======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) 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 13, NUMBER 04 April 2013 ISSUE #111 ======================================================================= Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. How many of you were able to attend One Night for One Drop late last month? Us neither! (If you were, though, contrats!) What's One Night for One Drop? ONE DROP partnered with MGM Resorts International and Lamborghini to present One Night for ONE DROP, a philanthropy event to raise funds and awareness to ensure water is accessible across the globe. The evening featured more than 230 artists from the seven Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil productions in a once-in-a-lifetime performance on World Water Day, Friday, March 22, 2013, at the "O" Theatre at Bellagio Resort & Casino. And it was quite successful (so much so that they'll do it again next year). However, to share the experience of this amazing event around the world, an exclusive broadcast of the full-scale production was made available for online viewing at ONEDROP.org through March 31, with a donation of $5 or more. Although the broadcast is no longer available, we here at Fascination were able to catch it and will have our full thoughts next issue (sorry, we ran out of time!) But we have plenty for you this issue. Friend of Fascination Steve Long took to the streets of Seattle for Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna and shares his thoughts about the show since we saw it premiere in Montreal. (Spoiler alert: it's not doing so well in his opinion.) He also details for us a small gathering of Cirque Passionates there in Seattle, who saw in addition to Amalauna, the Seattle company of Teatro Zinzani, and more! So be sure to check that out! And for fans of Cirque du Soleil's Worlds Away 3D IMAX film, we've got a review of the home video release (and its special features) within. As always we've got the latest news items posted to Fascination Website over the month and, of course, updates to Cirque's tour schedule. 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 * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub * Networking -- Posts on Facebook, G+, & YouTube o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain * Historia -- Cirque Company History * Odyssea -- Cirque Tour History o) Fascination! Features * "... To The Small Screen - Worlds Away Comes Home" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) * "Amaluna in Seattle: Remembrences of a fun, long February Weekend" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) * "Amaluna – Evolution (Devolution) on tour - Details of my disappointment with the viewing of Amaluna in Seattle" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= Cirque @ SXSW w/ #EVOKE13 {Mar.01.2013} ---------------------------------------------- Don't miss #EVOKE13 at SXSW on Tuesday, March 12 at ACL Live, featuring an exclusive Cirque du Soleil performance, an experience from The Nerdist, music from Divine Fits, a set by DJ Sam Spiegel & more! Cirque Performer Battles Shoulder Injuriers, Addiction {Mar.06.2013} ---------------------------------------------- High-flying acrobats. Death-defying leaps. Bright lights and performance tents filled with adoring fans. It's the stuff of which dreams are made. After all, who doesn't want to run away with the circus? But for Joe Putignano, it wasn't as simple as running away — it took a lifetime of dedication and a battle against addiction to get where he is today: dangling from the 40-foot-high catwalk above the Cirque du Soleil big top. The house lights are off, and one lone spotlight shines upon Joe's reflective mirror-ball suit. He is tethered at the waist, head tilted back, arms reaching behind him to grab his foot, which is quickly flexing up toward his head. He starts to spin — literally because that's what his character is supposed to do, and figuratively, because of the searing pain he's feeling in both shoulders as he contorts into this position. Though it may seem that Cirque characters are superhuman, they too can get injured. Joe is a real human being with real muscles, bones, connective tissue and joints. And for Joe, it's not just high-flying acrobatics that cause him pain. "It's sort of mundane things," he says. "Sleeping hurts a lot, because I'm rolling over on my shoulder. Just drinking a coffee. Washing my hair hurts a lot." After nearly 1,000 performances of "Totem" and a lifetime of gymnastics training, Joe has finally hit a wall. "I need to have surgery," he says matter-of-factly. "I really wanted to see if I could continue on, and just kind of manage it, do a lot of physical therapy, and get out of this pain. But we've done that, and we're kind of out of options." Joe has what's called a superior labral tear from anterior to posterior — a SLAP tear for short — in his right shoulder. His biceps tendon is also torn, and he has a third tear in the subscapular area underneath his shoulder blade. His left shoulder has just the one injury — another SLAP tear. That one needs to be operated on as well, and soon, before he has permanent damage to the joint. And surgery has to be done in a way that preserves Joe's abilities to perform. "I suppose there's always a risk that when they do fix it, that it will destroy my flexibility," Joe says. "I'm useful in this industry because of my flexibility." Now this contortionist is headed to another arena with bright lights, where all eyes are focused on him: the operating room. Surgery is scary for anybody, but for Joe, it is potentially the most terrifying thing he's ever encountered. Read the rest of this story here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/zp0XA > And, read more about Joe's fears leading up to surgery here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/V7Yf0 > {SOURCE: CNN} Casino complex proposal unveiled in Toronto to mixed reviews {Mar.07.2013} ---------------------------------------------- A proposed casino complex, complete with a shopping mall, a 1,200-room hotel and a permanent home for Cirque du Soleil, was unveiled Wednesday in Toronto. MGM Resorts International and its partner Cadillac Fairview is proposing to build the complex on the grounds of Exhibition Place at a cost of up to $4 billion. The proposal is one of several received by the city in the last few months in advance of an April council vote on the controversial issue. Mayor Rob Ford supports the idea of having a casino built in the city, saying it would create jobs and boost revenue. But many critics, including some city councillors, say allowing a casino in the city would give rise to criminal activity, gambling addictions and add to gridlock. Twenty-three councillors will have to approve the plan for it to pass. At the unveiling of the most recent plan, the senior vice- president of public affairs at MGM Resorts touted economic benefits of the company's proposal. A model was presented at the unveiling, though journalists were not allowed to photograph it. The massive three-million-square-foot complex would bring 10,000 new, unionized jobs with an average salary of $60,000 — plus 5,000 construction jobs during an estimated three years of development — and millions of dollars in city revenue, said Alan Feldman. "All of the Sturm und Drang about what is going to happen when you put a casino in downtown is mostly emotion and fear based," he said. Some city councillors and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford have seen the proposal, but those who oppose the casino project say they have been ignored by MGM and Fairview. Councillor Mike Layton said he is concerned a casino would draw money from the local economy and generate thousands of additional car trips each hour on already heavily travelled routes. "It's still going to create twice as many gambling addicts in the city of Toronto," said Layton, who added he was not allowed to attend to unveiling of the plan. "What they want to do is put in banks of addictive slot machines that are going to draw money out of people's pockets." Other features include a 10,000-spot underground parking lot, an enhancement to the Molson Amphitheatre that would create a Canadian Music Hall of Fame at Ontario Place and 10 restaurants overlooking Lake Ontario. The Canadian National Exhibition would be moved closer to the water, Feldman said. "We're looking for a way to take the variety of the wonderful assets that are on Exhibition Place and Ontario Place, and weave them together into a whole that can help to energize this space year-round," he said. Read the original article here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/2Vxqu > {SOURCE: The Canadian Press/The Spec} Las Vegas Sun: Escalator at ‘D' LV features touch of Cirque {Mar.08.2013} ---------------------------------------------- The newest production of former Cirque du Soleil producer Roger Parent frames an escalator well at a downtown Las Vegas casino. Parent, who brought "Mystere" to Treasure Island, designed the visually striking new entry to the vintage casino on the second floor of the D Las Vegas. The upstairs casino offers a variety of older coin slot machines, video poker and a restored Sigma Derby mechanical horse racing game. Parent used what he called a "virtual tapestry technology" with multiple LED screens flashing graphics for visitors as they travel up and down the escalators. Ascending to the second floor, people see art of vintage slot machines and hear retro music. Stepping onto the escalator from the second floor, people should smile — a hidden camera takes their picture at the top. While descending, they see graphics of cards, rolling dice and smiling faces, leading down to the first-floor casino with new slots, table games and dancing dealers. At the landing, a screen shows the visitors' picture on the overhead screen. Parent's other work includes the Centrifuge bar at the MGM Grand and the Eyecandy Sound Lounge at Mandalay Bay. The escalator is part of renovations that began last year at the D. Other recent improvements on the second floor include new restrooms, Joe Vicari's Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, the D Grill and a remodeled showroom with two new shows. Read the original article here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/E6bO1 > {SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun} VIDEO /// "Clown Lab", 4 Part Clown Workshop! {Mar.08.2013} ---------------------------------------------- From Cirque du Soleil's Casting Facebook page: Ladies and gentlemen, here's CLOWN LAB; a clown workshop with artists from Europe, the United States and Quebec organized by Casting team in Fall 2012. EPISODE ONE: MEET THE TEAM LINK /// < http://youtu.be/i04d7m2Vme0 > EPISODE TWO: GETTING READY LINK /// < http://youtu.be/hFDR2s2aEIs > EPISODE THREE: FINE TUNING LINK /// < http://youtu.be/E7ARV8bbVjQ > EPISODE FOUR: SHOWTIME LINK /// < http://youtu.be/JFEGTU3pDio > {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Casting, Youtube} Another Peek at Pollstar: Top 20 Tours {Mar.22.2013} ---------------------------------------------- The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers. TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS 1. (1) George Strait; $1,424,279; $83.61. 2. (New) Cirque du Soleil — "Amaluna"; $1,396,697; $81.41. 3. (2) Justin Bieber; $1,085,510; $71.67. 4. (3) Dave Matthews Band; $959,710; $73.36. 5. (5) The Who; $872,490; $94.71. 6. (6) Ricardo Arjona; $840,988; $84.16. 