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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
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http://www.CirqueFascination.com
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=======================================================================
VOLUME 10, NUMBER 12 December 2010 ISSUE #83
=======================================================================
Bonjour et bienvenue!
Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
We have quite a lot in store for you inside this month - texts
relating to the dual announcements in November of both ZARKANA, to
play at Radio City Music Hall in New York City this coming June; and
for the announcement of MICHAEL JACKSON THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR, set
to begin its trek across North America also later next summer. But
that's not all!
In addition to all the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web
and, of course, all the pertinent posts on Cirque du Soleil's various
social widgets in our OUTREACH section (not to mention the updated
touring schedules), we're also excited to conclude our exclusive
interview with Mr. Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice-President of Cirque du
Soleil Resident Shows division. Mr. Nadal sat down with our own Keith
Johnson last month to speak frankly with us about Cirque's present
and future in regards to its resident shows. You'll find the
conclusion of this two-part interview within!
Also, last, but not least, just a little house keeping notice: as of
this issue we have closed out business with Yahoo Groups and removed
the CirqueFascination mailing list from their servers. This is a
function we've wanted to bring in-house for quite some time and
finally got round to doing so. If you were on that email list and you
still received our newsletter - great! That means everything worked
out as it was supposed to. If you did not, please re-subscribe with us
directly at www.cirquefascination.com. You'll find the subscribe
button under ABOUT FASCINATION right on the front page, in the upper
right-hand corner!
Okay, so, let's get started!
Join us on the web at:
< www.cirquefascination.com >
Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only):
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 >
- Ricky "Richasi" Russo
===========
CONTENTS
===========
o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
* Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
* Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr
o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain
* Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History
o) Fascination! Features
* "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour is On!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
* "Welcome Zarkana!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
* INTERVIEW /// "Jerry Nadal: Keeping the Value" (2 of 2)
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Cirque Radio City is...
{Nov.04.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
... ZARKANA?
Although not yet officially announced, the cat was let out of
the bag on this one via a discovery on Cirque du Soleil's own
mobile website, which an entrepreneurial fan found recently.
Further investigation shows the name was trademarked on October
26, 2010; therefore, welcome ZARKANA!
Cirque du Soleil is unveiling its latest highly acrobatic
spectacle, premiering exclusively at the iconic Radio City Music
Hall in New York City. Directed by the internationally acclaimed
François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk), the show takes place in
an abandoned theatre and follows a magician who has lost his
love and with her, his magic has disappeared. As he cries and
begs the Gods for her return he is plunged into a world
inhabited by surreal creatures. The diverse cast of 71
international artists transports the audience into a fantastical
and suspenseful world, blurring the boundaries between the real
and imaginary. Coming Summer 2011.
Stay tuned for an official announcement soon!
Cirque at "Party for the Senses"
{Nov.05.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
Once again performers at Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba entertain
guests at EPCOT's "Party for the Senses", a special engagement
part of the Food & Wine Festival.
# # #
[Act 1 was] a female contortionist who twisted her body all
around a cube-shaped frame. She stretched and bent and angled
and posed. She moved parts of her body in directions I didn't
know were possible.
Act 2 featured a man, rolling in a giant hoop, to music. It was
reminiscent of the German Wheel act that recently ended its run
in Cirque's Downtown Disney show, "La Nouba," only this
shirtless young man used a single hoop. His act garnered
applause - as did his physique from some giggly women nearby who
had clearly been enjoying the wine.
The final act is the big set piece: A backdrop similar to the
"La Nouba" finale is used and tumblers use trampolines to scale
its side, propelling themselves to the top. Thrilling, as
always. Also, two of the "La Nouba" characters - The Titan and
Red Pierrot - join in.
# # #
Read the original article here:
< http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-11-04/the-daily-
disney/os-disney-party-for-the-senses-cirque20101104_1_german-
wheel-act-cirque-du-soleil-la-nouba >
{SOURCE: The Orlando Sentinel}
Caissee Invests in Cirque
{Nov.06.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec - a holding company
that manages public pension plans in Québec - has invested $25
million in the Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian Press has
reported.
# # #
The cash is intended to help the Cirque broaden its name
internationally, Caisse CEO Michael Sabia said in a speech to
Montreal's Chamber of Commerce at the Palais des Congrès
Thursday. The money will be invested along with a contribution
from the Cirque into a production and development fund.
Sabia said this was part of the Caisse's effort to help Quebec
companies export their products around the world.
# # #
Read the original article here:
< http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Caisse+invests
+million+Cirque+Soleil/3778214/story.html >
{SOURCE: The Montreal Gazette}
Cirque in London?
{Nov.15.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
An interesting blog post came up at Sky News HD, a component of
BskyB in London, that suggests Cirque du Soleil is now actively
looking for a permanent home in London through an advisory firm.
Mark Kleinman of Sky News reports:
# # #
I have learned that the company's founder and majority
shareholder, Guy Laliberte, has appointed Allen & Co, the
specialist media and entertainment advisory firm, to identify
prospective partners who could help establish a permanent
residence for the acrobatic dance troupe-cum-circus in London.
Cirque du Soleil's shows at the Royal Albert Hall have become a
highlight in the capital's entertainment calendar. The news that
it has begun a search for a dedicated new home in the city
underlines its long-term commercial ambitions.
I am also told that Allen & Co may have been given a broader
mandate to identify potential new investors in the business,
which I understand is keen to expand more aggressively into
Asia.
# # #
Read more of the original post here:
< http://blogs.news.sky.com/kleinman/Post:2c540810-b0e2-4a52-
85b3-f96f2aa3e0e2 >
M. Laliberte Getting a Star
{Nov.16.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
According to aceshowbiz.com, Cirque du Soleil creator and guide
- Guy Laliberté - will be honored with a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame soon. The 2,424th star will be located outside the
Kodak Theatre, where Cirque du Soleil's resident show IRIS will
perform. James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic, Abyss) is expected to
lead the tributes.
Read the original release here:
< http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/w0008140.html >
{SOURCE: aceshowbiz.com}
Cirque DVD 2-fers at
Costco?
{Nov.20.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
We were shopping last night at our local Costco Wholesale
Warehouse (Seattle, WA). What did we find in the DVD section?
Cirque!
Cirque du Soleil DVD's in 2-packs to be exact.
The combinations were:
o) Alegria & Midnight Sun
o) La Nouba & Quidam
o) Varekai & Dralion
o) Corteo & Journey of Man
And the cost was a bargain - $12.88 for each 2-pack! We didn't
see them online anywhere either.
We had to pick up a set, they make great Christmas gifts.
There must be an overstock of Cirque DVD's that Sony is trying
to unload. Bargains for us!
Cirque to Perform at 2010 Sprint Cup Awards
{Nov.22.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil will perform a portion of Viva ELVIS at the
2010 Sprint Cup Series awards ceremony Dec. 3 at Wynn Las Vegas,
NASCAR announced Monday.
The special performance - featuring dance, acrobatics and live
music in celebration of the king of rock n' roll, Elvis Presley
- will be broadcast live on SPEED at 9 p.m. ET, as part of a
special entertainment lineup.
Viva ELVIS will entertain NASCAR fans in front of an audience
that will include 2010 Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and
other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the final series
standings. The performance will present popular Presley songs in
a contemporary form that includes the voice of the superstar.
Since its world premier earlier this year, Viva ELVIS has
received critical acclaim from top entertainment and news
outlets with its powerful, exciting and larger than life
exhibition of dance and acrobatics set to Presley's timeless
songs.
Viva ELVIS is offering NASCAR fans a special holiday offer of
only $75 per ticket to experience the show at ARIA Resort &
Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas. Fans can call (877) 25-ELVIS
and mention "HOLIDAY" for the discount.
Champion's Week, a postseason celebration of fan-friendly
activities, will conclude with the awards ceremony. For more
information visit www.nascar.com/championsweek.
Read the original release here:
< http://www.nascar.com/news/101122/viva-elvis-cirque-du-soleil-
cw-awards-ceremony/ >
{SOURCE: NASCAR}
Flowers in the Desert' to air starting Nov 27th
{Nov.23.2010}
-------------------------------------------------
Over the last 25 years, Cirque du Soleil has captured the
imaginations of 100 million spectators in over 300 cities on
five continents with an original mixture of circus arts,
theatre, choreography, live music, imaginative costumes,
technical innovations and an artistic vision that continues to
challenge and entertain.
Since 1993, Cirque du Soleil has produced seven original,
permanent shows in Las Vegas, creating a garden of delights that
has transformed the very nature of entertainment in this desert
oasis. Now the artistic universe of Cirque du Soleil is captured
in a new performance special, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: FLOWERS IN THE
DESERT, an extraordinary entertainment experience that is part
of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning
November 27 and airing through December 2010 (check local
listings).
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: FLOWERS IN THE DESERT presents mesmerizing
performances, recorded in high definition, of Mystère, "O",
KÀ, LOVE, and their latest production, Viva ELVIS , as well
as sneak peeks of Zumanity and CRISS ANGEL® Believe . Behind
the scenes interviews and backstage footage allow the viewers to
explore the creative process behind the performances.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: FLOWERS IN THE DESERT explores a garden of
exotic flowers growing in the Nevada desert. Flowers open to
reveal rich, imaginative worlds within, and as we enter one of
these worlds, a Cirque show begins. This transformation provides
our entry into and exit from the different worlds created by
Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.
Read the Original Release here:
< http://www.publicmedianewswire.com/?p=307 >
{SOURCE: Public Media Newswire}
Review: A Choreographer's Showcase'
{Nov.23.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
Matt Palm of the Orlando Sentinel reviews "A Choreographer's
Showcase" from Orlando Ballet and Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba'.
# # #
Nine short acts displayed the creativity of novice
choreographers, as well as the dancers. But this was much more
of a show than you might expect from an experiment: bold
costumes, makeup that paid tribute to the Cirque look, and
dynamic lighting cues gave the whole affair a polished sheen.
# # #
Read more here:
< http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_arts_
letter/2010/11/review-a-choreographers-showcase-from-orlando-
ballet-and-cirque-du-soleils-la-nouba.html >
{SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel}
Do you BeLIEve in its music?
{Nov.23.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
It's been a very active Fall for Cirque du Soleil® soundtracks
as the TOTEM and Viva ELVIS CD's were both released in the
last few months.
If you're a fan of CRISS ANGEL® Believe (and we know there are
a few out there) we just got some news you should be aware of.
A friendly source has advised us the Eric Serra-composed
soundtrack to the show will be available in the Luxor BeLIEve
boutique on December 8th, and available in the Cirque du Soleil
online boutique on or about December 10!
Right now Cirque du Soleil isn't sure if they will make the CD
available through other retail outlets. So this may be that
those two outlets may be the only way to get your hands on the
CD.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Musique}
Cirque in the Walk of Fame
{Nov.26.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
On November 22, Guy Laliberté received his star on famous
Hollywood Walk of Fame, located strategically in front of the
Kodak Theatre, where Cirque du Soleil will launch his IRIS
production in July 2011. It is with emotion that Guy Laliberté
said: "Today, I was simply the representative of everyone who
has worked for Cirque du Soleil." Guy was surrounded by some
characters from the shows - "O" from Las Vegas - and by two
characters from the IRIS show: "Cameraman" and "Armchair".
