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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 14, NUMBER 2 February 2014 ISSUE #121e
=======================================================================
Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
Well, there've been quite a few interesting developments since we
last spoke, hasn't there? Cirque du Soleil finally released the
name of its newest touring show - KURIOS: THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES.
And to be a little punny, we're ever curious about KURIOS here at
Fascination! What does it mean? And what kind of show are we likely
to get? Some of those answers can be found within, as we repurpose
some of Cirque's press-room texts this month to provide information
on the show's theme and background on its creators. But if there's
one word that sums KURIOS up for me it's this: steampunk. And Cirque
might wear the genre quite well indeed! More details about Cirque's
newest touring show should begin to trickle out soon.
The other most interesting development this past month was Cirque's
out-of-the-blue announcement that it had tapped Scott Zeiger, co-
founding partner of Base Entertainment (a company that develops,
produces, and manages intellectual properties that reach audiences
through various platforms, including live, digital, broadcast and
licensing. Lion King and Wicked in Singapore, Phantom - the Las
Vegas Spectacular, Absinthe, Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages in Las
Vegas were produced by BASE), will serve as President and Managing
Director of a totally new division that Cirque du Soleil created:
Cirque du Soleil Theatrical. The goal: to develop unique theatrical
opportunities for Cirque, using the Cirque's signature style and
aesthetic. You know, a more successful version of Banana Shpheel.
Naturally my first reaction was not kind. In fact, it fell along
the lines of: "Are you outta your mind? Didn't Banana Shpeel
teach you anything?" - But if Cirque Eloise and many other similar
companies can find success there, maybe Cirque du Soleil could break
that market. And with Scott Zeiger on board, we should all hope that
the sting of failure with Banana Shpeel will only not happen again,
but be totally forgotten. Of course, we don't yet know what projects
are likely to come out of this new division, but wouldn't it be
interesting to see a new version of Alegría? Seems to me Alegría's
aesthetic would transfer well enough... what do you think?
Next month all of Cirque du Soleil's Las Vegas shows will go dark
for One Night for One Drop - that's right, it's back! One Night
for ONE DROP, imagined by Cirque du Soleil in support of ONE DROP,
will be back on March 21, 2014 for a second edition. This all new
production has been specially created for a one-night-only
performance, due to commence at the MICHAEL JACKSON ONE THEATER at
Mandalay Bay Las Vegas. It's sure to be as amazing as last year's
event, but will people like us get to see it via the web like last
time? Nothing concrete on that front has been announced but I remain
hopeful.
And last, but certainly not least: in our previous issue I alerted
you to a new Cirque du Soleil-themed podcast entitled "Solar Flare".
Since then a second 30-minute podcast has been produced and is
now available! This episode is completely fan-centric; Ian interviews
two hardcore fans of the Cirque (and one of them is yours truly!)
So, go check it out! (http://www.sfcirque.com/#!listen/c1h6a)
As for what we've got inside this month: Keith continues looking at
Cirque du Soleil's Social Media initiatives by analyzing Cirque's
Facebook stats. After speaking with Mr. Andrew Levey, Director of
Customer Relationship Marketing for Cirque (a.k.a. the Social Media
guru for Cirque du Soleil), Keith wondered: how often do the various
Cirque shows use social media as a means of reaching out to their fans
on a monthly basis? Check out his results within! And, as promised
last time, I take a peek at the Amaluna DVD, but the results are
rather... perplexing. You'll see what I mean.
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
===========
o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Networking -- Posts on Facebook, G+, & YouTube
o) Fascination! Features
* "Cirque 2014 is: KURIOS Cabinet of Curiosities'"
Edited By: Ricky Russo Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
* "QUANTITY OR QUALITY: A look at Cirque Facebook Stats"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
* "AMALUNA ON DVD: A Quick Peek"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Mystère Swings into 20th Anniversary [EXPANDED]
{Jan.06.2014}
-------------------------------------------------
As Mystère celebrates its 20 year Anniversary on Dec 25th, we
are reminded how Cirque du Soleil sparked a revolution in the
entertainment world, and changed the Las Vegas landscape for
good. Now generations of highly trained athletes and Olympians
dazzle at Cirque du Soleil shows all around Las Vegas. Micheline
Nassler a medaled gymnast from Canada is one of these
athletes currently swinging her way high above the Mystère stage
every night at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. To hear Mimi
tell this story, her urge to run away and join the circus
started, oddly enough, with a trip to the zoo.
"I was eight or nine and I was already doing gymnastics,"
Nassler recalled during a recent phone interview. "And I went to
this zoo where -- as part of their on-site entertainment -- the
zoo had these circus acts. And I remember watching this
beautiful woman perform on the trapeze. And because the space
that she had to perform in at the zoo was very tight, her
trapeze act was very basic. And as I was sitting there, watching
her, I realized that -- thanks to my gymnast training -- I could
already do a lot of the same tricks that she was performing."
"And that's when I thought 'I want to do that. I want to be
her,' "Mimi continued. "But that's when I realized that -- back
in those days, anyway -- you had to already be part of that
circus world in order to be able to perform tricks like this.
And since no one in my family was circus folk or had an act of
their own ... Well, there was just no way for me to enter this
world. So I had to let go of that dream."
Ah, but sometime dreams really do come true, but not necessarily
in the way that you expect. Nassler continued on with her
training and eventually became such an accomplished gymnast that
she won actually gold for her work on the double mini trampoline
in national championships in 1990 & 1991.
"Which was great," Mimi admitted. "But I have to admit that I
was growing tired of the grind & the stress of competition. But
then one day -- this was my last year of trampoline competition
-- I learned that one of the judges actually had his own little
acrobatic troupe. And after a competition, he approached me and
said 'I'm looking for three gymnasts to train to be part of my
act and we'd tour.' And he then said 'Would you be interested?'
And I was, like, 'So you would pay me to do what I love and
allow me to step away from the stress of competition? Hmm...
This is a no-brainer."
So after several years of performing with that acrobat troupe,
Nassler eventually meets her husband. Who is also a gymnast and
-- at that time -- was one of the performers who were directly
working with Cirque du Soleil as they developed their very
permanent residence show for Las Vegas, which would become
Mystère.