7. (7) Cirque du Soleil — "Quidam"; $825,037; $57.59. 8. (9) Trans-Siberian Orchestra; $627,972; $51.82. 9. (8) Muse; $606,166; $56.50. 10. (New) Zac Brown Band; $585,200; $50.53. 11. (10) Carrie Underwood; $500,159; $58.55. 12. (11) Eric Church; $376,712; $46.68. 13. (12) Jeff Dunham; $343,488; $48.87. 14. (14) Robin Williams; $202,858; $93.93. 15. (13) Shinedown / Three Days Grace; $191,805; $38.80. 16. (New) Chris Tomlin; $185,213; $28.35. 17. (15) "Winter Jam" / Tobymac; $150,136; $12.03. 18. (17) Mannheim Steamroller; $138,379; $58.09. 19. (16) Ron White; $137,119; $51.08. 20. (18) 3 Doors Down / Daughtry; $130,133; $43.02. {Source: Pollstar.com} Seven Cirque du Soleil Shows Came Together For Extraordinary Original Performance to Raise Global Awareness and Funds for Water- Related Issues {Mar.25.2013} ---------------------------------------------- For one extraordinary night, and in an unprecedented manner, seven Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas resident productions became one for ONE DROP, the non-profit organization established by Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberte. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: < http://goo.gl/Q8K7W > To share the experience around the world, an exclusive broadcast of the full-scale production is available for online viewing at ONEDROP.org through March 31, with a donation of $5 or more to ONE DROP. ONE DROP partnered with MGM Resorts International and Lamborghini to present One Night for ONE DROP, a global philanthropy event to raise funds and awareness to ensure water is accessible across the globe. The evening featured more than 230 artists from the seven Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil productions in a once-in-a-lifetime performance World Water Day, Friday, March 22, 2013, at the "O" Theatre at Bellagio Resort & Casino. Celebrities joining the night's blue carpet event and after- party at the Bellagio pool included Guy Laliberte; Olympic gold medalist swimmers Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin; Britney Spears; Shania Twain; Pamela Anderson; Criss Angel; recording artist/actress Jackie Evancho; Danny Elfman; musician Tom Higgenson (pop-punk band Plain White T's); actress Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect); performance painter David Garibaldi; vocal quartet The Canadian Tenors; supermodel Oluchi Orlandi; Olympic gold medalist rowers Mary Whipple and Erin Cafaro; Holly Madison; Coco Austin. Special guest performers, including platinum-selling recording artist Jackie Evancho and performance painter David Garibaldi performed alongside the incredibly talented Cirque du Soleil artists to celebrate the earth as an artistic creation and highlight water as the essence of life. Victoria's Secret model Orluchi Orlandi dazzled the audience in an original gown designed by Roberto Cavalli specifically for the performance. A breathtaking dance piece choreographed by Sonya Tayeh from "So You Think You Can Dance" and an original composition by award- winning composer Danny Elfman were also featured in the extraordinary extravaganza created and directed by Krista Monson. Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque du Soleil and Chair of ONE DROP, said, "I was deeply touched by the performance. I know the amount of work and dedication all the performers and employees put in to touch our hearts and they accomplished this in a phenomenal manner. I truly wish to thank them for volunteering their time and talent for ONE DROP and creating the most unbelievable ripple effect. I am also very humbled by the generosity of the Las Vegas community and partners. For 20 years they have made us part of their community and they have now embraced our dream of water for all today and forever." Through April 4, there is an online auction – with proceeds benefitting ONE DROP – offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, art, memorabilia, VIP event packages and more. Auction items will include a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster, a watch from the private collection of Prince Albert II of Monaco, jet- setting trips around the world, original sculptures by Richard MacDonald and Rabarama and the couture gown designed by Roberto Cavalli and worn by Oluchi Orlandi. Items can be viewed and bid on at charitybuzz.com/ONEDROP. Like ONE DROP on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ONEDROP or #1night1drop {SOURCE: One Drop; Cirque du Soleil} MJ One Update! {Mar.31.2013} ---------------------------------------------- From Vegas Chatter: Spoiler alert. We going to reveal some seriously secret content from Cirque du Soleil's soon to arrive Michael Jackson ONE show. The one at Mandalay Bay. So, look away if you don't want to discover the songs they've chosen and the impressive look of the show. A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to witness a very small hint of Michael Jackson ONE during their name unveiling event. And now, Cirque themselves have given a broader hint at what's to come. A behind-the-scenes video profiling their Montreal- based rehearsals features very quick shots of the design renderings and storyboards used to map out the show. Cirque maintains this permanent production will not be Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour Mark II. Totally different, they say. So, if you saw that touring show when it was at Mandalay Bay, do let us know if this feels similar. By obsessively starting and stopping the video hosted by Show Director and Writer Jamie King and Director of Creation Welby Altidor, we found a whole collection of images and details. As the camera panned their design room, the "War Room" — filled with conceptual drawings and production notes — we pulled out our pencils and magnifying glasses and went cross-eyed to bring you these first looks. Check out the article here! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/IzTzU > {SOURCE: Vegas Chatter} ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Amaluna, Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Varekai} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {Alegría, Quidam, Dralion & MJ Immortal} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, Believe, Zarkana & Michael Jackson ONE} 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. 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: Calgary, AB -- Apr 10, 2013 to May 19, 2013 Edmonton, AB -- May 29, 2013 to Jun 16, 2013 Denver, CO -- Jul 18, 2013 to Aug 11, 2013 Minneapolis, MN -- Sep 25, 2013 to Oct 20, 2013 San Francisco, CA -- Nov 14, 2013 to Jan 12, 2014 San Jose, CA -- TBA Corteo: Sao Paulo, BR -- Mar 30, 2013 to Jul 14, 2013 Brasilia, BR -- Jul 26, 2013 to Sep 9, 2013 Belo Horizonte, BR -- Sep 19, 2013 to Oct 27, 2013 Curitiba, BR -- Nov 8, 2013 to Dec 15, 2013 Rio de Janeiro -- Dec 27, 2013 to Feb 23, 2014 Porto Alegre, BR -- Mar 7, 2014 to Apr 13, 2014 Koozå: Madrid, ES -- Mar 1, 2013 to Apr 28, 2013 Bilbao, ES -- May 16, 2013 to Jun 2, 2013 Knokke, BE -- Jul 18, 2013 to Aug 18, 2013 Moscow, RU -- Sep 7, 2013 to TBA Paris, FR -- Nov 23, 2013 to Dec 23, 2013 Ovo: Perth, AU -- Apr 14, 2012 to May 26, 2013 Taipei, TW -- Nov 19, 2013 to Jan 5, 2014 Totem: New York, NY -- Mar 14, 2013 to May 12, 2013 Philadelphia, PA -- May 29, 2013 to Jun 30, 2013 Ottawa, ON -- Jul 11, 2013 to Jul 28, 2013 Columbus, OH -- Aug 22, 2013 to Sep 15, 2013 Long Beach, Ca -- Oct 11, 2013 to Nov 10, 2013 Orange County, CA -- Nov 21, 2013 to Dec 29, 2013 Varekai: Bogota, CO -- Mar 21, 2013 to Apr 7, 2013 San Jose, CR -- May 31, 2013 to Jun 23, 2013 ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Alegría: Tallinn, EE -- Apr 3, 2013 to Apr 7, 2013 Riga, LV -- Apr 11, 2013 to Apr 14, 2013 Vilnius, LT -- Apr 18, 2013 to Apr 21, 2013 St. Petersburg, RU -- May 9, 2013 to May 18, 2013 Chelyabinsk, RU -- May 23, 2013 to May 26, 2013 Kazan, RU -- May 29, 2013 to Jun 2, 2013 Moscow, RU -- Jun 5, 2013 to Jun 16, 2013 Kiev, UA -- Jun 20, 2013 to Jul 30, 2013 London, UK -- Jul 18, 2013 to Jul 28, 2013 Gdansk, PO -- Jul 31, 2013 to Aug 04, 2013 Palma de Mallorca, ES -- Aug 22, 2013 to Aug 30, 2013 Bucharest, RO -- Sep 5, 2013 to Sep 8, 2013 Bratislava, SK -- Sep 11, 2013 to Sep 15, 2013 Sofia, BG -- Sep 20, 2013 to Sep 22, 2013 Newcastle, UK -- Oct 17, 2013 to Oct 20, 2013 Leeds, UK -- Oct 23, 2013 to Oct 27, 2013 Liverpool, UK -- Oct 30, 2013 to Nov 3, 2013 Nottingham, UK -- Nov 6, 2013 to Nov 10, 2013 Lille, FR -- Nov 13, 2013 to Nov 17, 2013 Bordeau, FR -- Nov 20, 2013 to Nov 24, 2013 Valencia, ES -- Nov 28, 2013 to Dec 1, 2013 Gijon, ES -- Dec 4, 2013 to Dec 8, 2013 Santander, ES -- Dec 11, 2013 to Dec 15, 2013 Madrid, ES -- Dec 18, 2013 to Dec 22, 2013 Quidam: Charlottesville, VA -- Apr 3, 2013 to Apr 7, 2013 Norfolk, VA -- Apr 10, 2013 to Apr 14, 2013 Greensboro, NC -- Apr 17, 2013 to Apr 21, 2013 Columbia, SC -- Apr 24, 2013 to Apr 28, 2013 Augusta, GA -- Apr 30, 2013 to May 1, 2013 Macon, GA -- May 3, 2013 to May 5, 2013 Savannah, GA -- May 7, 2013 to May 9, 2013 Columbus, GA -- May 11, 2013 to May 12, 2013 Orlando, FL -- May 15, 2013 to May 19, 2013 Cedar Rapids, IA -- Jun 6, 2013 to Jun 9, 2013 Dayton, OH -- Jun 12, 2013 to Jun 16, 2013 Louisville, KY -- Jun 19, 2013 to Jun 23, 2013 Charlotte, NC -- Jul 3, 2013 to Jul 7, 2013 Raleigh, NC -- Jul 10, 2013 to Jul 14, 2013 Sunrise, FL -- Jul 31, 2013 to Aug 4, 2013 Estero, FL -- Aug 7, 2013 to Aug 11, 2013 Graz, AT -- Sep 5, 2013 to Sep 8, 2013 Vienna, AT -- Sep 11, 2013 to Sep 15, 2013 Leipzig, DE -- Sep 18, 2013 to Sep 22, 2013 Stuttgart, DE -- Sep 25, 2013 to Sep 29, 2013 Innsbruck, AT -- Oct 2, 2013 to Oct 6, 2013 Salzburg, AT -- Oct 9, 2013 to Oct 13, 2013 Munich, DE -- Oct 16, 2013 to Oct 20, 2013 Cologne, DE -- Oct 23, 2013 to Oct 27, 2013 Frankfurt, DE -- Oct 30, 2013 to Nov 3, 2013 Dortmund, DE -- Nov 6, 2013 to Nov 10, 2013 Mannheim, DE -- Nov 13, 2013 to Nov 17, 2013 Malaga, ES -- Dec 5, 2013 to Dec 8, 2013 Zaragoza, ES -- Dec 11, 2013 to Dec 15, 2013 Sevilla, ES -- Dec 18, 2013 to Dec 22, 2013 London, UK -- Jan 4, 2014 to Feb 2, 2014 Dralion: Caracas, VE -- Apr 25, 2013 to May 12, 2013 Nice, FR -- Jul 18, 2013 to Jul 28, 2013 Beirut, LB -- Oct 10, 2013 to Oct 20, 2013 Rome, IT -- Nov 8, 2013 to Nov 17, 2013 Turin, IT -- Nov 21, 2013 to Nov 24, 2013 Milan, IT -- Nov 28, 2013 to Dec 1, 2013 Geneva, CH -- Dec 4, 2013 to Dec 8, 2013 Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: Paris, FR -- Apr 2 to Apr 7, 2013 Lisbon, PT -- Apr 11 to Apr 14, 2013 Barcelona, ES -- Apr 17 to Apr 21, 2013 Saitama, JP -- May 9, 2013 to May 12, 2013 Yokohama, JP -- May 16, 2013 to May 19, 2013 Nagoya, JP -- May 23, 2013 to May 26, 2013 Fukuoka, JP -- May 30, 2013 to Jun 2, 2013 Osaka, JP -- Jun 6, 2013 to Jun 16, 2013 Taipei, TW -- Jun 28, 2013 to Jun 30, 2013 --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2013 Dark Dates: o May 2 - 10 o July 10 o September 5 - 13 o November 6 2013 Added Performances: o March 29 o May 16 o December 27 "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2013 Dark Dates: o April 10 - 14 o June 9 o August 7 - 11 o October 6 o December 3 - 17 2013 Added Performances: o March 26 o May 27 o December 24 o December 31 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2013 Dark Dates: o May 14-18 o May 21-25 o July 23 o September 17-21 o November 5-6 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2013 Dark Dates: o TBA KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2013 Dark Dates: o May 26 - June 3 o July 20 o September 22 -30 2013 Added Performances: o March 31 o December 30 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2013 Dark Dates: o April 2-10 o June 6 o August 21-7 o October 10 o December 11-26 2013 Added Performances: o December 10 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. 