Also attending, director of Titanic and Avatar James Cameron
saluted his "good friend Guy's" creativity and success.
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
Adding Artistry w/Synchronized Swimming
{Nov.29.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
Interested in Synchronized Swimming at either Cirque du Soleil's
"O" or Franco Dragone's "Le Rêve"? Check out the following
article from the New York Times!
Synchronized Swimming as a Show:
< http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/sports/29synchronized.html?
_r=4&src=twrhp&pagewanted=all >
{SOURCE: New York Times}
THE KING is Back on the Charts!
{Nov.29.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
Viva ELVIS - The Album is gathering worldwide momentum in the
wake of its release on November 9. "Suspicious Minds," the first
single, impacted radio in late October and is a bonus track on
NOW 36, the latest installment in the best-selling, chart-topping
Now That's What I Call Music anthology series of contemporary
Top 40 smash hits.
Viva ELVIS - The Album is charting around the world, going Top
40 or better in Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium,
Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and France while climbing the charts
in Spain, Australia and Germany.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Cirque + Orlando Ballet = $20,000
{Nov.30.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
From the Orlando Sentinel:
# # #
Great news for the Orlando Ballet: Juan J. Escalante, the
executive director, has confirmed the group made more than
$20,000 through its collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
The two groups presented "A Choreographer's Showcase: A Project
Designed to Stimulate and Encourage Artistic Growth" on Monday
night at Cirque's Downtown Disney theater.
A fairly full house watched performers from both groups present
nine short experimental pieces.
The "Choreographer's Showcase" was based on a similar project in
Nevada, and Monday night there was talk of making the
collaboration an annual event here. That would be good news
financially for the ballet - and good news artistically for
Central Florida.
# # #
Read the original article here:
< http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_arts_
letter/2010/11/cirque-du-soleil-orlando-ballet-show-raises-
20000.html >
{SOURCE: The Orlando Sentinel}
Another Cirque Interview Podcast!
{Nov.30.2010}
-----------------------------------------------
As you might recall, we did a two-part article (Cirque In Your
Ear, parts 1 and 2 - Feb & Mar 2010) talking about Las Vegas-
oriented podcasts that featured interviews with Cirque creators
and artists. And now we have another to tell you about!
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Steve Friess is a freelance writer who
writes for a number of major publications as well as doing a
Vegas-related podcast. His (along with husband Miles Smith)
November 14 Strip Podcast < http://www.thestrippodcast.com/ >
featured an interview with Mystere clown and Cirque veteran
Brian Dewhurst!
Though not as long as some of the others we have listed they
cover a lot of ground. Dewhurst discusses growing up in a
circus family, becoming involved with Cirque du Soleil, and what
an artistic director does. He also speculates on why Cirque has
lasted so long. And did you know Dewhurst appeared on the Ed
Sullivan show and at one time held a Guinness world record?
It's nice to hear from such a veteran circus performer. As
Friess says during the show, he likes to include some of the
people who are not so well known within the Vegas show structure
in his interviews. Thanks, Steve!
{SOURCE: The Strip Podcast}
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Varekai}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam, Dralion
& Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis}
o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions
{Wintuk, Iris, & Zarkana}
NOTE:
.) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate
touring dates and locations available, the information in
this section is subject to change without notice. As such,
the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility
for the accuracy of these listings.
.) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque
du Soleil.
For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts,
please visit our website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 >
Corteo:
Moscow, Russia -- Oct 9, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010
Brussels, BE -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011
Vienna, AT -- Feb 11, 2011 to Mar, 6, 2011
Madrid, ES -- Apr 2, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Valencia, ES -- Jun 16, 2011 to TBA
Alicante, ES -- Jul 28, 2011 to TBA
Sevilla, ES -- Sep 8, 2011 to TBA
Paris, FR -- Nov 11, 2011 to TBA
Koozå:
Miami, FL -- Nov 12, 2010 to Jan 2, 2010
Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Osaka, JPN -- Aug 4, 2011 to Oct 10, 2011
Nagoya, JPN -- Nov 23, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012
Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Sendai, JPN -- Apr 19, 2010 to Jun 3, 2010
Ovo:
Atlanta, GA -- Nov 4, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011
Dallas, TX -- Jan 28, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011
Houston, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011
Cincinnati, OH -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Minneapolis, MN -- May 26, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011
Chicago, IL -- Jun 30, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011
Seattle, WA -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA
Totem:
Amsterdam, NL -- Oct 7, 2010 to Dec 22, 2010
London, UK -- Jan 5, 2011 to Feb 17, 2011
Charlotte, NC -- Mar 3, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011
Baltimore, MD -- Apr 7, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011
Pittsburgh, PA -- May 12, 2011 to May 29, 2011
Montreal, QC -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011
Toronto, ON -- Aug 11, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011
San Francisco, CA -- Oct 21, 2011 to TBA
Varekai:
Barcelona, ES -- Nov 5, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011
Taipei, TW -- Jan 20, 2011 to Mar 6, 2011
Seoul, SKR -- Apr 6, 2011 to May 29, 2011
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=1831 >
Saltimbanco:
Basel, CH -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010
Budapest, HU -- Dec 8, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010
Nurnberg, DE -- Dec 15, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010
Antwerp, BE -- Dec 22, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011
Lille, FR -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011
Paris, FR -- Jan 13, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011
Friedrichshafen, DE -- Feb 11, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011
Istanbul, TR -- Feb 18, 2011 to Mar 5, 2011
Johannesburg, ZA -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011
Cape Town, ZA -- Mar 23, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011
Perth, AU -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 1, 2011
Adelaide, AU -- May 12, 2011 to May 20, 2011
Melbourne, AU -- May 25, 2011 to Jun 3, 2011
Hobart, AU -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011
Brisbane, AU -- Jul 8, 2011 to Jul 15, 2011
Newcastle, AU -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011
Sydney, AU -- Jul 27, 2011 to Aug 5, 2011
Wollongong, AU -- Aug 17, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011
Auckland, NZ -- Aug 25, 2011 to TBA
Alegría:
El Paso, TX -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010
Oklahoma City, OK -- Dec 22, 2010 to Dec 26, 2010
Wichita, KS -- Dec 29, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011
Baton Rouge, LA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011
Colorado Springs, CO -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011
Broomfield, CO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011
Loveland, CO -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011
Laredo, TX -- Feb 2, 2011 to Feb 6, 2011
Hidalgo, TX -- Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011
Corpus Christi, TX -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011
Tulsa, OK -- Feb 23, 2011 to Feb 27, 2011
North Charleston, SC -- Mar 17, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011
Knoxville, TN -- Mar 23, 2011 to TBA
Charlotesville, VA -- Mar 30, 2011 to TBA
Atlantic City, NJ -- Apr 6, 2011 to Apr 10, 2011
Greensboro, NC -- Apr 13, 2011 to Apr 17, 2011
Biloxi, MS -- Apr 20, 2011 to TBA
Southaver, MS -- Apr 27, 2011 to TBA
Roanoke, VA -- May 4, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Columbia, SC -- May 11, 2011 to TBA
Toledo, OH - May 18, 2011 to TBA
Louisville, KY -- Jun 9, 2011 to TBA
Nashville, TN -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA
Tampa, FL -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA
Jacksonville, FL -- Jun 29, 2011 to TBA
Raleigh, NC -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA
Duluth, GA -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA
Sunrise, FL -- Jul 20, 2011 to TBA
Charlotte, NC -- Aug 3, 2011 to TBA
Estero, FL -- Aug 10, 2011 to TBA
Oberhausen, DE -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011
Leipzig, DE -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011
Stuttgart, DE -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011
Munich, DE -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011
Salzburg, AT -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011
Berlin, DE -- Oct 12, 2011 to Oct 16, 2011
Bremen, DE -- Oct 19, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011
cologne, DE -- Oct 26, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011
Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 2, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011
Mannheim, DE -- Nov 9, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011
Quidam:
Kingson, ON -- Dec 11, 2010 to Dec 14, 2010
Montréal, QC -- Dec 18, 2010 to Dec 30, 2010
Quebec, QC -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011
Chicoutimi, QC -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011
Vancouver, BC -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 13, 2011
Everett, WA -- Mar 16, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011
San Jose, CA -- Mar 24, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011
San Diego, CA -- Mar 30, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011
San Francisco, CA -- Apr 6, 2011 to TBA
Long Beach, CA -- Apr 20, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011
Ontario, CA -- Apr 27, 2011 to May 1, 2011
Reno, NV -- May 4, 2011 to TBA
Sacramento, CA -- May 11, 2011 to TBA
London, ON -- Jun 2, 2011 to TBA
Hamilton, ON -- Jun 8, 2011 to TBA
Wilkes-Barre, PA -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA
Ottawa, ON -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA
St. John's, NL -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA
Saint John, NB -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA
Providence, RI -- Jul 27, 2011 to TBA
Hershey, PA -- Aug 18, 2011 to TBA
Baltimore, MD -- Aug 31, 2011 to TBA
Amherst, MA -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA
State College, PA -- Sep 14, 2011 to TBA
Fort Wayne, IN -- Sep 21, 2011 to TBA
Hartford, CT -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA
Reading, PA -- Oct 5, 2011 to TBA
Pittsburgh, PA -- Oct 12, 2011 to TBA
Milwaukee, WI -- Oct 19, 2011 to TBA
Washington, DC -- Nov 16, 2011 to TBA
Fayetteville, NC -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA
Greenville, SC -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA
Hampton, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA
Worcester, MA -- Dec 14, 2011 to TBA
Toronto, ON -- Dec 20, 2011 to TBA
Dralion:
Worcester, MA -- Dec 16, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010
Philadelphia, PA -- Dec 21, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011
Boston, MA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011
Grand Rapids, MI -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011
St. Louis, MO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011
Chicago, IL -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011
Mobile, AL - Feb 2, 2011 to TBA
Columbus, OH - Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011
Detroit, MI -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011
Austin, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011
San Antonio, TX -- Mar 23, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011
Des Moines, IA -- Mar 30, 2011 to TBA
Springfield, IL -- Apr 6, 2011 to TBA
Council Bluffs, IA -- Apr 13, 2011 to TBA
Moline, IL -- Apr 19, 2011 to TBA
Peoria, IL -- Apr 22, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011
Madison, WI -- Apr 26, 2011 to TBA
Green Bay, WI -- Apr 29, 2011 to TBA
Rockford, IL -- May 3, 2011 to TBA
Kansas City, MO -- May 11, 2011 to TBA
Abbotsford, BC -- Jun 2, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Eugene, OR -- Jun 8, 2011 to TBA
Portland, OR -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA
Victoria, BC -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA
Edmonton, AB -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA
Saskatoon, SK -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA
Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 20, 2011 to TBA
Frisco, TX -- Jul 27, 2011 to TBA
Indianapolis, IN -- Aug 3, 2011 to TBA
Atlanta, GA -- Aug 25, 2011 to TBA
Albany, NY -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA
Syracuse, NY -- Sep 14, 2011 to TBA
Binghampton, NY -- Sep 20, 2011 to TBA
Glens Falls, NY -- Sep 24, 2011 to TBA
Portland, ME -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA
Cypress, TX -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA
Beaumont, TX -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA
Springfield, IL -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA
Richmond, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA
Montreal, QC -- Dec 19, 2011 to TBA
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour:
Montreal, QC -- Oct 2, 2011 & Oct 3, 2011
Ottawa, ON -- Oct 7, 2011 to Oct 8, 2011
Hamilton, ON -- Oct 12, 2011
Detroit, MI -- Oct 15, 2011
London, ON -- Oct 18, 2011
Toronto, ON -- Oct 21, 2011 & Oct 22, 2011
Winnipeg, MB -- Oct 26, 2011
Saskatoon, SK -- Oct 29, 2011
Edmonton, AB -- Nov 1, 2011 & Nov 2, 2011
Vancouver, BC -- Nov 4, 2011 & Nov 5, 2011
Seattle, WA -- Nov 9, 2011
Portland, OR -- Nov 18, 2011
Salt Lake City, UT -- Nov 29, 2011
Las Vegas, NV -- Dec 3, 2011 to Dec 11, 2011
Denver, CO -- Jan 6, 2012
Sacramento, CA -- Jan 10, 2012
San Jose, CA -- Jan 13, 2012
Oakland, CA -- Jan 18, 2012
San Diego, CA -- Jan 21, 2012
Anaheim, CA -- Jan 24, 2012
Los Angeles, CA -- Jan 27, 2012 & Jan 28, 2012
Houston, TX -- Feb 10, 2012
Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 2012
Montreal -- Mar 20, 2012 to Mar 22, 2012
Quebec City, QC -- Mar 24, 2012 & Mar 25, 2012
New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 2012
Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10, 2012
Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29, 2012
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise
noted.