"That's honestly the oddest part of this story. I mean, I was
actually there in Montreal when Cirque was just beginning the
development of Mystère. And because my husband was a member of
the original cast, I would periodically drop by the rehearsal
hall and come visit him at work," Mimi remembered. "And because
of that ... Well, I basically got to watch the whole formation
process for this show. I was there at the very, very beginning
and go to watch as Mystère changed & grew as it moved through
the rehearsal process."
And because Nassler was spending so much time at that rehearsal
hall and was becoming such good friends with members of the
original cast of Mystère (Not to mention being accomplished
gymnast in her own right), Cirque du Soleil officials invited
her to audition. Not for Mystère, mind you, but another Cirque
du Soleil show, Alegria.
"Which was a wonderful opportunity, but between my first
callback and my second callback for this touring Cirque du
Soleil show, I wound up spraining my ankle. And since they were
being very specific about the acts that they wanted for Alegria
and since -- at that time -- all I could do was hop around like
a clown, I didn't land a role in that show," Mimi continued.
"Which -- I have to admit -- was really disappointing. But after
I healed, I went off on my own for five years with this other
acrobatic troupe where I learned to do bungee."
It turned out to be a real smart thing to do in the long run.
For -- in 1997 -- Cirque du Soleil gives Nassler a call because
they're now looking for bungee artists to join the cast of their
Mystère show in Las Vegas.
"So I had to go back to Montreal because then they had to make
sure that I was actually in good enough shape to do this routine
in the show. But because they really needed me to join the cast
of Mystère right away ... Well, they just loved the fact that --
because I had been there at the very beginning and watched as
this Cirque du Soleil show was being developed. More
importantly, because my husband had been a member of this show's
original cast -- I pretty much already knew Mystère backwards
and forwards," Mimi said. "So after I showed them how good I was
at bungeeing, the Cirque folks said 'Great. Do you want to go to
Las Vegas?' I said 'Sure.' And I've now been performing in this
show for over 15 years."
Mind you, Cirque du Soleil puts a lot of time and effort into
making sure that its permanent residence shows stay sharp &
fresh through regular rehearsals as well as cast enrichment
activities.
"We performers typically have to go in some days of the week
earlier than our usual call time to do what are called spacings,
which are basically clean-up rehearsal. Cirque wants to make
sure that everyone still knows where to go when the music
sounds. More importantly, that we're still being faithful to
Mystère's overall bible and respecting the characters in this
show," Nassler said. "There are also additional rehearsals once
a week for the specific acts in the show."
And given that her husband is also still a Cirque du Soleil
performer (He's also in Las Vegas appearing in "Zarkana." Which
is being presented at the ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter),
the Nassler household -- as you might expect -- is kind of a
mini-three ring circus.
"We have two boys. They are five and seven. And given that they
are the children of two acrobats, yes, they are kind of
hyperactive. They're always climbing on things. So it can get a
little crazy at home sometimes," Mimi laughed. But one of the
upsides of being the child of a performer who appears in a
Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas is that they then get exposed
to all of the other Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. Which -
- at least in the case of Nassler's oldest boy, Aiden -- had an
impact that Mimi knew all too well.
"We took the boys to see 'Love' -- you know, the Cirque show
that's built around the music of the Beatles. And there are
these four young boys in 'Love' who represent the Beatles when
they were boys. And after we saw that show, Aidan, my oldest,
turned to me and said 'Mom, I want to do that when I grow up,'
Nassler smiled. 'And I couldn't help but think back to my
fateful trip to the zoo. Only this time, things were different.
My son actually knows someone who's in the business. Two people,
actually. And we can actually help guide him. Suggest that with
gymnastics, then maybe take a little bit of acting and
dancing
as well because you have to be able to move well onstage pretty
much for any Cirque show. If you look stiff, it's not as
interesting."
"Mind you, we're not going to push Aiden because you know how
little boys are at this age. One day they want to perform. The
next they want to design video games. So if he persists in this
desire -- he keeps saying that he wants to audition for 'Love'
when he turns 8 -- we'll give him the tool. But my husband and I
aren't going to force him. If Aiden really wants to audition ...
Well, that he'll have to do on his own." Mimi concluded.
So who knows? Maybe in a year or so, there might be another
Nassler appearing in a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas,
following in Mom & Dad's very athletic footsteps.
{ SOURCE: Best of Vegas | http://goo.gl/7xWfsc }
Kurios' seeks to transport to new realms
{Jan.14.2014}
-------------------------------------------------
The Cirque du Soleil is known for putting on ambitious shows.
With "Kurios Cabinet of curiosities," it plans to transport
its audiences to a whole new world populated with fantastic
characters. OK, not literally. But director Michel Laprise isn't
just looking to entertain. He wants people to go home with
plenty of food for thought about creativity and how it can be
used to see life's possibilities.
It takes place under what appears to be a Big Top circus tent
that harks back to the 19th century, an era Laprise described as
a golden age because of its rapid societal and technological
advancement. "It was a phenomenal time for humanity," Laprise
said. "People were travelling, they were dreaming of other
worlds."
He pointed out that people's lives were changing through the use
of electricity, distances were shrinking as rail travel expanded
and became faster, and people were able to communicate with each
other quickly through the invention of the telegraph.
"People were very enthusiastic and they had the feeling that
everything is possible," he said, adding he wants audiences to
believe when they leave the show that possibilities are
limitless for them too. "If people take that from our show, that
everything in life, with your imagination, can become more
interesting, can bring you closer to another person, then I
think we'll have succeeded."
He said he feels people are now living in an era with an
abundance of possibilities, despite the various problems that
plague society. Laprise, who wouldn't give out details of what
audiences might see when the show opens, described "Kurios" as a
microcosm. "It's the different elements that compose a world."
Set designer Stephane Roy said there are plenty of psychological
aspects to the show, which features a giant hand among its
props. There are also elements of the popular Steampunk culture,
where current objects are meshed with antiques. He predicts
audiences will feel like they're in a whole new world. "It's not
only a stage," he said. "You're inside somebody's mind. It's
kind of crazy."
Laprise acknowledged it's a lot of work getting the new show
together but he's pumped. "It's the 35th show so we have to be
relentless. We have to take this responsibility very seriously.
I am so excited."
