings about its quality. Unfortunately it will not get that chance and it, like ZED, is a great loss to the Cirque du Soleil repertoire. With a little more than two weeks from announcement to closure (not to mention its far-off location across the ocean), we won't get a chance to celebrate the show's accomplishments like we did for ZED's closing - that and we've never seen the show - but rather than let the show's closing pass, we decided to celebrate ZAIA instead by taking a walk through its time and space via press releases, blurbs and other statements made about the production over the years, tracing its history from beginning to end. RUMORS CONFIRMED /// In 2004, as Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 20th anniversary, the company looked to capitalize on its recent successes and expand beyond their current strong holds of North America, Europe and Japan. Even before then rumors cropped up at regular intervals detailing how Cirque would expand to house resident shows in Berlin, London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and other worldly cities, many never coming to fruition (a topic of conversation you'll also find within this issue - "CIRQUE'S DREAMS OF THE PAST: A WHAT IF? PART 1: CIRQUE TO RESIDE", by yours truly). But with Cirque du Soleil finding successes in the Asia- Pacific region, it was only a matter of time before something regarding Asia was announced. On May 2, 2006, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Cirque du Soleil announced their intention to create a one-of-a-kind show on the Cotai Strip, then being developed in the People's Republic of China Special Administrative Region of Macau. The new show, conceived and created solely by Cirque du Soleil, was scheduled to open in the Spring of 2008 in a 1,800-seat theater built to Cirque specifications and would be unlike anything we'd yet seen. It was a doorway into Asia and a new market for Cirque du Soleil. More than a year later (on August 28, 2007) the Venetian Macau opened its doors to paying customers, but the show was not yet ready. By October of the same year we learned the show's creative team, salivating over the possibilities this group of talented individuals could produce: o) Gilles Maheu -- Director o) Neilson Vignola -- Director of Creation o) Guillaume Lord -- Set Designer o) Dominique Lemieux -- Costume Designer o) Axel Morghentaler -- Lighting Designer o) Violaine Corradi -- Composer o) Steve Dubuc -- Sound Designer o) Martino Muller -- Choreographer o) Guy Lemire -- Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging By December the first kink in the show's plans appeared: the as yet unnamed show was behind schedule due to a six-week delay in theater construction. But the work did get finished just in time to begin preview performances on July 26, 2008. THE BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE /// Macau, China - May 29, 2008 - ZAIA was unveiled today as the name of the very first permanent Cirque du Soleil production set to open in Asia. ZAIA will be presented at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau and will hold its Gala Celebration August 28, 2008 to coincide with the 1st Anniversary of its host resort-hotel, with preview performances beginning July 26, 2008. Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian-based global entertainment company providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Cirque du Soleil productions have played to almost 80 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2008, Cirque du Soleil will present 17 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Each production fuses innovative acrobatics, theatre, dance and music with spectacular costumes, lighting and make-up. Cirque du Soleil has successfully toured to 13 cities in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul,Tokyo, Taipei and Shanghai with Big Top productions but ZAIA will be the first production to be housed within a permanent theatre in the region. THE NAME ZAIA is about the dream of a young girl who journeys into space. The title, ZAIA, comes from a Greek name meaning "life" and is also reminiscent of "Gaia," the living, self-aware, spirit of earth. "We are extremely excited to bring this unique show to the Cotaï Strip as our first permanent step in China," said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. "The creative challenge is very interesting for us as this area has yet to be developed for its entertainment offers. Thanks to our partnership with Las Vegas Sands, we are anxious for Asian audiences to discover this Cirque du Soleil production. "We are both proud and delighted to be partnering with Cirque du Soleil and bringing this internationally acclaimed production to Macau and to its first ever permanent base in Asia," said Mr. Mark Brown, President of Sands Macao and The Venetian Macao- Resort-Hotel. "Cirque du Soleil will surely give the people of this region a chance to experience wholly unique and world-class entertainment, an aim to which we are also committed." THE SHOW ZAIA is