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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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E X P A N D E D I S S U E
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 March 2012 ISSUE #98e
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Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
It's been a tumultuous sixteen months for Cirque du Soleil: first,
back in October 2010, the company's new twist on vaudeville slipped
on its own shpeel and closed. Next, nine months later on July 24,
2011, we received the shock of our lives - the magnificent ZED in
Tokyo would close by year's end (due in large part to the earthquake
and subsequent disaster). Four months later to the day, on November
24, 2011, Cirque du Soleil and MGM International announced the closing
of VIVA ELVIS in Las Vegas by end of 2012, citing poor ticket sales.
And on February 7, 2012, an announcement that closed ZAIA in Macau
in two weeks time, also citing poor ticket sales.
And these are the shows that made it out of the gate. There have
been a few other high profile projects that didn't even get that
chance, and were scuttled from active development or at least put on
indefinite hold, they are: a resident show in Dubai, UAE that was
originally scheduled to open in 2012, then 2013; and an arena-only
show directed by Michel Laprise with Andrew Watson as Director of
Creation and Michel Granger as Production Manager (rumored to be
inspired by extreme sports) was due to tour end of 2012, then pushed
to 2013 before being canceled.
However, these last few months haven't been all doom and gloom. Our
favorite circus does have a few bright spots to showcase for all its
troubles: first is ZARKANA, Cirque's third attempt at a resident show
in New York City (following a successful run of "Wintuk" and a
dismal performance of "Banana Shpeel) and was met with moderate
success (although I feel there's much work to be done there). Second
is IRIS, Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Hollywood,
Californa, which premiered to great success. And lastly with the
premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL Tour, which is criss-
crossing the North American continentant (and soon Europe), breaking
sales and attendance records (mostly) for the company as it goes
along, although reviews are mixed.
The future looks bright too. Mystère re-opened recently with the
integration of some of ZED's acts (Flying Trapeze, Silks and an
update to the Chinese Poles choreography). Come April AMALUNA, Cirque
du Soleil's 32nd production since 1984, will make its debut on the
old quays of Montreal. "World's Away", a new 3-D film from Cirque
du Soleil, James Cameron and Andrew Adamson, which features
performances from various Cirque productions in Las Vegas, is due
to arrive. And, for those who found MJ IMMORTAL to be one hell of
a show, by May 2013 you'll have another reason to celebrate: the
coming of the new Michael Jackson Resident show at Mandalay Bay.
What else might be coming our way? We'll have to wait and see!
And in not really keeping with the doom-and-gloom attitude, we
thought now would be a good time to take a look back at all those
projects Cirque du Soleil announced over the years, but never came
to fruition. As always we've got the latest news items posted to
Fascination! Web and, of course, updates to Cirque's tour schedule.
So, let's get started!
Join us on the web at:
< www.cirquefascination.com >
Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only):
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 >
- Ricky "Richasi" Russo
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CONTENTS
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o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
* Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
* Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr
o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain
* Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque
* Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History
o) Fascination! Features
* "ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and
Press Releases"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
* "Cirque's Dreams of the Past: A What If?
Part 1: Cirque to Reside"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
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CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
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Show & Tell: Meet Amanda Ritchie of 'Zumanity' [EXPANDED]
{Feb.03.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
John Przybys of the Las Vegas Review-Journal took a moment
recently to meet Amanda Ritchie, Zumanity's Straps performer and
dominatrix.
# # #
Q: When did you begin dancing?
Actually, I got into it when I was 2. My mom took me to the
mall, and I guess they had a tap performance going on, and I ran
up to the stage, eyes glued. She said I ran back to her and I
told her I was gonna do that.
Q: It wasn't just a passing phase?
Oh, no. This was it. I started competing when I was 5. ...Then,
when I graduated from high school, I started working at a swap
shop and there was this (attraction) next door doing aerial
stuff.
Q: A swap shop?
A swap shop is like a big flea market, in Florida. They had this
big building with a circus ring inside. They had a circus with,
like, elephants and horses. So I started doing aerial stuff. ...
Then I auditioned for a company in Florida. They basically
trained me on trapeze, and they sent me to Portugal for a year.
... I toured all over Europe with them. Trapeze was my
specialty.
Q: Any mishaps that made you reconsider your career path?
The only accident I ever had ...
Q: Love how you put "accident" in air quotes ...
I was, like, 30 feet high in the air ... and I forgot exactly
what happened, but I was supposed to fall and catch with my feet
and, for some reason, I turned in instead of out and missed the
rope and fell on my back, and I had a concussion. But that was
the only time.
Q: What brought you to Las Vegas?
I came to Vegas (in 2008) because I knew that this was where
everything was. Actually, my brother was the one to say, "You
should go to Vegas, because that's where all the Cirque (du
Soleil) shows are." I knew I wanted to be in Cirque. That was
the ultimate goal of mine.
Q: How did your "Zumanity" audition go?
I auditioned for the "Straps" number, which is a bondage
number. She's wearing a nude unitard so it's like she's naked,
and she has a mask on, and the whole purpose of the act is for
her to please herself and, in the end, have an orgasm. (Laughs)
So this is what I auditioned with.
Q: Guessing that was new ground for you?
(Laughs) Oh, yes. Absolutely. I am so shy, and I hide behind
things, and I hate speaking in front of people. And to find out
the act was mic'd - it was a live performance - I was a little
intimidated and out of my element.
Q: It must have went well, though.
(Laughs) There were three of us there, and I guess I was the
loudest woman because, two days later, they offered me a three-
month temporary contract to do "Straps" in the show. ... So my
three-month contract ended up being two years.
Q: What numbers do you do in "Zumanity"?
I play three characters. ... They're all very different, and
I've found ways to connect myself with each character. It took a
little searching, because, one character, her name is Blue Blade
and she's a dominatrix. (Laughs) That character took me a long
time.
{SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal}
ZAIA Closing!
{Feb.07.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
The Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) and Cirque du
Soleil Tuesday said they were ending a 10-year contract after
just three and a half years, underlining the difficulty some
companies have faced trying to transform the Chinese gambling
haven into an entertainment destination.
The Quebec-based entertainment company will perform its last
Zaia show-its first permanent production to open in Asia-on Feb.
19 after several years of disappointing ticket sales, the
companies said in a joint statement,
Average occupancy at the Zaia show in January was just 40%,
according to a representative for the Canadiann company, whose
productions have been popular in the West, particularly in the
U.S.'s gambling capital Las Vegas. The combined cost of creating
the show and the custom-built theater for Zaia exceeded US$150
million, according to an August 2008 press release for the
show's premier.
"In view of the market trend and customer demand shown in the
research we've conducted, the company will again be investing to
redesign the theater," said Gus Liem, Vice President of
Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. (1928.HK).
{SOURCE: NASDAQ}
Why Macau Tourists Didn't Flip for Cirque [EXPANDED]
{Feb.08.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Now that Cirque du Soleil has said its shuttering its Zaia show
in Macau, the question is: How can this gambling mecca broaden
its appeal if it cant hold on to an established entertainment
brand thats successful in the West?
Las Vegas has reinvented itself as a tourist destination with
dozens of big-budget, live entertainment options. Visitors can
see multiple Cirque du Soleil shows, as well as regular
performances by the likes of Celine Dion, Elton John and Rod
Stewart. Add burlesque shows, magicians and stand-up comics
(David Spade, anyone?), and Macaus two show offerings (Zaia and
the House of Dancing Water) pale in comparison even though its
gambling revenue far surpasses what the Strip generates.
When it comes to dining, Macau trails there too. Celebrity chefs
such as Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina, have
Vegas outposts, and even Singapore, a late-comer to gambling,
boasts restaurants by Guy Savoy, Mario Batali and Daniel Boulud
at the Marina Bay Sands. Macau has only one globally recognized
chef, Joel Robuchon, and its other fine-dining options are
limited to a handful of Cantonese eateries. Given the number of
visitors to Macau more than 28 million last year its a
wonder how few high-end options there are.
But it comes down to time, and visitors to Macau seem to have
little of it. According to the territorys government, visitors
(the overwhelming majority of which come from China) stayed an
average of just 1.5 nights during the first 11 months of 2011.
The average visitor to Las Vegas stayed 3.6 nights in 2010,
according to the most recent statistics available.
The short stays force visitors to prioritize: Who can make it to
a show and a fancy dinner when youve less than two nights for
baccarat?
Macau has attempted to add non-gambling entertainment to its
lineup. There is now a Playboy Club, a nightspot called Cubic
and the worlds first Macallan-branded whiskey bar. K-pop and
Cantopop acts have played in town, and Bollywood stars flocked
there recently for their version of the Peoples Choice Awards.
A literary festival kicked off late last month.
Still, if your idea of a gambling vacation includes a Candle in
the Wind medley followed by a Paris Hilton sighting, they
happen in Vegas, and for now, they stay in Vegas.
{SOURCE: Wall Street Journal}
What's Next for ZAIA? [EXPANDED]
{Feb.08.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
ZAIA, Cirque du Soleils first resident show in Asia based in
The Venetian Macao, is staging its final performance after a
three year run.
Sands China and Cirque du Soleil announced yesterday that ZAIA,
the stage production which has impressed its crowds since
opening in August 2008, will be performed for the final time on
February 19, 2012. The two companies said that ZAIA had opened
the door for a new era of entertainment in Macau.
ZAIA is a 90-minute show featuring 75 famous artists from around
the world, directed by Neilson Vignola and Gilles Maheu. It
presents a young girls perception of the stars and planets,
space and infinity. The title comes from a Greek name meaning
life and is also reminiscent of Gaia, the living and self-
aware spirit of Earth.
Weve had an amazing three-year run of a truly phenomenal show
with ZAiA, said Mr. Liem, Vice President of Entertainment,
Venetian Macau Limited. It has been our pleasure at The
Venetian Macao to host one of the regions premier must-see
performances. Weve had a wonderful partnership with Cirque du
Soleil, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in
the future.
Cirque du Soleil and Sands China also revealed that they were
currently discussing a variety of options for working together
on other projects. They said that both organizations are
excited by what might come next, without disclosing details of
any possible new shows.
Sands China said yesterday that the company was expanding its
entertainment offering, which included a redesigned multi-
purpose theatre at Venetian Macao, and new entertainment options
at Sands Cotai Central, hoping to usher in a new era of
entertainment in the city.
The company invested over USD100 million in building the theatre
in 2008, leading to a three-year run with Cirque du Soleil. In
view of the market trend and customer demand, Sands said, the
company will again be investing to redesign the theatre to open
up a new world of exciting entertainment.
{SOURCE: Macau Daily Times}
ZAIA's Closing: No "Zaied" to replace Viva Elvis?
{Feb.09.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil has announced it will pull the plug on "Zaia"
on Feb. 19 at the Venetian Macao. After 31/2 years, Cirque and
casino operator Las Vegas Sands have given up on the title that
was running at 40 percent attendance.
While the bustling casino floors of Macao have propped up the
bottom lines for Las Vegas-based companies, Asian players are so
focused on gambling they are not as interested in a diverse
resort experience.
Las Vegas audiences for "Mystere" and "Viva Elvis" will see new
acrobatic numbers transplanted intact from "Zed," the Cirque
show that recently closed in Japan.
But while the company is "attempting to reassign our artists as
much as possible," says Cirque spokeswoman Renee-Claude Menard,
"Zaia" performers who end up in Las Vegas shows would be
retrained to perform existing content.
Menard also says not to expect either "Zed" or "Zaia" - or even
a hybrid of the two starting with "Z" - to replace "Viva Elvis"
at Aria. She also shoots down talk that the permanent version of
the Michael Jackson tribute "The Immortal" would be redirected
to Aria from Mandalay Bay to replace "Elvis." ...
# # #
I guess that now rules out "ZAIED", as a friend put it: A little
girl floating between heaven and earth causes the two worlds to
meet.
{SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal}
Cirque not giving up on Macau
{Feb.14.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
ZAIA, Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Asia, will close
its doors next week but the Canadian company has not given up on
the Macau market, founder Guy Laliberté has pledged.