(*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the
$7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where
applicable.
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=40 >
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm
2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50
o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View)
2010 Added Performances
o December 31st
2011 Dark Dates:
o January 5-19
o February 6
o March 2
o May 8-11
o July 6
o September 3-7
o November 2
2011 Added Performances:
o July 14th
o December 30th
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2010 Ticket Prices:
o Orchestra: $150.00
o Loggia: $130.00
o Balcony: $99.00
o Limited View: $93.50
2010 Dark Dates:
o December 8-19
2011 Dark Dates:
o February 6-9
o April 13-17
o June 12
o August 10-14
o October 9
o December 5-18
La Nouba:
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
2010 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9):
o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00
o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00
o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00
o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00
o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o January 18-22
o March 22
o May 17-28
o July 26
o September 20-24
o November 22
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday
Dark: Wednesday & Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2010 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!):
o Duo Sofas: $129.00
o Orchestra Seats: $105.00
o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00
o Balcony Seats: $69.00
o Cabaret Stools: $69.00
2010 Dark Dates:
o November 15-16
o December 17-21
2010 Added Performances:
o November 24th
o December 31st
2011 Dark Dates:
o February 6, 15
o April 15-19
o June 21
o August 26-30
o Septembre 2-6
o October 17-18
o December 16-20
2011 Added Performances:
o November 23rd
o December 31st
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00
o Category 2: $130.00 / $65.00
o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
2010 Added Performances:
o December 26
o December 31
2011 Dark Dates:
o January 18-29
o April 5
o May 31 - June 4
o July 12
o August 30 - September 7
o November 15-16
2011 Added Performances:
o January 16
o May 29
o November 27
o December 26
o December 31
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2010 Ticket Prices:
o Lower Orchestra: $150.00
o Upper Orchestra: $130.00
o Lower Balcony: $99.00
o Middle Balcony: $93.50
2010 Dark Dates:
o December 2 - 15
2011 Dark Dates:
o February 7-8
o April 7-11
o May 16
o June 6
o August 4-8
o October 3
o December 1-12
2011 Added Performances:
o May 18th
o December 28th
o December 31st
ZAIA:
Location: Venetian, Macao (China)
Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday
One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary
2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11):
o VIP Seating: MOP$ 1288 / MOP$ 1288
o Reserve A: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 394
o Reserve B: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 294
o Reserve C: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 194
ZED:
Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan)
Performs: Varies
One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary
2010 Ticket Prices (Non-Peek / Peek Time):
o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥15,000 / ¥16,000
o Category 2 ("Stage-Side"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500
o Category 2 ("Center"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500
o Category 3 ("Wide View"): ¥9,500 / ¥10,500
o Category 4 ("Value"): ¥7,500 / ¥8,500
BELIEVE:
Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm
NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by
an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted
into the theater.
2010 Ticket Prices (all):
o Category 1: $160.00
o Category 2: $130.00
o Category 3: $109.00
o Category 4: $89.00
o Category 5: $59.00
2010 Added Performances:
o December 31 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm
2011 Dark Dates:
o January 11-15
o March 1-5
o June 7-14
o September 6-10
o December 6-17
VIVA ELVIS:
Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2010 Ticket Prices
o Category 1: $175.00
o Category 2: $150.00
o Category 3: $125.00
o Category 4: $99.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o January 18-19
o March 15-19
o May 10-11
o July 5-16
o September 13-14
o November 8-12
2011 Added Performances:
o May 29th
o November 27th
o December 26, 31
--------------------------------------
VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions
--------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 >
Wintuk:
Location ///
Madison Square Garden
New York City, NY (USA)
Regular Performances ///
November 17, 2010 through January 2, 2010
Wenesdays through Sundays
No Performances ///
There are no performances on Monday and Tuesday
(with the exception of December 21, 27 and 28, 2010).
Ticket Prices ///
Ticket prices range from from $30 to $220 based on category
and performance date. Please see the Cirque du Soleil
website for ticket details:
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/wintuk/
tickets/schedule.aspx >
IRIS:
Location ///
Kodak Theatre
Hollywood, CA (USA)
Performances ///
Opens July 22, 2011
Ticket Prices ///
Previews:
Category 0 = $203.00
Category 1 = $100.50
Category 2 = $78.00
Category 3 = $59.25
Category 4 = $33.00
Weekday Matinee:
Category 0: $253.00
Category 1: $123.00
Category 2: $93.00
Category 3: $68.00
Category 4: $43.00
Saturday Matinee:
Category 0: $253.00
Category 1: $133.00
Category 2: $103.00
Category 3: $78.00
Category 4: $43.00
ZARKANA:
Location ///
Radio City Music Hall
New York City, NY (USA)
Performances ///
June 9, 2011 through September 4, 2011.
2011 Dark Dates:
o June 13-15, 20-22, 27-28
o July 4, 11, 18, 25
o August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
o September 5, 12, 19, 26
o October 3
Ticket Prices ///
Previews:
Category 1 = $250.00
Category 2 = $120.00
Category 3 = $70.00
Category 4 = $47.00
Fri Eve, Sat Mat, Sat Eve, Sun Mat:
Category 1: $300.00
Category 2: $130.00
Category 3: $75.00
Category 4: $52.00
Tues Eve, Wed Mat, Wed Eve, Thurs Eve,
Fri Mat, Sun Eve:
Category 1: $250.00
Category 2: $130.00
Category 3: $75.00
Category 4: $52.00
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
---[ ALEGRIA ]---
{Nov.30}
Premiere in El Paso tomorrow, Wednesday December 1st!
Invited in Phoenix, El Paso ABC host, Jill Galus, brought
you back some great reviews from the audience!
LINK /// < http://www.kvia.com/video/25923359/index.html >
{Nov.25}
Only 9 months until the end of the North American Tour. Europe,
you're next! Tickets now on sale!
{Nov.19}
Soon in Tucson! In this article, more info and cool facts about
our show.
LINK /// < http://azstarnet.com/entertainment/arts-and-
theatre/article_b425ffc4-ace2-57e7-9986-
c609f526c22b.html >
{Nov.13}
Tonight in Houston, home of NASA, we received the honor of a
visit from Canadian Astronaut Julie Payette!
PHOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
494484445745&set=a.132917855745.130630.38543815745 >
{Nov.09}
Highlights from Alegria's trainings in Honolulu last month.
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSBHDMriCO4 >
{Nov.04}
Behind the scene: Rehearsal before our Premiere in Boise.
Interview with Tim Smith (Artistic Director), Lars Kristensen
(Artistic Coach, Power Track) and Stephanie Van Buynder (Power
Track). Make sure to click on the camera icon to see the video!
LINK /// < http://www.kivitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13449299 >
---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]---
{Nov.23}
On November 22, Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil,
became the recipient of the 2,424th star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame in front of the Kodak Theatre, where IRIS opens in 2011!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
10150131384242501&set=a.146711457500.
141354.144074117500 >
{Nov.23}
Tapis Rouge - The Ultimate VIP Experience with a unique Cirque
du Soleil twist!
FOTO [30] /// < LINK >
{Nov.11}
Immerse yourself in the creative core of Cirque du Soleil
through this virtual visit! Did you know? The company has
5,000 employees, including more than 1,200 artists from
close to 50 different countries!
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzV8VVuRdUc >
---[ DRALION ]---
{Nov.30}
Watch Vladik performing his act at the Reading Terminal Market
in Philadelphia earlier today.
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA [HQ]
VIDEO [3:14] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?
v=477824050352&oid=39340140194&comments&ref=mf >
{Nov.26}
Here is Dralion cast and crew on stage. First company photo!
FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
10150339024410195&set=a.225774950194.
283184.39340140194 >
{Nov.18}
Dralion casts visiting the CN Tower
FOTO [5] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
579953&id=39340140194&ref=mf >
{Nov.18}
Cirque delivers world-class entertainment to Windsor
LINK /// < http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/
Cirque+delivers+world+class+entertainment+
Windsor/3845808/story.html >
{Nov.17}
What to expect when Dralion hits Windsor
LINK /// < http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/
What+expect+when+Dralion+hits+Windsor/
3822243/story.html >
{Nov.11}
Sneak preview of Dralion in Youngstown with Alison Crawford
(senior artistic director). We are performing at the Covelli
Center until Nov. 14.
LINK /// < http://www.wfmj.com/global/category.asp?c=
179433&clipId=5228952&topVideoCatNo=
127770&autoStart=true >
{Nov.07}
Dralion celebrates Halloween
FOTO [9] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
574910&id=39340140194&ref=mf >
{Nov.04}
Good news! We are performing at the Sovereign Center until
Sunday. Great review for The Reading Eagle. Cirque du Soleil
show a visual feast!
LINK /// < http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=261578 >
{Nov.02}
Cirque du Soleil Comes To Reading - 69 News at Sunrise Story -
WFMZ Allentown
LINK /// < http://www.wfmz.com/sunrise/25605809/detail.html >
---[ IRIS ]---
{Nov.22}
We're celebrating with artists, including from IRIS, at the
Kodak Theatre, as our founder, Guy Laliberté, receives his star
on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd.!
FOTO [19] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
30634&id=161171830587832&ref=mf >
{Nov.08}
IRIS Creation Sketches
FOTO [6] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29776
&id=161171830587832&ref=mf >
---[ KA ]---
{Nov.29}
Hello KÀ fans! We've been in the news all around the world
in the past few weeks, from Italy to Japan to Latin America,
and tomorrow we're back on your TV in North America. Tune in
to "Live! with Regis & Kelly" on Tues., Nov. 30, to see if
Kelly Ripa has what it takes to play The Empress in KÀ!
(Photo courtesy of Disne...y-ABC Domestic Television.)
FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
10150113871796929&set=a.176667951928.
146847.31527171928 >
{Nov.26}
Saudação, amigos de KÀ! We have another special treat, this
time for our fans in Brazil: tune in to HBO on December 3rd
to see the full performance of KÀ, including five Brazilian
artists (Michel, Gaby, Julia, Rei & Leo) who have a special
message for you. Enjoy!
Greetings from KÀ em Português! [HD]
VIDEO [1:10] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php
?v=1732548039946&oid=31527171928&comments&ref=mf >
{Nov.26}
Hola, amigos de KÀ! We have a very special treat for those
of you who live in Mexico, Central America and Spanish-
speaking South America: tune in to HBO on November 29th to
see the entire performance of KÀ right from your living room!
And here's a special message from KÀ artists Franciso & Sabu
Alegria from Mexico, an...d Jonas Zuniga from Argentina!
(Don't worry, Brazil. Your message is next...)
Greetings from KÀ en Español! [HD]
VIDEO [0:36] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php
?v=1732540959769&oid=31527171928&comments&ref=mf >
{Nov.19}
In keeping with our international theme this week, please
enjoy part 1 of an interview with our fantastic Japanese
baton artist, Noriko Takahashi.
LINK /// < http://www.vegaszumi.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=176 >
{Nov.18}
Our Head Coach for the past 6 years is leaving to begin a new
chapter in his life back home in London. As a small token of
our appreciation he is leaving with a "Potato" necklace
(courtesy of artist Gail Gilbert) and a messenger bag made
from old costume pieces (courtesy of our Wardrobe team.) We
also made him put on a Tribesman costume and perform for us
before he left; we felt it was only fair. Warmest wishes to
you, Adrian!
FOTO [1] /// < http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/
hs1193.snc4/154515_10150107332621929_
31527171928_7267805_2906031_s.jpg >
{Nov.17}
Buongiorno, amici di KÀ! Here's a special treat for our
Italian, and Italian-reading, fans. To quote the writer of
this review, KÀ is "ultimissime!" Grazie!
LINK /// < http://www.fuoristradaweb.com/zoom.php?ida=3076&idt=6 >
---[ KOOZA ]---
{Nov.29}
Did you know that it takes almost 1 hour 1/2 for each artist to
complete their own make-up? Here's a quote from the KOOZA Makeup
Designer that describes her inspirations: "I explored textures
inspired by the Middle East and Africa, where you have recourse
to gold, jewels, brilliance and earth. I adopted a signature
that favors the spontaneity of gesture, and accentuates the
asymmetry of line, the instinctive and the ritual." - Florence
Cornet
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=460292711338
&set=a.71836936338.88957.34324811338 >
{Nov.23}
Tapis Rouge - The Ultimate VIP Experience with a unique
Cirque du Soleil twist!
FOTO [30] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
247214&id=34324811338&ref=mf >
{Nov.17}
Behind the Scenes at KOOZA, WPLG LIVE from the artistic tent -
TV host tries the Charivari ball with KOOZA artists Ganji &
Vitali! source: justnews.com
LINK /// < http://www.justnews.com/video/25824793/index.html >
{Nov.16}
See pictures from Big Top Raising to the opening night in Miami!
Source: nbcmiami.com
LINK /// < http://www.nbcmiami.com/blogs/niteside/Inside-The-
Cirque-Du-Soleils-Kooza-107745189.html >
{Nov.13}
REVIEW: KOOZA an uplifting return to old Cirque! Source: Miami
Herald `Kooza' an uplifting return to old Cirque - Living -
LINK /// < http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/13/1923364/
kooza-an-uplifting-return-to-old.html#storylink=fbuser >
{Nov.12}
A few pictures of the KOOZA Private performance in Miami.
FOTO [15] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
244828&id=34324811338&ref=mf>
---[ LA NOUBA ]---
{Nov.30}
Kudos to our front-of-house and box office teams for managing
even the most challenging of circumstances like pros! Many
thanks today and every day!
{Nov.30}
So happy that some of our friends from KOOZA can go to the 9pm
show!!
{Nov.25}
Portrait of an Artist: Whether you are cooking today or enjoying
the fruits of someone elses culinary labor, we thought you might
like to get to know a fellow foodie who has been sharing his
vocal talent with La Nouba audiences for seven years. You read
about his choreographic interests in the showcase performed last
weekend and now you can learn about one of his passions outside
of the performing arts.
Meet Ralph Daniel Rawe, Countertenor in La Nouba.
Read More:
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/notes/la-nouba-by-cirque-du-
soleil/portrait-of-an-artist-ralph-daniel-rawe/
470324314445 >
{Nov.05}
Here is a fun behind-the-scenes video we dug from the archives!
This Is Emily Yeung - With Cirque Du Soleil
VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnxQ61fv7R4
&feature=related >
---[ MJ IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR ]---
{Nov.15}
Jamie King, Writer and Director of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL
World Tour by Cirque du Soleil, talks about his career
VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCDv01J6I1I >
{Nov.08}
MTV takes a look at Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour with
some nice insights from our writer and director, Jamie King!
LINK /// < http://on.mtv.com/atWwx9 >
{Nov.03}
Enter to win a trip to the world premiere of Michael Jackson THE
IMMORTAL World Tour!
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/mjsweepstakes >
{Nov.03}
Here are the creators of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour
by Cirque du Soleil!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35555&id=
163439450347592&ref=mf >
{Nov.03}
Jamie King, Writer and Director of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL
World Tour by Cirque du Soleil, talks about his inspiration and
creative process
VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd54xvSKrwA >
{Nov.02}
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil -
Storyboards!
FOTO [4] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35554
&id=163439450347592&ref=mf >
---[ MYSTERE ]---
{Nov.30}
Yesterday was the kick-off event of our first ever "Cirque
Week" celebration in Las Vegas! We brought some characters
from Mystère, The Beatles LOVE, and Zumanity, to pose for
photos and mingle with fans. Can you name the Mystère c
characters?
LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas
/with/5221837574/ >
{Nov.30}
Cirque du Soleil is going out with Gowalla! You can explore
the seven worlds of Cirque here in Vegas and receive a custom
Mystère stamp in your virtual passport when you check in to
our theatre! If you check in to all seven, you get a special
pin! There's also a mystery, limited edition Cirque du Soleil
item floating around at the theatres, too! (and it's something
you Mystère fans may recognize!)
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/gowallacirque >
{Nov.17}
More good news coverage to share today, this time courtesy of
our friends to the north in Toronto. (P.S. This is our Company
Manager's hometown paper, so he was especially proud!)
LINK /// < http://www.thestar.com/travel/northamerica/article/
889391--cirque-du-soleil-catapults-to-top-in-vegas >
{Nov.14}
One of our favorite things even after having been here for over
8,000 performances and almost 17 years, is experiencing Mystère
through the eyes of someone discovering it for the first time.
Like this person. Enjoy!
LINK /// < http://www.nileguide.com/destination/blog/las-
vegas/2010/11/05/cirque-du-soleil%E2%80%99s-mystere-
continues-to-wow-audiences/ >
{Nov.10}
Hi Mystère fans! Shhhh... don't tell anyone but we managed to
sneak you a peek at our brand new Highbar music! Well, it's
mostly a peek for your ears but your eyes are invited too.
Let us know what you think!
Mystère 2010 - New Highbar Music [HD]
VIDEO [0:38] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php
?v=1705127274444&oid=18155469918&comments&ref=mf >
{Nov.06}
Hello Mystère friends! We have a HUGE milestone to share with
you today! Mystère is proud to be home to artist Zdzislaw Pelka
from Poland, who is the only current artist in any of our shows
to have performed with Cirque du Soleil for 20 years! Here is
Z, as he is known here, receiving a gift from Company Manager
Matt Nickel (l) and Artistic Director David Gomez (r).
Congratulations Z!!!!
LINK /// < http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/
hs483.ash2/75676_489402304918_18155469918_
6997296_6340828_s.jpg >
---[ "O" ]---
{Nov.19}
"O" by Cirque du Soleil would like to congratulate our friends
and family at Bellagio for receiving the AAA Five Diamond
award, which marks the 10th consecutive year they have acheived
this honor!
---[ OVO ]---
{Nov.25}
Tapis Rouge - The Ultimate VIP Experience with a
unique twist!
FOTO [13] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
255788&id=62744104613&ref=mf >
{Nov.17}
We are so excited, OVO will do its 600th show tonight!
{Nov.17}
See the interview with Marjon van Grunsven, artistic
director, at NBC!
LINK /// < http://www.11alive.com/atlanta_and_company_
story.aspx?storyid=163425+ >
{Nov.04}
Want to see great pictures of the private preview in
Atlanta? Go on AtlantaMetromix.com!
LINK /// < http://atlanta.metromix.com/events/essay_
photo_gallery/cirque-du-soleil-ovo/2291199/content >
---[ SATLIMBANCO ]---
{Nov.26}
Very positive comments about the show!
LINK /// < http://www.blic.rs/Zabava/Vesti/219648/Prva-
predstava-Cirque-du-Soleil-u-Beogradskoj-areni >
LINK /// < http://www.24sata.rs/vodic.php?id=84835 >
{Nov.19}
Great comments about the show!
LINK /// < http://www.24sata.hr/spektakli/zaljubljuju-
se-na-trapezu-pravi-dom-im-je-zapravo-
u-cirkusu-198926 >
{Nov.15}
Now in Zagreb, Croatia! Opening Wednesday night...
LINK /// < http://inmagazin.novatv.hr/multimedia/iz-inmagazina
-cirque-du-soleil-uskoro-u-zagrebu.html >
{Nov.14}
Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil in Prague!
LINK /// < http://kultura.idnes.cz/reportaz-s-artisty-z-cirque-
du-soleil-jezdi-po-svete-i-svadleny-a-pracky-
1ab-/divadlo.asp?c=A101112_203538_divadlo_tt >
---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]---
{Nov.30}
Check out photos from Cirque Week (including yesterday's
audience at the LOVE Q&A) at the Flickr account below!
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/cirqueflickr%20%20 >
{Nov.15}
Have you ever dreamed of dancing with a Cirque du Soleil
performer? Well, now is your chance...join cast members from
LOVE, Zumanity, Viva ELVIS and Believe on Sat, Nov 27 at the
Rock Center for Dance in Las Vegas. All proceeds benefit Clarke
County Food Bank, so 'tis the season to DANCE!
{Nov.13}
Amazing video clip talks about creating the scenes in LOVE...
from "Get Back" to "Help"...featuring interviews with Paul and
Ringo! Enjoy...
VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=TOKAtrcHQas&feature=related >
{Nov.10}
The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil welcomes the LATIN GRAMMY
AWARDS to Las Vegas! Check out this quote from Paul McCartney
in Brazil on Sunday: "I love South American audiences. I always
think I have Latin blood because I connect so strongly with
their love of music and their love of rhythm and their love of
melody, so I always feel like I have a very big bond with South
American people and Latin people in general. So yeah, I'm
bonding, man!"
{Nov.06}
In case you didn't know, the cast of LOVE are oozing with
creativity, inspiration and imagination. Check out this
"Secret Show", created by 2 of LOVE's original cast members:
Joel Sebastian Howard and Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar.