about a young girl who journeys into space on a strange, yet familiar voyage of self-discovery. As she travels, she encounters the beauty of humanity and eventually brings it back with her to share with the inhabitants of earth. ZAIA presents a young girl's perception of the stars and planets, space and infinity, all populated by a panoply of fantastic, literally out-of-this-world creatures. ZAIA is a show that highlights dance, movement and aerial acrobatics, soaring to the farthest reaches of space and human beauty. ZAIA will be presented in a custom-built 1,800 seat theatre at the Venetian Macau-Hotel-Resort. The combined cost of show creation and the custom-built theatre for ZAIA is in excess of $150 million USD. Preview performances begin July 26, 2008 and the Gala Premiere will be held Thursday, August 28, 2008. THE CREATIVE TEAM Guy Laliberté Guide Gilles Ste-Croix SVP, Creative Content Gilles Maheu Writer/Director Neilson Vignola Director of Creation Guillaume Lord Set Designer Dominique Lemieux Costume Designer Violaine Corradi Composer and Musical Director Martino Müller Choreographer Jeff Hall Acrobatic Choreographer Rob Bollinger Acrobatic Performance Designer Guy Lemire Acrobatic Equipment & Rigging Jimmy Lakatos Projections Designer Raymond Saint-Jean Projections Designer Steve Dubuc Sound Designer Nathalie Gagné Make-up Designer Leonid Leykin Clown Acts Designer SHOW SCHEDULE The preview period for ZAIA will be from July 26, 2008 to August 27, 2008. During this preview period there will be no shows on Mondays and Tuesdays and the show schedule will be irregular. Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com. The Gala premiere is scheduled for August 28, 2008. Regular performances will begin August 29, 2008. Regular performances for ZAIA will run Tuesday through Sunday. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the show time will be at 8p.m. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the show times will be at 7p.m. and 10p.m. On Sundays, shows will be at 4p.m. and 7p.m. There will be no shows on Mondays. Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com. Schedule is subject to change without notice. TICKET INFORMATION Tickets on sale May 30, 2008! Adult ticket prices: MOP$1288, MOP$788, MOP$588, MOP$388 Children* ticket prices: MOP$688, MOP$488, MOP$288 *Children: Aged between 2 and 11 AN INNER JOURNEY /// "For me, ZAIA is an inner journey through time and space. The set, in which arcs and perspective lines predominate, evokes the viewpoint of a human eye looking through a large observatory telescope. " - Guillaume Lord, Set Designer The Theatre: The ZAIA Theatre is reminiscent of ancient architectural telescopes such as Jaipur in India and the vast stone Mayan observatories of Central America. It is not a planetarium as such, however it contains many visual cues and references that add to the show's underlying theme of cosmic exploration. In keeping with the primary theme of a journey into space, verticality is an important component of the show and the theatre was designed with a higher than 80-ft/24-meter ceiling and the set elements are intended to recreate the experience of being in space - an experience that is both mysteriously alien and strangely familiar. This is a timeless journey from through the stratosphere and beyond, while keeping an eye on Earth. The Set: When the audience enters the theatre, one of the main set elements, a gigantic sphere, appears to be a chandelier and the house is illuminated by light sources at ground level, creating the effect of a deep dark cave. When the sphere is revealed in all its constantly-changing glory following the opening number, its full scope and the effect of its trajectory over the heads of the audience is nothing less than stunning. The proscenium is made up of several layers that create a sense of depth through perspective lines and curves made of bronze that converge on the single focal point located at the centre of an enormous sun-like gong set against the backdrop, known as the "Star Drop," which recreates the night sky with 3,000 fiber optic "stars." Designer Guillaume Lord used a star map to give the Star Drop an accurate representation of the constellations at the exact location of the theatre. Some figures: o) The theatre has a capacity of 1,852. o) The Proscenium is 88' high and 97' Wide. o) The 12,221 sq. ft. Star Drop measures 121' x 101'. o) The polished bronze-plated Gong Sun has a 20' diameter. o) The 25'-diameter Sphere moves on three axes. It consists of an aluminum exoskeleton covered in Lexan and weighs 4,000 lbs. It contains 6 projectors that beam integrated images through a full 360 degrees. o) Above the audience the Oval Track transports performers and set elements (such as the 600-lb ice blocks) on 148' x 95' 5 chariots that weigh 800 lbs. o) It takes 30-40 backstage technicians to operate the set. PRESENTATION Choreography I - City Scape The dance troupe embraces social diversity through a series of choreographies. First, a couple performs a languorous tango to the sound