{ SOURCE: The Canadian Press | http://goo.gl/qzt685 }
Scott Zeiger to Head Cirque's Theatrical Division
{Jan.14.2014}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil just announced the creation of a new division,
Cirque du Soleil Theatrical. Scott Zeiger, co-founding partner
of Base Entertainment, will serve as President and Managing
Director of the new division. Zeiger will develop unique
theatrical opportunities for Cirque du Soleil. Based on
traditional theatrical practices, these new productions will be
created using the Cirque du Soleil signature style and aesthetic
but will provide a very different experience for Cirque du
Soleil audiences. This new division will be based in New York
City and will continue to promote Cirque du Soleil's on-going
strategy of diversifying its content and live-entertainment
activities worldwide.
Zeiger's extensive experience in theatre and broad-based live
entertainment will ensure the rapid growth and success of this
new division. During his tenure at BASE, Zeiger helped create
many international successes such as the 6-year run of Phantom
The Las Vegas Spectacular, Disney's The Lion King, and Wicked,
presented in Singapore. His credits also include current hit
Broadway shows such as Jersey Boys (Las Vegas and world tour)
and Rock of Ages (Las Vegas).
"I have been close to and have worked with Cirque du Soleil for
more than 10 years. I have witnessed their incredible ability to
create, produce and distribute the very highest quality live
entertainment. This new venture for Cirque is very exciting for
me and I look forward to developing new theatrical productions
and having access to the best creative talent in the world. I
believe there is a huge potential for us on Broadway, the West
End and global touring," said Zeiger.
President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Daniel Lamarre said:
"Scott's extensive experience in this important segment of the
entertainment industry is a huge asset. We are thrilled that he
has accepted the invitation to join our team. His outstanding
reputation and credibility in theatrical and live entertainment
are based on his past successes with major entertainment
companies such as Clear Channel, SFX and, of course, Base
Entertainment. Cirque du Soleil Theatrical will be a key
player."
Scott will also enable Cirque Eloize a Cirque du Soleil sister
company to take its development and promotion in theatrical
venues to a new level.
Base Entertainment will continue to thrive under the strong
leadership of its CEO and co-founder Brian Becker, and Scott
Zeiger will take on his new responsibilities at Cirque du Soleil
Theatrical beginning March 3, 2014.
{ SOURCE: Broadway World | http://goo.gl/DOmgLe }
Robin Leach on Cirque du Soleil Theatrical (LVSun)
{Jan.14.2014}
---------------------------------------------------
Guy Laliberte's Cirque du Soleil is expanding into the
development of unique theatrical opportunities with new
productions, and this morning he announced that Scott Zeiger,
the co-founding partner of Base Entertainment, will run the new
division, Cirque Theatrical, as president and managing director
starting in March.
It is certain to shake up the Las Vegas Strip entertainment
scene and also the global theatrical business from New York's
Broadway to London's West End and elsewhere around the world.
Although continuing to be based in New York, Scott is already
well-known in Las Vegas. He helped create the successful six-
year run of "Phantom the Las Vegas Spectacular" at the
Venetian. His credits also include "Rock of Ages" at the
Venetian, "Jersey Boys" at Paris, "Absinthe" at Caesars Palace
and launching "Peepshow" with Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood.
President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Daniel Lamarre commented:
"Scott's extensive experience in this important segment of the
entertainment industry is a huge asset. We are thrilled that he
has accepted the invitation to join our team.
"His outstanding reputation and credibility in theatrical and
live entertainment are based on his past successes with major
entertainment companies such as Clear Channel, SFX and, of
course, Base Entertainment. Cirque du Soleil Theatrical will be
a key player."
Scott Zeiger commented: "I have been close to and have worked
with Cirque du Soleil for more than 10 years. I have witnessed
their incredible ability to create, produce and distribute the
very highest-quality live entertainment.
"This new venture for Cirque is very exciting for me, and I look
forward to developing new theatrical productions and having
access to the best creative talent in the world. I believe there
is a huge potential for us on Broadway, the West End and global
touring."
The new productions from Cirque Theatrical will be created using
its signature style and aesthetic but will provide a very
different experience for Cirque audiences. Guy says it's his
continuing strategy to diversify his company's content and live
entertainment activities worldwide.
In his first interview after the announcement, Scott said:
"We're not doing circuses. Cirque already has extraordinary
shows with residencies and touring companies. We're going to do
the traditional with book, lyrics and definitive storylines.
Even with traditional musicals, we would have interesting
composers and lyricists and use traditional production numbers,
but with spectacular features that only Cirque could produce
with their overall artistic aesthetics.
"I'm not going to go to Broadway and rent a theater to present
Ka.' But I will rent a theater for an original story or a
licensed book or movie to be turned into a theatrical show. My
assignment is to produce pure theatrical ventures, but with the
artistry of Cirque.
"This new division will create shows that can be replicated and
duplicated globally with other companies playing as far afield
as London and Australia and New York. Guy says Cirque needs to
grace those platforms, those stages, and that's the project I am
about to tackle. Until now, they haven't, and it means we can
use the strength of their wonderful, incredible facility in
Montreal to achieve that together.
"We're creating unique, cool, fun and successful shows with the
goal of the most innovative productions in the best venues
around the world."
Scott says he's not aiming specifically to increase Cirque's
presence on the Strip. "Las Vegas has proved theater works with
our successful shows as the former Phantom,' the current Rock
of Ages,' Jersey Boys' and now the upcoming return of Mamma
Mia!'
"If Cirque Theatrical produces a show on Broadway that could
work in the Las Vegas environment, then Guy will place it there.
My aim is at Broadway-type shows that can play anywhere in the
world. My worry is solely to create unique content, and we'll
have announcements within the next few months about the first
projects."
Meantime at Base, it is business as usual. "I want it to be
successful with its own new content in the future," said Scott.
"I'm still involved, and Brian, who will now run it, has a lot
of new, solid things circulating, maybe one or two or three
specifically winding up on the Strip."
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun | http://goo.gl/eCKRTJ }
DHL Becomes Cirque's Official Logistics Partner
{Jan.15.2014}
-------------------------------------------------
DHL today announced that it will support Cirque du Soleil, a
leading live entertainment company, as Official Logistics
Partner. DHL will be integrated into Cirque du Soleil's supply
chain activities, with its DHL Global Trade Fairs & Events team,
a subsidiary of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, supporting the
event logistics of Cirque du Soleil Big Top and Arena tours
worldwide. DHL will also provide global logistics support for
the corporate headquarters of Cirque du Soleil in Montreal,
Canada. The partnership will see the two global leaders in their
respective industries engage in joint branding and marketing
activities for their worldwide customer bases, partners and
employees.