Featuring Las Vegas' most talented, both on-stage and
behind-the-scenes...enjoy!
LINK /// < http://vimeo.com/16546944 >
---[ TOTEM ]---
{NOv.10}
** CONGRATULATIONS TOTEM ON YOUR 200th SHOW! **
GEFELICITEERD! FÉLICITATIONS!
{Nov.06}
Exclusive Interview with Nathatlie J. Simard - make-up designer
of TOTEM!!
LINK /// < http://www.misslipgloss.nl/backstage-bij-
cirque-du-soleil/ >
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
165881630099202&set=a.111837202170312.
12495.111798252174207 >
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
165881393432559&set=a.111837202170312.
12495.111798252174207
---[ VAREKAI ]---
{Nov.23}
Varekai en TVE - Espana Directo
LINK /// < http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/20101123/
espana-directo---maravilloso-mundo-del-
circo/938401.shtml >
{Nov.16}
Varekai en TV3
LINK /// < http://www.tv3.cat/pprogrames/infok/infk
Seccio.jsp?seccio=notis&idint=8015 >
{Nov.11}
Varekai en BARCELONA TV...
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_HBQK1odhk >
{Nov.03}
Varekai en La Vanguardia de hoy....
LINK /// < http://www.lavanguardia.es/cultura/noticias/
20101103/54064613251/las-entranas-del-
cirque-du-soleil.html >
---[ VIVA ELVIS ]---
{Nov.22}
The Album has debuted in the upper half of the Billboard 200!
Have you picked up your copy?
{Nov.22}
While the show was dark last week, 20 artists traveled to
England to perform on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing program at
the historic Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Check it out!
VIDEO /// < http://bit.ly/a7DCFx >
{Nov.13}
Photo!
FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=
451525084108&set=a.167799494108.119733.
167136344108 >
{Nov.09}
To celebrate our brand new album, we've got a brand new video!
Click below to check out the video for Suspicious Minds!
(And don't forget to grab a copy of the album for yourself!)
VIDEO /// < http://bit.ly/b3M44z >
{Nov.08}
The final installment of the special edition podcast looking
at behind-the-scenes details from the making of Viva ELVIS:
The Album is now online!
LINK /// <http://www.elvis.com/news/follow-elvis/weekly-
podcast/default.aspx >
{Nov.03}
Love this story and we'll be excited to welcome Edison Pena to
our show early next year!
LINK /// < http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/
wireStory?id=12048536 >
{Nov.01}
Check out the podcast below for a special look into the making
of Viva ELVIS: The Album!
LINK /// < http://www.elvis.com/news/podcast/ >
---[ WINTUK ]---
{Nov.24}
If you can pony up some extra cash for these pricey tickets, I'd
strongly advise you to catch a performance of Cirque du Soleil's
dazzling work!
LINK /// < http://www.backstage.com/bso/content_display/reviews/
ny-theatre-reviews/e3i39b5c49ccd74a21f15ff1ed324cba756 >
{Nov.22}
Wintuk is now open for its final season! Get your tickets today
and save 40% on select performances (including shows
Thanksgiving weekend)! Use code 28CSM!
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/aGlUCE >
{Nov.19}
Here's a neat shot of some of our artists on top of the Empire
State Building!
LINK /// < http://jezebel.com/5694635/a-tough-balancing-act-
on-top-of-the-empire-state-building >
{Nov.17}
We are so excited to be back in New York City for our final
season! This morning we renamed part of 33rd street WINTUK WAY!
(We're also predicting snow, so c'mon down and join in on the
fun!)
FOTO [13] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=
562154&id=98244255320&ref=mf >
{Nov.16}
Check out what the MSG KidCam heard when they asked kids all
about snow! (And then throw a Snow Note at your friends!
LINK /// < http://www.wintuksnownote.com/ >
{Nov.10}
Hoops performers Elena Lev performed on FOX-TV Good Day New
York. Check out her amazing act! Wintuk performances begin
in 7 days.
LINK /// < http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/
wintuk-20101110 >
---[ ZARKANA ]---
{Nov.09}
Here's what the New York Times Arts Beat has to say about
Zarkana! And don't miss the presale starting today!
LINK /// < http://nyti.ms/9GuRNS >
{Nov.08}
ZARKANA Creation Sketches
FOTO [7] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?
aid=30733&id=139797212738843&ref=mf >
---[ ZUMANITY ]---
{Nov.30}
Zumanity is proud to be nominated for one of the 2010 Localites
Awards in category of Sexiest Las Vegas Show!
LINK /// < http://www.localites.tv/awards/ >
{Nov.23}
See video below for a commercial shoot we did with the LOGO TV
network this summer and our fierce & fabulous Vixen Vanessa!
VIDEO [1:00] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php
?v=563235395253&oid=13931088846&comments&ref=mf >
{Nov.10}
Wanna be a part of the sexy fun of Zumanity? Check out the
Zumanity Roses game and do it right from your house!
LINK /// < http://www.zumanityroses.com/ >
{Nov.04}
Hollywood Walk of Fame 50th Anniversary
FOTO [18] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php?
aid=255521&id=13931088846&ref=mf >
=======================================================================
COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
=======================================================================
------------------------------------
HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History
------------------------------------
* Dec.01.2005 -- Varekai opened St. Petersburg, Florida
* Dec.01.2009 -- Koozå celebrated 1000th performance [8:00pm/Santa Monica]
* Dec.02.1999 -- Dralion opened Irvine, California
* Dec.02.2008 -- Cirque announces Russian expansion
* Dec.03.2002 -- Cirque abandoned "Complexes Cirque" project
* Dec.04.2001 -- NY-NY announced as next new Cirque show site.
* Dec.04.2003 -- Varekai opened Ponoma
* Dec.04.2004 -- Varekai celebrated 1000th performance [Saturday/Dallas]
* Dec.05.2001 -- Alegría opened Perth, Australia
* Dec.07.2006 -- Dralion opened Neuss, Germany
* Dec.10.2006 -- Curtain fell on Saltimbanco - Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
* Dec.15.2000 -- Quidam opened London
* Dec.15.2006 -- Corteo opened Atlanta
* Dec.15.2008 -- MGM/Mirage announces sale of TI, home of Mystère
* Dec.15.2009 -- Cirque unveiled VIVA ELVIS
* Dec.16.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film premiered in Singapore
* Dec.16.2001 -- Dralion celebrated its 1000th performance [1:00pm/Dallas]
* Dec.16.2008 -- Guy Laliberté invests in Prestige Telecom, Inc
* Dec.17.2002 -- Varekai Split-Track CD Released (BMG/CDS Musique)
* Dec.18.2009 -- Preview Performances of VIVA ELVIS Began
* Dec.19.2005 -- "O" wins "Best of Show" at "The Trippies - 1st Annual
Readers Poll Awards" at Las Vegas travel guide site
VegasTripping.com
* Dec.20.2004 -- "Dreams of the Solo Trapeze" Book Published
* Dec.20.2005 -- "A Taste of Cirque du Soleil" entertainment showcase for
Celebrity Cruises announced
* Dec.23.1998 -- La Nouba premiered at WDW (Preview Performances)
* Dec.23.2008 -- La Nouba quietly celebrates 10th Anniversary
* Dec.24.1993 -- Mystère premiered at Treasure Island
* Dec.24.2008 -- Mystère quietly celebrates 15th Anniversary
* Dec.24.2003 -- Quidam opened Tokyo, Japan
* Dec.26.2001 -- Dralion celebrated 1000th performance [Wed, 1:00pm/Dallas]
* Dec.27.2000 -- Region 02 DVD Release: Quidam
* Dec.27.2007 -- Alegría opened Rio de Janiero, Brazil
* Dec.28.1989 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened Phoenix, Arizona
* Dec.31.2004 -- Quidam opened Auckland
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
Within...
o) " Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour is On!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
o) " Welcome Zarkana!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
o) "INTERVIEW /// "Jerry Nadal: Keeping the Value" (Part 2/2)
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
-------------------------------------------------------
"Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour On!"
By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room
-------------------------------------------------------
A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses
audiences in Michael's creative world and literally turns his
signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour
unfolds Michael Jackson's artistry before the eyes of the audience.
Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael's
creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence,
soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that
continues to transcend generations.
THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where we
discover Michael's inspirational Giving Tree-the wellspring of his
creativity. The secrets of Michael's inner world are unlocked-his love
of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of
nature.
The underpinnings of THE IMMORTAL World Tour are Michael Jackson's
powerful, inspirational music and lyrics-the driving force behind the
show-brought to life with extraordinary power and breathless
intensity. Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE
IMMORTAL World Tour underscores Michael's global messages of love,
peace and unity.
TICKETS
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour will be touring North America.
Check out the following link for cities and tickets!:
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-
tour/tickets.aspx
THE CREATORS
Jamie King - Writer and Director
Jamie King is the leading concert director in the world of pop music
today. In 2006, Variety named King one of the most influential "movers
and shakers" in the music industry, branding him the "Jerry
Bruckheimer of ten-pole concert tours". A multiple Emmy Award ® and
MTV Video Music Award ® nominee, and greatly influenced by his early
years working for both Prince and Michael Jackson, he has
choreographed some of the most popular music videos and directed some
of the highest grossing concert tours of all time. For the past twelve
years, he has served as Madonna's creative director, having most
recently directed her 2008 Sticky & Sweet world tour, as well as her
2006 record-breaking Confessions world tour and hit music video,
Sorry. He most recently directed Rihanna's Last Girl On Earth world
tour, Céline Dion's Taking Chances world tour, The Return of the Spice
Girls reunion tour, Britney Spears' Circus tour and Avril Lavigne's
Best Damn tour. He previously directed and choreographed world tours
for Madonna (Re-Invention and Drowned World); Asian superstar Rain
(Rain's Coming); Ricky Martin (Black & White and La Vida Loca); Pink
(Try This); Christina Aguilera (Back to Basics and Stripped); and his
first collaboration with Britney Spears (Oops I Did It Again). He has
worked with an array of superstars including Mariah Carey, Shakira,
George Michael, Elton John, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez and even Ellen
DeGeneres. This is Jamie's first show with Cirque du Soleil.
Chantal Tremblay - Director of Creation
At the end of the 1980s, while living in New York pursuing a career in
dance, Chantal Tremblay decides to join Cirque du Soleil after having
seen one the company's shows. Chantal started out as a dancer on a
Cirque project and then became choreographer Debra Brown's assistant
on the creation of Mystère. Chantal has worked on many Cirque projects
including the shows Alegría, La Nouba and Mystère for which she once
was the Artistic Director. Later on her solid credentials helped her
land the position of Director of Creation on both The Beatles LOVE and
OVO.
Mark Fisher - Set Designer
British architect Mark Fisher's interest in building temporary
structures and inflatables caught the attention of Roger Waters and
led to his first rock 'n' roll commission for Pink Floyd's Animals
tour in 1977. Mark has since earned an international reputation for
his spectacular concert designs. His best-known work includes The Wall
and Division Bell for Pink Floyd, Steel Wheels, Bridges to Babylon and
Bigger Bang for the Rolling Stones, as well as Popmart for U2. Most
recently Mark was Chief Designer for the opening and closing
ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the 2008 Beijing
Summer Olympics and U2's 2009-2010 360° tour. This will be Mark
Fisher's third collaboration with Cirque du Soleil following KÀ and
Viva ELVIS.