of a bandoneon (a small accordion), the flexibility of the dancers sometimes evokes the movements of contortionists. Then, two other dancers perform a high-energy gypsy dance without any musical accompaniment, tapping out the rhythm on their bodies with their hands as other performers arrive on stage from everywhere. Finally, the entire troupe presents a rhythmic dance that merges styles. Aerial Bamboo Hanging from a pole, two artists perform a hand to hand act on a pole suspended in mid-air. They move up and down in unison, as if on a surface inclined at a 90-degree angle in the middle of the cosmos. From time to time, one of the artists grips the hand or foot of the other, creating acrobatic figures by executing fluid movements steeped in poetry. Chinese Poles on Globes As her earthly odyssey leads her to the Orient, Zaia discovers acrobats clinging to poles shaped like weathervanes symbolizing the points of the compass perform Chinese Poles act. What makes this act special is the fact that the poles are held by porters who are standing on globes. Choreography II - Dance of the Automatons Characters whose fanciful costumes are reminiscent of toys made from recycled objects perform modern dance and break dancing moves, sometimes as if their bodies were dismembered. One of the dancers rotates on his head like a spinning top at an amazing speed! Rola Bola A Charlie Chaplin-like character arrives from the sky on a big ladder, and finds bits and pieces of pipe and planks, which he uses to build a rickety structure at center stage. He balances precariously as he makes it climb higher and higher so he can rejoin his "celestial ladder." Aerial Frame Under a panoply of ladders slung high above the stage, acrobats perform an act that merges aerial disciplines in a mixture of styles inspired by North Korean acts. To achieve this, four stations are equipped with suspended swivel chairs to hold porters who catch and release the artists flying in both directions. Timing is crucial when flyers perform pirouettes with spectacular spins from one station to the next. Hand to Hand Two acrobats evoke the love of the original couple by performing a hand to hand act full of sweetness and sensuality. The two artists create impressive figures and seemingly impossible feats of balance that require absolute mastery and control. Aerial Straps Duo A pair of artists uses aerial straps to evoke their nascent passion, sometimes using a single strap for synchronized movements, sometimes a double strap to perform an aerial ballet of seduction, finesse and elegance. Choreography III - Fire Dance After attending the union of Romeo and Zaia, the Sage, who incarnates an African shaman performs a dance in the dark, twirling a stick that is lit at both ends. Other dancers and acrobats join in. At the climax all them are dancing with incandescent objects and then they disappear into the entrails of the stage. Trampoline and Double Teeterboard (X-Board) In a veritable tribute to weightlessness, acrobats present an act combining two disciplines: Teeterboard and Trampoline. A flurry of criss-crossing flights, rebounds, daring leaps and jumps takes over the stage. CHARACTERS Zaia Zaia is the name of the main character, a young girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut and discovering the mysteries of space. Her imaginary celestial journey will follow in the footsteps of her parents and she will encounter love. Her odyssey leads her to take a fresh look at the beauty of Earth and the humans who live there. Romeo Captivated by the innocence of Zaia, Romeo is a young spectator she meets at the beginning of her voyage. This character will search for her throughout the story. When they come together at last they will delight each other in a sensual straps duet. The Sage A mysterious ageless character, the Sage embodies the memory, knowledge and different eras of humanity. He is the archetype of the ancestor, the first of all ancestors, a kind of bright spot in the blackness of space. The Sage watches over Zaia. Clowns Sensitive and silly, the clowns are the companions of Zaia in this wonderful adventure. Although they become separated their friendship will reunite them in the end. Parents Zaia's parents, itinerant acrobats on tour in space, passed on to her their wanderlust and desire for discovery. The Handyman A Charlie Chaplin-like character, the Handyman builds a precarious structure with planks and its pipes. When his shelter collapses, everyone bands together to save him. Adam and Eve This couple represents original, pure, mythical and eternal love. It is through them that Zaia herself discovers love, a feeling that she will later share with Romeo. The Humans These characters of all ages and all social strata represent the last people on Earth. Pressed and jostled in their daily lives, they are equally capable of humor and great impulses of unity. The Aristos Characters from another era, the Aristos represent high society and elegance as they participate in the aerial number. The Weathervanes These characters from the