The show's final performance will be Sunday, cutting short a 10-
year contract that led gaming operator Sands China to invest
over USD 100 million (MOP 800 million) in building a custom-made
theatre in 2008.
But Laliberté revealed to Québec website Canoë that only the
first three years of the contract were guaranteed. "We reached
the end of a three-year guaranteed contract," he said.
The head of Cirque du Soleil admitted that the MSAR remains a
gaming city with little room for high-end entertainment. "Macau
is still a place mainly for gamblers. It's not yet an
international destination. We didn't reach the [attendance]
figures we had set as a goal," he said.
Cirque du Soleil and Sands said they were discussing a variety
of options for working together on other projects but didn't
disclose details of any possible new shows. In fact, Sands has
announced it will turn the ZAIA theatre into a multi-purpose
theatre.
But Laliberté said the company believes it could still make a
return. "It doesn't mean we are writing off Macau, however. It
was a special adventure because we were the first to set up a
resident show down there. That's life!" he said.
Last September Cirque du Soleil president Daniel Lamarre said
the company wanted "to have three permanent shows in Macau one
day," also as a foothold to bring more touring shows to Asia and
establish permanent venues in mainland China and India.
{SOURCE: Macau Daily Times}
ZAIA: Was too Common?
{Feb.16.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
According to a spokesperson for The Venetian Macao, the move to
axe Zaia was a commercial one made after extensive research into
consumer needs.
"Results showed us that customers wanted a greater variety of
productions. Therefore, we decided to move on and redesign (the
old venue into) a new multi-purpose theatre to meet customer
needs," the spokesperson said.
The redevelopment of the theatre which was purpose-built to
house Zaia will convert the 1,800-pax venue into a multi-purpose
one capable of accommodating a variety of performances such as
concerts, plays and magic shows.
Air Cruise Travel executive director, Eric Chang, said: "The
show was not doing well enough simply because there was a better
option, the House of Dancing Water. In the eyes of (mainland)
Chinese visitors, the show (Zaia) is very common and not a big
difference from any good show in many theme parks or acrobatic
performances in (mainland) China."
{SOURCE: TTG Asia}
Cirque to Perform at 84th Academy Awards (Feb 26th)!
{Feb.17.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PRESENT EXCLUSIVE ONE-TIME-ONLY PERFORMANCE
AT THE 84TH ACADEMY AWARDS.
Troupe Will Pay Tribute to Hollywood's Biggest Night with Its
Largest Ensemble Cast Ever Assembled in One Act
Beverly Hills, CA - Oscar telecast producers Brian Grazer and
Don Mischer have invited Cirque du Soleil to present a wholly
unique and exclusive performance for the 84th Academy Awards, it
was announced today. The one-time-only event will feature the
largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act.
The performance will be accompanied by music by Academy Award-
nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque
du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema. More
than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil productions
around the world will converge in Los Angeles on Oscar Sunday to
bring the dynamic showcase to life.
The act marks the second time Cirque du Soleil has performed
during an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe's first
appearance, at the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions
about creating a permanent show at the Kodak Theatre and
resulted in the creation of IRIS.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be
presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at
Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC
Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be
televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Cirque du Soleil invests in Sid Lee
{Feb.20.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil announces it is investing in a significant
minority equity stake in Sid Lee that will mesh the combined
talents of both Quebec organizations in order to nurture
innovative projects for the benefit of their respective clients
and partners.
"This alliance with Sid Lee is a first step in further expanding
the creative potential of Cirque du Soleil into new business
ventures," said Daniel Lamarre, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Cirque du Soleil. "Sid Lee's comprehensive global
offering, which spans communications and includes architectural
design and technology services as well as an audiovisual
production company, is world-class. Synergy with Sid Lee will
allow us to further unfold the creativity and innovation of
Cirque du Soleil and develop new national and international
business opportunities," he added.
"The alliance with Cirque du Soleil will open the door to new
creative projects and will allow us to bring business creativity
to a higher level," says Jean-François Bouchard, President and
Senior Partner, Sid Lee. "This investment makes our company even
stronger and allows us to continue to innovate for our clients
at home and abroad. The expertise of Cirque du Soleil at
managing and exporting creativity has always been a source of
inspiration for us," he added.
In the immediate future, Cirque du Soleil and Sid Lee will
continue to collaborate as in the past. New initiatives to arise
from the alliance will be announced in due course. Sid Lee has
been Cirque du Soleil's marketing Agency of Record (AOR) for
more than 10 years. "Cirque du Soleil has often been like a big
brother to us. We are thrilled to make our business relationship
even more official. I am convinced that this alliance will
enable us to take Quebec creativity to an even higher, broader
level," said Sid Lee Chairman Bertrand Cesvet.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Macau Times on ZAIA's Finale [EXPANDED]
{Feb.22.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
The Macau Daily Times has a fantastic piece on the closing of
ZAIA and what it means to its artists in today's edition:
# # #
Until three days ago cabs driving around Macau were covered with
advertisements for ZAIA, Cirque du Soleils Macau show. Now, the
show is over; its last performance took place in the ZAIA
theater in The Venetian last Sunday. After three and a half
years of presence in Macau, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. decided to
close the show, ending the 10-year contract between the Sands
China-owned casino resort and the Quebec-based Canadian
entertainment company far earlier than expected. Poor ticket
sales and limited attraction for the Chinese audience were
sighted as the reasons for canceling the spectacle. The
cancellation follows a revamp of the show in the third quarter
of last year, where several acts were changed and refined.
Despite the changes, in a situation so contrary to that
experienced in the USA gambling paradise Las Vegas, where Cirque
du Soleils permanent shows continue to be very popular, Macaus
offering did not survive.
Whatever may have caused the sudden closing, Sunday's last
performance was met with high approval by a very responsive
audience, and ZAIA artists played to an almost capacity crowd.
As soon as the two clowns, main characters in the show,
appeared, the spectators started laughing and clapping. The
crowd - a mix of Chinese and non-Chinese people - cheered for
the clowns, who, in turn, amused the audience by making jokes
and including several audience members in the performance. The
awareness of a "last time" was felt as a special vibration among
both the spectators and the artists and the show ended with a
standing ovation.
The presence of Cirque du Soleil artists in Macau gave the city
a very special charm. Being a small space with a straightforward
community of foreigners, the artists could be met at parties, as
for example one regular happening salsa party in Taipa, or in
the streets of Macau. Thus unlike in bigger cities where life
usually goes on in a more anonymous way, Macau people had the
chance to see the artists not only as spectators of a show but
to meet them personally and therefore get to know a very special
kind of life, the artists' way of life.
The news about the closing of their show came very unexpectedly
to the artists, two weeks before the last performance and
suddenly, one would find e-mails and face book messages
circulating with lists of belongings, the artists where trying
to sell as soon as possible. Bound by contract to the conditions
of their blue card, they are obliged to leave Macau within ten
days of the end of their contract; that is, after the last show.
Hence, within around 34 days -still performing once or twice per
day- they had to struggle with getting rid of sometimes newly
purchased furniture, end housing contracts, find means to
transport beloved pets and last but not least, search for
a new place to stay, as well as a new job.
Though used to a rather turbulent lifestyle and even to frequent
changes of locations, having to leave Macau so suddenly and
losing their job, confronted ZAIA artists with a range of
organizational and emotional difficulties. Talking to some of
the performers, all of them stress that they liked living in
Macau a lot and most of them would have liked to stay longer.
A dancing couple who came together to Macau four years ago both
worked on the show. They enjoyed being the job because it seemed
to be very stable and eventually they decided to have a baby.
The baby is now a couple of months old and the couple said they
were very happy living in Macau because it is very safe.
Provided with a good salary from Cirque du Soleil, they had been
able to build a better standard of living than they had
previously enjoyed. Struggling in the beginning with the then
unfamiliar Chinese patterns of life, they recently realised that
they are not strangers anymore in Macau, but that they are being
recognised by many of the sellers from the market and other
places that the couple frequents and that they are treated with
a certain familiarity by these sellers.
Still on maternity leave, the woman was going to resume work in
June, however, they will now be forced to move back to Montreal,
where they lived before, but they are yet to find a new job.
Having lived four years abroad, they are facing the problem of
having lost all the business contacts they had before.
Therefore, they dont know how whether or not they will find it
difficult to find a new job. They also regret that the sudden
announcement has not left them with enough time to do many
things they would have liked to do in Macau before leaving.
Many of the artists agree that in spite of the unfortunate
ending, their experience at Cirque du Soleil has been very good.
They point out that the companys effort to take care of the
artists surpasses every other workplace they have had before.
Lance, who has been singer in ZAIA for the last four months, is
still amazed: Even if you travel and need somebody to take care
of your pet, they help you. All the artists have to attend
regular health exams and even with the end of the contracts, it
is made sure that the artists leave the company in the same
state of health as they entered. For Lance, who lived six years
in Las Vegas, working as a singer in the US Venetian, coming to
Macau and joining Cirque du Soleil, meant fulfilling one of his
dreams. In the company, he received the first opportunity to
grow as a performer as he got the chance to try many new
things, like singing Sanskrit language or flying while singing.
Though staying only four months, his experience encouraged him
to try fulfilling another dream: singing at Broadway. In Cirque
du Soleil everybody is really good in what he does and artists
and managers inspire you, he explains the passion he developed
in the last months. Outside the show he enjoyed to possibility
to learn Capoeira in Macau, where he met Chinese and Portuguese
people who became like a family for him.
Szanto Attila created his own gypsy dance with friends in
Romania and this brought him to Cirque du Soleil almost four
years ago. Thus, he is one of the final remaining six artists
who joined the company from the beginning of in Macau. Even if
Attila liked living and working in Macau, he says: You get
tired doing the same thing every day. He was planning to leave
his job here anyway. You cannot continue all your life like
this. Attila also says, he didnt really feel the life in Macau
because you have performances every day and just one day off.
In Cirque du Soleil you have to be really responsible, he
adds. Before coming to Macau he was traveling around the world
with another dance show. He thinks, Cirque du Soleil is a great
company. He complains about a bad dance choreographer, but
says, They are doing the best shows! He is not sure why the
show wasnt successful in Macau. Now, after the end, he wants to
rest for a while. Asked about his future projects he says, Its
not going to be easy, you have to be really good to get
something. But he wants to start something by himself. He tries
to see the sudden ending in a pragmatic way: Nobody was
expecting this kind of finish, but this is life, we have to go
on. He says he has experience something like this before.
There is always something ending and something new to start.
But when it comes to personal life and the friends he made he
says, its always hard to leave people. He hopes that the
artists will meet somewhere in the world.
Also for Tedros Girma, a juggler with Cirque du Soleil it is
going to be hard to leave. He enjoyed living in Macau a lot and
for him his job was fun. Originally from Ethiopia and having
lived many years in England, it was hard in the beginning to be
away from the family but in the nearly two years he lived in
Macau the Cirque people became his new family. He loved the
fact that more than 22 nationalities met and exchanged
culture. Performing in ZAIA was especially thrilling for him
because of the big audience. As he says the more people, the
better. The audience is the energy for the people.
Also, Cirque du Soleil gave him a new stability compared to the
four-month contracts he used to have. He stresses that Cirque
du Soleil is very well organized and disposes of a person for
every possible need an artist may have. Before coming to Macau,
Tedros learned some Mandarin and used his free-time here to
acquire new language, dance and musical skills. He would have
loved to stay a couple of years longer but is lucky as his old
company in England will take him back. The biggest problem for
him is having to leave all the friends he made behind. Thats
circus life, you cant stay too long in one place, he says. The
show must go on.
The demise of ZAIA, Cirque du Soleils first resident show in
Asia, doesnt frighten rival gaming operator Melco Crown
Entertainment. The local company stressed that its own show,
House of Dancing Water, remains almost sold-out.
The entertainment centrepiece at Cotai resort City of Dreams
has staged over 560 shows, entertaining over one million guests
with occupancy levels above 90 percent on average per show,
Melco told Macau Daily Times.