Zaldy Goco - Costume Designer
Zaldy is one of New York's most celebrated and innovative designers.
Since 2001 he has created custom looks for entertainment icons such as
Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez,
Mary J Blige, Will I. Am, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, Alicia
Keys, Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Parker Posey, Gabourey Sidebe, and
Mick Jagger among others. In 2009 Zaldy was named head designer for
Michael Jackson's This Is It concert series as well as Lady Gaga's
first North American Monster Ball Tour. He was the man behind Gwen
Stefani's label L.A.M.B. collaborating with Stefani for nearly four
years while maintaining his namesake label. This is his first
collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
Kevin Antunes - Musical Designer
Kevin Antunes is a musical designer, musical director, keyboardist and
digital audio programmer. His most recent tour was working directly
for Madonna on her record breaking Sticky & Sweet world tour. Kevin
produced the stereo and surround sound audio mix for the live stadium
concert from Argentina released on DVD in 2010. Kevin has also worked
with Justin Timberlake for the past 12 years starting with *NSYNC,
which then transitioned into Justin's solo career. The stereo and
surround sound audio of Justin's HBO Live Concert Broadcast of his
FutureSex/LoveSounds (which was released on DVD) was also mixed by
Kevin. Throughout his career Kevin has performed with Janet Jackson,
Timbaland, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys,
Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg, Christina Aguilera, Lady Antebellum, P
Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Enrique Iglesias, Backstreet Boys, Marky
Mark & the Funky Bunch, and the New Kids on the Block, among others.
Kevin has performed on many major television events and music award
shows including The Grammy Awards, The Academy Awards, two different
Super Bowl Halftime Performances, HBO & Showtime Original Live
Concerts, Hope for Haiti Now benefit concert, Canadian SARS benefit
concert, Amnesty International, Rock-n-Rio, MTV Awards, The Brit
Awards, The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and
Saturday Night Live. Kevin is working with Cirque du Soleil for the
first time.
Martin Labrecque - Lighting Designer
Martin Labrecque's professional credits include more than a hundred
theatrical productions, as well as circus shows. Martin contributed to
the critical success of several Quebec shows. He has won many Quebec
awards for his lighting design in addition to several nominations.
Martin Labrecque created the lighting for two critically acclaimed
circus shows produced by Cirque Éloize, Rain and Nomade, as well as
Cirque du Soleil shows Corteo, KOOZA and Viva ELVIS. In 2009, Martin
designed the lighting for an eleven-hour show by Canadian author,
director and actor Wajdi Mouawad, which was presented in the courtyard
of the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France. He also worked on the show
Paradis Perdu, directed by Dominic Champagne and presented in
Montreal.
Olivier Goulet - Projection Designer
Active in the field of video design since 2001, Quebec producer, stage
and video content designer Olivier Goulet specializes in video stage
design. Since 2007, he has designed and produced video content for
many productions and artists including Maria Carey, Alicia Keys, Joe
Cocker, Michael Bublé, Tina Turner, Pink, the shows of Cher and Bette
Midler at Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, as well as the production
Paradis Perdu in Montreal. Olivier is the President of the Montreal-
based video stage design company Geodezik, which collaborated with
Cirque du Soleil on the shows DELIRIUM and ZAIA. Other Quebec (Gilles
Maheu, O Vertigo Danse) and American (Linkin Park and The Killers,
Justin Timberlake) artists turned to Geodezik to enhance their show
through video imagery.
François Desjardins - Sound Designer
For nearly 25 years, François Desjardins has devoted himself entirely
to enhancing sound environments in the music world. As a sound
designer, he creates soundscapes that are tailored to each artist's
expectations. Since 1992, François has toured with Céline Dion on all
her live shows, He has also worked with several Canadian and foreign
artists including Garou, Roch Voisine, Tragically Hip, Tom Cochrane
and Pavarotti. As a crew chief, he has installed, maintained and
operated the most sophisticated sound systems available in the
industry. François also participated in a large number of events as
Head Sound Technician of Solotech (Montreal) and Chief Technical
Advisor of Solotech (United States). He was sound designer during the
World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002 (Papal visit) and for the re-
staging of Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco.
Scott Osgood - Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer
Scott started his career as an acrobat as part of the Sailor Circus
program in Sarasota, California. His disciplines included ladder,
teeterboard, clowning and juggling. Scott picked up his knowledge of
acrobatic equipment and rigging design from veterans in the business.
He worked in the worlds of theatre and rock music, where his rigging
expertise was in demand. At the same time, he continued to work around
the world as a performer, appearing with many circus companies
including the Ringling Brothers, and Barnum and Bailey. He also worked
as an acrobat in theme parks including Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen,
Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Scott's first assignment with Cirque
du Soleil came when the Cirque show La Nouba was being created in
1997. He worked on the rigging design for that production. ZED was
Scott Osgood's first mandate with Cirque du Soleil as Rigging and
Acrobatic Equipment Designer.
Germain Guillemot - Acrobatic Performance Designer
A graduate from Centre national des arts du cirque in Châlon, France,
Germain Guillemot started his career with the French troupe Cirque
Archaos and toured with the company for two years. With other circus
fellows he created the French circus company Les Arts Sauts where he
worked both as a creator and performer for 15 years. Germain joined
Cirque du Soleil in 2007 as a coach for the flying trapeze act on ZED
and then became Acrobatic Training Manager for Viva ELVIS. This is
Germain Guillemot's first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil as
Acrobatic Performance Designer.
Michael Curry - Props Designer
Puppet Designer Michael Curry works widely in both conceptual and
technical development with the foremost entertainment companies such
as the Metropolitan Opera, London's Royal National Theatre, Disney
Theatrical Productions, LA Opera, and Universal Pictures. Michael has
been the recipient of many prestigious awards from his peers,
including several awards for his puppet and costume work on Broadway,
Olympic ceremonies as well as his continuing innovations in the fields
of visual effects and puppetry design. He has collaborated with Julie
Taymor on many stage and opera productions. Among his numerous awards,
he received the 1998 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design in
recognition of his work for Taymor on The Lion King. Michael's other
credits include an opera directed by Robert Lepage at the Paris Opera,
an opera at La Scala, Milan, directed by William Friedkin, and the
Broadway production of Spider Man with music by Bono and Edge,
directed by Julie Taymor. After KÀ and Wintuk, Michael Curry
collaborates with Cirque du Soleil for the third time.
-------------------------------------------------------
"Welcome Zarkana!"
By: Cirque du Soleil Press Room
-------------------------------------------------------
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S MARVELOUS EXPLORATION OF
THE TRULY BIZARRE AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Written and Directed by François Girard
PERFORMANCES BEGINS JUNE 9, 2011
Exclusive Pre-Sale Tickets Available Starting Today
Tickets available to the general public from November 22
NEW YORK (November 9, 2010) - Cirque du Soleil announced today that
its major new acrobatic spectacle, Zarkana, will begin performances at
the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 9, 2011
for a limited engagement through September 4, 2011. Proudly presented
by iShares, Zarkana is written and directed by acclaimed film and
theatre director François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk).
Zarkana is a fantastically bizarre world where we follow the
adventures of Zark, a magician who has lost his love and, with her,
his powers. As he cries and begs for her return he is plunged into a
world inhabited by surreal creatures. The diverse cast of 71
international artists transports the audience into a fantastical and
suspenseful world, blurring the boundaries between the real and
imaginary.
About The Show Title
The name Zarkana is a fusion of the words "bizarre" and "arcana"
(arcana means "mystery" or "secret"). The twisted fictional world of
Zarkana is an elusive destination that is fantastic yet bizarre. The
name refers to the irresistibly odd and delightfully strange aura of
this place and its inhabitants.
About François Girard
One of Quebec's most highly regarded creators, François Girard is
equally at ease in cinema (Silk, The Red Violin), opera, visual arts
and theatre and has earned an enviable international reputation over
the years. A keen music lover, he is particularly known for the hybrid
worlds he creates in which music plays a predominant role. His works
are recognized for their great musicality, both in terms of sound and
image. This will be his second creation for Cirque du Soleil,
following ZED, the Tokyo resident show.
The Creative Team
Along with François Girard, the creative team consists of the
following distinctive talents:
Guy Laliberté - Artistic Guide
François Girard - Writer and Director
Line Tremblay - Director of Creation
Stéphane Roy - Set and Props Designer
Alan Hranitelj - Costume Designer
Nick Littlemore - Composer and Musical Director
Debra Brown - Choreographer
Elena Kolyadenko - Choreographer
Alain Lortie - Lighting Designer
Raymond St-Jean - Image Content Designer
Steven Dubuc - Sound Designer
Florence Pot - Acrobatic Performance Designer
Danny Zen - Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer
Eleni Uranis - Makeup Designer
Ticket Information
Starting today, Zarkana tickets are available exclusively to Cirque
Club Members. Tickets range from $47 to $130 with a limited number of
premium tickets available for all performances.
Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance
tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information.
To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.
Starting November 22, tickets will be available to the general public
at 1-866-858-0008 or www.cirquedusoleil.com/zarkana.
Special Offer from American Express®: Receive a complimentary gift
when you purchase Zarkana tickets using your American Express Card.
For Preferred Seating and other American Express Cardmember benefits,
please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/amex.
Sponsors
iShares is the presenting sponsor of this new production. American
Express and Infiniti are the official sponsors.
Creators Bios
François Girard - Writor and Director
One of Quebec's most highly-regarded creators, François Girard is
equally at ease in cinema (Silk, The Red Violin), opera, visual arts
and theatre and has earned an enviable international reputation over
the years. A keen music lover, he is particularly known for the hybrid
worlds he creates in which music plays a predominant role. His works
are recognized for their great musicality, both in terms of sound and
image. This will be his second creation for Cirque du Soleil,
following ZED, the Tokyo resident show.
Line Tremblay - Director of Creation
Line Tremblay has worked in many capacities for Cirque du Soleil since
the company was founded in 1984. Starting in 1992 she worked as the
assistant to the director for the creation of the shows Mystère,
Alegría, Quidam, "O" and La Nouba. Line also contributed her talent to
Quidam as Artistic Director and was Director of Creation for the
Corteo and ZED.
Stéphane Roy - Set and Props Designer
Stéphane Roy has worked as both a set designer and artistic director
on over 100 productions in Montreal and abroad. While primarily active
in theatre and dance, he has also worked in film, television,
advertising and variety shows. Stéphane designed the sets for the
Cirque du Soleil shows Dralion, Varekai, Zumanity and KOOZA.
Alan Hranitelj - Costume Designer
Alan Hranitelj has participated in many group exhibitions and fashion
shows both in Slovenia, where he's been living for the past 25 years,
and abroad. In 1991, he designed haute couture collections in Milan,
but he soon quit catwalks and returned to his first love, stage. He
mostly designs for drama, opera and film. This is his first show for
Cirque du Soleil.
Nick Littlemore - Composer and Musical Director
Nick Littlemore is an Australian musician and producer, known as
frontman of acclaimed electronic act Pnau (with Peter Mayes) and one
part of electro pop-duo Empire of the Sun (with Luke Steele). He is
also a member of art-rock band Teenager (with Pip Brown a.k.a
Ladyhawke). As a producer he has worked with Sir Elton John, Groove
Armada, Ellie Goulding, Robbie Williams, Flora Purim and many others.