Chinese Poles on Globes number represent the points of the compass. The Fossils The ice-encrusted Fossils are silent witnesses to the union between Adam and Eve. The Primitives The Primitives represent the first men who tamed fire and learned to use it. They include us in their celebration of love and fire. A COSMIC DISTURBANCE /// ZAIA's initial attendance figures were dismal, atrocious even, to the tune of 20% capacity per show or less. And rumors of its imminent demise were floating around before the cast had 100 performances under its belt. By April 2010, perception regarding the show had soured so much that Cirque du Soleil had to step in for a little damage control and Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice-President for Resident Shows of Cirque du Soleil, had to re-iterate that Cirque du Soleil was at the Venetian Macau for the long haul. "ZAIA is here to stay, at least for eight more years." No conversation was held between Cirque du Soleil and Venetian about terminating the show before the end of the ten-year contract. That is what the senior vice-president for resident shows of Cirque du Soleil, Jerry Nadal, assured in an exclusive interview to Macau Daily Times. Although he admits the show's occupancy results are far from what were initially expected, he claims that improvements are being made and that numbers are rising every day. As for the recent news that referred to the end of the show within a short-term period, he says they're just rumors. But changes were afoot. By the show's second anniversary, the Chinese Poles on Globes and Rola Bola acts were replaced, and a more traditional Asian Lion Dance routine was added. In early 2011, the Aerial Frame routine was removed all-together but that still didn't do the trick. Cirque du Soleil and Sands Macau went back to the drawing board and decided even more drastic changes had to be made. First, the show would get a new name in China - ???? - and a new visual but it would take some time for those to make a public appearance. Beginning September 1, 2011, ZAIA would feature even more new diversified performances and characters. A dazzling Hand-to-Hand act, a high-level acrobatic element of Roller Skates (a la TOTEM), Juggling, and a Lion Dance performance to give the production more of an Asian element were added. The show now would flow like this: the Opening, Aerial Hammock, Roller Skates, Lion Dance, Juggling, Trapeze, Hand to Hand, Aerial Straps & Hoops, Fire, Dragon, X-Board & Trampoline and the Finale. And Cirque du Soleil's immediate goal? Maintain ZAIA as a flagship showcase in MACAU. "We hope to have three permanent shows in Macau one day and I see a day where we can have a permanent show in big Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing and who knows," Lamarre said. Two months later (November 21, 2011) the Macau Daily Times reported ZAIA's losses continued to mount but that Venetian Macau was willing to shoulder them, Sands China president Edward Tracy revealed. "Ticket sales have gone up" with the addition of new Chinese-style elements such as a lion dance performance and a flying dragon, Tracy said. Nonetheless, the Venetian Macau show remains "the only business sector that doesn't make a profit," he added. Criticism from Sands China chairman Sheldon Adelson led to rumors that the 10-year contract of 'Zaia' would be terminated earlier. But Edward Tracy rejected this possibility. "We are prepared to take a loss to provide that kind of entertainment," he stressed. But less than three months later Sands China and Cirque du Soleil announced they were ending the 10-year contract for ZAIA after just three and a half years, underlining the difficulties in trying to transform the Chinese gambling haven of Macau into an entertainment destination. Average occupancy at the Zaia show in January was just 40%, according to a representative for the Canadiann company. "In view of the market trend and customer demand shown in the research we've conducted, the company will again be investing to redesign the theater," said Gus Liem, Vice President of Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. "[I]t comes down to time, and visitors to Macau seem to have little of it," said the Wall Street Journal. "According to the territory's government, visitors (the overwhelming majority of which come from China) stayed an average of just 1.5 nights during the first 11 months of 2011. The average visitor to Las Vegas stayed 3.6 nights in 2010, according to the most recent statistics available." What's next? According to the Macau Daily Times Cirque du Soleil and Sands China revealed that they were currently discussing a variety of options for working together on other projects. They said that "both organizations are excited by what might come next", without disclosing details of any possible new shows. ZAIA had its final curtain call on Sunday, February 19th. ---------------------------------------------------------- "Cirque Dreams of the Past: A What If? Part 1: Cirque to Reside" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- "I