VIEWPOINTS – Cirque du Soleil’s big top shows continue to be its main artistic draw

Since the beginning of summer, I’ve seen four Cirque du Soleil shows – three of them here in New York. Watching these Cirque shows in relatively quick succession has given me the opportunity to assess the quality of this popular French Canadian troupe’s recent output. While the company has admirably dabbled in endeavors outside of its comfort zone (e.g., Broadway musicals, plot-driven shows), it has most consistently found artistic success in its traveling big top productions.

What makes these big top spectacles so successful? Well, there’s something to be said about seeing them under a makeshift tent. It plays into the idea of the “oasis” or “mirage”. For these shows to work, one must buy into the illusion they’re presenting you – and what better way to get into that frame of mind than by stepping into structure that’s, in essence, an illusion itself. Then there’s the intimacy of these big tops. Cirque du Soleil has managed to find the right combination between economically sensible seating capacity, seating configuration (in the round/thrust), and immersive atmosphere. No matter where you sit, these big top shows will draw you in.

Cirque Du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities"

Cirque Du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities”

In recent months, I’ve seen two of Cirque du Soleil’s most recent big top creations, both of which rank among the best I’ve seen from the company in a long while. While I was in Toronto on vacation, I caught Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The show’s subtitle is aptly put – Luzia is dreamlike, feverish and sensual, and I found that the individual acts melded seamlessly with the show’s phantasmagorical, almost wild vision of Mexico. All-in-all, an inspired, life-affirming piece of art (yes, art). Here in New York on Randall’s Island, I also caught Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). If it didn’t sweep me off my feet quite the way Luzia did, Kurios is the more exquisite creation. Every design detail and stage picture is so artfully considered that it’s all quite astonishing to behold, and the acrobatics just enhanced the aesthetics as opposed to being layered on top of the show’s designs. I don’t think I’ve been so impressed by the visuals of a Cirque show, well, since my very first one – the wonderful Corteo (which I saw literally 10 years ago in Chicago).

Cirque du Soleil's "Toruk: The First Flight"

Cirque du Soleil’s “Toruk: The First Flight”

As for Cirque du Soleil’s non-tent shows, the company still needs to figure out the right formula. But they’re working on it. Frankly, much of the ingredients are there for Paramour (SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED), the company’s first foray into the world of the Broadway musical (the show received largely pans from theater critics when it first opened at the Lyric Theatre on 42nd Street). I actually found much of the first act of this Hollywood-inspired tuner to be quite exhilarating, and infinitely superior to the company’s last theatrical outing, the disastrous Banana Schpeel. It’s the second act which succumbed to mind-numbing acrobatics over storytelling. Note, however, that the show was recently closed to implement some revisions to the production; let’s hope that at least some of the flaws I observed have been addressed. Then there’s the plot-driven Toruk: The First Flight (RECOMMENDED), Cirque du Soleil’s latest touring arena show inspired by James Cameron’s movie Avatar which I caught at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Cirque must have learned from its previous arena shows (which were dwarved in the cavernous spaces), as this show easily filled the space with its clever scenic design (particularly its spectacular projections) and expansive direction. As for storytelling, Toruk remains clunky, but at least serviceable. Baby steps.

 

KURIOS: CABINET OF CURIOSITIES
Circus Arts
Cirque du Soleil under the big top on Randall’s Island
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through November 27

LUZIA: A WAKING DREAM OF MEXICO
Circus Arts
Cirque du Soleil under the big top
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Touring

PARAMOUR
Broadway, Musical/Circus Arts
Cirque du Soleil at the Lyric Theatre
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Open run

TORUK: THE FIRST FLIGHT
Circus Arts/Theater
Cirque du Soleil (arena show)
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Touring

Categories: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Theater

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