The director and creator of House of Dancing Water was Franco
Dragone, a former Cirque du Soleil executive. But Melco has been
quick to point out the differences between its show and ZAIA.
Besides the unique physical attributes of the water-based show
and its technical staging, the storyline of The House of
Dancing Water is very much a creative concept that incorporates
and reflects cultural and storytelling traditions from both Asia
and the West in an East meets West entertainment
extravaganza, the company said.
During its final months, Cirque du Soleil revamped ZAIA
introducing Chinese acrobatic acts and the lion dance as company
manager David Anthony admitted they were becoming truly aware
that we are not in Las Vegas.
But last November Sands China president Edward Tracy admitted
that the show was still recording losses.Melco didnt reveal
whether or not House of Dancing Water was breaking even. But
the company stressed that the show has generated meaningful
positive ripple effects throughout the business, including
higher property visitation, hotel occupancy rates, and gaming
spend.
{SOURCE: Macau Daily Times}
Cirque's Performance at the Oscars!
{Feb.27.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil presented a wholly unique and exclusive
performance for the 84th Academy Awards on Oscar Sunday,
February 26. The one-time-only event featured the largest Cirque
cast ever assembled for a single act.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release,
please click: < http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54694-cirque-du-
soleil-84th-academy-awards-exclusive-performance-danny-elfman >
More than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil
productions around the world converged in Los Angeles to bring
the dynamic showcase to life. The act featured aerialists,
Icarian acrobats, hand balancers, dancers and characters from
IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema along with the 15-
member Banquine team from Viva ELVIS in Las Vegas and a hand
balancer from Zarkana, direct from Moscow's Kremlin State Palace
Theatre. The act was accompanied by music from Academy Award-
nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque
du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema.
Cirque du Soleil presented the performance as a tribute to the
movie theatre experience incorporating signature Cirque
acrobatic elements and imagery along with classic film clips.
The act marked the second time Cirque du Soleil performed during
an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe's first appearance, at
the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions about creating a
permanent show at the theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and
resulted in the creation of IRIS.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 were
presented on Sunday, February 26, at the theatre at Hollywood &
Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television
Network as well as being televised live in more than 225
countries worldwide.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Cirque Shows Big Brands How To Be Remarkable-And Magical [EXPANDED]
{Feb.27.2012}
-------------------------------------------------------------------
With Cirque du Soleil's performance during the Academy Awards,
we saw two well-known entertainment brands trying to stay fresh.
Compared to 84-year-old Oscar, "Cirque" is a young cat at 28.
But it has many lessons to offer The Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences-and marketers.
More than 20 years after The New York times called Cirque du
Soleil the "circus of the future," it has grown from 20 to 5,000
performers in 22 unique shows across more than 40 countries
around the world - and that's just this year. Audiences remain
enthralled: Cirque du Soleil's "Iris" set the record for ticket
prices at LA's Kodak Theatre last year with a $253 ticket. The
company's revenue will reportedly exceed $1 billion this year.
Cirque du Soleil enters its third decade having become something
all long-standing brands strive to be: consistently remarkable.
Many might attribute its success to the glitz of the show - the
impeccable costumes, dizzying heights and fantastical imagery.
But I'd argue the "secret sauce of Cirque" has to do with
staying true to its purpose while remaining surprising. No
sequins required, but lessons aplenty...
Quality and Consistency: From audience experience to mailers and
merchandise, the Cirque du Soleils brand of creativity and
surprise is communicated across all touch points. Whether its a
flier, radio spot or the food presentation in the VIP tent, most
will instantly recognize Cirque du Soleil. Not only is it
consistent its consistently different. Even on the Vegas
strip, surrounded by neon, the billboards for Cirque du Soleil
stand apart. This is no easy feat for any company, let alone one
that has a presence in more than 300 cities around the world.
Connecting with the core of a brand and expressing that across
every single execution in an authentic, real way is the goal.
Creativity: Yes, creativity in the entertainment industry takes
different forms than creativity in more traditional businesses.
But Cirque du Soleil should remind us all that creativity
counts. Whether youre selling tickets or software, its
important to remember that youre selling to people. I think
many marketers would do well to take a page out of the Cirque
book and add more flair to our communications. The specialty
glass company Corning had a viral hit with their visionary Day
Made of Glass video a fascinating visual entertainment piece
in an industry that otherwise plays it safe.
A Global Perspective: Cirque du Soleil now performs on five
continents and yet its content seems relevant to each. Rather
than worrying about competitors, Cirque du Soleil is a model for
blue ocean marketing. It has carved out a niche that remains
unique, universal, and transcends cultures. Its music-based
performances surmount language barriers. Not all businesses have
this luxury. (Im well aware of the importance of customizing
direct mailers by location). But the higher philosophy is worth
striving for in all industries: connect with customers through
something fundamental to the human experience emotion.
Risk With Relevance: Cirque du Soleil innovates by taking risks.
Sure, some shows have flopped. Michael Jacksons Immortal and
Beatles LOVE took some flack; Banana Shpeel shut down
within 6 weeks of opening in NYC. But this brand deserves kudos
for pushing boundaries. President and CEO Daniel Lamarre may
have summarized its risk-taking philosophy when he said, If you
want to do a breakthrough, dont look around look ahead. But
this only works if a brand and its employees are so connected
that deciding to take a risk is akin to a skiers pre-black
diamond gut-check: We dont look around, we look ahead and
within to decide whether this risk is worth taking. In Cirque du
Soleils case, risk-taking is part of its DNA (a job description
lists a willingness to push limits as a pre-requisite).
While we cant all hold our feet behind our heads or scale a 50-
foot wooden pole in five seconds (with no hands) we, as
marketers, can embrace the business philosophies of Cirque du
Soleil. Its mission statement is a great rallying call: to
invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the
emotions of people around the world. As we take yet another
first step toward enduring success, I challenge us all to
remember that at the end of every business exchange is a person
not unlike one in the front row of a Cirque du Soleil
performance and put a little magic in our real marketing.
{SOURCE: Forbes}
"World's Away" Debuts: Dec 21st!
{Feb.28.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cirque du Soleil's new 3D
film "World's Away" gets a release date: it's Friday, December
21, 2012 (let's hope we're all going to be here to see it):
James Cameron's 3D Cirque du Soleil Feature Acquired By
Paramount, which acquired rights to the unique project earlier
this year, announced the date on Monday.
Worlds Away features performances from elaborate Cirque du
Soleil productions and an original story from Adamson, who is
producing the movie with Aron Warner and Cirque du Soleil's
Martin Bolduc, Ed Jones and Cary Granat.
Vince Pace, co-chairman of 3D technology and production services
firm Cameron Pace Group, oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect
of the movie.
{SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter}
NEW Viva Elvis Visual!
{Feb.29.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
In celebration of Viva Elvis' final year - not to mention the
inclusion of the Banquine act from Cirque du Soleil's ZED,
recently closed in Tokyo, Japan - Cirque du Soleil has created a
new visual for VIVA ELVIS, which was released on Facebook today!
To discover the new visual one had to select their favorite
musical cut from the show (from a very short list of musical
numbers provided); however, we did the leg work for you and have
those images on our website.
Enjoy!
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/03/VivaElvis2.jpg >
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/03/VivaElvis1.jpg >
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Rediscover Mystère (Video)
{Feb.29.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Today Cirque du Soleil, through Mystère's Facebook page, teases
us to "rediscover Mystère in a whole new way" through a time-
lapse video of the theater renovation the show went through
during its recent extended dark period. The renovation brought
with it acts from ZED (Cirque du Soleil's defunct show in Tokyo,
Japan): Flying Trapeze, Aerial Silks and a revamped Chinese
Poles.
Check out the video:
< http://cirk.me/ziQGn7 >
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem, Varekai & Amaluna}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam, Dralion
& Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
Believe & VIVA Elvis}
o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions
{Iris & Zarkana}
NOTE:
.) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate
touring dates and locations available, the information in
this section is subject to change without notice. As such,
the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility
for the accuracy of these listings.
.) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque
du Soleil.
For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts,
please visit Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Amaluna:
Montreal, QC -- Apr 19, 2012 to Jul 15, 2012
Quebec, QC -- Jul 25, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012
Toronto, ON -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 30, 2012
Vancouver, BC -- TBA
Corteo:
Barcelona, ES -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012
Amsterdam, NL -- Mar 22, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012
Antwerp, BE -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 28, 2012
Gijón, ES -- Jul 25, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012
Zurich, CH -- Aug 31, 2012 to TBA
Berlin, DE -- Nov 28, 2012 to TBA
Koozå:
Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Phoenix, AZ -- Jun 8, 2012 to Jul 15, 2012
Houston, TX -- Jul 26, 2012 to TBA
Dallas, TX -- Sep 19, 2012 to TBA
Tampa, FL -- Nov 8, 2012 to TBA
London, UK -- Jan 2013 to TBA
Ovo:
Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
Portland, OR -- Apr 5, 2012 to May 13, 2012
Brisbane, AU -- Jul 14, 2012 to Aug 3, 2012
Sydney, AU -- Sep 13, 2012 to Oct 7, 2012
Melbourne, AU -- Jan 17, 2013 to Feb 3, 2013
Adelaide, AU -- Feb 27, 2013 to TBA
Perth, AU -- Apr 14, 2012 to Apr 28, 2013
Totem:
San Jose, CA -- Mar 2, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012
San Diego, CA -- Apr 25, 2012 to May 13, 2012
Boston, MA -- Jun 10, 2012 to TBA
Washington, DC -- Jul 11, 2012 to TBA
Atlanta, GA -- Oct 25, 2012 to TBA
New York, NY -- Nov 19, 2012 to TBA
Varekai:
Brasilia, BR -- Feb 23, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
Recife, BR -- Mar 30, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012
Salvador, BR -- May 3, 2012 to May 13, 2012
Curitiba, BR -- Jun 7, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012
Porto Alegre, BR -- Jul 11, 2012 to Aug 5, 2012
Buenos Aires, AR -- Aug 17, 2012 to Sep 16, 2012
Santiago, CL -- Sep 28, 2012 to Oct 28, 2012
Lima, PE -- Nov 16, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012
Bogota, CO -- Jan 10, 2012 to Feb 24, 2013
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
Saltimbanco:
Bordeaux, FR -- Mar 2, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012
Dijon, FR -- Mar 9, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012
Rome, IT -- Mar 15, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
Casablanca, MA -- Apr 6, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012
Beirut, LB -- May 10, 2012 to TBA
Manila, PH -- Aug 9, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012
Alegría:
Toulon, FR -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012
Nice, FR -- Mar 7, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012
Montpellier, FR -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
Strasbourg, FR -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
Brussels, BE -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Manchester, UK -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 7, 2012
Glasgow, UK -- Apr 11, 2012 to Apr 15, 2012
Birmingham, UK -- Apr 18, 2012 to Apr 22, 2012
Dublin, IE -- Apr 25, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012
Budapest, HU -- May 17, 2012 to May 20, 2012