"Cirque du Soleil and DHL are a perfect fit," said Ken Allen,
CEO, DHL Express. "We have both grown from entrepreneurial
beginnings into global brands through a commitment to conquering
new frontiers and amazing and delighting our customer bases. As
we pool our respective strengths through this partnership, both
brands' proven ability to innovate and deliver excellence will
contribute to even more exciting customer experiences in the
future. We look forward to replicating the breathtaking
performances under the Cirque du Soleil Big Top in our own
operations behind the scenes."
"Cirque du Soleil is delighted to be partnering with industry
leader, DHL, as our official global logistics partner," said
Finn Taylor, Senior Vice President, Touring Shows, Cirque du
Soleil. "This is a fantastic alliance for us, marrying two
beloved brands known for their commitment to excellence in their
respective fields. With a global touring operation spanning over
150 locations across more than 6 continents, logistics is
critical to the success of Cirque du Soleil. In announcing DHL
as our worldwide Official Logistics Partner, we are delighted to
have this opportunity to work with another global brand that
shares our commitment to excellent quality. We look forward to
integrating DHL's services into our supply chain and to
introducing the Cirque du Soleil experience to new audiences and
markets together."
The main logistics requirements of Cirque du Soleil consist of
the set-up and "tear down" of shows and transfers between tour
venues, including the use of air, sea and land transport and
customs clearance services. A single Big Top show can involve
the movement of up to 80 freight containers. The Canadian based
entertainment company also has a range of standard supply chain
requirements within its day-to-day business operations,
including small package shipping, warehouse management and
merchandise distribution.
A total audience of 15 million people is expected to attend any
of the 19 Cirque du Soleil shows around the world in 2014.
Check out this fantastic video:
LINK /// < http://t.co/yJjBboXMUT >
{ SOURCE: DHL & Cirque du Soleil | http://goo.gl/Eivuj0 }
"The Tenors" Join Cirque for One Night for ONE DROP
{Jan.17.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
Award-winning vocal super group The Tenors take the stage at ONE
DROP's second annual global philanthropy event, One Night for
ONE DROP Friday, March 21 inside the Michael Jackson ONE
Theatre at Mandalay Bay. For the first time, The Tenors will
perform alongside artists from all eight Las Vegas Cirque du
Soleil shows in a completely original production created and
directed by Mukhtar Mukhtar. Tickets are available by visiting
http://onenight.onedrop.org or by calling (702) 778-3772.
"After watching the inaugural gala last year, we are honored to
share the stage with the talented artists of Cirque du Soleil
and to join in their efforts in raising awareness and crucial
funds needed to combat water issues around the world," said The
Tenors.
Since their inception, The Tenors have thrilled audiences with
more than 500 live performances on five continents, and over 150
international television performances, including a heartfelt
performance on the 2011 Prime Time Emmy Awards and a surprise
performance by Celine Dion with them on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Blending powerful vocal styles with classical music and
contemporary pop, these international singing sensations
Clifton Murray, Victor Micallef, Remigio Pereira, and Fraser
Walters deliver music that is rich and soulful, featuring
powerful anthems, classic cover songs, and original scores.
One Night for ONE DROP is a joint effort between Cirque du
Soleil and MGM Resorts International, which includes Mandalay
Bay among its resorts, with a portion of the proceeds
benefitting the Las Vegas Springs Preserve's ongoing effort to
support water conservation and sustainable living in the Las
Vegas Valley. The evening will feature Cirque du Soleil artists,
as they bring together the message of ONE THOUGHT, ONE WORLD,'
as a metaphor of time, and its effect on society, telling us to
create the world in which we want to live.
More on Cirque Theatrical via Montreal Gazette
{Jan.19.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil announced the launch of a new division called
Cirque du Soleil Theatrical this week.
When Cirque du Soleil CEO Daniel Lamarre spoke to The Gazette on
Tuesday evening at the opening of Robert Lepage's Jeux de
cartes, Pique at Tohu, he said Zeiger was someone Cirque du
Soleil knew well. The company has collaborated with him before
on its New York projects.
"Scott has a lot of experience on Broadway," Lamarre said. "He
has produced a lot of Broadway shows."
Zeiger has been hired to help Cirque du Soleil produce a type of
show that Lamarre frankly admits his company doesn't know well.
(There's no better proof of this than the fact that the Cirque's
Banana Shpeel crash-landed on Broadway in 2010.)
But Cirque Éloize, which recently affiliated itself with Cirque
du Soleil, has always specialized in producing circus shows of a
more intimate nature for theatres. And another Montreal-based
circus company, Les 7 doigts de la main, also works the theatre
market.
Won't the Cirque be cutting into Éloize's turf? Not at all,
according to Lamarre. "We're quite involved with Cirque Éloize,"
he said. This deal should help them attain a new level, he
added. "Jeannot Painchaud (artistic director of Cirque Éloize)
has already started to work with Scott to develop new content
for theatres," Lamarre said.
Cirque Éloize has been very successful internationally. "But I
think there is a huge market for them in North America,
particularly in the U.S.," he continued. "They needed someone
who knew the theatre business in the U.S. for that."
That's one element of the Zeiger hire. "The other element is
that we want to use our production house here in Montreal to
develop our own Broadway shows. Or for the West End," Lamarre
said.
Just for Laughs also recently created a theatrical division,
headed by Adam Blanshay, in New York, which is where Zeiger will
also be based. But Lamarre said Cirque du Soleil wasn't taking
its cue from the comedy festival, but rather from Zeiger.
In Las Vegas, his Base Entertainment was behind the truncated
Phantom of the Opera, which ran for six years at the Venetian
resort, and Jersey Boys at the Paris resort. He sees a bright
future for Broadway.
Although Variety reports that overall Broadway attendance
dropped from 12.16 million in 2012 to 11.58 million last year, a
handful of shows, like The Lion King and Wicked, remained highly
profitable. And London's West End has been boasting record-
breaking box office figures.
The launch of Cirque du Soleil Theatrical does not mean the
Cirque is throwing in the towel on its movie division after its
inaugural 3D film, Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away, co-produced by
James Cameron, failed to live up to financial expectations.
"That's a different business," Lamarre said.