wouldn't be surprised if we had four or five shows in Macao within five to seven years." Remember this quote? It's been a number of years since Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, made that statement in regards to Macao and Cirque's prospects there. Then ZAIA was unleashed to the community at large, getting rather copious amount of attention; little did he know just how wrong he would be. ZAIA closed on February 19, 2012 after just three and a half years of a ten-year contract. The other four to five show concepts on the table? Shelved way before then. What went wrong? At the moment there are many guesses and most tend to agree that Macau was just not ready to be an international destination for arts and entertainment; most who visit this special region are here strictly for the gambling. Although ZAIA's closing is just as sad as ZED's, VIVA ELVIS' upcoming closure and even BANANA SHPEEL's before it, the timeliness of this quote set me thinking about the last 10 years of Fascination's existence and all the quotes, blurbs and past announcements about new products, venues or avenues the Cirque would be exploring that we've published. I began to wonder which of these came to fruition since then and which have quietly remained hidden behind the curtain at Cirque du Soleil HQ in Montreal. I uncovered many in my search through the news archives. Some I had readily known but others I had completely forgotten about and couldn't wait to explore further. But before I move forward let me say this: this article is not a dig at Cirque du Soleil nor is it an attempt to highlight any recent failures. Rather it is an exploration into the "what ifs" of Cirque du Soleil's development, and explores what could have been had certain details been worked out. This first of two parts explores the many rumors and announcements made regarding "permanent" or "resident" shows. PART ONE: CIRQUE TO RESIDE After the success of Mystère, the company's first resident show (and the first in Las Vegas) in 1993, and with Alegria's extended tour the following year, Cirque du Soleil looked to expand their avant-garde empire into the heart of continental Europe. Although London might have been the first choice for a second resident show, Cirque du Soleil looked to Berlin in 1996. Why Berlin? Unfortunately we cannot say. There are two mentions of a potential Berlin outpost - first, in the Alegria's Programme Book from Hong Kong and in an announcement on its website not long thereafter. Neither suggests where the venue would be located, what the show might be about, or who might be part of the creative team (although at that time there was just one creative team). One thing is for certain, though, the project never happened. And it is just one of a number of these types that have been announced over the years that never came to fruition for one reason or another. LONDON /// Rumors of Cirque setting up in this fantastic city are as old as resident shows themselves, and some of the earliest regarding London stretch back to the late 1990s. But it wasn't until Cirque du Soleil unveiled a strategy to open up "Entertainment Complexes" (a topic we'll get into next time) that London became a more viable option for the company. In fact, in December 2000 Cirque du Soleil made an announcement to turn London's disused Battersea Power Station into one such complex at a price tag of £500m. The plans called for Cirque to convert the dilapidated building into a 2,000 seat auditorium, along with two hotels and a cinema. Cirque du Soleil founding president, Guy Laliberte, called the Power Station project a "massive and truly exciting challenge". He continued, "To me this building continues to radiate the energy that it used to convert. It is a hugely powerful symbol. We want to reflect that energy and power in helping to create an environment and destination that will excite the imagination and stimulate the senses." Work on the site was to begin within six months of the announcement, but it never came. Not much more was heard about residing in Europe until Cirque President and CEO Daniel Lamarre in July 2004 alluded to no less than three new permanent ventures within the next few years; Tokyo, London and New York City. "I wouldn't want to put a calendar to the construction," Lamarre said in an interview with The Star, "but I think it's safe to say we will begin work on the Tokyo project very soon." The Tokyo project became ZED in 2008, of course, which unfortunately folded at the end of 2011. The New York City announcement ultimately became WINTUK in 2007, which also folded at the beginning of 2011. But London has so far remained elusive, but rumors abound. One such rumor had Cirque contemplating taking part in a revitalization project in London's Battersea district in 1998, but the details could not be worked out to anyone's satisfaction and the deal fell through. But on April 18, 2006, Cirque du Soleil was said to be in negotiations about a possible residency at O2, the multi-million pound sports and entertainment