Prague, CZ -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012
Hambgurg, DE -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012
Hanover, DE -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012
Nuremberg, DE -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012
Vienna, AT -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012
Belgrade, RS -- Jun 29, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012
Tel Aviv, IL -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 18, 2012
Lille, FR -- Nov 21, 2012 to Nov 25, 2012
Paris, FR -- Nov 28, 2012 to Dec 2, 2012
Quidam:
Austin, TX -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012
Frisco, TX -- Mar 7, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012
San Antonio, TX -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
Champaign, IL -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
Roanoke, VA -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Knoxville, TN -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012
Evansville, IN -- Apr 26, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012
Green Bay, WI -- May 1, 2012 to May 2, 2012
Duluth, MN -- May 4, 2012 to May 6, 2012
Saginaw, MI -- May 16, 2012 to May 20, 2012
East Lansing, MI -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012
Grand Rapids, MI -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012
Toledo, OH -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012
Rockford, IL -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012
St. Louis, MO -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012
Indianapolis, IN -- Jun 27, 2012 to TBA
Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 19, 2012 to Jul 22, 2012
Regina, SK -- Jul 25, 2012 to Jul 29, 2012
Edmonton, AB -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 12, 2012
Kamloops, BC -- Aug 15, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012
Kelowna, BC -- Aug 22, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012
Abbotsford, BC -- Aug 29, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012
Victoria, BC -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 9, 2012
Honolulu, HI -- Oct 4, 2012 to Oct 14, 2012
Sault Ste Marie, ON -- TBA
Dralion:
Rio Rancho, NM -- Feb 29, 2012 to Mar 4, 2012
Laredo, TX -- Mar 6, 2012 to Mar 7, 2012
Corpus Christi, TX -- Mar 9, 2012 to Mar 11, 2012
Hidalgo, TX -- Mar 14, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
College Station, TX -- Mar 21, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
Highland Heights, KY -- Mar 28, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Cleveland, OH -- Apr 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012
Hamilton, ON -- Apr 26, 2012 to Apr 29, 2012
Halifax, NS -- May 2, 2012 to May 6, 2012
Saint John, NB -- May 9, 2012 to May 13, 2012
London, ON -- May 16, 2012 to May 20, 2012
Rochester, NY -- May 23, 2012 to May 27, 2012
Manchester, NH -- May 30, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012
Syracuse, NY -- Jun 6, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012
Bridgeport, CT -- Jun 13, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012
Rosemont, IL -- Jun 20, 2012 to Jun 24, 2012
Chicago, IL -- Jun 27, 2012 to Jul 1, 2012
Sunrise, FL -- Jul 19, 2012 to Jul 29, 2012
Estero, FL -- Aug 1, 2012 to Aug 5, 2012
Richmond, VA -- Aug 8, 2012 to Aug 12, 2012
Raleigh, NC -- Aug 15, 2012 to Aug 19, 2012
Baltimore, MD -- Aug 22, 2012 to Aug 26, 2012
Atlantic City, NJ -- Aug 29, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012
Pittsburgh, PA -- Sep 5, 2012 to Sep 9, 2012
CHarleston, WV -- Sep 12, 2012 to Sep 16, 2012
Minneapolis, MN -- Sep 19, 2012 to Sep 23, 2012
Ontario, CA -- Oct 24, 2012 to Oct 28, 2012
Long Beach, CA -- Oct 31, 2012 to Nov 4, 2012
San Deigo, CA -- Nov 14, 2012 to Nov 18, 2012
Phoenix, AZ -- Nov 21, 2012 to Nov 25, 2012
Topeka, KS -- Dec 5, 2012 to Dec 9, 2012
Tulsa, OK -- Dec 12, 2012 to Dec 16, 2012
Okalahoma City, OK -- Dec 19, 2012 to Dec 23, 2012
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour:
Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 3 & 4 2012
Jacksonville, FL -- Mar 7 & 8, 2012
Raleigh, NC -- Mar 10 & 11, 2012
Charlotte, NC -- Mar 13 & 14, 2012
Milwaukee, WI -- Mar 16 & 17, 2012
Montreal, QC -- Mar 20, 21 & 22, 2012
Quebec, QC -- Mar 24 & 25, 2012
Minneapolis, MN -- Mar 27 & 28, 2012
Newark, NJ -- Mar 30 & Apr 1, 2012
New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 4 & 5, 2012
Long Island, NY -- Apr 7 & 8, 2012
Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10 & 11, 2012
Pittsburg, PA -- Apr 13, 14 & 15, 2012
State College, PA -- Apr 24 & 25, 2012
Columbia, SC -- Apr 27 & 28, 2012
Hartford, CT -- May 2 & 3, 2012
Baltimore, MD -- May 5 & 6, 2012
Hampton, VA -- May 8, 2012
Worcester, MA -- May 16 & 17, 2012
Quebec, QC -- May 19 & 20, 2012
Dayton, OH -- Jun 6, 7 & 8, 2012
Columbus, OH -- Jun 9 & Jun 10, 2012
Nashville, TN -- Jun 12 & 13, 2012
Austin, TX -- Jun 15, 2012
San Antonio, TX -- Jun 23, 2012
Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29 & 30, 2012
Montreal, QC -- Jul 6 & Jul 7, 2012
Washington, DC -- Jul 13, 14 & 15 2012
Cleveland, OH -- Jul 17 & 18, 2012
Chicago, IL -- Jul 20 & 21, 2012
Ottawa, ON -- Jul 24 & 25, 2012
Toronto, ON -- Jul 27 & 28, 2012
Boston, MA -- Aug 3 & 4, 2012
Vancouver, BC -- Aug 10 & 11, 2012
Los Angeles, CA -- Aug 14 & 15, 2012
Salt Lake City -- Aug 21, 2012
Europe 2012:
------------
London, UK -- Oct 12,13 & 14 2012
Herding, DK -- Oct 24 & 25, 2012
Copenhagen, DK -- Oct 27 & 28, 2012
Stockholm, SE -- Nov 2 & 3, 2012
Helsinki, FI -- Nov 5 & 6, 2012
Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 16 & 17, 2012
Oberhausen, DE -- Nov 20 & 21, 2012
Munich, DE -- Nov 24 & 25, 2012
Hannover, DE -- Nov 28, 2012
Vienna, AT -- Dec 1 & 2, 2012
Manheim, DE -- Dec 5, 2012
Leipzig, DE -- Dec 8, 2012
Hamburg, DE -- Dec 11, 2012
Cologne, DE -- Dec 15 & 16, 2012
Berlin, DE -- Dec 19 & 20, 2012
Madrid, ES -- Dec 26 to Dec 29, 2012
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise
noted.
(*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the
$7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where
applicable.
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm
Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50
o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View)
2012 Dark Dates:
o May 12 - 16
o September 8 - 12
o November 14
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
Ticket Prices:
o Orchestra: $150.00
o Loggia: $130.00
o Balcony: $99.00
o Limited View: $93.50
2012 Dark Dates:
o April 9 - 15
o June 10
o August 6 - 12
o October 14 & 17
o December 3 - 18
La Nouba:
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9):
o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00
o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00
o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00
o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00
o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00
2012 Dark Dates:
o March 20
o May 15-26
o July 24
o September 18-22
o November 27
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday
Dark: Wednesday & Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
Ticket Prices (18+ Only!):
o Duo Sofas: $129.00
o Orchestra Seats: $105.00
o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00
o Balcony Seats: $69.00
o Cabaret Stools: $69.00
2012 Dark Dates:
o April 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17
o June 19
o August 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31
o September 1, 2, 3, and 4
o October 23
o December 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00
o Category 2: $130.00 / $65.00
o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
2012 Dark Dates:
o April 3
o May 29 - June 2
o July 31
o August 1
o September 28 - 29
o November 20
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Ticket Prices:
o Lower Orchestra: $150.00
o Upper Orchestra: $130.00
o Lower Balcony: $99.00
o Middle Balcony: $93.50
2012 Dark Dates:
o April 5 - 9
o June 4
o August 2 - 6
o October 1
o December 6 - 19
BELIEVE:
Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm
NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by
an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted
into the theater.
Ticket Prices (all):
o Category 1: $160.00
o Category 2: $130.00
o Category 3: $109.00
o Category 4: $89.00
o Category 5: $59.00
2012 Dark Dates:
o April 10-14
o May 29-31
o June 1-2
o July 17-21
o September 4-11
o December 18-25
VIVA ELVIS:
Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Ticket Prices
o Category 1: $175.00
o Category 2: $150.00
o Category 3: $125.00
o Category 4: $99.00
2012 Dark Dates:
o March 13-17
o May 8
o July 10-21
o September 18
o November 13
NOTE: VIVA ELVIS to close by end of 2012
--------------------------------------
VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions
--------------------------------------
Zarkana:
Moscow, RU -- Feb 4, 2012 to Apr 8, 2012
New York, NY -- Jun 6, 2012 to Sep 2, 2012
IRIS:
Location: Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Friday @ 8:00pm
Saturday @ 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday @ 1:00pm and 6:30pm
DARK: Monday
2012 Dark Dates:
o TBA
Ticket Prices:
Weekday Matinees:
o Category Premium - $253.00 USD
o Category 1 - $123.00 USD
o Category 2 - $93.00 USD
o Category 3 - $68.00 USD
o Category 4 - $43.00 USD
Saturday Matinee & All Evening Performances:
o Category Premium - $253.00 USD
o Category 1 - $133.00 USD
o Category 2 - $103.00 USD
o Category 3 - $78.00 USD
o Category 4 - $43.00 USD
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
o) Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, Youtube & Twitter
---------------------------------------
CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub
---------------------------------------
The Gadgets of IRIS
{Feb.08.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Visual delight abound in IRIS A Journey Through the world of cinema
by Cirque du Soleil at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Not least among them
are 360 unusual props, many automated and motion-controlled, all
crafted specificaly for this production. A quirky, vintage-looking
camera dolly, for example, keeps with the unique interpretation of the
world of early cinema that IRIS provides. But there's a catch: It is
topped with a working camera that projects live video. The piece
serves as an acrobatic apparatus, too: artists wheel the seat to spin
on their heads, and they flip through its tripod base.
"Props used in Cirque du Soleil shows tend to be a little different,"
says Jared Peter, head of props. The versatile camera dolly is one of
three "baby machines" created for IRIS by Anne-Séguin Poirier, the
company's Montreal-based props designer. Others include a roving
spotlight and a trumpet-shaped gramophone speaker on tricycle wheels.
In development for three years, "They're our prize props, little
creatures that roam about the stage in the first part as kind of an
ode to the beginnings of cinema," Peter says. "They interact with the
artists and other costume and prop elements of the show. We went
through many, many revisions. It's amazing how much time and how many
people it took to make those pieces work."
Every prop inIRIS is "a designer creation," he adds "Nothing is off
the shelf. Everything has been meticulously designed by Anne or has
evolved via the builders and Anne collaborating together." Originally
from the San Francisco Bay area with a background in television, film
and live theater, Peter joined Cirque du Soleil in 2005. He moved to
Los Angeles to join the IRIS team after working on Cirque shows The
Beatles LOVE at The Mirage in Las Vegas and Zaia in Macao, China. It's
a move, he says, that's paid off "Constructing props for a Cirque du
Soleil show is incredibly creative and rewarding."
Read more about the props of IRIS here:
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2012/2012-01-18-
iris-gadgets.aspx >
TOTEM VOICES: An Original Webseries
{Feb.13.2012}
---------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil presents TOTEM VOICES: an original 8 episode original
documentary webseries introducing select artists from TOTEM. The
webseries offers a rare personal and authentic look at the artists
embodying the characters inhabiting the imaginary world of TOTEM: Joe,
Christian, Denise and Massimo, Pippo, Alya, Dmitry, Louis-David and
Rosalie share in turn their joy, challenges and triumphs.
TOTEM VOICES | Episode: "Denise & Massimo"
Introducing Denise and Massimo, the Roller Skates Duo in TOTEM from
Cirque du Soleil. From their caravan in Italy, these lovebirds share
their life passion - the stage and their love for one another.
Check out Episode One - "Denise & Massimo" here:
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2012/2012-02-10-
totem-massimo.aspx >
---------------------------------------------------
NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter
---------------------------------------------------
---[ ALEGRIA ]---
{Feb.25}
Added 7 new photos to the album "Alegria on Le Plus Grand
Cabaret du Monde"
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set
=a.10150687370780746.459038.38543815745&type=1 >
---[ AMALUNA ]---
{Feb.13}
While rehearsals are in full swing, our Director Diane and
Creation Director Fernand take a moment to talk about the story
of the show.
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/xFDFRV >
{Feb.03}
Today, hear more from our Director, Diane Paulus. Diane tells us
how she always dreamed to create a show under a tent, and now
she actually has a chance at actually doing it.