What the launch of Cirque du Soleil Theatrical means, along with
the company's 2012 partnership with Bell Media to create content
for television, film and other platforms, "is that we want to
work with partners in the future," he said. "Because we are able
to manage our business within the traditional Cirque du Soleil
type of shows, but we'd like to work with partners in segments
(of the market) that we don't know that well. That's the idea."
It's not that they're taking on the Disney empire, he said.
"We're a small, small potato compared to that big empire. We
don't see ourselves like an empire."
When will Cirque du Soleil Theatrical launch its first project?
"We have a lot of ideas," Lamarre said. "So the next step for us
is to establish which one we want to do first."
Cirque du Soleil isn't planning to throw millions into
theatrical productions just yet. Au contraire this could
actually represent a step toward relative frugality.
The company usually bankrolls its own shows 100 per cent, except
for Las Vegas, where resorts normally throw in 50 per cent of
the financing. "On Broadway the business model is very
different," Lamarre said. "You bring in a pool of investors that
get involved."
Everyone shares the risk.
What if Just for Laughs boss Gilbert Rozon wanted to dive into
the pool, with Just for Laughs Theatricals, for a Cirque du
Soleil Theatrical show?
"Why not?" Lamarre replied with a smile. "He'd be more than
welcome."
{ SOURCE: Montreal Gazette | http://goo.gl/tQYcT3 }
TOTEM Saying "Ciao!" to Pippo Crotti Tonight
{Jan.23.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
From Cirque du Soleil Totem Facebook Page:
We are saying goodbye today to original cast member Pippo Crotti
who is moving to new creative adventures after close to 4 years
without missing a single TOTEM performance!!! Good luck in your
new projects Pippo and thank you for your passion and
dedication!! Ciao Bella Ciao!
A pair of gymnasts from Japan are living the Dream
{Jan.24.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
On their way to the stage for rehearsal, Umihiko Miya and Riki
Fujimaki barely took notice of what would be an astounding sight
for most people: four young women on unicycles, kicking steel
bowls into the air, with another cyclist catching them all on
top of her head.
Such is the life in Cirque Du Soleil.
Miya and Fujimaki are performers in "Totem," the newest
production from the world's most celebrated circus, running
though March 16 under the big top at the Santa Monica Pier.
"I never thought about ever joining a circus," said Miya, 32.
"The idea just popped up one day, because I love traveling and
performing. Also, I could make money, so I thought it was
perfect."
Both men have world-class experience in gymnastics, and are part
of "Totem," which features frog-like creatures swinging from
high bars and soaring above a large nest of a stage.
Miya, who speaks in a confident, baritone voice, said he had
dreams of making it to the Olympics, but alas, it was not to be.
"Most of my friends made it," he said with a hearty laugh.
Once his competitive career was finished, Miya moved from Tokyo
to Panama to coach the national gymnastics team there and to
help develop a physical education curriculum for the country.
On a whim, he sent an audition video to Cirque Du Soleil, but
got a stunning surprise when they called and said they did not
want him to audition.
"They offered me a contract right there on the spot," he
recalled.
Fujimaki, a 23-year-old from Chiba, also competed in gymnastics,
and had received his teaching certification when a friend
suggested he also look into joining Cirque.
"I wasn't supposed to be anything serious, just for fun,"
Fujimaki said. He was shocked when he learned he had passed the
audition and began training in Montreal in 2012.
Like all Cirque shows, "Totem" is filled with emotion as much as
the physical spectacle, and the two Japanese athletes had to
learn how to perform, to convey emotion and connect with
audiences without the use of language.
"Entertainment has no one answer," Fujimaki said. "Every night,
there's a different audience, so we have to be ready each day,
to feel the audience, for their looks and their smiles, and at
some point, I was able to find my own voice."
For the outgoing Miya, performance was a natural fit.
"Honestly, I never struggled to be open or show my emotion, I've
always been this way."
# # #
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
Rafu Arts & Entertainment Editor
http://www.rafu.com/
{ SOURCE: Rafu.com }
Enter BET's Michael Jackson ONE Contest
{Jan.25.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
Cirque De Soleil & BET's 106 & Park are looking to give the
biggest Michael Jackson fan with a trip for 2 to Las Vegas to
see Michael Jackson: One at the Mandalay Bay.
Check out the video here:
http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4418
o) START: January 24, 2014 @ 06:00 pm (US/Eastern)
o) END: February 10, 2014 @ 06:00 pm (US/Eastern)
o) ELIGIBILITY: You must be at least 21 years old to enter.
o) PRIZES: A trip for 2 to Las Vegas to see Michael Jackson: One
at the Mandalay Bay. Hotel accommodations at the Mandalay Bay
and flights for the winner and a guest.
Find out more information and to enroll at BET's Website:
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/kNWHXQ >
{ SOURCE: BET }
Guy Laliberté Awarded Economic Excellence Award
{Jan.29.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
As part of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce's State of the
City event on Monday morning, which included the address by
Mayor Pam O'Connor, four people were recognized by the Chamber
for their commitment to Santa Monica.
The Economic Excellence Award was given to Cirque du Soleil's
Guy Laliberte for his ongoing commitment to the Santa Monica
Comunity. It was fitting that the Chamber event was held under
Cirque du Soleil's big top currently at Santa Monica Pier.
Senior Vice President of resident shows for Cirque du Soleil
Jerry Nadal accepted the award on Laliberte's behalf.
Third District County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky received the
Community Excellence Award for his dedication to advocacy in the
Santa Monica community, particularly in the fields of fiscal,
health care, transportation, cultural and environmental matters.
The Innovation Award for a Small Business was given to Richard
Chacker, of Perry's on the Beach. Chacker was recognized for his
commitment to sustainability with Santa Monica's leading bike
and skate rentals and storage. To date, Perry's has nine
locations five in Santa Monica, one on the Santa Monica Pier
and three in Venice.
The Innovation Award was presented to Adam Miller of Cornerstone
on Demand. Miller founded the company in November 1999 in a one-
bedroom apartment in New York, together with the company's CFO
Perry Wallack, and EVP of Straegic Accounts Steven Seymour
before relocating to Santa Monica. Today, Cornerstone is
considered one of the fastest growing cloud software companies
in the world.
{ SOURCE: Santa Monica Patch | http://goo.gl/MX1p0i }
Fabrice Lemire: "I have my own little touch." [EXPANDED]
{Jan.30.2014}
--------------------------------------------------------
Fabrice Lemire, Artistic Director for Varekai, talked to
TheSpec.com recently about the way he attached his particular
vision to Varekai, Cirque du Soleil's newest arena show.