complex being built on the site of the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich, UK. Under the deal, the Canadian circus troupe would have a regular show at the 1,800-seat theater that would form part of the new venue. Illustrations showing how the finished O2 would look were announced and a completion date of July 2007 was given for the project. But this too fell apart. On November 15, 2010, an interesting blog post came up at Sky News HD, a component of BskyB in London, which suggested Cirque du Soleil was now actively looking for a permanent home in London through an advisory firm. Guy Laliberte had appointed Allen & Co, a specialist media and entertainment advisory firm, to identify prospective partners who could help establish a permanent residence for the acrobatic dance troupe-cum-circus in London. Mr Laliberté said: "We are working hard trying to find a place in London. We have been looking all over for 10 years. Eventually, we will be at the right place at the right moment with the right real- estate developer. We have looked at the O2. It has been part of the discussion." David Campbell, the chief executive of AEG Europe, which owns the O2, confirmed the talks: "We have looked at it and it's just a question of getting the right business model. It's not imminent but it's not been dismissed." But as of March 2012 there has been no word, and no permanent residence. MIAMI /// In the week of May 10, 2005, the Miami Herald and WTVJ-TV (NBC-6) ran independent stories highlighting the possibility that Cirque du Soleil would bring its brand of entertainment to South Beach's Jackie Gleason Theater, recently upstaged by a new performance theater in Downtown Miami. "What Cirque du Soleil is doing now [is] looking at the box that is the theater to see if it works," Miami Beach City Manager Jorge Gonzalez said in NBC-6's coverage. Rumors abounded that due to the theater's close proximity to beautiful Miami Beach, Cirque du Soleil would bring a decidedly Latin-themed version of Zumanity, its "sensual" cabaret from Las Vegas, to the Gleason. But a spokeswoman for Cirque cautioned against getting too excited: "We're prospecting many cities in many countries," said Renée-Claude Ménard. "There have been rumors like that in London [and] New York. We do all kinds of prospective work." Although Cirque du Soleil never publically stated they were truly interested in residing at the Jackie Gleason Theater, an August 28, 2006 excerpt from City Debate in Miami suggested the deal had fallen apart: "[I]n response to a question from Commissioner Jerry Libbin at the August 17th Finance Committee meeting, Randy McElrath, Regional Director of Live Nation (formerly Clear Channel Communications) stated that Clear Channel and Live Nation are no longer involved with Cirque du Soleil in their deal for the development of the Jackie Gleason Theatre as a permanent venue for a resident company of the Canadian acrobatic circus." So Cirque du Soleil forged ahead alone. In its plans to the city, Cirque expected to pay Miami Beach about $9 million a year to take over the Jackie Gleason Theater and build a restaurant and nightclub there. That return would be considerably larger than rents pledged by AEG Live and Live Nation, the two concert giants competing with Cirque for the Gleason lease. But Cirque wanted $55 million in public dollars to fund a $100 million renovation of the Gleason, AEG and Live Nation would spend between $2 million and $3 million to fix up the Gleason at no cost to the city. Beyond the costs involved, Cirque would commit to about 430 performances a year. AEG and Live Nation, the country's top concert promoters, wanted to transform the Gleason into a hipper venue for live music and comedy - but with the doors open less than 150 times a year. City Manager Jorge Gonzalez predicted Cirque would generate about $1.5 million a year in parking revenue for a nearby city garage: "Just on that we'll be making more than what AEG or Live Nation is offering." Gonzalez said the proposed 15-year deal protected the city, because Cirque would pay rent on gross revenues, not profits. Cirque didn't agree to a minimum annual payment. Cirque also wanted an exit clause that would let it close the show after three years if it lost money for 12 consecutive months. For the restaurants and nightclubs, the exit clause would kick in after five years. On October 19, 2006 the saga of Cirque in Miami came to a close, just a few short days after making its proposal known to the public: they pulled out. "We have been investing for the last 18 months a lot of money and resources, and I cannot responsibly continue to invest without knowing that one day this project will come to fruition," said Daniel Lammarre of Cirque du Soleil. To date there has been no further mention of Cirque du Soleil residing in Miami. But that wasn't the only rumor to appear in May 2005. SINGAPORE /// Also in May 2005, the Las Vegas Sun announced that MGM Mirage was bidding to build a casino resort in downtown Singapore, in which the company leveraged their