2013 Dark Dates: o May 28 - June 1 o September 3 - 7 o November 26 - 30 o December 17 - 24 2013 Added Performances: o April 3 & 4 o June 3 & 4 o July 10 & 11 o July 17 & 18 o July 24 & 25 o July 31 o August 1 o August 7 & 8 o August 14 & 15 o August 21 & 22 o December 25 & 26 ZARKANA: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm Previews begin in Las Vegas November 1, 2012 Regular performance begin November 11, 2012 2013 Dark Dates: o May 8 - 16 o July 9 o August 21 - September 5 o November 5 2013 Added Performances: o March 27 o December 26 MICHAEL JACKSON ONE: Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday One show nightly: 7:00pm Previews begin in Las Vegas: May 23, 2013 Gala Premiere: June 21, 2013 Regular Performances Begin: June 22, 2013 2013 Dark Dates: o TBA ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub o) Networking -- Posts on Facebook, G+, & YouTube --------------------------------------- CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub --------------------------------------- "One King of Pop... two different shows!" {Mar.04.2013} ---------------------------------------------- Jamie King, director of both Michael Jackson ONE and Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour explains how the new permanent show presented at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas will differ from THE IMMORTAL World Tour, as both were inspired by the same legend: Michael Jackson. A different type of show "THE IMMORTAL World Tour is a rock concert-style Cirque du Soleil show. Michael Jackson ONE will definitely be more theatrical than THE IMMORTAL ever was or intended to be", explains Jamie. "In this show, everything is based on the story and the characters, starting with the choice of the acts." A resident show "Michael Jackson ONE will be a resident show presented in Las Vegas, as opposed to THE IMMORTAL, which tours major arenas around the world. A resident show means a permanent installation. As such, many artistic choices were virtually made for us — for example, sound integrated into the seats to bring Michael's music directly to the spectators' ears or the immersive set design made up of an imposing proscenium." Full-length hits For Jamie, Guy Laliberté and Michael Jackson's Estate, it was clear that the show should spotlight many of the great hits that made Michael Jackson into the legend he is today. "We've been working with Kevin Antunes — who also designed the music for THE IMMORTAL — to embellish the sound on the songs, but with arrangements that are more like the album versions, which are very close to fans' hearts." In Michael Jackson ONE, all of the key songs chosen will be played nearly in their entirety. Read the original post here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/r4YQv > --------------------------------------------------- NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter --------------------------------------------------- {Compiled by Keith Johnson} ---[ ALEGRIA ]--- {Mar.01} Alegria is saying 'au revoir' to one of the staff members who has been with the show for over 3 years. Good luck Genevieve! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Al5fe > {Mar.06} Our drummer is testing out his brand new drum set and tweaking it for tonight's opening performance in Stockholm! Will you be watching? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/7lnAI > {Mar.14} Bruno Darmagnac, Artistic Director, teaches Ruta how to walk like the Old Bird characters! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/53uEC > {Mar.14} Alegria transforms "Nuoiki" host, Ruta Mikolaityte, into an Old Nostalgic Bird! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/DLHbL > {Mar.17} Last night, Alegria's Russian Bar team executed 3 simul- taneous triple back-tucks flawlessly - never before done in the history of the show! Congrats team!!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/UvUOG > {Mar.19} Here is one of our Wardrobe road cases! This road case alone contains around 3000 accessories for all the costumes, including feathers, buttons, latex noses (for our musicians) and more! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/A0uw0 > {Mar.23} Trivia time! Can anyone guess what we use to create the wigs of the Angels and Singers in our show? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/PmmnC > ---[ AMALUNA ]--- {Mar.01} Meet Miranda - Prospera's Daughter and a girl on the brink of womanhood. She is a romantic, full of fun, enthusiasm, dreams and mischief, who revels in the world of Amaluna! Romeo is the first boy she has ever seen and after first glance . . the story of their journey begins. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/AUYSd > {Mar.06} While here in Seattle 2 fabulous members of Amaluna organized a photo scavenger hunt. We had a blast and it was a great way to get to know Seattle better! Maybe you saw us around the city? Keep an eye out Calgary, Edmonton and Denver we are coming to your streets soon :) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/a9DSc > {Mar.12} BEHIND THE SCENES: Our Head of Props, Michael Knight is doing some work on our Football babies. Upkeep on these kids is around 3 -4 hours a week - which includes paint touch up and a little "Mustache Love". LINK /// < http://goo.gl/fLLSP > {Mar.14} Cerceau training this morning here in Seattle. No filter! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/gxcus > {Mar.15} Here is another Behind the Scenes glance at the filming of our new TV commercials. Stay tuned we will have a first look at the TV spot right here in the upcoming weeks. Act: Unicycle Photo Credit: Jim Shumway LINK /// < http://goo.gl/xL8dz > {Mar.16} See how our Amazons transitioned from a life of competitive gymnasticsto performing for thousands of people under the Big Top. We want to represent women, not women that stay between the lines. We splurge, we eat, we are strong, sexy and fierce." - Summer Hubbard, Amazon (Vancouver Sun Nov 11, 2012). LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Ua1LW > {Mar.19} FIRST LOOK: Here is Amaluna's newest TV commercial. Which acts can you spot? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Jxzxw > {Mar.27} Meet our Tight Wire Dancers: Representing lost lovers in Purgatory. Working simultaneously on four wires they encounter each other, dance a tango, bounce into the air like trampolinists and even walk the wire in high heels and en pointe in ballet shoes. Also, if you look closely - you'll see they represent our Amaluna peacocks throughout the show. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/QULwf > ---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]--- {Mar.01} Jamie King, director of both Michael Jackson ONE and Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour explains how the show presented at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas, from May 23, will differ from THE IMMORTAL World Tour. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/wY5Y0 > {Mar.05} Preparing for One Night for ONE DROP (13 photos) |Individual seats are available for our March 22, 2013 One Night for ONE DROP Global Philanthropy Event at Bellagio Las Vegas benefiting One Drop. Find more details here: LINK /// < http://cirk.me/15dGi6m > {Mar.07} Carry on the IRIS journey! For a limited time, enjoy up to 70% off on selected IRIS items. Receive a free souvenir program with the purchase of $25 or more from the IRIS collection. LINK /// < http://cirk.me/Z2LT9s > {Mar.08} We're getting all packed up and ready to leave for SXSW! Don't miss us at #EVOKE13 on March, 12th at ACL Live! Read more about the event, featuring a performance from us, an experience with The Nerdist, live music from Divine Fits, and more here: LINK /// < http://cirk.me/WaNxsm > {Mar.14} To celebrate the release of Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away on Blu-ray™ & DVD, Guylian Belgian Chocolates and Twinings Tea are giving away a trip for two to Las Vegas to see a live Cirque du Soleil performance! Enter today for your chance to win: LINK /// < http://cirk.me/GuylianWorldsAway > {Mar.16} 12th Annual Run Away with Cirque du Soleil (12 photos) Run Away with Cirque du Soleil kicks off a week of fundraising and awareness activities benefiting One Drop, culminating with the global philanthropic event One Night for ONE DROP on Friday, March 22. LINK /// < http://cirk.me/143tT6j > LINK /// < http://cirk.me/Yzfbff > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Wk5pu > {Mar.22} ONE DROP: Walk for Water - One Night for ONE DROP (10 photos) 60 volunteers walked 22 miles with 2 gallons of water across Las Vegas for One Drop's Walk for Water, leading up to World Water Day and One Night for ONE DROP. The walk concluded at Bellagio Las Vegas where our founder Guy Laliberté, and artists awaited the volunteers. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/glBaf > {Mar.23} One Night for ONE DROP Performance & Blue Carpet (25 photos) Purchase an online viewing pass of One Drop's — One Night for ONE DROP one-time only performance, imagined by Cirque du Soleil with a $5 donation, available 3/25: LINK /// < http://cirk.me/Yzfbff > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/PQkq3 > {Mar.28} General tickets are now on sale for opening weekend (April 26th) of The Light Vegas turned on by Cirque du Soleil at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino LINK /// < http://bit.ly/Zrpy54 > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Xd8hl > ---[ DRALION ]--- {Mar.13} Character presentation: meet Yao. Yao commands the rhythm of the show. He sees life in vivid red. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/UMKBh > {Mar.16} Zip Zap Circus School visited the cast of Dralion yesterday to take part in various workshops. As you can see everyone had a lot of fun! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/SCFSJ > {Mar.17} Artists are getting ready for our last 2 shows at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town, SA. Then, Dralion is heading to Johannesburg where the show will open on March 21st. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/HhZxW > {Mar.25} In our character presentation: Meet Azala (Goddess of Air). She is is the guardian of the sun and immortality, floating above timeless space in hues of blue. Photo by Daniel Desmarais & Costumes by François Barbeau LINK /// < http://goo.gl/kJO7b > {Mar.28} Have you seen this great review from The Citizen in Johannesburg, ZA. If you didn't see Dralion at The Coca-Cola Dome yet, you still have a chance with 5 shows to go! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ZqSU7 > {Mar.30} For the 3rd consecutive year, we celebrated Easter this morning with our traditional Egg hunt! The cast and crew ran across the Arena to catch sweet goodies! Happy Easter! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/o783H > ---[ KÀ ]--- {Mar.18} KÀ performed during halftime at the 2013 Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship this weekend! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Y6AYN > ---[ KOOZA ]--- {Mar.04} Amazing review in EL PAIS – Spain. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/nc6oq > {Mar.08} Have you seen Kooza's Hand To Hand act? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/PTpSg > {Mar.13} Kooza performed this morning in Madrid's metro! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/51K0O > {Mar.15} Watch this awesome video to see what life on the road is like for our KOOZA team! LINK /// < http://cirk.me/ZaLww7 > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/DEKw7 > {Mar.19} Kooza - Desigual Fun Day - Madrid March, 18 2013 (19 photos) Yesterday Kooza's artists took over the Desigual store in Madrid for a Fun Day! Lots of people were there to meet our performers! We all had a fantastic time! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/tGRzG > {Mar.21} Take a look at this video about an event we did in Madrid earlier this week at the Desigual store. LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNavC32Ft9c > ---[ LA NOUBA ]--- {Mar.20} Do you know which character wears these shoes in La Nouba? (Answer: The Green Bird) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/oBm79 > {Mar.22} La Nouba was featured on the cover, and in the fashion spread of Orlando Life Magazine! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/9ZFF4 > ---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]--- {Mar.06} Meet the team behind the scenes! LED Technician, Nate, sits in his "office" getting the Billie Jean suits ready for the show! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/V49ZX > {Mar.09} Check out IMMORTAL artists, Jean Sok (Dancer) and Mansour Abdessadok (Mime), enjoying the sunshine on a beautiful day off in Amsterdam! Photo credit: Vincent Deplanche (Acrobat) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Xh1qj > {Mar.12} Meet the characters of IMMORTAL... SOLDIERS with LED breastplates line up to perform a powerful choreography in unison to "They Don't Care About Us." LINK /// < http://goo.gl/scZca > {Mar.13} IMMORTAL dancers strike a pose today at a press conference in Istanbul. Don't miss them - 5 shows this weekend, kicking off on Friday! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/JTBQ3 > {Mar.15} Every night during intermission, the Fanatics are out in the arena cheering on the crowd and teaching some moves. Look for them tonight at Ülker Sports Arena for our Premiere in Istanbul! Or catch them on Saturday and Sunday! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/BGYLD > {Mar.18} "I think this show reminds us that anything is possible. It inspires people to be better and do things they never thought they could do," says Artistic Director Tara Young to the Manchester Evening News. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Dod2N > {Mar.26} IMMORTAL's only British artist (Acrobat, Harvey Donnelly) gets ready for our return to the UK tonight in Birmingham at National Indoor Arena! Then it's off Manchester for a show on Friday and Saturday at M.E.N Arena Manchester. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Az5gM > {Mar.30} Paris is up next! BFM-TV got a look behind the scenes in anticipation of our 8 shows next week at Paris Bercy. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/r71bW > ---[ MJ ONE ]--- {Mar.01} Jamie King, director of both Michael Jackson ONE and Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour explains how the show presented at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas, from May 23, will differ from THE IMMORTAL World Tour. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/9Tj3U > {Mar.06} Meet Welby Altidor, Director of Creation, and Jamie King, Stage Director of Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil. Follow them from the show's creation room to the costume workshop and the rehearsal studio at Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters in Montreal. LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loNCygemL7g > {Mar.21} Here's a closer look at the MJ Warriors costume! Can you guess what inspired this costume? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/on8qD > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/6NIQB > ---[ MYSTERE ]--- {Mar.20} Check out Mystère's violinist, Martin St-Pierre playing the national anthem at the Las Vegas Wranglers Professional Hockey game! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/IPaa0 > {Mar.30} Check out some of our artists egging on the crowd today at "Hop and Shop," here in Vegas! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/rbBoq > ---[ OVO ]--- {Mar.13} Here is a very cool report about OVO on Channel 9. LINK /// < http://www.visitvictoria.com/postcards > {Mar.14} Don't miss the special performance of OVO and the Australian Grand Prix. This unique performance will be broadcasted Saturday morning, around 8:50 am (Melbourne time) on Channel 10. Don't miss it!!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/0MwmV > {Mar.15} Last rehearsal before the exclusive Grand Prix performance. It will be broadcasted live on channel 10, this morning around 8:50am. Don't miss it!!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ZJtvb > {Mar.19} G'day Perth! Only 3 weeks before we open at Langley Park. Lonely Ladybug Flies In (Article). LINK /// < http://goo.gl/QJlRO > ---[ QUIDAM ]--- {Mar.03} Roby aka Sideshow from our Rigging Team with Thomas Production Manager - 5 years with Cirque. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/kRjBO > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/I8fBg > {Mar.03} Simon aka Foxy from our Lighting Team with Thomas, Production Manager - 5 years with Cirque. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/pwXbz > ---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]--- {Mar.27} Check out our new The Beatles LOVE bus, currently roaming the streets of Vegas! (We'll let you make the "ticket to ride" jokes on your own!) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/aToxw > ---[ TOTEM ]--- {Mar.07} Congratulations to our aerialist Alevtyna (Alya) Titarenko won the title of the Overall Fitness Amateur Champion at Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic in Columbus, OH last week-end! When not performing on TOTEM stage, Alya trains hard to get ready for various fitness competitions; a true inspiration!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/aDzRY > {Mar.11} Picture of Chef Sally Yu taken last Friday in New York before the snow all melted! The 4 chefs of TOTEM cook 250 meals a day even during the set-up period in various conditions! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/HY1Hi > {Mar.14} TOTEM opens tonight at Citi Field in NYC! Did you miss our first national appearance yesterday on The Wendy Williams Show? Watch Denise and Massimo perform a preview of their Roller Skating Act! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/iVaU7 > {Mar.16} Broadway.com published a Thumbs Up review of TOTEM!! We are thrilled to be performing in NYC! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ttSKA > {Mar.21} Watch our clown Pippo Crotti and our hand-to-hand duet Alya Titarenko and Gael Ouisse perform at 10am ET tomorrow on The Today Show on NBC! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/aHv5A > {Mar.23} Have you missed our performance on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda? We presented a portion of our act in rotation called Hand-to-Hand! Have you seen this act perform on our stage yet? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/mg3lN > {Mar.27} Have you seen TOTEM in NYC yet? The New York Times loved the show! Read their full review here! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/NR4CU > {Mar.28} Learn more about the concept of TOTEM and how it is link to the theme of evolution with the mastermind behind the production, director Robert Lepage! LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX0Q3ciFxcI > {Mar.29} Glimpse of the atmosphere backstage before the show! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/tmxB1 > {Mar.30} Hoop Dancers Eric and Shandien rehearse before going on stage in the next few minutes! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/G80zL > {Mar.31} Happy Easter from the cast & crew of TOTEM! Our fan Jim Ryan sent us 120 roses, one for each of us! Thank you so much!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/k8myH > ---[ ZARKANA ]--- {Mar.15} Check out our new 3D Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil billboard featuring a rotating Jovian! If you're coming to Las Vegas you can see it by the McCarran International Airport. LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGHDsujX2LE > ======================================================================= COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN ======================================================================= o) HISTORIA - Cirque Company History o) ODYSSEA - Cirque Tour History ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque Company History ------------------------------------ * Apr.01.2003 -- "Varekai: Cirque du Soleil" Book Published * Apr.02.2002 -- Name of "Cirque 2002" Announced - Varekai * Apr.02.2003 -- BRAVO announced Cirque Variety Series ("Solstrom") * Apr.04.2006 -- M.A.C. became Official Cosmetic Supplier * Apr.04.2006 -- Cirque inked 3-year TV deal in UK * Apr.05.2005 -- Name of "Cirque 2005" Announced - Corteo * Apr.06.2006 -- «O» selected "Favorite Production Show" by "What's On, The Las Vegas Guide" * Apr.06.2006 -- Cirque outsourced IT Department to CGI Group * Apr.07.2009 –- Name of "Cirque2009" Announced – "OVO" * Apr.08.2010 –- Name of "Cirque2010" Announced – "TOTEM" * Apr.10.2007 -- Cirque announced Saltimbanco Arena Tour * Apr.11.2006 -- "The Spark" Book Published * Apr.11.2007 -- Name of "Cirque 2007" Announced - Koozå * Apr.15.2008 -- APM Music Launches New Film Trailer Library with Cirque du Soleil Composers * Apr.16.2003 -- SOLSTROM began filming in Montréal * Apr.17.2008 –- Name of "Cirque Luxor" Announced – "Criss Angel: BELIEVE" * Apr.18.2006 -- Ground is broken on Tokyo Permanent Production * Apr.18.2009 –- «O» Celebrated 5,000th Performance [7:30pm] * Apr.19.2006 -- Cirque announced "LOVE" at The Mirage * Apr.19.2007 -- Koozå Premired in Montréal * Apr.20.2008 –- DELIRIUM's final curtain call [London, UK] * Apr.20.2008 –- Quidam opened Lisbon, Portugal * Apr.21.1994 -- Alegría premiered in Montréal * Apr.21.2005 -- Corteo premiered in Montréal * Apr.22.1999 -- Dralion premiered in Montréal * Apr.22.2003 -- Cirque announced "Zumanity" at NY-NY * Apr.23.1992 -- Saltimbanco Premiered in Montréal * Apr.23.1996 -- Quidam premiered in Montréal * Apr.23.2005 -- La Nouba celebrated 3000th performance [Saturday, 9:00pm] * Apr.23.2009 –- OVO premiered in Montréal * Apr.24.2002 -- Varekai premiered in Montréal * Apr.24.2007 -- Name of "WinterTale" Released – Wintuk * Apr.24.2009 –- After 15 years, Alegría's Big Top Tour Ends * Apr.26.2008 -- Artisans de I'maginarie: The World of Cirque du Soleil is staged in Omotesando Hills, Tokyo * Apr.27.2000 -- Mystère celebrated 3000th Performance [Thursday, 10:30pm] * Apr.29.2009 –- Cirque announces new shows in NYC * Apr.29.2010 –- Banana Shpeel opened New York City * Apr.30.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film premiered in Québec * Apr.30.2003 -- Alegría celebrated 3000th Performance [8:00pm/Austin] ------------------------------------ ODYSSEA: Cirque Tour History ------------------------------------ * Apr.01.2008 -- Koozå opened Hartford * Apr.01.2010 -- Varekai opened Munich, DE * Apr.02.1998 -- Alegría opened Barcelona, ES * Apr.02.