This new production will be his first collaboration with Cirque du
Soleil.
Sir Elton John will be guiding his protégé Nick Littlemore through the
creative process of this new production.
Debra Brown - Choreographer
Dancer and choreographer Debra Brown is internationally-renowned for
her unique body of work blending acrobatics and dance. Ever keen to
diversify and reinvent, Debra has forged her impressive and
unconventional creative path, working with artists and groups from a
wide variety of disciplines. She worked with François Girard on ZED
and this new production will be her eleventh production with Cirque du
Soleil.
Elena Kolyadenko - Choreagrapher
Elena Kolyadenko has been active in the artistic world in Ukraine and
Russia for many years. For the past seven years, she has created and
has been managing the Ukraine dance group Freedom Ballet. She has
worked on a number of productions on many capacities: casting,
staging, musical orchestration, and costume design. Moreover, she has
been a ballet coach for the Shchepkin Theater (Ukraine), as well as
manager and choreographer for the Art Classic Ballet. This will be her
first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
Alain Lortie - Lighting Designer
More than 25 years ago, Alain Lortie began working with multi-talented
Quebec artists such as Michel Lemieux, Marie Chouinard and Edward
Lock, and has since collaborated on many variety, opera and music
shows both in Quebec and Europe. He also designed the lighting for
several productions in Asia. Alain has worked with many Quebec stage
directors including Robert Lepage and François Girard. He created the
lighting design for the Cirque du Soleil shows Soleil de Minuit and
DELIRIUM.
Raymond St-Jean - Image Content Designer
Director, video designer, writer and editor Raymond Saint-Jean began
his career directing music videos and short films. Since then, he has
turned to dramas, documentaries and films about the performing arts.
Raymond has made his talents as a "video set designer" available to a
number of artists and companies in the arts world across North
America. Raymond previously worked on the Cirque du Soleil show, ZAIA,
the resident show in Macau.
Steven Dubuc - Sound Designer
A self-taught creator with an adventurous mind, Steve Dubuc worked on
a large number of artistic projects across the globe as a sound
engineer, chief sound engineer and sound technician. He has worked as
a technical director on various Cirque du Soleil shows. This will be
his second Cirque du Soleil show as sound designer, following ZAIA.
Florence Pot - Acrobatic Performance Designer
With her university training in physical education and sports
psychology, Florence Pot took on many projects in the world of
gymnastics as a trainer and choreographer prior to joining Cirque du
Soleil as an acrobatic scout and, later, chief scout. In 2006 she
accepted the invitation to become Acrobatic Performance Designer on
the Cirque du Soleil resident show ZED in Tokyo-a role she reprised on
the big top show TOTEM.
Danny Zen - Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer
Danny Zen first arrived at Cirque du Soleil in 1990 to work as a
welder in the company's workshops, and then worked as mechanic, head
usher and tent technician before becoming head rigger on Quidam in
1996. Danny also worked at Montreal's National Circus School and later
participated in the development of aerial acrobatic elements at Cirque
du Soleil. Danny was on the creation team for the big top shows Corteo
and KOOZA.
Eleni Uranis - Makeup Designer
Eleni Uranis joined Cirque du Soleil in 1989 as assistant to costume
designer Dominique Lemieux. This led to many other projects and in
2004 Eleni's career took a new direction with the Cirque du Soleil
makeup department, creating designs for the touring show Dralion. She
has also designed the make-up for the Tokyo resident show ZED and the
New York seasonal holiday show Wintuk.
-------------------------------------------------------
"Jerry Nadal: Keeping the Value (Part 2 of 2)"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
-------------------------------------------------------
Last month we began our discussion with Mr. Jerry Nadal, Cirque du
Soleils's Senior Vice-President of the Resident Shows Division.
This month our discussion concludes, spanning the globe (and the
Internet).
Asian Revamps
-------------
The resident shows in Asia were next on our list, as we were very
interested in the process and rationale behind changes to both ZED and
ZAIA. His explanations shed quite a bit of light on how you adapt a
show to local cultures.
We started with ZED, which has been changed from a two-act two-hour
show to one-act 90-minutes. But Mr. Nadal was quick to point out, "It
was originally designed as a 90-minute show. Then about a year or so
before we opened Oriental Land Company (www.olc.co.jp/en/) came back
to us and said, "You know, with what you guys do with Fuji (Ed:
Cirque's corporate partner for its Japanese tent tours,
www.fujifilm.com) with the big top, it's an intermission show; we want
to have the same basic experience.""
"Our feeling was [that] it's apples and oranges. In a resort setting
people have a limited amount of time, especially [in Tokyo as]
compared to Orlando. The average length of stay [in Tokyo] for people
that actually stay in the hotels is 1.1 days. It's essentially a day-
tripper market; if you've got your day planned out, to take two-and-a-
half or three hours to [see a show] is too much."
"And that bore out after the first year. We saw that and recommended
we go to a 90-minute version. Without the intermission the show ran
for just under two hours. So Pierre Parisien, our Senior Artistic
Director and Anne-Marie Corbeil, the Artistic Director on the show,
came up with a plan. Basically they took the whole show and just
snipped at every act - 30 seconds, 40 seconds here and there, and that
brought it down. It actually worked out quite well. If you see the
show now, and you had seen the full version, you really can't tell the
difference."
"What [that's] allowed us to do in Tokyo is work with Disney a little
bit more. Because they have what they call an "After 6" discounted
park ticket because it's only open a couple of additional hours. So
we're doing a combined After 6 Park Ticket and the ZED show ticket, so
it's a big incentive for people coming in." (Ed: Tokyo Disney Resorts'
"After 6 Passport" is offered for 3,100 yen on Monday-Friday and
allows visitors access to the parks from 6-10pm.)
As we began talking about ZAIA, we first reminded Mr. Nadal of a
comment he had made about the deal for ZAIA being structured so that
Cirque didn't take any risk. From what we have come to know about
Cirque over the years this seems perfectly in character, but we
wondered how exactly they did it.
"We said, "No!" (laughs) When we had discussions with the Venetian
(Ed: www.venetianmacao.com/en/), at the time we said that we didn't
think it was a market that was ready for anything like this. And we
said we're basically risk averse, we don't do real estate. Which I
think has put us in very good stead these past two years with the
economy the way it is."
"So we just said no, we're not interested. And they kept coming back,
and Sheldon [Adelson, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands] just said
they had to - had to - have it. And we said, "Well, this is what it's
going to take to get us." And we did the deal and that's the deal
that they signed."
"[Venetian Macao] had a rough period financially in 2008-2009. When
they signed the contract with us they looked at it as a loss leader,
and then they were saying they couldn't look at it as a loss leader.
[And we said,] "Well, then you have the wrong show here, because this
is what we designed and built for you based on these specs.""
"Franco [Dragone]'s (Ed: www.dragone.be) show (Ed: The House Of
Dancing Water (.com)) just opened across the street last week (Ed: at
The City Of Dreams Macao (.com)). Which is great, because now it
establishes Macao as a destination. So the whole idea of an
integrated resort isn't just the Venetian anymore, it's there now.
And all these other properties coming on-line have to provide
entertainment, [it's] in their deal with the mainland government."
"I think Macao had like a two-year setback because of the economy, but
I think it's got the potential to literally become the Las Vegas of
Asia in the next five to six years."
The challenges of opening a resident show for the Chinese market were
considerable, but it didn't keep Cirque from thinking big. And from
adapting to circumstances. "We [originally] wanted a poetic show, a
cabaret show, and then a mega [show], something even bigger than ZAIA
[in Macao]. So when Steve Jacobs (Ed: CEO of Sands China Ltd at the
time) came in and we [mutually] decided OK, we're no longer going to
[have] a three-show format in Macao, [and we were] going to keep the
one show, we looked at what we could do to upgrade the acrobatics."
"We're in the middle of doing [those] upgrades now because we delayed
it; it's taken awhile. We're doing a new [double] trapeze act. The
issue with trapeze is that at some point you have to give the catcher
a break, there is not a lot of non-stop action. By doing the double
structure [like the trapeze acts in ZED and La Nouba] it's going
constantly and it's got great energy. So we looked at what we were
doing in Macao and we said we wanted the [trapeze] act to reflect what
we did with ZED. We also wanted to change the music there."
"The opening number is [now] much more acrobatic than dance in nature.
They've rebuilt a lot of the [set] buildings, there's some trampoline-
type work between the buildings so it's much more energetic, much more
high-energy."
"The Globe and Poles [act] has been replaced by an acrobatic Chinese
lion dance, similar to Dralion (the dance on the balls), but with more
acrobatics - the lions jump from the balls onto different elements.
[The Globes and Poles] never really worked because of the height of
the space, with the [support] lines that you could see; they looked
like they were just hanging there."
"And we've put in a roller-skating act as well."
"We [also] looked specifically at the clowning. Now that [we know]
it's primarily a Chinese audience, as opposed to the international
audience they thought they were going to get, [we realized] the
European style of clowning doesn't necessarily work with the Chinese.
Now it's much more slapstick."
"And the storyline, from what we've been told by the Chinese, wasn't
extremely evident. They like to know what they're going to see and
what they're seeing. The whole idea of [the "Zaia" character] being
this little girl like Alice [in Wonderland] who travels through space
kinda got lost on people. There was [also a] love interest with Romeo
and this duet strap act [that they did]. Well, the original [Zaia
character] girl just left her contract. So we didn't replace her with
another acrobat but with more of a character, and the guy that plays
Romeo [now] does a solo strap act. And [Zaia the character] now
appears in every act as it goes through these different planets and
stuff. You're on the journey with her, and that's become much more
evident so it's cleaned up the storyline."
"We've done a lot! Pierre Parisien's (Ed: Cirque's Senior Artistic
Director) in the process of finishing that now. In October we take a
two-week break and take out the old structure. The new structure gets
loaded in and the new act doesn't go in until the end of December.
It's currently being built now by the Tabaras family in California;
they're building the act for us. And then it'll go over there and
we'll rehearse on it." (Ed: The Tabaras family are owners of Circus
Vargas, a California circus troup, www.circusvargas.org.)
"The idea is to re-launch ZAIA but a little bit bigger in mid-January
next year. We're also looking at the visual [artwork]. We made the
decision [originally] to not have a Chinese name for ZAIA, [which]
probably was a mistake in hindsight. So now we're coming up with a
Chinese name that's all been researched by the [Cirque] Brand
department and with the Brand department of Venetian within the
Chinese market."
Cirque's Chinese experience has caused some introspection as well.
"We tend to go into markets and not play to a specific market, and
we're realizing in China that you may not be able to get away with
that. It really is an educational learning experience. You can see a
ton of acrobatics in China but you're maybe not going to get the level
of acrobatics or artistic element that we bring to it. So there's an
educational process that has to go on with that."
And what happened to the other Macao shows that he mentioned? "The
Macao II show is on a back burner. I think if we have another
cabaret-style opportunity [the idea might get developed]. Macao III
was just a discussion that we needed a big show, so that hadn't really
gotten very far down the pike."
"But we'll see what opportunities come up in Macau. They're going to
be building theaters in those properties across the street, they have
to put something in them."