then-exclusive partnership with Cirque du Soleil to boost its proposal. "Cirque du Soleil's innovative entertainment plays a significant role in our company's reputation for presenting the best possible entertainment available at our Las Vegas resorts," MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni said in a statement. "Our two companies have accomplished some amazing things together and Cirque enthusiastically agreed to join us in our commitment to make Singapore Asia's new entertainment capital." The production would be tailored to Singapore with Asian travelers in mind and little more was said about it... until almost a year later when, on March 18, 2006, in support of the project Guy Laliberte was quoted as saying: "We are confident a resident show in Singapore will quickly prove itself a powerful tourist draw, even more so than our successful touring shows. It will become a new, world-class landmark on the Singapore entertainment scene." But just a few short months after (May 26, 2006), the Singapore government chose U.S. Casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp, owner of The Venetian Las Vegas, as the winner of the Marina Bay Casino Project, leaving MGM-Mirage and its Cirque du Soleil inspired proposal in the dark. Interestingly enough though, Cirque du Soleil would go on to partner with Las Vegas Sands Corp to stage ZAIA at The Venetian Macau (an announcement made on May 2, 2007), which as of February 19, 2012 is no longer performed. MACAO II /// With its announcement of what ultimately became ZAIA at The Venetian Macao: Cirque du Soleil announced they would also produce a second show for the hotel's expansion project to debut sometime in 2009. This show, dubbed Macao II, Macao 2009, and later Macao 2010 as expansion delays ensued, would be, as some creative sources put it, a re- invention of the long-lost variety show. The production was assigned a creative team and work was set in motion at Cirque du Soleil HQ in Montreal: o) René Simard -- Director o) Serge Roy -- Director of Creation o) Stéphane Roy -- Set Designer o) Alan Hranitelj -- Costume Designer o) Alain Lortie -- Lighting Designer o) Michel Cusson -- Composer o) Steve Dubuc -- Sound Designer Ultimately the down turn in the economy doomed Macau II from ever seeing the light of day (as the hotel expansion did not move forward), but amusingly enough the idea of producing a "variety" show seemed to survive and transferred over to the troubled BANANA SHPEEL concept, which itself was billed as a "new twist on Vaudeville". (With a brand- new creative team, save Serge Roy, who remained on as Director of Creation). WASHINGTON DC /// With Cirque du Soleil in the hunt for new and exciting venues beyond Las Vegas in which to showcase its product, and various re-development projects getting the attention of the company, it was somewhat surprising to learn in mid-2006 that Cirque du Soleil was part of a project to re-develop the District of Columbia's southwest waterfront. However, it was decided by September that there was no room for a permanent Cirque du Soleil show in DC. "A team of developers has been chosen to transform the District of Columbia's Southwest waterfront from mostly parking lots and concrete buildings into a leafy, park- like setting that will include a promenade, piers and cultural attractions. (. . .) The developers are seeking a mixture of white- tablecloth restaurants, cafes and bistros, a small grocer and specialty stores. The original proposal included a space for Cirque du Soleil, but the developers decided against it because the attraction was viewed as too touristy." Although Cirque du Soleil was out of Washington DC, it forged ahead with its dreams of setting up in New York City: Madison Square Garden Entertainment and Cirque Du Soleil announced on November 20, 2006 a joint partnership to present New York's very first theater production of Cirque du Soleil at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The announcement was made by Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil; Hank Ratner, vice chairman of Madison Square Garden and Cablevision Systems Corporation; and Jay Marciano, president, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. The Cirque production would be created specifically for the Theater at Madison Square Garden and would run for ten weeks, each winter, beginning in 2007 for the next "several" years. This show, of course, became the Winter-tale themed WINTUK, which did run from 2007 through 2010. Cirque du Soleil would go on to make two more announcements regarding New York City: one in April 2009 for residency at The Beacon Theater (which became 2010's short-lived BANANA SHPEEL) and in September 2010 for residency at Radio City Music Hall (which became 2011's ZARKANA). DUBAI /// In May 2007, following the smashing success of Quidam's earlier tour stop in Dubai, Cirque du Soleil announced a 15-year, multi-billion dollar partnership to develop a permanent show on Palm Jumeirah, an artificial archipelago created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government