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Omaha, NE * Apr.02.2011 -- Corteo opened Madrid, ES * Apr.03.1996 -- Saltimbanco opened Amsterdam, NL * Apr.03.2013 -- Alegría Arena opened Tallinn, EE * Apr.04.2001 -- Dralion opened New York, NY * Apr.04.2012 -- Alegría Arena opened Manchester, UK * Apr.04.2012 -- Dralion Arena opened Cleveland, OH * Apr.04.2012 -- Quidam Arena opened Knoxville, TN * Apr.05.2001 -- Quidam opened Antwerp, BE * Apr.05.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Fargo, ND * Apr.05.2012 -- Ovo opened Portland, OR * Apr.06.2000 -- Dralion opened San Jose, CA * Apr.06.2011 -- Quidam Arena opened San Francisco, CA * Apr.06.2011 -- Varekai opened Seoul, KR * Apr.06.2012 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Casablanca, MA * Apr.07.2005 -- Saltimbanco opened Paris,FR * Apr.07.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Cleveland, OH * Apr.07.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Bremen, DE * Apr.07.2011 -- Alegría Arena opened Atlantic City, NJ * Apr.07.2011 -- Totem opened Baltimore, MD * Apr.08.1988 -- Cirque Réinventé opened San Francisco, CA * Apr.08.1998 -- Quidam opened New York, NY * Apr.09.2005 -- Varekai opened Pittsburg * Apr.09.2009 -- Quidam opened Sheffield, UK * Apr.09.2010 -- Koozå opened Portland, OR * Apr.09.2010 -- Ovo opened New York, NY * Apr.09.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Sioux City, IA * Apr.10.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Des Moines, IA * Apr.10.2009 -- Dralion opened Melbourne, AU * Apr.11.1991 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened New York * Apr.11.2003 -- Dralion opened Baltimore, MD * Apr.11.2012 -- Alegría Arena opened Glasgow, UK * Apr.11.2013 -- Alegría Arena opened Riga, LV * Apr.13.1989 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Miami,FL * Apr.13.2011 -- Alegría Arena opened Greensboro, NC * Apr.13.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Council Bluffs, IA * Apr.14.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Valencia, ES * Apr.14.2013 -- Ovo opened Perth, AU * Apr.15.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Moline, IL * Apr.16.1997 -- Quidam opened Santa Monica, CA * Apr.16.2009 -- Koozå opened New York * Apr.16.2009 -- Quidam opened Glasgow, SC * Apr.18.2002 -- Dralion opened San Diego, CA * Apr.18.2003 -- Saltimbanco opened Geneva, CH * Apr.18.2012 -- Alegría Arena opened Birmingham, UK * Apr.18.2013 -- Alegría Arena opened Vilnius, LT * Apr.19.2007 -- Koozå opened Montréal * Apr.19.2007 -- Varekai opened Melbourne * Apr.19.2008 -- Quidam opened Lisbon, PT * Apr.19.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Moline, IL * Apr.20.2001 -- Saltimbanco opened Nagoya, JP * Apr.20.2005 -- Alegría opened Nagoya * Apr.20.2011 -- Alegría Arena opened Biloxi, MS * Apr.20.2011 -- Quidam Arena opened Long Beach, CA * Apr.21.1994 -- Alegría opened Montréal, QC * Apr.21.2005 -- Corteo opened Montréal * Apr.21.2010 -- Corteo opened Sendai * Apr.21.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Santiago, ES * Apr.21.2011 -- Ovo opened Cincinnati, OH * Apr.21.2011 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Perth, AU * Apr.22.1999 -- Dralion opened Montréal, QC * Apr.22.2010 -- Quidam opened Porto Alegre, BR * Apr.22.2010 -- Totem opened Montreal, QC * Apr.22.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Peoria, IL * Apr.23.1992 -- Saltimbanco opened Montréal, QC * Apr.23.1996 -- Quidam opened Montréal, QC * Apr.23.2008 -- Dralion opened Fukuoka, JP * Apr.23.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Cedar Rapids, IA * Apr.23.2009 -- Ovo opened Montreal, QC * Apr.24.2002 -- Varekai opened Montréal * Apr.24.2003 -- Alegría opened Austin * Apr.24.2003 -- Varekai opened New York City * Apr.24.2008 -- Corteo opened Seattle * Apr.25.2012 -- Alegría Arena opened Dublin, IE * Apr.25.2012 -- Totem opened San Diego, CA * Apr.26.2002 -- Saltimbanco opened Barcelona, ES * Apr.26.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Madison, WI * Apr.26.2012 -- Dralion Arena opened Hamilton, ON * Apr.26.2012 -- Quidam Arena opened Evansville, IN * Apr.27.2006 -- Alegría opened Rome * Apr.27.2006 -- Corteo opened New York * Apr.27.2011 -- Alegría Arena opened Southavern, MS * Apr.27.2011 -- Quidam Arena opened Ontario, CA * Apr.28.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened San Sebastian, ES * Apr.29.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Milan, IT * Apr.29.2004 -- Varekai opened Phoenix * Apr.29.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Lakeland, FL * Apr.29.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Highland Heights, KY * Apr.29.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Green Bay, WI ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= o) "... To The Small Screen - Worlds Away Comes Home" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) "Amaluna in Seattle: Remembrences of a fun, long February Weekend" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) o) "Amaluna – Evolution (Devolution) on tour - Details of my disappointment with the viewing of Amaluna in Seattle" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- "... To The Small Screen - Worlds Away Comes Home" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- Never had a chance to experience a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil performance live? In December 2012, Academy Award-nominated director Andrew Adamson ("Shrek", "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe") and visionary filmmaker James Cameron ("Titanic", "Avatar") offered moviegoers the next best thing: "Worlds Away 3D" – a cinematic journey like never before. But "Worlds Away" is not a film in the traditional sense, nor is it a concert-style presentation in the vein of past Cirque du Soleil video releases. As the third theatrically-released offering from Cirque ("Alegria Le Film" and "Journey of Man" were released to theaters in 1999 and 2000 respectively), "Worlds Away" offers a cost-effective way of taking in the best of Cirque's offerings in Las Vegas, albeit one that opens with an ostensible narrative: "Two young people journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that allows them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers." And now that adventure comes to the small screen in 3D Blu-Ray, 2D Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital downloadable formats. FROM THE BIG TOP TO THE BIG SCREEN – A RECAP -------------------------------------------- Starring Cirque du Soleil strap aerialists Igor Zaripov (as "The Aerialist") and former artist Erica Kathleen Linz ("Mia") as a young couple who meet thanks to extraordinary circumstances, the film opens with Mia visiting a traveling carnival/circus ("Circus Marvelous"), complete with the bearded lady, sword swallower, and obnoxious barker that such a setting would imply. As Mia makes her way along the carnival grounds, numerous flyers (and the aforementioned obnoxious barker) invite her to take in a performance of the trapeze artist (Zaripov) whose nom de guerre, "the Aerialist," proves irresistible to the young lady. True enough, from the moment the Aerialist launches into his routine, Mia is captivated. But when their eyes meet he slips and falls, dropping right through the circus ring into another world. The show then takes a turn for the supernatural, as Mia, the Aerialist, and, by extension, us, embark on a trip through the fantastical worlds implied by the film's title. "They spend the rest of the film looking for each other in these worlds that exist in a limbo state," Adamson said of the film's plot. "It's a state that is kind of a space between life and death; a world between worlds." Ultimately they come together in a dream-fulfilling aerial ballet. Like the live shows, the film eschews dialogue, using only music and the marvelous expressions of the performers to move the narrative forward. Unique in scope, this immersive experience melds acts from the seven then-current live Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas – "O", KÀ, Mystère, Viva ELVIS, CRISS ANGEL Believe, Zumanity and The Beatles LOVE -- into a circus love story. When Adamson chose acts from the seven live Cirque du Soleil shows to use in the film, he picked those that would lend themselves to the storyline of Mia searching for the Aerialist from tent to tent. Each time she peels back the curtain and steps inside, another Cirque du Soleil world opens to her. These worlds are: "O" -- "Water represents both life and the unconscious, the dream state and illusion because of its reflection," says Pierre Parisien, Cirque du Soleil senior artistic director. "It's sort of the unseen realm of spirits, of ghosts, and the flying boat is like The Flying Dutchman. They are trying to lure Mia aboard but she won't go." It is the first tent Mia visits after she falls into an alternate desert wasteland populated by six big tops, "six kinds of limbos," says Linz.[FASCINATION NOTE: You'll see Synchronized Swimming, Duo Trapeze, Bateau, Fire, Contortion and Aerial Hoops from "O"]. KÀ -- To Adamson KÀ was about spectacle, with a stage a quarter of the size of a football field that lifts vertically, spins around and changes. "What I wanted to capture wasn't just the act and the performers but the ingenuity. Part of what Cirque du Soleil does so well is combine art and technology and presents you with this completely different imagery you've never seen before." [NOTE: Wheel of Death, The Final Battle, Pursuit, and the Flying Bird from KA are shown here. The film also ends here as the two main characters perform an aerial ballet in the Forest scene.] MYSTÈRE -- "Mystère is highly acrobatic, the most acrobatic show we have," says James Hadley, Cirque du Soleil's senior artistic director for resident shows in North America. It is also the longest running Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. Hanging from a cube in mid-air, an aerialist performs a ballet with seemingly effortless maneuvers, foreshadowing what is to come for the star-crossed lovers. [NOTE: Only the Aerial Cube is shown, much to our dismay.] VIVA ELVIS -- In the film, a mysterious self-propelled tricycle leads Mia to the Viva ELVIS tent, where performers dressed as super heroes fly off trampolines to the music of Elvis. [NOTE: Only the Trampoline - Got a Lot of Livin'/Lovin' To Do - number is shown.] CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE -- Mia travels through six Cirque du Soleil tents that occupy a limbo state between life and death in search of love lost. The seventh element is not a tent but Cirque du Soleil's very own peculiar White Rabbit, a dancing disembodied bunny head from CRISS ANGEL Believe, who makes a timely appearance, beckoning her to follow. [NOTE: And thankfully this is the ONLY appearance of anything related to BELIEVE in the film.] ZUMANITY -- "The act that we're using from Zumanity is very small and contained, but it fits thematically well where we've placed it," says Adamson. What first appears to be water on the moon transforms into a water-filled glass container from which a seductive contortionist entices the Aerialist to join her. [NOTE: Only the waterbowl act was performed for the film to "Nostalgie" from "O".] THE BEATLES LOVE -- The act built around the song Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite is "a circus-based theme," says Adamson, "so it tied us back into the beginning of our opening circus." Hadley adds, "Actually Mr. Kite, of all the acts that we filmed, probably has the biggest number of artists in one act." [NOTE: A number of scenes from LOVE appear, such as