# # #
I have my own little touch." Fabrice Lemire is talking about the
way he attaches his particular vision to Varekai, Cirque du
Soleil's fantastic arena show.
"I am not the original creator of the work, but I am the one who
has morphed the production from a tent show to one set in an
arena. I am adding my own inspiration. That's the challenge."
Born in France, Lemire studied at the Paris Opera Ballet School.
He danced with Ballet de Nancy, the Oregon Ballet Theatre, New
York City Opera Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet.
"I decided in my mid-20s to work as a guest artist moving from
company to company. I loved the challenge of new choreography.
Eventually I began to appreciate the hands-on work behind the
scenes. When I was a dancer it was all about me. When I began
choreography and staging it was about the company and the ideas
I could offer. It was about being more open. That made me more
fulfilled."
In 2005 Lemire was in Las Vegas coaching a Celine Dion show.
"Someone from Cirque watched me working and offered me a chance
to join the production team there. It was an opportunity to
grow, to gain new knowledge. In 2008 I became a dance master for
Cirque, eventually becoming artistic director for the production
Quidam."
Restaging Varekai is a huge undertaking for Lemire.
"It's almost like staging a new show. There's so much to
discover. The arena setting has a lower ceiling so the flying
work has to be rethought. We have to find ways to make the
artists comfortable in the new space. Then too, technology has
changed since Varekai was first conceived. Lighting and sound
are so much more advanced."
Lemire sees himself as the liaison person for the production.
"I have to make sure all the pieces fit."
Lemire believes people continue to come to Cirque shows because
they offer escape from reality.
"They defy gravity. They provide inspiration and entertainment.
They keep you on the edge of your seat. Then there's the
spectacle of the sets and costumes. The formula is unique, there
are thrills and there is laughter. Any age can enjoy a Cirque
production."
When you ask Lemire about the tragedy that happened in Las Vegas
last year with a Cirque performer falling to her death, he is
circumspect without being evasive.
"That tragedy reminds us of how difficult these disciplines
really are. It reminds us of the talent on our stages. Of course
we were saddened by the accident but we do not go on stage in
fear. We go with confidence. We are taking highly developed
athletes and asking them to create stage artistry. Safety is
always our main issue. But an accident is always the reality of
life."
Lemire says he comes to work every day focusing on his
performers. He believes in them. If anyone is not in top shape
physically or emotionally he or she is not allowed to go on
stage that night.
"We are not here to take risks, but we are here to deliver
excitement."
{ SOURCE: TheSpec.com }
LiveDesign: Varekai Relaunches with BlackTrax
{Jan.30.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil's Varekai, which has been touring the world
since 2002, returned to Montreal, Quebec in December 2013 for
its re-launch as an Arena Show. The production team proposed to
lighting designer, Nol van Genuchten, the deployment of the
BlackTrax realtime tracking solution from CAST BlackTrax Ltd for
moving light tracking of performers.
Improving production efficiency
"As lighting designer for the very first edition of Varekai,
it's great to be working on it again as it evolves. With the new
arena tour, Varekai is hosted at a different location each week
and presents its own lighting challenges allowing me to adapt
the lighting to the arena' of each new environment," said van
Genuchten.
"We introduced BlackTrax as an operational efficiency and cost
saving tool as well as a way of calibrating lighting highlights
to track performers on the stage area. BlackTrax works by
accurately tracking people and objects using a proprietary
infra-red sensor and a LED beacon that is attached to a
performer giving positional information for X, Y, and Z
coordinates.
"Using BlackTrax we placed a tracker and beacon and designated
certain fixtures to track certain performers throughout the
show. At each venue of the Arena tour, BlackTrax quickly
calibrates moving lights making sure that the performer and
high-res light beam control is used, and that the beam of light
is kept at minimal width," added van Genuchten.
BlackTrax enhances creativity
As well as significant recurring cost savings, BlackTrax became
interesting as it gave van Genuchten and Varekai more creative
control with lighting.
"With BlackTrax, I had a lot more freedom to create and place
highlights on performers within the imagery and doing so in a
way that I couldn't have done with a traditional follow spot."
"The BlackTrax software interface is very well developed and the
physical practicality of creating trackable LEDs and beacons
worked well. What's more, BlackTrax is supported by a very good
technical team at CAST that were there to assist us with any
queries we had."
"BlackTrax is a very powerful tool for the future," concluded
van Genuchten.
Gil Densham, President and CEO of CAST Group Group said: "Did
you know that in English "Varekai" means "wherever", which also
describes the renown of Cirque du Soleil for its highly
creative, hugely artistic entertainment and clever leveraging of
technology to consistently deliver magical results! BlackTrax is
the solution that makes possible seamless, spontaneous
creativity + artistry + technology its job was to simplify.
Nol and the creative team of magicians + artists used hot-wired
technology to help spin a thrilling, vibrant and colorful yarn.
And, we are pleased that BlackTrax played its part by streaming
the critical, precise, target coordinates to lighting technology
in realtime so the planned creative effects augmented the
artistry."
{ SOURCE: LiveDesign | http://goo.gl/C7PGHc }
Cirque to go dark in Vegas for One Night/One Drop
{Jan.30.2014}
----------------------------------------------------
From BlogVegas.com:
It's just for one night, but dozens of Cirque performers,
stagehands and celebrity performers are hustling to put on a
theatrical production to raise money for Cirque du Soleil's
charitable foundation, One Drop.
On March 21, all of Cirque's resident shows on the Las Vegas
Strip will go dark while some 85 Cirque performers and
musicians, 100 stagehands and more than a dozen celebrities from
outside Cirque descend on the "Michael Jackson ONE" stage to
perform a show described as straying from Cirque's traditional
style.
Last year's inaugural event, One Night for One Drop, raised $5.4
million, and Cirque hopes to meet or exceed that amount this
year, said Jerry Nadal, Cirque's senior vice president of
resident shows worldwide.
That $5.4 million constitutes the revenue Cirque brings in with
its Las Vegas shows in just one week, Nadal said. With the funds
raised with ticket sales and the silent auction, "we want to hit
that target or exceed it and I think we will," he said.
Nadal said the Cirque performers and stagehands participating in
the One Drop event are doing so by working around their
performance schedules. They aren't taking any nights off from
their regular shows.