in United Arab Emirates. It is one of three islands called the Palm Islands which extend into the Persian Gulf, increasing Dubai's shoreline by a total of 520 kilometers (320 mi). The two companies were to jointly design and build a 1,800-seat theater to be home to the first ever Cirque resident show to be staged outside of the United States and the Far East. The show, expected to begin its creation process by January 2008, begin performances in the first quarter of 2010 with an official gala premiere to occur later in December of that year. But the process became complicated before it ever got off the ground. On the 24th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil's founding (June 16, 2008), rumors began circulating that Cirque had been approached by Dubai-based Istithmar, a leveraged-buyout firm affiliated with Nakheel, for a £1 billion investment (or buy-out) of its operation, which would give the fund a "significant" stake in the company. An unidentified Cirque representative said at the time it was "rumor and speculation" and that Cirque du Soleil was not for sale. "The Cirque du Soleil is a very attractive business and we regularly receive offers from individuals or companies," Renee-Claude Menard, director of Montreal-based Cirque's public relations later said. "So occasionally, rumours and speculation of our sale abound, In this case, it is just that, rumour and speculation," Menard said. But less than two months later Cirque du Soleil announced that the company had indeed sold a 20% stake to Nakheel and Istithmar World (August 6, 2008). The agreement kept control of the Montreal-based entertainment company in the hands of founder Guy Laliberte, putting to rest conjecture that the troupe would be sold outright, but speculation still abounded. "This partnership is the best of both worlds for me and my management team," Laliberte said in a joint statement with Nakheel and Istithmar. "We can keep control of our creative challenges and operations while accelerating our growth doing projects all over the world." The investment did little to help the Dubai project get off the ground, however. By late 2008 the premiere date for the still unnamed, un-themed show had slipped past 2010 and into 2011; by March 2009 that date slipped again into 2012, thanks in large part to the global economic crisis which had just gotten underway. Dubai's stake in the MGM City Center project (where VIVA ELVIS would launch in 2008) and its subsequent development problems and cost-overruns didn't help matters either. Brett Judd, Head of Entertainment and Leisure at Nakheel told Emirates Business at the time: "As with any other company, [the financial crisis] has made us reassess our projects, but the show is going ahead." Unfortunately that was not to be the case. On June 6, 2011, plans for a base on Palm Jumeirah for the Cirque were set aside. "There is no plan for a Cirque du Soleil permanent [presence] in Dubai at all right now," company's Corporate PR Manager Chantal Côté said. "This project has been set aside." Asked if Cirque was in talks with any other companies in the UAE to host a permanent show, Côté replied: "We are not speaking to any other party in the UAE. And 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 pursue the Dubai show did not come as a surprise. News about the show had been scarce since the initial declaration and most had given up on the concept ever seeing an audience. However, in an 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... # # # The projects listed here are just the ones we know about, those that were leaked and thus were only rumored to be happening or had semi- official announcements made regarding the company's intention toward pursuing them. There very well may be dozens of other concepts and projects that we don't even know about... and will probably never have the privilege of knowing about. And the announcements keep coming. Current plans have Cirque du Soleil setting up residence in Russia, India and China, even with the failures of ZAIA and ZED in Asia. Next time we'll take a look at projects beyond permanent residences and take a look at concepts that would expand Cirque's prospects in video and audio, other forms of entertainment and even in real estate. Remember the announcement about Cirque-branded and/or themed Casino's? Remember the blurbs about Cirque-branded Entertainment complexes? Remember the rumors of particular shows going under the lens or being re-filmed? We'll explore those next time. ======================================================================= 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. Once confirmed you,ll be added to our mailing list. 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 > ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 12, Number 3 (Issue #98) - March 2012 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2012 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. { Mar.04.2012 } =======================================================================