Blackbird, Octopus' Garden, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, For the Benefit of Mr. Kite, Get Back/Glass Onion, and While my Guitar Gently Weeps.] And they were marvelously showcased to us on the big screen. How well to they fair on a smaller screen? THE HOME VERSIONS – A REVIEW ---------------------------- "Far more than circuses featuring impressive acrobatics, Cirque du Soleil's live and filmed shows are powerful presentations that seamlessly combine daring acrobatic feats, intense artistry, and simple, yet emotionally rich stories. Worlds Away is a stunning compilation of those acts, which are woven together by a poignantly romantic story of a young woman who falls into an ethereal world searching for a man she's only glimpsed, but is destined to love. The film showcases everything from synchronized water ballet to martial arts-inspired combat, aerial silk acrobatics, contortionism, and the frightening Wheel of Death. Each impeccably choreographed presentation is absolutely breathtaking in its beauty and its seeming defiance of the laws of the human body's capabilities. Viewers will leave the film feeling awed, uplifted, and completely inspired." That's how Amazon describes Cirque du Soleil's Worlds Away; on March 12, 2013 the film was released for home consumption in three different flavors: o) 1-DISC: Standard DVD Format | $29.99 USD UPC: 0-97361-70044-1; Catalog #: 17004 Includes: Just the film. o) 2-DISC SET: Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy | $39.99 USD UPC: 0-97361-70054-0; Catalog #:17005 Includes: The Film in 2D & 3 Special Features o) 3 DISC COMBO: Blu-Ray 3D/2D, DVD, and Digital | $54.99 USD UPC: 0-97361-70064-9; Catalog #: 17006 Includes: The Film in 2D & 3D and 3 Special Features Since I'm not privileged to have a 3D television, I opted for the 2- Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo set (ISBN: 1-4157-6971-0) and reviewed the film and its special features in Blu-Ray. The non-3D version of the film comes in a two-disc set (one Blu-Ray, one DVD), packed in a standard-width, dual-hubbed Blu-Ray case (with promotional inserts and a code to activate the "Ultraviolet" digital copy of the film "in the cloud"), inside a slipcover that repeats the cover art. Besides the discs and the aforementioned inserts, there's nothing else of value to find (except a coupon for a small percentage off Cirque's Las Vegas repertoire good until December 31, 2013). Audio options include English 5.1 DTS HD Master (which has to be heard to be believed), French / Spanish / Portuguese in 5.1 Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description (a descriptive narration of the film as the events unfold for those unable to see), while subtitles are available in English, English SDH (for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), French, Spanish and Portuguese. The 1080p AVC-encoded transfer is simply gorgeous, with strong and dark blacks and vivid colors throughout (highly required to capture the lighting essence of Cirque's tableaux). Nothing stands out in terms of digital distractions (aliasing, or otherwise), as the image remained crisp and clean throughout playback. The only caveat is that the film's scenes are not as engaging in two dimensions! (Or on the small screen.) The special features weren't all that special, or engaging, either. For the Blu-Ray releases there are a total of three special features awaiting your discovery (there are none with the DVDs): 1) "The Making of Worlds Away", 2) "A Day in the Life with Erica Linz" and 3) "Cirque in Vegas". In "The Making of Worlds Away" (2:26), the film's creators ask, "What if you had the chance to leave the ordinary and enter the extraordinary? What would you discover? Who would you find?" Although the filmmakers wished for us to find love and adventure, ultimately there's little to discover in this special feature. It's more of a promo of the film than a behind-the-scenes peek into the film's creation. However, Executive producer James Cameron and Director Andrew Adamson talk briefly about the production ("I have been trying to talk to the Cirque people for three years. Why aren't we doing your shows in 3D? – James Cameron) and you get to see some of the technology that went into producing the film in its eye-popping three dimensions, but at just 2 minutes and 26 seconds you just don't get to find out a great deal about the movie. Where were all those Trailer Addict Features and the great B-Roll footage and interviews with Erica Linz, Andrew Adamson and James Cameron? Where's that "Inside Look" featurette and all the other behind-the-scenes clips posted to YouTube and Facebook? All of these should have been right here! Interestingly enough, Mystère, which was largely missing from the final product (much to many a fan's dismay), gets its musical due here in this small promo - at least three musical tracks from the show accompany the action on screen: "High Bar", "Rondo/Double Face" and "Gambade." Was this to appease the Mystère gods or we grumbling fans? The second featurette – "A Day in the Life with Erica Linz" (13:23) – fares much better and is far more interesting than it at first seems. Here we're shown a rehearsal and creative development of an act "worthy of Cirque du Soleil," with Linz and a few of her troupe-mates: Pierre-Luc Sylvain (Aerial Strap partner with Erica in KÀ for 6 years), Kyle Deschamps (with whom Erica worked on floor exercises in LA), and Cheetah Platt (actor, aerialist, acrobat and instructor). Although it is an intriguing peek into the creation of such an act, we're also taken through a brief personal history of the film's main star: Erica Linz. Like many young girls in the era in which she grew up, Erica idolized Mary-Lou Retton (An American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist, she was the first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the Olympic gold medal in the Gymnastic Individual All-around competition) and Nadia Comaneci (A Romanian gymnast, winner of three Olympic gold medals at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the first female gymnast to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She is also the winner of two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow), which led her to try her hand at gymnastics. But "competition didn't float my boat"; she'd rather work the floor where she could be more expressive, and in her words "silly." She began singing; that and gymnastics lead to the theatre, where she took on small roles in operas and Shakespeare plays as early as eleven years old. Later Erica discovered the circus arts, and following high school graduation, flew to Las Vegas to meet with Cirque du Soleil. Her audition was successful: she performed in Mystère for three years (From November 2001 through December 2004 as the Bébébé character, the female baby) before transferring to KÀ in 2005 (playing a character and performing Aerial Straps). The act the foursome is rehearsing appears to be a combination of Acrobatic Dance (as seen first in Varekai then later Corteo), Banquine (but only slightly, as some of the catching and throwing moves are performed here), and Aerial Straps. It would have been nice to see the final performance in order to compare it to the rehearsal, but this certainly gives you some appreciation for what goes into creating an act, and the physical talents of the performers preparing it. Will we see this in a future Cirque du Soleil show? Who knows! The third featurette – "Cirque in Las Vegas" – is nothing more than a sixty-second commercial for Cirque du Soleil's shows in Las Vegas. The video showcases clips of each of the shows, wrapping them around the Cirque's "Today I Am…=" advertisement campaign whereby "Whimsical" is Mystère, "Aquatic" is «O», "Playful" is Zumanity, "Epic" is KA, "Groovy" is The Beatles LOVE, "Mysterious" is Criss Angel Believe, and "Surreal" is Zarkana. Great clips but not enlightening to fans thirsting for more coverage of their favorite Las Vegas productions. THE BOTTOM LINE – THE CONCLUSION -------------------------------- When all is said and done Cirque du Soleil's Worlds Away was a marvelous distraction on the big screen – its 3D technology completely immersive to the point where you felt right there amongst the performers (you really can't get any better than that "O" footage, can you?), yet sadly, the lack of 3D at home (for me anyway) and a much, much smaller screen diminishes the experience greatly. Couple that with a disappointing array of special features and you've got a rather lack-luster package in this Blu-Ray set. Still, if you were a fan of the film (that "O" footage!), and don't care about the extras that normally accompany a home video release, then I highly recommend the purchase. How else can you watch gorgeously shot footage of "Mystère", "O", "Zumanity", "KÀ", and "LOVE" from your home? ---------------------------------------------------------- "Amaluna In Seattle: Remembrances of a fun, long February weekend" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- The age of big CirqueCon gatherings has likely passed but there still are opportunities for those who've met through CirqueCon to invite people for smaller gatherings near their homes. Such was the case when Keith Johnson and wife LouAnna Valentine (also known as Lucy) invited people to come and see Amaluna's first visit to a U.S. city. I needed to get away from snowy Connecticut and I was also interested in this Dinner – Cirque event Keith kept talking about, Teatro Zinzanni. I'd travel alone but meet up with Bob Gross and others while there. The first full day of my first visit to Seattle the weather was uncharacteristically sunny and clear so, heeding advice, I did a bus tour of the city to get a feel for the sites. Well Duck Tour actually, running around on land and water in a World War II amphibious vehicle. They've got them in Boston but it took me traveling to the West Coast to finally ride one. Great fun. Then I went to the top of the Seattle Space Needle, and as further proof that you can't do anything bad in a new place because there's always someone around who knows you, I'd just stepped outside to take in the view when I heard, "Steve Long!" It was Karen Farmer, her husband and a couple of friends. They were scoping out Seattle so just had time for our common viewing of Amaluna. It was wonderful to see her and it meant that I didn't have to ask a stranger to take my picture against the wonderful vista around Seattle. Friday night was Teatro Zinzanni (dreams.zinzanni.org), "Dinner at Wotan's" "Party like its Ragnarock (the end of the World)!" Teatro Zinzanni uses a traveling German spiegletent that's now found its permanent home as a cirque-style cabaret theatre in Seattle. They create dinner shows meant to run a few months at a time, sometimes with specialty menus for holidays. More recently they created a special program just for St. Patrick's Day. Keith had often talked about this place, especially because he could use old Cirque du Soleil programs to spark conversations with artists who had left CDS and were now involved in a Teatro Zinzanni production. Based on what I saw that night I'm really jealous of Keith and Lucy, living so close and having such easy access to something as wonderful and creative as Teatro Zinzanni. A ring of booths that began and ended at a small stage surrounded a collection of tables which had aisles for the various acts. We were seated at the booths right next to the entrance to the space, which opened on the main performance aisle. Very nice seats indeed. Though as with any theatre-in-the-round experience you're going to be looking at the backs of some bits. Keith and Lucy were delayed by traffic so Juli Crompe of Teatro Zinzanni saw that we got properly settled. The evening was a collection of circus acts wrapped inside a loose plot involving Norse gods, with the meal courses in between. This works out well, meaning you can enjoy the food while it's still hot or cold and enjoy the performances, no need to split your attention. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall as the creative team was putting "Dinner at Wotan's" together, the gags and puns and rewritings of popular songs to fit the theme of the show were fantastic, it's been ages since I've laughed out loud so many times because of such spectacular language bon mots. The format calls for a great deal of audience participation and lead performer ("Wotan"/"Wotan's Mother") Geoff Hoyle guided his chosen performers marvelously. There were two highlights of the night though, besides the food, Christopher Phi and Vertical Tango. Christopher Phi's act was a combination of hand balance and contortion, something I've rarely seen done by male artists. What was impressive was the fact that, while many contortion acts seem to just point the feet, his movement seemed to extend to and through his toes. Vertical Tango, (Sam Payne and Sandra Feusi), were Keith's targets this night with a Saltimbanco Tent Version program. Sure enough they recognized themselves in those pages. This, to me, is a perfect ice breaker - how does one talk to artists, what do you say after, "Nice show"? We got to talk a little with Sandra at the beginning and with both of them a little at the middle and finally with Sam after the performance was done. The act was a tango done on the floor and using a Chinese Pole. Spectacular! The movement and sensuality of the dance carried through in both planes of performance. It was worth the price of entry and made me wish that I was staying longer in Seattle or living closer so that I could see them perform again. The next afternoon was a gathering at Keith and Lucy's house. There were only six of us total but it was a nice quiet gathering, sort of like the coffeeklatches would be if we weren't just stopping by between check out and heading home. The most unique memory of the gathering were two books of Cirque du Soleil wallpaper samples (!), the history of the wallpaper, and the stories behind how Keith got them. It's no longer being produced but they did purchase some of the borders and used them in their newly-constructed Library Room. Such unique interesting objects, I checked E-bay after I got home, no luck. Since there was a Home Depot connection I tried to nonchalantly walk around the local Home Depot to see if I could find their wallpaper samples just in case there was a book hiding there. No luck. They're more pieces of Keith's unique collection of Cirque du Soleil memorabilia. Then on to Amaluna. I'd seen the show when it premiered in Montreal last April. As usual I'd bought two tickets then, the first time to just sit back and enjoy the show, the second time to 'watch' the show, if you will. I was so impressed with what Diane Paulus and her Creative Team were doing that I jumped at a chance to see the show a third time. In July 2012 I saw Amaluna again as part of the 3rd Annual Montreal Completement Cirque festival and was disappointed. It had lost energy, perhaps it had become routine for the cast. In going to see the show on Saturday I was hoping for a return to the energy of the Premiere while expecting a 'routine' level of energy. In seeing the show I was presented with a third, for me, less pleasant option. There now is a set of artistic sensibilities being imposed on the work of Diane Paulus. These artistic sensibilities are not necessarily complementary to her work. I found that they consistently drained the show of its magic, added bits that detracted from what I perceived as the artistic intent of the original and seemed to set the whole show into an overdrive mode. For those interested I'll go over my thoughts and observations in detail in another piece. In short, as I go over that Saturday evening show again in my mind it makes me sad to feel that Cirque du Soleil does not have, in-house, the creative talent necessary to ensure that Amaluna would realize its full artistic potential throughout its run. It wasn't bad; The audience around me enjoyed the show, laughing and applauding, and there was a gradual standing ovation at the end (as opposed to the near instantaneous reactions of the hometown Montreal crowd at the Premier). Those who hadn't seen the Premiere probably had no sense of the differences. The team responsible for the ongoing artistic integrity of the show apparently understand entertainment and the positive reaction of the audience proved that they knew what they were doing from an entertainment perspective, even if their choices took away from what I felt Diane Paulus had intended for a scene. For me, having seen the show at the beginning, as Diane Paulus had intended it, this version of the show was artistically so much less than it could have been. It will sell tickets for sure but where I was ready to purchase tickets to once again see what I'll call "Amaluna – The Original Version," I'm not sure I'll be spending my money on "Amaluna – The Entertainment Version" tickets again, not when I can use that money to travel to Montreal to see Cirque du Soleil show premieres, or attend the annual Montreal Completement Cirque in July and see companies from all over the world or, hopefully, travel to Seattle again to see the next creation of Teatro Zinzanni. Long weekends are always too short and Sunday afternoon saw me headed home after a quiet morning and Bob Gross' kindness in driving me out to the airport. Thanks again to Keith and Lucy for being the catalyst for this gathering. Let's do it again sometime soon! (I've been informed that there is another gathering in the works, "Cirquesters 2013: Amaluna in Denver." Here's the Facebook link for anyone interested: http://goo.gl/l3pp9). ---------------------------------------------------------- "Amaluna – Evolution (Devolution) on tour - Details of my disappointment with the viewing of Amaluna in Seattle" By: Steve Long - West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- I'd seen Amaluna when it premiered in Montreal in April 2012. Purchasing two tickets then as I usually do, the first time to just sit back and enjoy the show, the second time to 'watch' the show, if you will. I was so impressed with what Diane Paulus and her Creative Team were doing that I jumped at a chance to see the show a third time. In July of that year I'd seen Amaluna again as part of the 3rd Annual Montreal Completement Cirque festival and was disappointed. It had lost energy, perhaps it had become routine for the cast. In traveling to Seattle in February 2013 to see it again as part of the "Amaluna In Seattle" weekend I was hoping for a return to the energy of the Premiere while expecting a 'routine' level of energy. In seeing the show I was presented with a third option. There is a new set of artistic sensibilities being imposed on the work of Diane Paulus. These artistic sensibilities are not necessarily complementary to her work. I found that they consistently drained the show of its magic, added bits that detracted from what I perceived as the artistic intent of the original and seemed to set the whole show into an overdrive mode. There was an artistic potential that I saw quite clearly in those Premiere days. After those viewings I could see myself attending Amaluna performances as often as I had attended performances of the now retired ZED, without having to travel to the other side of the world to do so. As I go over that Saturday evening show again and again in my mind it makes me sad to feel that Cirque du Soleil does not have, in-house, the creative talent necessary to ensure that Amaluna would realize its full artistic potential throughout its run. In the Premiere, the show opened with a shaft of light center stage and a red piece of cloth swirling and dancing in the air. Was it a projection? How were they doing that? It was magic. A flame, a doorway for the audience into the world of Amaluna. As the full lights came up and you saw the cast on stage you also saw the circle of fans that provided the updraft that the cloth was dancing on. It was still magic; A fire that the cast was gathering round as they paid homage to Prospera and eventually to Miranda. The cloth can have a mind of its own though. I think in the first viewing it fell over one of the fans. Prospera motioned to one of the Amazons who pulled it free and it danced again. The problem was dealt with in a way that emphasized Prospera's command of this place. You were brought by magic into the world of Amaluna and introduced to the hierarchy of the world. The world of Amaluna was quickly, simply fixed in the minds of the audience. (Or most of them. You can't guarantee that everyone in an audience will grasp what you're trying to do.) In Seattle, the shaft of light revealed a lump of cloth and a couple of the circle of fans. Prospera came in and set the cloth flying. No magic. It was just a trick and Prospera showed us how it was done. Then the others came streaming in. Except for Lizard Cali (the Victor Kee character). He stayed in the audience and moved around just enough to be an annoyance, a distraction. For me Cali distracted from the establishment of the world of Amaluna in the minds of the audience, he detracted from the authority of Prospera by pulling focus away from her to himself. To my mind this did not improve on what Diane Paulus had originally created as the Cali character. For me he went from presence to annoyance. In the Premiere I remember that it was just Prospera and the Moon Goddess involved when Prospera conjures up the storm. I don't remember all those people on stage as they were that Saturday night playing being blown away. It distracted from Prospera and her powers, for me it diminished the Prospera character. Also in the Premiere I think the God and Goddess of the Wind kept their masks on throughout the routine. In Seattle they ripped their masks off, reducing themselves to humans doing a strap act. And at the very end of that scene in Seattle they had Prospera center stage, her face lit up like kids do on Halloween with flashlights, her face with a hint of madness. This wasn't in the Premiere. Prospera is not an insane/mad character. This was, to my mind, Cheap Trick #1 on the part of the people imposing their entertainment sensibilities on Amaluna. Next we have the castaways, the group of men arriving on the island inside a net as a result of the storm. In the Premiere the first real person to appear from underneath the net was Romeo. For Miranda this was love at first sight and we in the audience could appreciate this as this was the first normal guy to be seen from that grouping. (The Captain, already free from the net, having an outlandish red mustache.) In Seattle, before Romeo is pulled out we see some guy, center stage, poke his head out of the net, with a small plastic octopus on it. Cheap Trick #2. It might have been a funny sight gag but it detracted from the audience's participation in Miranda's first sighting of Romeo. The person I saw in Seattle not was not the original Romeo, I don't know what happened to that person but that's what happens on tour. The