"It's a production imagined by Cirque to benefit One Drop,"
Nadal said. "It's amazing to see this come together because they
are working from eight in the morning to one in the afternoon,
around the schedule of the Michael Jackson show (we're on their
stage) and then they work until midnight, until three or four in
the morning.
Everybody participates. We use all of our
resources."
But don't expect to see a traditional Cirque production, Nadal
said.
One Night for One Drop creator and director Mukhtar Mukhtar
originally announced the vision for this year's show during
Cirque Week in November 2013. Since then, the One Night show has
transformed into a show with more performers volunteering than
he expected.
Everyone needed for the show performers, stagehands, backstage
technicians, celebrities have been brought on, and four of the
acts are already finished, Mukhtar said. With seven weeks until
the performance, he said the show is on track.
Mukhtar said the show follows a character in a third world
country he experiences a lack of water and sees that there's a
problem and he needs to find what the problem is. To do this, he
goes on a journey where he collects drops of water to bring back
to his land. The show has four chapters: the character's
experience with lack of access to water; his travels to a city
where he discovers its technology might be the cause of his
land's lack of water; the oasis, where he hopefully finds the
water source he's been looking for; and, the future of our
planet, which is the enduring question.
"To see (performers) really light up and support that (vision)
fully, it's an amazing thing," Mukhtar said. "It's stunning.
Usually people do things for money
but people are really
supporting this project."
Mukhtar said he sought a contemporary feel with the music used
in the show. Using both Cirque musicians and outside artists,
such as Canadian vocalists The Tenors, who performed their scene
during a media rehearsal event Jan. 30 in the "Michael Jackson
ONE" Theater.
Mukhtar, who was a choreographer in last year's One Night show,
said the show will be a success if people get the message of the
show and of the One Drop organization.
"What will make this show a success is if everyone who watches
this show says, Wow, I really got touched by the show. I really
need to help out and do something about (water accessibility).'
"They see the cause, see the message we're trying to push out
that water is not something we should take for granted.
It's a
natural thing for a lot of people and I think that's where the
problem lies."
The One Night for One Drop performs at 7:30 p.m. March 21 at the
"Michael Jackson ONE" Theater in Mandalay Bay. Tickets start at
$225.
{ SOURCE: BlogVegas.com | http://goo.gl/QI6p4d }
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Amaluna, Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Kurios}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Quidam, Dralion, MJ Immortal & Varekai}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
Believe, Zarkana & Michael Jackson ONE}
NOTE:
.) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate
touring dates and locations available, the information in
this section is subject to change without notice. As such,
the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility
for the accuracy of these listings.
For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts,
please visit Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Amaluna:
San Jose, CA -- Jan 22, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014
New York, NY -- Mar 20, 2014 to May 11, 2014
Boston, MA -- May 30, 2014 to Jul 6, 2014
Washington, DC -- Jul 31, 2014 to Sep 21, 2014
Atlanta, GA -- Oct 3, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014
Corteo:
Rio de Janeiro, BR -- Dec 26, 2013 to Feb 23, 2014
Porto Alegre, BR -- Mar 6, 2014 to Apr 13, 2014
Còrdoba, AR -- May 3, 2014 to May 25, 2014
Buenos Aires< BR - Jun 6, 2014 to Aug 3, 2014
Koozå:
Munich, DE -- Jan 31, 2014 to Feb 28, 2014
Amsterdam, NL -- Mar 13, 2014 to Apr 27, 2014
Vienna, AT -- May 9, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014
Port Aventura, ES -- Jul 9, 2014 to Aug 30, 2014
Düsseldorf, DE -- Nov 6, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014
Kurios:
Montreal, QC -- Apr 24, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014
Quebec City, QC -- Jul 24, 2014 to Aug 10, 2014
Toronto, ON -- Aug 28, 2014 to Oct 28, 2014
Ovo:
Tokyo, JP -- Feb 12, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014
Osaka, JP -- Jul, 17, 2014 to Nov 2, 2014
Nagoya, JP -- Nov.20, 2014 to Feb 1, 2015
Fukuoka, JP -- Feb 21, 2015 to Apr 5, 2015
Sendai, JP -- Apr 23, 2015 to Jun 7, 2015
Totem:
Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 17, 2014 to Mar 6, 2014
Portland, OR -- Mar 27, 2014 to May 4, 2014
Vancouver, BC -- May 15, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
Quidam:
London, UK -- Jan 4, 2014 to Feb 16, 2014
Brussels, BE -- Feb 27, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014
Toulouse, FR -- Mar 5, 2014 to Mar 9, 2014
Strasbourg, FR -- Mar 12, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014
Toulon, FR -- Mar 19, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014
Montpellier, FR -- Mar 26, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014
Lyon, FR -- Apr 2, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014
Rouen, FR -- Apr 30, 2014 to May 4, 2014
Berlin, DE -- May 7, 2014 to May 11, 2014
Nuremberg, DE -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014
Hanover, DE -- May 21, 2014 to May 25, 2014
Bremen, DE -- May 29, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014
Hamburg, DE -- Jun 4, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014
Luxembourg, LU -- Jun 11, 2014 to Jun 15, 2014
Tel Aviv, IL -- Aug 7, 2014 to Aug 16, 2014
Zurich, CH -- Oct 16, 2014 to Oct 19, 2014
Lille, FR -- Dec 10, 2014 to Dec 14, 2014
Dralion:
St. Petersburg, RU -- Jan 22, 2014 to Feb 2, 2014
Chelyabinsk, RU -- Feb 7, 2014 to Feb 16, 2014
Kazan, RU -- Feb 21, 2014 to Mar 1, 2014
Moscow, RU -- Mar 6, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014
Minsk, BY -- Mar 20, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014
Hernig, DK -- Mar 27, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014
Wroclaw, PL -- Apr 3, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014
Malmö, SE -- May 1, 2014 to May 4, 2014
Glasgow, UK -- May 8, 2014 to May 11, 2014
Sheffield, UK -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014
Birmingham, UK -- May 22, 2014 to May 25, 2014
Dublin, IE -- May 28, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014
London, UK -- Jun 4, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014
