Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter.
There’s been a plethora of announcements and goings-on since we last
spoke, so let’s not dawdle…
First up, we are saddened to report the loss of two of Cirque du Soleil’s high-profile collaborators:
First, on January 23rd, with the loss of Designer Manfred Thierry Mugler, the founder of the brand Mugler and costume designer for Zumanity. His personal Instagram account first reported the news: “We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr. Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23, 2022,” they wrote. “May his soul rest in peace.”
And then on February 22, 2022, with the announcement that composer Violaine Corradi, had died. “We are sad to hear of the passing of Composer Violaine Corradi, known for her beautiful melodies. Zaïa, Dralion & Varekai would not have been the same without her inspiration & musical gifts. A talented soul has left us too soon, her music will always live on in our hearts.”
On Tuesday, February 22nd, Cirque du Soleil announced, “NYC’s wildest night out comes to the Las Vegas stage! with “MAD APPLE”, a delicious Cirque du Soleil cocktail of high-flying acrobatics, music, dance, comedy, and magic celebrating the city that never sleeps.
Starring comedian Brad Williams, Mad Apple is a nonstop New York thrill ride from the moment you step into the theater. From pre-show magic and boozy libations at the stunning stage bar, to the band playing the biggest musical hits inspired by the city, Mad Apple blurs the lines between circus, live entertainment, and New York nightlife culture.
Featuring six brash acts and a dynamic makeup of musicians, dancers, comedians, magicians, and circus performers, Mad Apple rewrites the script on Las Vegas entertainment. Each act is like a snapshot from a different nocturnal side of New York, brought to life by underground stars, high-flying acrobats, street performers, up-and-coming entertainers, and the biggest musical hits to come out of the city.
Only at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.
Preview Performances: May 12, 14, 19, 20, 24, 25 @ 8:00pm
Double Preview Performance: May 21 @ 7:00 PM & 10:00 PMTickets start at $59.00
Shows Friday – Tuesday, 7:00 PM & 9:30
Dark Wednesday & Thursday
Discover much more about MAD APPLE in our FEATURE this month: “Cirque. Comedy. Music. Mayhem” – a Collection of Articles Celebrating the Announcement of Cirque’s Newest Show: ‘Mad Apple’.
In celebration of the anniversary of The Beatles’ final concert on the rooftop of their Apple Corps building in London, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil shared a special tribute video featuring their own special rooftop performance. Filmed atop The Mirage Hotel & Casino, the vibrant video stars 27 LOVE cast members performing to “Get Back” (LOVE Version). Filming the once-in-a-lifetime performance required two drones and four cameras and was completed in just two and a half hours. Watch The Beatles LOVE cast’s rooftop performance video here: https://youtu.be/STlpHIVKECE
Cirque also took fans behind-the-scenes to give a look at the filming process with an exclusive making-of video. Filmed to accompany the LOVE cast’s rooftop performance video, this featurette shows the planning process and dance rehearsals for the special performance, with commentary from LOVE’s Senior Artistic Director, Tim Smith. Watch the behind-the-scenes video here: https://youtu.be/GWxcp4Ig7aI
The Beatles LOVE cast’s tribute performance video is one of several special activities celebrating the 53rd anniversary of The Beatles’ legendary January 30, 1969 rooftop performance, including ‘The Beatles: Get Back-The Rooftop Performance’ streaming audio release (Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe); an exclusive IMAX screening events for “The Beatles: Get Back-The Rooftop Concert” (Disney/Apple Corps Ltd./WingNut); Norah Jones’ two tribute performance videos of Beatles songs filmed on the rooftop of New York’s Empire State Building; SiriusXM The Beatles Channel’s “The Rooftop Concert Special,” on the SXM App; and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s announcement for “The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be” immersive exhibit, set to open on March 18th.
As you know, the pandemic-induced carnage that swept through live entertainment didn’t spare one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Cirque du Soleil’s revenues went from millions to zero in two days as lockdowns forced the company to cancel shows. But that’s not all that happened to our beloved Cirque du Soleil. Layoffs followed cancellations, and eventually the company ended up bankrupt. Come with us as we explore these last tumultuous years of Cirque du Soleil with a couple of special features:
First, “Learning from the Most Innovative Organization on the Planet”, a collection of articles about Daniel Lamarre’s Book: ‘Balancing Acts’. Lamarre, now executive vice-chairman of the Cirque, shares what it takes for anyone, regardless of position or industry, to embrace the value of creative leadership in his book, which has received extensive coverage in the press since its release on January 18th. Highlights from a number of these conversations and reviews have been collected for you within. And…
Second, we’ve prepared a three-part “Historia” series reviewing the last two years from the company, taking you through the initial COVID outbreak, all the way through to the company’s bankruptcy, sale, and revival… at least through to the end of 2021. We begin this look back with the first part within.
Before we get started, though, whet your appetite with the following podcast from Bloomberg. In it Lamarre describes how Cirque got through this difficult time, what years of working in entertainment have taught him about creativity and trust, why it’s a good idea to lock creative people in a room – and he tells us what working in the circus has taught him about leadership.
With all that’s going on in the world, let’s celebrate some happy milestones, shall we?
• On December 1, 2021, Alegria: In a New Light celebrated it’s 7,000th Performance of Alegria since 1994.
• On February 16, 2022, Drawn to Life celebrated its 100th performance at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida.
• On March 1, 2022, Cirque du Soleil announced that CRYSTAL, its breakthrough ice experience, was on the road again! Mike Newquist, Senior Vice President, Touring Shows Division said: “We are absolutely thrilled to finally bring CRYSTAL back on the road. For two years our performers have been waiting to skate again and experience the joy of the audience once more. It will be an emotional and magical return.” Check out the ITINERAIRE section within to see current dates and locations!
• Also on March 1st, Cirque announced that CORTEO was also “back on the road”!
So, shall we get into it?
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