person at the Premiere and in July had a difficult task as Miranda was double-cast and he had to create a credible love at first sight relationship with both women. He did it. This new guy was there but there was no spark between him and Miranda that I could sense. Diane Paulus is a theater director and likely helped the original Romeo establish that connection. For the replacement all he likely had were stage directions and he remembered his stage directions well. The next bits confused me at first during the Premiere until I realized that Romeo had been given free run to explore the island. As I remember, those bits were more distinct in the Premiere where in Seattle it seemed that they were stepping all over each other's toes. I remember in the Premiere Romeo watching the Peacock Goddess' dance and near the end reaching out, almost touching her, but not. It suggested a frail beauty. In Seattle the Peacock Goddess was touching him and stroking him. This would only make sense in the later bath sequence, and like many changes it wouldn't enhance the characters or the storyline as far as I was concerned. As I remember from the Premiere, the Moon Goddess didn't get involved with the water, that was all Miranda's act. That the Moon Goddess was now getting in the water and spinning and spraying didn't bother me too much, I could see it as the Moon consecrating the bath. But that likely threw out more water than was originally planned for in the Premiere because I remember seeing people mopping up water with towels while the Amazon's high bar/uneven bar act was in progress. Something else that struck me upon looking back, the pace of the show was really fast. I was really surprised when the high bar/uneven bar act came out, I thought it was too soon but, no, that was its proper place. It was in Seattle, home of Starbucks, so I've got to go with a coffee joke - it's like they just fed them lots of coffee before the show started and let them go into caffeine overdrive. Like moving objects, shows have momentum and you can't have things going really, really fast and expect that the audience will be able to put on the brakes for a slow bit, you've got to give the audience a chance to slow down. As I recall from the Premiere, the Moon Goddess' ring routine was calm, slowing the audience down for Miranda's contortion/swimming routine and for the Miranda/Romeo bit. But in Seattle, with all the spinning and splashing the high energy momentum continued through to the Miranda bits. This had a negative impact not so much on the Miranda bits but on the high bar/uneven bar routine that followed. That's a high energy act. It's one thing to go from low energy to high energy, the contrast helps the act stand out. But when the audience is still carrying momentum from previous high energy acts, there isn't much needed to bring things back up to high energy. The contrast, thus the act's ability to stand out, is significantly reduced. Back to Miranda and her contortion/swimming act followed by her meeting of Romeo. In the Premiere, Romeo has found his own way to Miranda, emphasizing the connection between them. In Seattle, the Peacock Goddess showed Romeo the way. The magic of the meeting of Miranda and Romeo was, for me, significantly reduced. So with the high bar/uneven bar routine not getting the emphasis and attention it deserved because of the pacing of the acts just before it, the first act ended. With the beginning of the Second Act you do want a high energy piece to bring the audience back and that was the teeterboard act, the male answer to the female routine that ended the First Act. The acrobatics were as well done as I remembered in the Premiere. As a change of pace they brought in the Captain. Originally this was a reunion of Captain and crew and the crew was having fun at the expense of their Captain. It was clear, tight and concise. In Seattle, someone decided that the Captain should spout on about being in love. The crew wasn't listening to him so it didn't make much sense, except that somebody obviously thought it would be a good idea to de-emphasize the guy's reunion concept add some fluff to the scene. The Balance Goddess' piece stood out in Premiere because in a company that seems to emphasize speed and energy, we had a slow, deliberate, almost meditative piece. And, for me it worked. The Balance Goddess was intensely focused on her work and the audience was drawn into that quiet intensity. The time involved didn't matter, it was evenly paced throughout. The breath sounds were an early addition and had connection with the assembly of the 'object.' More importantly, this was essentially a private moment, Prospera brought Miranda to this place to show her this lesson. The intensity of the act created a tension, a tension that was released at the conclusion of the act when the first stick was removed and the piece collapses, thus the lesson is demonstrated in full. In the Premiere the Balance Goddess reaches out for the first stick but pauses, (I can't remember if Miranda did something to cause her to pause), the Goddess looks to Prosepra who motions that she should continue and the Goddess does. In Seattle, the Balance Goddess flew through the construction of the object. No breath sounds, she had to focus on getting all the pieces just right. She then spent a long time on the movement of the assembled object with it's final placement on the stand. (Again, the original was much more evenly paced.) Breath sounds here felt more choreographed than a natural part of the task. And when the Balance Goddess reaches out for the first stick, she looks out to the audience (breaking the private nature of the event) and laughs, like "you all know what I'm about to do, right?" The audience laughs with her. The tension that should be broken by the falling apart of the object is instead broken by the laughter. There was the look to Prospera and the permission given to destroy the object but, for me, when she then reaches out and the object falls apart its anti-climactic. Cheap trick #3. Like the flashlight trick and the plastic octopus, sharing the laughter with the audience first is a simple, effective trick (audience laughter is good, it means they're enjoying the show) that takes away from the original intent of the piece. The team did add one bit that I thought enhanced the show. In the Premiere I wondered how Romeo knew that that flying pole was going to come down to assist him. I was fine assuming that Prospera was working magic behind the scenes but to my mind it would have helped to solidify the whole to have some indication of that. In Seattle they put the Moon Goddess on a platform and the two acknowledged each other's presence. That worked. It doesn't excuse the three cheap tricks that came before it but it does recognize that sometimes the ideas of others can be beneficial. They changed the "Ai, ai, ai" bit, where Deeda is about to give birth. In the Premiere it was sort of a surprised, anxious sound and action as one would expect at such a moment. In Seattle the tone of voice and the body was sort of "Hey, hot stuff, guess what's going to happen now?" I can't figure out the reasoning behind changing that. In the Premiere, at the start of the triple tight wire act we see the Black Goddess curled around something, she opens her arms to reveal Miranda. It was a quiet moment leading into the relatively low energy nature of the tight wire act. In Seattle, I was surprised as the Black Goddess reacted to people passing by her with snarls and bared claws, a much more intense action than I'd seen before. They were having trouble getting the stands set for the act and so the clowns were vamping. Maybe that was a way to bring the vamping to a close or maybe someone thought it would be a beneficial change to make to the beginning of that act. Yes, it emphasized the evil nature of the Black Goddess but, for me, the emphasis here is supposed to be Miranda and the two couples performing the tight wire act. The energy of that action emphasized the Black Goddess at the expense of the attention that should have been given to Miranda before the act began. Viktor Kee was marvelous as usual. In the Premiere there was a satisfaction to Cali's downfall and banishment that just wasn't there in Seattle, probably because I wasn't as emotionally invested in the trials of Miranda and Romeo as I had been in the Premiere, thanks to Diane Paulus' direction. At the end of Amaluna in the Premiere the fans are brought out again and Prospera sends a blue cloth floating and dancing. The lights dim to a column, we see just the dancing cloth, the doorway to Amaluna closes, the show is over. Then the lights come up full and the performers come out to take their bows. I love shows with artistic circles like that, the red cloth alone in the light to begin the circle, the blue cloth alone in the light to close it. In Seattle, Prospera got a bit tangled up in the cloth and it started to fly out of the wind stream quickly so the lights never really dimmed. Though, considering the high energy pacing of the show I wonder if they would have allowed the time necessary for the lights to fade and for things to calm for just a moment. With the magic of the start shattered though, there would not have been a strong sense of a closing of the circle. I like to see the Premieres of new shows, like to get a feel for both the energy of a new show and for the energy of the original artistic/creative intent. That energy of original intent fades to varying degrees over time as the show matures, as cast members change, as perhaps whole acts have to be replaced. I used to think that if I saw a show again within three years after its Premiere I'd still have a strong sense of that original artistic/creative energy. With Amaluna, it didn't even make it a full year. Again, it seems to me that Cirque du Soleil does not have, in-house, the creative talent necessary to ensure that a new creation will realize its full artistic potential throughout its run. (Even though the "Senior Artistic Director" position has, in the new Amaluna program been renamed, "Senior Director, Show Quality.") The team does seem to know the entertainment side. What I call the ‘cheap tricks' and the other changes worked, the audience in Seattle loved the show. Had I not seen the Premiere, I might have loved it as well, until I began thinking about what I had seen and got the feeling that there was something missing. (I'd had a very strong feeling of ‘failure to realize the show's artistic potential' with Wintuk and a similar feeling with Banana Shpeel.) I'm sure that Cirque du Soleil will see very good ticket sales for the show throughout its run but where I was ready to purchase tickets to once again see what I'll call "Amaluna – The Original Version," I'm not sure I'll be spending my money on "Amaluna – The Entertainment Version" tickets again. I can use that money to travel to Montreal to see new Cirque du Soleil show premieres, or attend the annual Montreal Completement Cirque in July and see companies from all over the world or travel to other cities or countries and see what they have locally, like Seattle has with Teatro Zinzanni. ======================================================================= 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 13, Number 04 (Issue #111) - April 2013 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2013 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. { Apr.04.2013 } =======================================================================