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/zi0yog >
---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]---
{Feb.27}
Performance by Cirque du Soleil during the live ABC Television
Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards from the
Hollywood and Highland Center, in Hollywood, CA, Sunday,
February 26, 2012.
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=
a.341729072532106.77802.161171830587832&type=3 >
--- [ DRALION ]---
{Feb.25}
Congratulations to Dmytro Negodin for 5 incredible years with
Dralion. Dmytro started with the show in 2006 as a trampolinist
in the act - Trampo-wall. Keep jumping for the Stars Dmytro!
{Feb.09}
Here is another great TV segment with one of Dralion
trampolinists! Dralion is performing at the 1st Bank Center in
Broomfield, CO until Sunday. Enjoy!
LINK /// < http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=
1441682746001&odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%
7CFRONTPAGE%7Cfeatured >
{Feb.09}
Great show and great crowd last night at the 1st Bank Center in
Broomfield, CO! here's good photo coverage of Premiere Day!
LINK /// < http://www.westword.com/slideshow/
backstage-at-cirque-du-soleils-dralion-36106032/ >
{Feb.03}
Cool behind the scene segment of Dralion! Come check it out at
the 1st Bank Events Center in Broomfield, CO.
LINK /// < http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/
2012/02/video-cirque-du-soleils-dralion-
comes-to-colorado/28884/ >
---[ IRIS ]---
{Feb.09}
Matias Plaul, one of our Trampoline artists, talks about
visiting his home town in Argentina over the break!
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTN7-qr1Jis >
{Feb.02}
Kevin and Andrew Atherton, our aerial straps act in IRIS by
Cirque du Soleil are backstage at the KODAK Theatre sharing
their plans for the break (and Superbowl weekend!). IRIS is
currently on an extended dark to make way for the Academy
Awards, and will return with performances starting March 24th.
LINK /// < http://youtu.be/1RPiJ1Qezv4 >
---[ KA ]---
{Feb.15}
Check out this article and video by USA Today, where they go
behind-the-scenes of KÀ and discuss some of the technical
aspects of the show!
LINK /// < http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-02-
11/cirque-du-soleil-ka-technology/53039268/1 >
---[ LA NOUBA ]---
{Feb.02}
Get to know the musicians from La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, and
catch a few pointers to becoming a successful musician!
LINK /// < http://youtu.be/uR0FDnhHpHc >
---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]---
{Feb.20}
This morning interview in Kansas City!
LINK /// < http://fox4kc.com/2012/02/20/michael-jackson-cirque-
de-soleil-immortal-tour/ >
{Feb.19}
Interviews in Tulsa, OK
LINK /// < http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?
subjectid=269&articleid=20120219_11_A21_CUTLIN784558 >
LINK /// < http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?
subjectid=269&articleid=20120212_269_D3_CUTLIN670897 >
---[ OVO ]---
{Feb.07}
Watch the exclusive backstage interview with Michelle Matlock,
the Ladybug from OVO, after last night performance on The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
LINK /// < http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/backstage-with-
bryan/dwayne-johnson-miranda-cosgrove-cirque-du-soleil-ovo---
backstage/#.TzGhN4WJN5o.facebook >
{Feb.07}
Watch our special performance on "The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno" from last night here - what do you like most about the
performance?
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/xo4xRq >
{Feb.02}
OVO cast out today at the Santa Monica Pier!
LINK /// < http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-
snc7/p480x480/409038_10150566562164614_62744104613_
8604476_1714544044_n.jpg >
---[ SALTIMBANCO ]---
{Feb.24}
Great feature of Saltimbanco on ORF TV with the trapeze artists
in Graz, Austria!!
LINK // < http://tvthek.orf.at/programs/70020-Steiermark-heute >
{Feb.09}
Successful Premiere for Saltimbanco from Cirque du Soleil for
the 1st time in Bucharest, Romania!!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
v=10150529997001650 >
{Feb.04}
Added 9 new photos to the album LIVE performance with
Saltimbanco artists@Coffee with Gala Show!!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=
a.10150647885787959.449592.41245692958&type=1 >
---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]---
{Feb.16}
Hey Beatles LOVE fans! Start sharing the message of LOVE with
your friends and family, themed to your favorite Beatles track!
Select from a variety of tracks by The Beatles, including
Octopus's Garden, Strawberry Fields, Lady Madonna, and While My
Guitar Gently Weeps. Use the link below to start sharing your
LOVE!
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/fbblp >
{Feb.12}
The cast of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil performed live
Friday night to open up the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year
event honoring Paul McCartney.
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7oB9ur7ps >
---[ VIVA ELVIS ]---
{Feb.22}
Added 13 new photos to the album "Thank you OVO for hosting Viva
ELVIS' 2nd Anniversary!"
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=
a.10150557955149109.374220.167136344108&type=1 >
---[ ZAIA ]---
{Feb.19}
Dear fans, our final show has just finished very very very
perfectly. Thank you so much for your great support throughout
the years. We'll never forget that. Herein, we would like to
give all our best wishes to you, and look forward to seeing you
all someday in the future, in the ZAIA theater again!
LINK /// < http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
ash4/s320x320/419864_10150686712983064_40707978063
_11262384_1002292415_n.jpg >
{Feb.18}
Tomorrow, we will have our last show, and now, why not just take
two minutes to review the most dazzled parts of ZAIA together?
Enjoy it! and look forward to seeing you all tomorrow in the
theater!
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hF8YZfz7j8 >
---[ ZUMANITY ]---
{Feb.14}
Looking for a way to sex-up your look for tonight's hot
Valentine's Day plans? Look no further than tips from our
fabulous wig & makeup supervisor Roger Stricker who shows how
you can incorporate Zu into your night out!
LINK /// < http://www.blinkx.com/watch-video/zumanity--inspired-
valentine-day-makeup/apk4w_zX0B2gisoGUc5K5A >
=======================================================================
COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
=======================================================================
o) DIDYAKNOW - Facts at a Glance about Cirque
o) HISTORIA - Cirque du Soleil History
---------------------------------
DIDYAKNOW? - Facts About Cirque
---------------------------------
o) Did you know there's over 92,000 pounds of equipment that flies
during Mystère?
o) Did you know that Bruce Rickerd, Mystere guitarist, has never
missed a performance? As of February 2, 2012, he has performed in
all 8,601 shows. And he is in all the acts! Special mention to
Sandra Stimmel Huntsman, the puppet at the beginning, and
Alice the Snail at the end have also been in every show!
o) Mystère's intricate lighting system, controlled by a Strand 550 I
lighting console, consists of over 1100 lighting instruments.
Included in the lighting inventory are: 144 color scrollers, 40
super scans and more than 200 conventional ETC lighting fixtures.
There are over 700 lighting cues during the show. Located within
the lighting booth are four special effects projectors with image
scrollers and gray-scale dimming shutters used to create the dream-
like world of Mystère.
o) Props, equipment and performers are elevated to the stage level
from the trap by means of four moving lifts located at the heart of
the stage. The center stage has a 28-foot turntable that rotates up
to 10 revolutions per minute. Each of the lifts can support 300
pounds per square foot and are controlled by a motion cue system
designed by Mirage Resorts Entertainment Technologies Group. The
lifts were constructed by Gala Corporation of Montreal and
assembled in Las Vegas.
o) Treasure Island's rigging use Gala's Vertilift drum system. Each of
the 23 battens is suspended by steel cables directly from a shaft
that both supports the battens and turns the grooved cable drums
that wind the cables. The shaft is supported by rollers that ride
in the same grooves as the cables. As a result, the entire shaft-
all 120' of it--moves laterally as the cable is taken up, ensuring
there is no change in fleet angle.
------------------------------------
HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History
------------------------------------
* Mar.01.1988 -- Le Cirque Reinvene opened Santa Monica (third time)
* Mar.01.2008 -- Corteo opened San Diego, California
* Mar.04.1999 -- Quidam European Tour Began in Amsterdam
* Mar.04.1999 -- New Tour Name Released -- Dralion
* Mar.04.2005 -- Quidam opened Melbourne
* Mar.04.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Little Rock, AK
* Mar.04.2009 -- Quidam opened Belfast, UK (Temporarily Arena)
* Mar.04.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Youngstown, OH
* Mar.05.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Lyon
* Mar.05.2009 -- Alegría opened Dubai, UAE
* Mar.06.1997 -- Alegría opened Amsterdam
* Mar.06.2001 -- Alegría opened Melbourne, Australia
* Mar.06.2002 -- Dralion opened Los Angeles
* Mar.06.2003 -- Alegría opened Houston
* Mar.06.2003 -- Varekai opened Atlanta
* Mar.07.2007 -- Madison Square Garden Show "Winter Tale" Announced!
* Mar.07.2007 -- Saltimbanco "Arena Tour" Announced!
* Mar.08.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Shreveport, LA
* Mar.09.1995 -- Saltimbanco opened Amsterdam (European Tour Began)
* Mar.10.2006 -- Dralion opened Geneva
* Mar.11.1994 -- Saltimbanco Japan Tour Began (ends 9/11)
* Mar.11.2007 -- "O" celebrated its 4000th performance [Sunday, 10:30pm]
* Mar.11.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Louisville, KY
* Mar.12.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened San Antonio, TX
* Mar.12.2009 -- Cirque Dubai 2010 is once again delayed until 2010
* Mar.12.2009 -- Quidam opened Newcastle, UK (Temporarily Arena)
* Mar.13.2003 -- Dralion opened Raleigh
* Mar.14.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film showcased in Santa Barbara
* Mar.14.2003 -- La Nouba celebrated 2000th Performance [Friday, 6:00pm]
* Mar.14.2006 -- Varekai opened Portland
* Mar.15.1998 -- Mystère celebrated 2000th Performance [Sunday, 7:30pm]
* Mar.15.2006 -- Saltimbanco opened Santiago, Chile
* Mar.15.2007 -- Varekai opened Canberra, Australia
* Mar.17.2003 -- IBM and Cirque come together in 3-Year Partnership
* Mar.17.2005 -- Dralion opened Barcelona, Spain
* Mar.18.1999 -- Saltimbanco opened Sydney, Australia
* Mar.18.2004 -- Varekai opened San Diego
* Mar.18.2009 -- Quidam opened Birmingham, UK (Temporarily Arena)
* Mar.18.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Laredo, TX
* Mar.19.2002 -- Saltimbanco Extended CD Released (BMG/CDS Musique)
* Mar.19.2006 -- Quidam opened Long Beach
* Mar.19.2009 -- Cirque Unveils new Casting MySpace Page
* Mar.20.2007 -- Quidam opened Seoul, South Korea
* Mar.21.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Corpus Christi, TX
* Mar.22.1996 -- Alegría Japanese Tour (until Sep. 8, 1996)
* Mar.22.2005 -- Zumanity CD Released (CDS Musique)
* Mar.22.2007 -- Corteo opened Houston
* Mar.22.2007 -- Cirque Luxor (Criss Angel) Announced!
* Mar.23.1993 -- Nouvelle Expérience CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor)
* Mar.23.1999 -- Alegria: Le Film CD Released in Canada (RCA)
* Mar.23.2000 -- Alegría celebrated 2000th performance [8:00pm/Biloxi]
* Mar.24.1998 -- Cirque Collection CD Released in US (RCA/Victor)
* Mar.24.2002 -- Cirque performed at the 74th Academy Awards
* Mar.24.2004 -- "The Bar at the Edge of the Earth" opened
* Mar.25.2004 -- Alegría opened Atlanta
* Mar.25.2009 -- Quidam opened Manchester, UK (Temporarily Arena)
* Mar.26.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Wichita, KS
* Mar.28.1995 -- Alegría opened New York City
* Mar.28.2009 -- "O" Honored Earth Hour 2009
* Mar.29.1994 -- Mystère CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor)
* Mar.29.2002 -- Quidam opened Charlotte
* Mar.30.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened New York City
* Mar.30.2000 -- Quidam opened Valencia, Spain
* Mar.31.2009 -- Quidam opened Dublin, Ireland (Temporarily Arena)
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and
Press Releases"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) "Cirque's Dreams of the Past: A What If?