In other international Cirque plans, we wanted to know how the
announced Dubai show was progressing. "It's about as active as the
construction in Dubai right now. (laughs) I guess it all depends on
what ultimately happens in Dubai. That's so far on the back burner
it'll be quite a while before it gets resurrected, if at all."
New Challenges for 2011
-----------------------
Back on the domestic front, 2011 poses two significant challenges for
Cirque on opposite ends of the country. Firstly, Zarkana will soft
open in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on June 6th with the
Gala scheduled for June 29, and Mr. Nadal was interested in telling us
about their preview event. "Last week we did a big sales event at
Radio City Music Hall. We needed to do a big event now because Radio
City's our bigger challenge next year. Its 700,000 tickets we have to
sell in 17 weeks.
It's a big show, on the size and scale of [the Las Vegas shows]. It
will travel and do two or three cities a year. Right now we're
looking at two or two-and-a-half 747 cargo planes to move it; it's
massive. It's [run is] 17 weeks in New York City. We're negotiating
right now with a big city in Europe for the November-December period
(Ed: Later said to be London, England.). Then we have a contract for
the State Kremlin Theatre Palace in Moscow for 10 weeks [from the] end
of January until April. And I'm looking at another city for a couple
of weeks, and then back to New York. So it's going to do two, ideally
three cities a year. European and US [cities], too, depending on the
US market."
"But Radio City's where it's going to kick off so we brought in
anything sales-channel related in New York. Tour operators, group
sales people, tickets brokers, ticket operators. Last week we sent
out 2,100 invitations and got 2,000 people, which was fantastic. We
had [Cirque President and CEO] Daniel Lamarre speak. George Fertitta,
who's the CEO of New York City & Company (the tourism board) spoke and
really got behind the company. He went, I think, way beyond his
prepared remarks with a very nice endorsement of the company. (Ed:
NYC & Co is "the official marketing, tourism and partnership
organization" for New York City, www.nycgo.com.) We brought in two
special acts to present. [Show director] François Girard got up and
on their big LED screen in the back showed all of the renderings of
the show. He described the show and told people what was going to
happen. And Elton John did a video for us because Nick Littlemore is
the Composer, and he's a protégé of Elton John's. He's an Australian
who has been working out of London and Elton's been working with him.
We premiered one of the pieces of music to one of the special acts we
did. Jay [Kimbro, Director of Sales for Theater Shows, whom Cirque
hired away from Disney last year because of his New York City
contacts] came out and gave a sales pitch and we handed out sales
kits. It was about a 45-minute event at Radio City that went very
well."
"The same thing's going to happen this week for Kodak," he continued.
"We're meeting a bunch of city officials tomorrow night and then on
Wednesday afternoon we're doing a luncheon for about 1,500 people;
tour operators, ticket brokers, to help set up the run for Kodak."
(Ed: Working on that will be Director of Sales for the Resident Shows
Division Pamela Devine, Mr. Kimbro's counterpart.)
Shortly after Zarkana comes the show moving into the Kodak Theatre
(.com) in Hollywood, IRIS (soft opening July 21 with the Gala
September 25). "Next year Hollywood is going to be a test for us
because we're not anchored to anything. These [Vegas] shows are here
because we drive 3,000-plus people a night through the rest of the
casino. [La Nouba is] an anchor for Downtown Disney; when we're not
running those restaurants tell us that they see a major drop-off. So
we bring a lot of people into Downtown Disney. And you get a lot of
ancillary revenue."
"Hollywood is going to be interesting because, [while] we're part of
the Hollywood and Highland (.com) complex it's really going to be more
like the Broadway model in that we're hanging up a marquee saying,
"Come See The Show!" So we're putting a lot of pre-planning emphasis
into tour operators, working with the cruise ships, going after
national audiences."
"We're actually the last show of the 2010-2011 season of Center
Theatre Group (.org) at the Amandson. (Ed: In a season that also
includes "Next to Normal," "33 Variations," "God Of Carnage," and "Les
Misèrables.") Because Jordon had a relationship with them we spoke to
them a couple of years ago and asked if they were interested in doing
a special offering to their subscription base. Because they have a
huge subscription, about 40,000 subscribers. And they said no,
because for them it's all about customer service and how they treat
their subscribers. They've built that group over [many] years and
once they walk out of their space (their theater) from a customer
service standpoint they no longer have control."
"So we asked them to give us their concerns and [let us] see if we
could address them. We guaranteed them prime seating for their
customers. [We're] the last show of their 2010-2011 season, in a
four-week window toward the end of [Kodak] previews,. They actually
put it on the subscription without knowing anything about the show;
just based on the strength of the company and what they've seen come
through L.A. before. We're excited about it. It gives us a little
cushion going in. Plus those subscribers are the major theater-goers
in L.A. and that creates buzz that goes around."
We also talked a bit about the forthcoming Michael Jackson shows, for
which just a few details were available at the time. We first asked
if the two shows (the touring arena show and the Las Vegas resident
show) would be the same. "[They are] two completely different
productions. The touring show, which is going to open October 2 in
Montréal and is designed for arenas, is really an arena tour. And
then there will be a second show that's done here in Las Vegas at a
theater yet to be named." (Ed: Turns out it will be Mandalay Bay,
opening in early 2013.)
"From what I've been told [there are] two separate creation teams, two
different Executive Producers. And from what I understand now there
will be two different Musical Directors as well. I don't know what
the creative plans are, that's kind of under wraps. Jamie King is
directing [the arena] show [and] I think there will be multiple
choreographers."
Would the success (or lack of it) for the touring show have any impact
on the resident show? "I don't see how [the Michael Jackson show]
could possibly lose. Not with the people that we've got and the
interest in it. To have done the Beatles so many years after they
broke up, to do Elvis so many years after he passed away. With
Michael Jackson it's still raw, I think. There's still an intense
amount of interest."
"And Sony's going to be releasing new [Michael Jackson] albums as we
go along because of all the material that they've found. I don't see
[the show's success] as a problem. Plus the [MJ resident] show is
going to be well into its creation phase by the time [the MJ touring
show] opens next year."
Staying Current
---------------
As our time was running down, we asked Mr. Nadal some of our favorite
questions. Our question about the best business decision Cirque ever
made gave him pause. "There have been a lot of good ones, so it's
hard to peg. I think the best business decision is that - at Guy's
insistence - [with] any deal we've done with anybody we've never given
up an inch of creative control of the shows. Whether people liked
them or not, we maintain 100% control. Creativity is the heart and
soul of the company and I think the fact that we've never compromised
on that to make a deal with anybody has served us very well."
We always like to ask our interviewees what suggestions they have for
those trying to make their way into the theater (or circus, or music)
business. Mr. Nadal started by pointing out Cirque's outreach to the
technical theatrical community. "It depends on what you're doing and
where you're coming from. If you come out of school and want to be a
stage manager, one of the shows in Vegas is probably not the one to
start on; you want to get some more experience first."
"We have a large outreach to the universities through our Technical
Show Support department. We've given a lot of assistance to the
Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (stagecraftinstitute.com). There's
a couple out of Oklahoma, [teaching] in university settings, that
lived in Montréal back when Cirque was first starting up. They got to
know Gilles Ste-Croix and lent [Cirque] one of the theater workshops
[at] the university when Cirque was building one of its first sets, or
so the story goes. And they've stayed in touch."
"So we help support [the universities], we [take] about 20 or 30
people that come from different universities and put them through our
training. If you're going the automation route, or those specific
channels, we end up doing internships and we hire directly [from
that]. We do a lot of internal training as well."
"[When we give talks I say], "Get as much experience as you can, work
in as many places as you can. And don't worry about whether it's
union or non-union. It's all about getting as much experience as you
can. Any experience is good experience. And the pay level doesn't
matter. I tell people grab what you can, never be out of work, even
if you're working for low money. I did that. I did a children's
theater tour, I did a summer stock production, buying Ramen ten for a
dollar."
When we asked him for suggestions for young executives, he commented,
"You need to stay current with what the competition is doing. For me,
you need to view anybody that sells a ticket as competition. Because
there's only so many entertainment dollars [to] go around."
"And it tends to be the first thing that people start to cut back on,
or people look to find value on. Because it's disposable income. But
like Guy has said many times, if you take a look at the Depression or
the recessions that have followed, the entertainment industry has
generally been the last to go into a recession and the first to come
out of it. Because people need escape. I think that's what we
provide really well; it's a great escape whether it's 90 minutes or
two hours."
"So I think staying current with what's going on in the industry [is
important]. [Also] making sure your employees are happy and the
culture of the company is respected at all times. Constantly talking
to [your] people, because the higher up you go the less you hear.
Hence getting on the Cirque Tribune website (laughs). But just making
sure people are happy."
Huh?! Wait a minute - wait. Did a Senior Vice-President at Cirque du
Soleil just admit on the record to looking at Cirque fan websites?
Indeed! "I go on the Cirque Tribune website (.com) [occasionally] to
see what's going on. [Inside the company] we're aware of [Cirque's]
projects but not the nitty-gritty of it. And then you find out, wow,
these people know more than we do internally. It's kind of cool.
Because obviously people that are on Cirque Tribune are your core.
These are the people that are talking about you non-stop, and that
ultimately sells tickets."
His interest in his "core" audience also extends to CirqueCon (for
which we are eternally grateful). "If you have your core fan group,
your rabid fans coming in, to be able to give them access and that
kinda stuff, the return comes many many times over. [With CirqueCon
2006: Las Vegas!] we weren't looking to see if there was an immediate
bump in ticket sales because it was a small group of people. But if
each person talks to 10 more people it's like throwing a rock in the
middle of a pond and you watch the ripples go out."
He finds his greatest challenge to be, "Ticket sales, and making sure
that it's a broad enough appeal. [Cirque is] a high-end product,
there's no other company in the world that has 70-75 people on stage,
100-150 technicians. That's a huge chunk of money on a weekly basis
to keep the shows running."
"But we have to make them affordable, so they have to have broad
appeal. So that it's not just in that luxury-brand niche, that it's
an affordable ticket for people coming in with a family."
Not only keeping the shows affordable and the appeal broad, but
meeting the expectations of the audience as well. "I think that they
still come expecting major acrobatics. I would hope we get to the
point when people see [the name] "Cirque du Soleil" they know they're
going to get high quality, top production values, and value for their
ticket price."
All the hard work and travel away from home brings great satisfaction,
knowing, "
that we make people happy; seven days a week, around the
globe, 24-7. You just have to go into any of the theaters [and]
listen to the audience response to be gratified with what you're
doing. Especially in the kind of time frame that we're working in
now."
And he never regrets taking his father's advice and rethinking his
priorities all those years ago. "It was a leap of faith. It [was]
one of those situations where you follow your heart, and [theater work
was] really where my interests and my passion were."
"And I gotta say, since I left the bank in 1989 I've never taken a
sick day!"
My sincere thanks go to:
Mr. Nadal, for so graciously spending time with us,
Julie Loewen, Executive Assistant to Mr. Nadal,
And my wife LouAnna for putting up with my sometimes obsessive hobby.
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
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Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 10, Number 12 (Issue #83) - December 2010
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2010 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
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infringement intended.
{ Dec.06.2010 }
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