Part 1: Cirque to Reside"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
"ZAIA: A Journey through Time, Space and Press Releases"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
On February 7, 2012, the Macau unit of Las Vegas Sands Corp. and
Cirque du Soleil announced they were ending a 10-year contract after
just three and a half years and closing ZAIA, underlining the
difficulties faced trying to transform the Chinese gambling enclave of
Macau into an entertainment destination to rival that of Las Vegas. As
such, ZAIA - Cirque du Soleil's first permanent production to open in
Asia - would have its final show on February 19th after several years
of disappointing ticket sales, the companies said in a joint
statement. Average occupancy at ZAIA in January was just 40%,
according to a Cirque du Soleil representative, not enough to recoup
the cost of day-to-day operations nor the $150 million plus price tag
for creating the show and its custom-built theater.
There is no denying that ZAIA had a tumultuous three and a half years,
but we had hoped the show would be able to survive its initial
troubles and slouch off any further misgivings about its quality.
Unfortunately it will not get that chance and it, like ZED, is a great
loss to the Cirque du Soleil repertoire.
With a little more than two weeks from announcement to closure (not to
mention its far-off location across the ocean), we won't get a chance
to celebrate the show's accomplishments like we did for ZED's closing
- that and we've never seen the show - but rather than let the show's
closing pass, we decided to celebrate ZAIA instead by taking a walk
through its time and space via press releases, blurbs and other
statements made about the production over the years, tracing its
history from beginning to end.
RUMORS CONFIRMED ///
In 2004, as Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 20th anniversary, the
company looked to capitalize on its recent successes and expand beyond
their current strong holds of North America, Europe and Japan. Even
before then rumors cropped up at regular intervals detailing how
Cirque would expand to house resident shows in Berlin, London, New
York, Singapore, Tokyo and other worldly cities, many never coming to
fruition (a topic of conversation you'll also find within this issue -
"CIRQUE'S DREAMS OF THE PAST: A WHAT IF? PART 1: CIRQUE TO RESIDE", by
yours truly). But with Cirque du Soleil finding successes in the Asia-
Pacific region, it was only a matter of time before something
regarding Asia was announced.
On May 2, 2006, the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Cirque du Soleil
announced their intention to create a one-of-a-kind show on the Cotai
Strip, then being developed in the People's Republic of China Special
Administrative Region of Macau. The new show, conceived and created
solely by Cirque du Soleil, was scheduled to open in the Spring of
2008 in a 1,800-seat theater built to Cirque specifications and would
be unlike anything we'd yet seen.
It was a doorway into Asia and a new market for Cirque du Soleil.
More than a year later (on August 28, 2007) the Venetian Macau opened
its doors to paying customers, but the show was not yet ready. By
October of the same year we learned the show's creative team,
salivating over the possibilities this group of talented individuals
could produce:
o) Gilles Maheu -- Director
o) Neilson Vignola -- Director of Creation
o) Guillaume Lord -- Set Designer
o) Dominique Lemieux -- Costume Designer
o) Axel Morghentaler -- Lighting Designer
o) Violaine Corradi -- Composer
o) Steve Dubuc -- Sound Designer
o) Martino Muller -- Choreographer
o) Guy Lemire -- Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging
By December the first kink in the show's plans appeared: the as yet
unnamed show was behind schedule due to a six-week delay in theater
construction. But the work did get finished just in time to begin
preview performances on July 26, 2008.
THE BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE ///
Macau, China - May 29, 2008 - ZAIA was unveiled today as the name of
the very first permanent Cirque du Soleil production set to open in
Asia. ZAIA will be presented at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in
Macau and will hold its Gala Celebration August 28, 2008 to coincide
with the 1st Anniversary of its host resort-hotel, with preview
performances beginning July 26, 2008.
Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian-based global entertainment company
providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Cirque du Soleil
productions have played to almost 80 million spectators in over 200
cities on five continents. In 2008, Cirque du Soleil will present 17
shows simultaneously throughout the world. Each production fuses
innovative acrobatics, theatre, dance and music with spectacular
costumes, lighting and make-up. Cirque du Soleil has successfully
toured to 13 cities in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong,
Seoul,Tokyo, Taipei and Shanghai with Big Top productions but ZAIA
will be the first production to be housed within a permanent theatre
in the region.
THE NAME
ZAIA is about the dream of a young girl who journeys into space.
The title, ZAIA, comes from a Greek name meaning "life" and is
also reminiscent of "Gaia," the living, self-aware, spirit of
earth.
"We are extremely excited to bring this unique show to the Cotaï
Strip as our first permanent step in China," said Daniel Lamarre,
President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. "The creative challenge
is very interesting for us as this area has yet to be developed
for its entertainment offers. Thanks to our partnership with Las
Vegas Sands, we are anxious for Asian audiences to discover this
Cirque du Soleil production.
"We are both proud and delighted to be partnering with Cirque du
Soleil and bringing this internationally acclaimed production to
Macau and to its first ever permanent base in Asia," said Mr.
Mark Brown, President of Sands Macao and The Venetian Macao-
Resort-Hotel. "Cirque du Soleil will surely give the people of
this region a chance to experience wholly unique and world-class
entertainment, an aim to which we are also committed."
THE SHOW
ZAIA is about a young girl who journeys into space on a strange,
yet familiar voyage of self-discovery. As she travels, she
encounters the beauty of humanity and eventually brings it back
with her to share with the inhabitants of earth.
ZAIA presents a young girl's perception of the stars and
planets, space and infinity, all populated by a panoply of
fantastic, literally out-of-this-world creatures. ZAIA is a show
that highlights dance, movement and aerial acrobatics, soaring
to the farthest reaches of space and human beauty.
ZAIA will be presented in a custom-built 1,800 seat theatre at
the Venetian Macau-Hotel-Resort. The combined cost of show
creation and the custom-built theatre for ZAIA is in excess of
$150 million USD.
Preview performances begin July 26, 2008 and the Gala Premiere
will be held Thursday, August 28, 2008.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Guy Laliberté Guide
Gilles Ste-Croix SVP, Creative Content
Gilles Maheu Writer/Director
Neilson Vignola Director of Creation
Guillaume Lord Set Designer
Dominique Lemieux Costume Designer
Violaine Corradi Composer and Musical Director
Martino Müller Choreographer
Jeff Hall Acrobatic Choreographer
Rob Bollinger Acrobatic Performance Designer
Guy Lemire Acrobatic Equipment & Rigging
Jimmy Lakatos Projections Designer
Raymond Saint-Jean Projections Designer
Steve Dubuc Sound Designer
Nathalie Gagné Make-up Designer
Leonid Leykin Clown Acts Designer
SHOW SCHEDULE
The preview period for ZAIA will be from July 26, 2008 to August
27, 2008. During this preview period there will be no shows on
Mondays and Tuesdays and the show schedule will be irregular.
Please consult the most current show schedule at
www.cirquedusoleil.com.
The Gala premiere is scheduled for August 28, 2008. Regular
performances will begin August 29, 2008.
Regular performances for ZAIA will run Tuesday through Sunday.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the show time will be at 8p.m. On
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the show times will be at 7p.m.
and 10p.m. On Sundays, shows will be at 4p.m. and 7p.m. There
will be no shows on Mondays. Please consult the most current
show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com. Schedule is subject to
change without notice.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets on sale May 30, 2008!
Adult ticket prices: MOP$1288, MOP$788, MOP$588, MOP$388
Children* ticket prices: MOP$688, MOP$488, MOP$288
*Children: Aged between 2 and 11
AN INNER JOURNEY ///
"For me, ZAIA is an inner journey through time and space. The
set, in which arcs and perspective lines predominate, evokes the
viewpoint of a human eye looking through a large observatory
telescope. "
- Guillaume Lord, Set Designer
The Theatre:
The ZAIA Theatre is reminiscent of ancient architectural
telescopes such as Jaipur in India and the vast stone Mayan
observatories of Central America. It is not a planetarium as
such, however it contains many visual cues and references that
add to the show's underlying theme of cosmic exploration.
In keeping with the primary theme of a journey into space,
verticality is an important component of the show and the
theatre was designed with a higher than 80-ft/24-meter ceiling
and the set elements are intended to recreate the experience of
being in space - an experience that is both mysteriously alien
and strangely familiar. This is a timeless journey from through
the stratosphere and beyond, while keeping an eye on Earth.
The Set:
When the audience enters the theatre, one of the main set
elements, a gigantic sphere, appears to be a chandelier and the
house is illuminated by light sources at ground level, creating
the effect of a deep dark cave. When the sphere is revealed in
all its constantly-changing glory following the opening number,
its full scope and the effect of its trajectory over the heads
of the audience is nothing less than stunning.
The proscenium is made up of several layers that create a sense
of depth through perspective lines and curves made of bronze
that converge on the single focal point located at the centre of
an enormous sun-like gong set against the backdrop, known as the
"Star Drop," which recreates the night sky with 3,000 fiber
optic "stars." Designer Guillaume Lord used a star map to give
the Star Drop an accurate representation of the constellations
at the exact location of the theatre.
Some figures:
o) The theatre has a capacity of 1,852.
o) The Proscenium is 88' high and 97' Wide.
o) The 12,221 sq. ft. Star Drop measures 121' x 101'.
o) The polished bronze-plated Gong Sun has a 20' diameter.
o) The 25'-diameter Sphere moves on three axes. It
consists of an aluminum exoskeleton covered in Lexan
and weighs 4,000 lbs. It contains 6 projectors that
beam integrated images through a full 360 degrees.
o) Above the audience the Oval Track transports performers
and set elements (such as the 600-lb ice blocks) on
148' x 95' 5 chariots that weigh 800 lbs.
o) It takes 30-40 backstage technicians to operate the
set.
PRESENTATION
Choreography I - City Scape
The dance troupe embraces social diversity through a series of
choreographies. First, a couple performs a languorous tango to the
sound of a bandoneon (a small accordion), the flexibility of the
dancers sometimes evokes the movements of contortionists. Then, two
other dancers perform a high-energy gypsy dance without any musical
accompaniment, tapping out the rhythm on their bodies with their hands
as other performers arrive on stage from everywhere. Finally, the
entire troupe presents a rhythmic dance that merges styles.
Aerial Bamboo
Hanging from a pole, two artists perform a hand to hand act on a pole
suspended in mid-air. They move up and down in unison, as if on a
surface inclined at a 90-degree angle in the middle of the cosmos.
From time to time, one of the artists grips the hand or foot of the
other, creating acrobatic figures by executing fluid movements steeped
in poetry.
Chinese Poles on Globes
As her earthly odyssey leads her to the Orient, Zaia discovers
acrobats clinging to poles shaped like weathervanes symbolizing the
points of the compass perform Chinese Poles act. What makes this act
special is the fact that the poles are held by porters who are
standing on globes.
Choreography II - Dance of the Automatons
Characters whose fanciful costumes are reminiscent of toys made from
recycled objects perform modern dance and break dancing moves,
sometimes as if their bodies were dismembered. One of the dancers
rotates on his head like a spinning top at an amazing speed!
Rola Bola
A Charlie Chaplin-like character arrives from the sky on a big ladder,
and finds bits and pieces of pipe and planks, which he uses to build a
rickety structure at center stage. He balances precariously as he
makes it climb higher and higher so he can rejoin his "celestial
ladder."
Aerial Frame
Under a panoply of ladders slung high above the stage, acrobats
perform an act that merges aerial disciplines in a mixture of styles
inspired by North Korean acts. To achieve this, four stations are
equipped with suspended swivel chairs to hold porters who catch and
release the artists flying in both directions. Timing is crucial when
flyers perform pirouettes with spectacular spins from one station to
the next.
Hand to Hand
Two acrobats evoke the love of the original couple by performing a
hand to hand act full of sweetness and sensuality. The two artists
create impressive figures and seemingly impossible feats of balance
that require absolute mastery and control.
Aerial Straps Duo
A pair of artists uses aerial straps to evoke their nascent passion,
sometimes using a single strap for synchronized movements, sometimes a
double strap to perform an aerial ballet of seduction, finesse and
elegance.
Choreography III - Fire Dance
After attending the union of Romeo and Zaia, the Sage, who incarnates
an African shaman performs a dance in the dark, twirling a stick that
is lit at both ends. Other dancers and acrobats join in. At the climax
all them are dancing with incandescent objects and then they disappear
into the entrails of the stage.
Trampoline and Double Teeterboard (X-Board)
In a veritable tribute to weightlessness, acrobats present an act
combining two disciplines: Teeterboard and Trampoline. A flurry of
criss-crossing flights, rebounds, daring leaps and jumps takes over
the stage.
CHARACTERS
Zaia
Zaia is the name of the main character, a young girl who dreams of
becoming an astronaut and discovering the mysteries of space. Her
imaginary celestial journey will follow in the footsteps of her
parents and she will encounter love. Her odyssey leads her to take a
fresh look at the beauty of Earth and the humans who live there.
Romeo
Captivated by the innocence of Zaia, Romeo is a young spectator she
meets at the beginning of her voyage. This character will search for
her throughout the story. When they come together at last they will
delight each other in a sensual straps duet.
The Sage
A mysterious ageless character, the Sage embodies the memory,
knowledge and different eras of humanity. He is the archetype of the
ancestor, the first of all ancestors, a kind of bright spot in the
blackness of space. The Sage watches over Zaia.
Clowns
Sensitive and silly, the clowns are the companions of Zaia in this
wonderful adventure. Although they become separated their friendship
will reunite them in the end.
Parents
Zaia's parents, itinerant acrobats on tour in space, passed on to her
their wanderlust and desire for discovery.
The Handyman
A Charlie Chaplin-like character, the Handyman builds a precarious
structure with planks and its pipes. When his shelter collapses,
everyone bands together to save him.
Adam and Eve
This couple represents original, pure, mythical and eternal love. It
is through them that Zaia herself discovers love, a feeling that she
will later share with Romeo.
The Humans
These characters of all ages and all social strata represent the last
people on Earth. Pressed and jostled in their daily lives, they are
equally capable of humor and great impulses of unity.
The Aristos
Characters from another era, the Aristos represent high society and
elegance as they participate in the aerial number.
The Weathervanes
These characters from the Chinese Poles on Globes number represent the
points of the compass.
The Fossils
The ice-encrusted Fossils are silent witnesses to the union between
Adam and Eve.
The Primitives
The Primitives represent the first men who tamed fire and learned to
use it. They include us in their celebration of love and fire.
A COSMIC DISTURBANCE ///
ZAIA's initial attendance figures were dismal, atrocious even, to the
tune of 20% capacity per show or less. And rumors of its imminent
demise were floating around before the cast had 100 performances under
its belt. By April 2010, perception regarding the show had soured so
much that Cirque du Soleil had to step in for a little damage control
and Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice-President for Resident Shows of Cirque du
Soleil, had to re-iterate that Cirque du Soleil was at the Venetian
Macau for the long haul.
"ZAIA is here to stay, at least for eight more years." No conversation
was held between Cirque du Soleil and Venetian about terminating the
show before the end of the ten-year contract. That is what the senior
vice-president for resident shows of Cirque du Soleil, Jerry Nadal,
assured in an exclusive interview to Macau Daily Times. Although he
admits the show's occupancy results are far from what were initially
expected, he claims that improvements are being made and that numbers
are rising every day. As for the recent news that referred to the end
of the show within a short-term period, he says they're just rumors.
But changes were afoot.
By the show's second anniversary, the Chinese Poles on Globes and Rola
Bola acts were replaced, and a more traditional Asian Lion Dance
routine was added. In early 2011, the Aerial Frame routine was removed
all-together but that still didn't do the trick. Cirque du Soleil and
Sands Macau went back to the drawing board and decided even more
drastic changes had to be made. First, the show would get a new name
in China - ???? - and a new visual but it would take some time for
those to make a public appearance.
Beginning September 1, 2011, ZAIA would feature even more new
diversified performances and characters. A dazzling Hand-to-Hand act,
a high-level acrobatic element of Roller Skates (a la TOTEM),
Juggling, and a Lion Dance performance to give the production more of
an Asian element were added. The show now would flow like this: the
Opening, Aerial Hammock, Roller Skates, Lion Dance, Juggling, Trapeze,
Hand to Hand, Aerial Straps & Hoops, Fire, Dragon, X-Board &
Trampoline and the Finale. And Cirque du Soleil's immediate goal?
Maintain ZAIA as a flagship showcase in MACAU.
"We hope to have three permanent shows in Macau one day and I see a
day where we can have a permanent show in big Chinese cities like
Shanghai and Beijing and who knows," Lamarre said.
Two months later (November 21, 2011) the Macau Daily Times reported
ZAIA's losses continued to mount but that Venetian Macau was willing
to shoulder them, Sands China president Edward Tracy revealed. "Ticket
sales have gone up" with the addition of new Chinese-style elements
such as a lion dance performance and a flying dragon, Tracy said.
Nonetheless, the Venetian Macau show remains "the only business sector
that doesn't make a profit," he added. Criticism from Sands China
chairman Sheldon Adelson led to rumors that the 10-year contract of
'Zaia' would be terminated earlier. But Edward Tracy rejected this
possibility. "We are prepared to take a loss to provide that kind of
entertainment," he stressed.
But less than three months later Sands China and Cirque du Soleil
announced they were ending the 10-year contract for ZAIA after just
three and a half years, underlining the difficulties in trying to
transform the Chinese gambling haven of Macau into an entertainment
destination. Average occupancy at the Zaia show in January was just
40%, according to a representative for the Canadiann company. "In view
of the market trend and customer demand shown in the research we've
conducted, the company will again be investing to redesign the
theater," said Gus Liem, Vice President of Entertainment at Sands
China Ltd.
"[I]t comes down to time, and visitors to Macau seem to have little of
it," said the Wall Street Journal. "According to the territory's
government, visitors (the overwhelming majority of which come from
China) stayed an average of just 1.5 nights during the first 11 months
of 2011. The average visitor to Las Vegas stayed 3.6 nights in 2010,
according to the most recent statistics available."
What's next?
According to the Macau Daily Times Cirque du Soleil and Sands China
revealed that they were currently discussing a variety of options for
working together on other projects. They said that "both organizations
are excited by what might come next", without disclosing details of
any possible new shows.
ZAIA had its final curtain call on Sunday, February 19th.
----------------------------------------------------------
"Cirque Dreams of the Past: A What If?
Part 1: Cirque to Reside"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
"I wouldn't be surprised if we had four or five shows in Macao within
five to seven years."
Remember this quote?
It's been a number of years since Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of
Cirque du Soleil, made that statement in regards to Macao and Cirque's
prospects there. Then ZAIA was unleashed to the community at large,
getting rather copious amount of attention; little did he know just
how wrong he would be. ZAIA closed on February 19, 2012 after just
three and a half years of a ten-year contract. The other four to five
show concepts on the table? Shelved way before then.
What went wrong?
At the moment there are many guesses and most tend to agree that Macau
was just not ready to be an international destination for arts and
entertainment; most who visit this special region are here strictly
for the gambling.
Although ZAIA's closing is just as sad as ZED's, VIVA ELVIS' upcoming
closure and even BANANA SHPEEL's before it, the timeliness of this
quote set me thinking about the last 10 years of Fascination's
existence and all the quotes, blurbs and past announcements about new
products, venues or avenues the Cirque would be exploring that we've
published. I began to wonder which of these came to fruition since
then and which have quietly remained hidden behind the curtain at
Cirque du Soleil HQ in Montreal.
I uncovered many in my search through the news archives. Some I had
readily known but others I had completely forgotten about and couldn't
wait to explore further. But before I move forward let me say this:
this article is not a dig at Cirque du Soleil nor is it an attempt to
highlight any recent failures. Rather it is an exploration into the
"what ifs" of Cirque du Soleil's development, and explores what could
have been had certain details been worked out.
This first of two parts explores the many rumors and announcements
made regarding "permanent" or "resident" shows.
PART ONE: CIRQUE TO RESIDE
After the success of Mystère, the company's first resident show (and
the first in Las Vegas) in 1993, and with Alegria's extended tour the
following year, Cirque du Soleil looked to expand their avant-garde
empire into the heart of continental Europe. Although London might
have been the first choice for a second resident show, Cirque du
Soleil looked to Berlin in 1996. Why Berlin?
Unfortunately we cannot say. There are two mentions of a potential
Berlin outpost - first, in the Alegria's Programme Book from Hong Kong
and in an announcement on its website not long thereafter.
Neither suggests where the venue would be located, what the show might
be about, or who might be part of the creative team (although at that
time there was just one creative team). One thing is for certain,
though, the project never happened. And it is just one of a number of
these types that have been announced over the years that never came to
fruition for one reason or another.
LONDON ///
Rumors of Cirque setting up in this fantastic city are as old as
resident shows themselves, and some of the earliest regarding London
stretch back to the late 1990s. But it wasn't until Cirque du Soleil
unveiled a strategy to open up "Entertainment Complexes" (a topic
we'll get into next time) that London became a more viable option for
the company.
In fact, in December 2000 Cirque du Soleil made an announcement to
turn London's disused Battersea Power Station into one such complex at
a price tag of £500m. The plans called for Cirque to convert the
dilapidated building into a 2,000 seat auditorium, along with two
hotels and a cinema. Cirque du Soleil founding president, Guy
Laliberte, called the Power Station project a "massive and truly
exciting challenge". He continued, "To me this building continues to
radiate the energy that it used to convert. It is a hugely powerful
symbol. We want to reflect that energy and power in helping to create
an environment and destination that will excite the imagination and
stimulate the senses." Work on the site was to begin within six months
of the announcement, but it never came.
Not much more was heard about residing in Europe until Cirque
President and CEO Daniel Lamarre in July 2004 alluded to no less than
three new permanent ventures within the next few years; Tokyo, London
and New York City. "I wouldn't want to put a calendar to the
construction," Lamarre said in an interview with The Star, "but I
think it's safe to say we will begin work on the Tokyo project very
soon."
The Tokyo project became ZED in 2008, of course, which unfortunately
folded at the end of 2011. The New York City announcement ultimately
became WINTUK in 2007, which also folded at the beginning of 2011. But
London has so far remained elusive, but rumors abound. One such rumor
had Cirque contemplating taking part in a revitalization project in
London's Battersea district in 1998, but the details could not be
worked out to anyone's satisfaction and the deal fell through.
But on April 18, 2006, Cirque du Soleil was said to be in negotiations
about a possible residency at O2, the multi-million pound sports and
entertainment complex being built on the site of the former Millennium
Dome in Greenwich, UK. Under the deal, the Canadian circus troupe
would have a regular show at the 1,800-seat theater that would form
part of the new venue. Illustrations showing how the finished O2 would
look were announced and a completion date of July 2007 was given for
the project. But this too fell apart.
On November 15, 2010, an interesting blog post came up at Sky News HD,
a component of BskyB in London, which suggested Cirque du Soleil was
now actively looking for a permanent home in London through an
advisory firm. Guy Laliberte had appointed Allen & Co, a specialist
media and entertainment advisory firm, to identify prospective
partners who could help establish a permanent residence for the
acrobatic dance troupe-cum-circus in London.
Mr Laliberté said: "We are working hard trying to find a place in
London. We have been looking all over for 10 years. Eventually, we
will be at the right place at the right moment with the right real-
estate developer. We have looked at the O2. It has been part of the
discussion." David Campbell, the chief executive of AEG Europe, which
owns the O2, confirmed the talks: "We have looked at it and it's just
a question of getting the right business model. It's not imminent but
it's not been dismissed."
But as of March 2012 there has been no word, and no permanent
residence.
MIAMI ///
In the week of May 10, 2005, the Miami Herald and WTVJ-TV (NBC-6) ran
independent stories highlighting the possibility that Cirque du Soleil
would bring its brand of entertainment to South Beach's Jackie Gleason
Theater, recently upstaged by a new performance theater in Downtown
Miami. "What Cirque du Soleil is doing now [is] looking at the box
that is the theater to see if it works," Miami Beach City Manager
Jorge Gonzalez said in NBC-6's coverage. Rumors abounded that due to
the theater's close proximity to beautiful Miami Beach, Cirque du
Soleil would bring a decidedly Latin-themed version of Zumanity, its
"sensual" cabaret from Las Vegas, to the Gleason. But a spokeswoman
for Cirque cautioned against getting too excited: "We're prospecting
many cities in many countries," said Renée-Claude Ménard. "There have
been rumors like that in London [and] New York. We do all kinds of
prospective work."
Although Cirque du Soleil never publically stated they were truly
interested in residing at the Jackie Gleason Theater, an August 28,
2006 excerpt from City Debate in Miami suggested the deal had fallen
apart: "[I]n response to a question from Commissioner Jerry Libbin at
the August 17th Finance Committee meeting, Randy McElrath, Regional
Director of Live Nation (formerly Clear Channel Communications) stated
that Clear Channel and Live Nation are no longer involved with Cirque
du Soleil in their deal for the development of the Jackie Gleason
Theatre as a permanent venue for a resident company of the Canadian
acrobatic circus."
So Cirque du Soleil forged ahead alone. In its plans to the city,
Cirque expected to pay Miami Beach about $9 million a year to take
over the Jackie Gleason Theater and build a restaurant and nightclub
there. That return would be considerably larger than rents pledged by
AEG Live and Live Nation, the two concert giants competing with Cirque
for the Gleason lease. But Cirque wanted $55 million in public dollars
to fund a $100 million renovation of the Gleason, AEG and Live Nation
would spend between $2 million and $3 million to fix up the Gleason at
no cost to the city. Beyond the costs involved, Cirque would commit to
about 430 performances a year. AEG and Live Nation, the country's top
concert promoters, wanted to transform the Gleason into a hipper venue
for live music and comedy - but with the doors open less than 150
times a year.
City Manager Jorge Gonzalez predicted Cirque would generate about $1.5
million a year in parking revenue for a nearby city garage: "Just on
that we'll be making more than what AEG or Live Nation is offering."
Gonzalez said the proposed 15-year deal protected the city, because
Cirque would pay rent on gross revenues, not profits. Cirque didn't
agree to a minimum annual payment. Cirque also wanted an exit clause
that would let it close the show after three years if it lost money
for 12 consecutive months. For the restaurants and nightclubs, the
exit clause would kick in after five years.
On October 19, 2006 the saga of Cirque in Miami came to a close, just
a few short days after making its proposal known to the public: they
pulled out. "We have been investing for the last 18 months a lot of
money and resources, and I cannot responsibly continue to invest
without knowing that one day this project will come to fruition," said
Daniel Lammarre of Cirque du Soleil.
To date there has been no further mention of Cirque du Soleil residing
in Miami. But that wasn't the only rumor to appear in May 2005.
SINGAPORE ///
Also in May 2005, the Las Vegas Sun announced that MGM Mirage was
bidding to build a casino resort in downtown Singapore, in which the
company leveraged their then-exclusive partnership with Cirque du
Soleil to boost its proposal. "Cirque du Soleil's innovative
entertainment plays a significant role in our company's reputation for
presenting the best possible entertainment available at our Las Vegas
resorts," MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni said in a statement. "Our
two companies have accomplished some amazing things together and
Cirque enthusiastically agreed to join us in our commitment to make
Singapore Asia's new entertainment capital."
The production would be tailored to Singapore with Asian travelers in
mind and little more was said about it... until almost a year later
when, on March 18, 2006, in support of the project Guy Laliberte was
quoted as saying: "We are confident a resident show in Singapore will
quickly prove itself a powerful tourist draw, even more so than our
successful touring shows. It will become a new, world-class landmark
on the Singapore entertainment scene." But just a few short months
after (May 26, 2006), the Singapore government chose U.S. Casino
operator Las Vegas Sands Corp, owner of The Venetian Las Vegas, as the
winner of the Marina Bay Casino Project, leaving MGM-Mirage and its
Cirque du Soleil inspired proposal in the dark.
Interestingly enough though, Cirque du Soleil would go on to partner
with Las Vegas Sands Corp to stage ZAIA at The Venetian Macau (an
announcement made on May 2, 2007), which as of February 19, 2012 is no
longer performed.
MACAO II ///
With its announcement of what ultimately became ZAIA at The Venetian
Macao: Cirque du Soleil announced they would also produce a second
show for the hotel's expansion project to debut sometime in 2009. This
show, dubbed Macao II, Macao 2009, and later Macao 2010 as expansion
delays ensued, would be, as some creative sources put it, a re-
invention of the long-lost variety show. The production was assigned a
creative team and work was set in motion at Cirque du Soleil HQ in
Montreal:
o) René Simard -- Director
o) Serge Roy -- Director of Creation
o) Stéphane Roy -- Set Designer
o) Alan Hranitelj -- Costume Designer
o) Alain Lortie -- Lighting Designer
o) Michel Cusson -- Composer
o) Steve Dubuc -- Sound Designer
Ultimately the down turn in the economy doomed Macau II from ever
seeing the light of day (as the hotel expansion did not move forward),
but amusingly enough the idea of producing a "variety" show seemed to
survive and transferred over to the troubled BANANA SHPEEL concept,
which itself was billed as a "new twist on Vaudeville". (With a brand-
new creative team, save Serge Roy, who remained on as Director of
Creation).
WASHINGTON DC ///
With Cirque du Soleil in the hunt for new and exciting venues beyond
Las Vegas in which to showcase its product, and various re-development
projects getting the attention of the company, it was somewhat
surprising to learn in mid-2006 that Cirque du Soleil was part of a
project to re-develop the District of Columbia's southwest waterfront.
However, it was decided by September that there was no room for a
permanent Cirque du Soleil show in DC. "A team of developers has been
chosen to transform the District of Columbia's Southwest waterfront
from mostly parking lots and concrete buildings into a leafy, park-
like setting that will include a promenade, piers and cultural
attractions. (. . .) The developers are seeking a mixture of white-
tablecloth restaurants, cafes and bistros, a small grocer and
specialty stores. The original proposal included a space for Cirque du
Soleil, but the developers decided against it because the attraction
was viewed as too touristy."
Although Cirque du Soleil was out of Washington DC, it forged ahead
with its dreams of setting up in New York City: Madison Square Garden
Entertainment and Cirque Du Soleil announced on November 20, 2006 a
joint partnership to present New York's very first theater production
of Cirque du Soleil at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The
announcement was made by Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil;
Hank Ratner, vice chairman of Madison Square Garden and Cablevision
Systems Corporation; and Jay Marciano, president, Madison Square
Garden Entertainment. The Cirque production would be created
specifically for the Theater at Madison Square Garden and would run
for ten weeks, each winter, beginning in 2007 for the next "several"
years. This show, of course, became the Winter-tale themed WINTUK,
which did run from 2007 through 2010.
Cirque du Soleil would go on to make two more announcements regarding
New York City: one in April 2009 for residency at The Beacon Theater
(which became 2010's short-lived BANANA SHPEEL) and in September 2010
for residency at Radio City Music Hall (which became 2011's ZARKANA).
DUBAI ///
In May 2007, following the smashing success of Quidam's earlier tour
stop in Dubai, Cirque du Soleil announced a 15-year, multi-billion
dollar partnership to develop a permanent show on Palm Jumeirah, an
artificial archipelago created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a
company owned by the Dubai government in United Arab Emirates.
It is one of three islands called the Palm Islands which extend into
the Persian Gulf, increasing Dubai's shoreline by a total of 520
kilometers (320 mi). The two companies were to jointly design and
build a 1,800-seat theater to be home to the first ever Cirque
resident show to be staged outside of the United States and the Far
East. The show, expected to begin its creation process by January
2008, begin performances in the first quarter of 2010 with an official
gala premiere to occur later in December of that year.
But the process became complicated before it ever got off the ground.
On the 24th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil's founding (June 16,
2008), rumors began circulating that Cirque had been approached by
Dubai-based Istithmar, a leveraged-buyout firm affiliated with
Nakheel, for a £1 billion investment (or buy-out) of its operation,
which would give the fund a "significant" stake in the company. An
unidentified Cirque representative said at the time it was "rumor and
speculation" and that Cirque du Soleil was not for sale. "The Cirque
du Soleil is a very attractive business and we regularly receive
offers from individuals or companies," Renee-Claude Menard, director
of Montreal-based Cirque's public relations later said. "So
occasionally, rumours and speculation of our sale abound, In this
case, it is just that, rumour and speculation," Menard said.
But less than two months later Cirque du Soleil announced that the
company had indeed sold a 20% stake to Nakheel and Istithmar World
(August 6, 2008). The agreement kept control of the Montreal-based
entertainment company in the hands of founder Guy Laliberte, putting
to rest conjecture that the troupe would be sold outright, but
speculation still abounded. "This partnership is the best of both
worlds for me and my management team," Laliberte said in a joint
statement with Nakheel and Istithmar. "We can keep control of our
creative challenges and operations while accelerating our growth doing
projects all over the world."
The investment did little to help the Dubai project get off the
ground, however. By late 2008 the premiere date for the still unnamed,
un-themed show had slipped past 2010 and into 2011; by March 2009 that
date slipped again into 2012, thanks in large part to the global
economic crisis which had just gotten underway. Dubai's stake in the
MGM City Center project (where VIVA ELVIS would launch in 2008) and
its subsequent development problems and cost-overruns didn't help
matters either. Brett Judd, Head of Entertainment and Leisure at
Nakheel told Emirates Business at the time: "As with any other
company, [the financial crisis] has made us reassess our projects, but
the show is going ahead."
Unfortunately that was not to be the case. On June 6, 2011, plans for
a base on Palm Jumeirah for the Cirque were set aside. "There is no
plan for a Cirque du Soleil permanent [presence] in Dubai at all right
now," company's Corporate PR Manager Chantal Côté said. "This project
has been set aside." Asked if Cirque was in talks with any other
companies in the UAE to host a permanent show, Côté replied: "We are
not speaking to any other party in the UAE. And asked if Nakheel or
Istithmar were in talks to sell their stakes, Côté said: "They cannot
sell their stake without the consent of Cirque du Soleil's founder Guy
Laliberté. There are no discussions to that effect at the moment. They
still own 20 per cent of Cirque du Soleil."
Confirmation that Cirque du Soleil would not pursue the Dubai show did
not come as a surprise. News about the show had been scarce since the
initial declaration and most had given up on the concept ever seeing
an audience. However, in an interview with Fascination!, Martin Lord
Ferguson and Ella Allaire eluded that they had written demo songs for
the show; we wonder now if any music written may see the light of
day...
# # #
The projects listed here are just the ones we know about, those that
were leaked and thus were only rumored to be happening or had semi-
official announcements made regarding the company's intention toward
pursuing them. There very well may be dozens of other concepts and
projects that we don't even know about... and will probably never have
the privilege of knowing about. And the announcements keep coming.
Current plans have Cirque du Soleil setting up residence in Russia,
India and China, even with the failures of ZAIA and ZED in Asia.
Next time we'll take a look at projects beyond permanent residences
and take a look at concepts that would expand Cirque's prospects in
video and audio, other forms of entertainment and even in real estate.
Remember the announcement about Cirque-branded and/or themed Casino's?
Remember the blurbs about Cirque-branded Entertainment complexes?
Remember the rumors of particular shows going under the lens or being
re-filmed?
We'll explore those next time.
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
=======================================================================
Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 12, Number 3 (Issue #98) - March 2012
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2012 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a
subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter
can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or
translated without the consent of the "Fascination!
Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission
(unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without
remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination!
Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way
with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are
Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil,
Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright
infringement intended.
{ Mar.04.2012 }
=======================================================================