Manchester, UK -- Jun 11, 2014 to Jun 15, 2014
Santiago de Compostela, ES -- Jul 10, 2014 to Jul 20, 2014
Granada, ES -- Jul 23, 2014 to Jul 27, 2014
Bilbao, ES -- Aug 16, 2014 to Aug 24, 2014
Palma de Mallorca, ES -- Aug 28, 2014 to Sep 6, 2014
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour:
Worcester, MA -- Feb 28, 2014 to Mar 1, 2014
Amherst, MA -- Mar 5, 2014 to Mar 6, 2014
Rochester, NY -- Mar 10, 2014 to Mar 11, 2014
Baltimore, MD -- Mar 18, 2014 to Mar 19, 2014
Fairfax, VA -- Mar 21, 2014 to Mar 22, 2014
Philadelphia, PA -- Mar 25, 2014 to Mar 26, 2014
Trenton, NJ -- Mar 28, 2014 to Mar 29, 2014
Raleigh, NC -- Apr 1, 2014 to Apr 2, 2014
Norfolk, VA -- Apr 4, 2014 to Apr 5, 2014
Charlotte, NC -- Apr 8, 2014 to Apr 9, 2014
Greensboro, NC -- Apr 11, 2014 to Apr 12, 2014
Richmond, VA -- Apr 15, 2014 to Apr 16, 2014
Columbus, OH -- Apr 18, 2014 to Apr 19, 2014
Little Rock, AR -- Apr 22, 2014 to Apr 23, 2014
Toledo, OH -- Apr 29, 2014 to Apr 30, 2014
Varekai:
Hamilton, ON -- Jan 29, 2014 to Feb 2, 2014
Detroit, MI -- Feb 5, 2014 to Feb 9, 2014
Youngstown, OH -- Feb 12, 2014 to Feb 16, 2014
Frisco, TX -- Feb 19, 2014 to Feb 23, 2014
Cedar Park, TX -- Feb 26, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014
Beaumont, TX -- Mar 5, 2014 to Mar 9, 2014
Baton Rouge, LA -- Mar 12, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014
Pensacola, FL -- Mar 19, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014
Pittsburgh, PA -- Mar 27, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014
East Lansing, MI -- Apr 2, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014
Knoxville, TN -- Apr 9, 2014 to Apr 13, 2014
Loveland, CO -- May 1, 2014 to May 4, 2014
Broomfield, CO -- May 7, 2014 to May 11, 2014
Kansas City, MO -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014
Oshawa, ON -- May 21, 2014 to May 25, 2014
Lonson, ON -- May 28, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014
Bangor, ME -- Jun 18, 2014 to Jun 22, 2014
Manchester, NH -- Jun 25, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014
Providence, RI -- Jul 1, 2014 to Jul 6, 2014
Indianapolis, IN -- Jul 24, 2014 to Jul 27, 2014
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o February 2
o March 12
o May 8 - 16
o July 9 - 11
o September 4 - 12
o November 5 - 7
Added performances in 2014:
o April 18
o December 26
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o February 2
o March 21
o April 7 - April 15
o June 8
o August 4 - 12
o October 5
o December 1 - 16
Added performances in 2014:
o March 25
o June 3
o December 29
La Nouba:
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o TBA
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o February 2
o March 21
o April 9-17
o June 13
o August 20-September 4
o October 21
o December 10-18
Added performances in 2014:
o January 1
o March 12
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o March 15
o March 21
o May 18-26
o July 19
o September 21-29
o December 2
Added performances in 2014:
o February 16
o August 31
o December 28
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday throughMonday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o February 2-4
o March 21
o April 1-9
o June 5
o July 29 - August 6
o October 2
o December 2 - 17
Added performances in 2014:
o February 5
o March 25
o August 12
o December 31
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.
2014 Dark Dates:
o January 5 - Feb 3, 2014
o March 21, 2014
o April 6 - 14, 2014
o June 15 - 30, 2014
o September 1 - 8, 2014
o November 9 - 17, 2014
ZARKANA:
Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o TBA
MICHAEL JACKSON ONE:
Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two Shows Nightly: 7:00pm and 10:00pm
2014 Dark Dates:
o March 13 - 21
o May 21 - 23
o July 24 - 31
o September 24 - 26
o November 13 - 28
Added performances in 2014:
o August 29
o December 26
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter
---------------------------------------------------
{Compiled by Keith Johnson}
---[ AMALUNA ]---
{Jan.10}
We celebrated our 600th show last night! Did you get the
chance to catch Amaluna yet?
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/1nfuo3 >
{Jan.19}
Loading in our costumes to prepare for Wednesday's Premiere
in San Jose! Did you know we have over 130 costumes featured
on stage, with over 800 components?!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/MDqgHa >
{Jan.22}
Congratulations Amaluna on a wonderful Premiere tonight in
San Jose! Let's celebrate with some Amaluna-themed cookies!
(Ed Note: very cleverly decorated cookies!)
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/vADk9m >
{Jan.28}
Yes! Google! We are getting ready for a very special event at
the Google HQ in Mountain View this afternoon!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/g5sJeZ >
{Jan.28}
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon Google, we hope you
enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed performing for you!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/71Bjv7 >
{Jan.31}
Check out Amaluna - Cirque du Soleil at Google this week,
with our very own Company Manager Jamie Reilly, and Balance
Goddess Lili Chao. From one amazing company to another...
(Note: Video is almost an hour long)
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJuTmlVDiLk >
---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]---
{Jan.08}
Need a little help with your 2014 resolution of getting in
shape like our artists?
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eGirnAi530 >
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5EihHD4PM >
---[ CORTEO ]---
{Jan.04}
Nos bastidores (6 photos) Dê uma espiadinha na sessão
fotográfica da Revista #CARAS...
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/TjtliA >
{Jan.14}
Você sabia que os artistas do Cirque Du Soleil fazem sua
própria maquiagem?
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/tkRZ3b >
{Jan.23}
Treinamento de "Diablo" no estilo Carioca!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/m6wp4i >
---[ CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE ]---
{Jan.07}
We were recently named best magic show in Las Vegas by
InVEGAS Magazine!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/BsDPyq >
---[ DRALION ]---
{Jan.22}
Dralion opens tonight in St-Petersburg, Russia!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/YlbzhB >
{Jan.23}
Dralion premiered last night in St-Petersburg and Marina was
quite excited to perform with the show in her hometown. Join
us in congratulating Marina and the entire team on an
excellent opening to our Russian tour.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ypv8U7 >
{Jan.26}
Today, we are saying goodbye to a very special person: Coach
Michael. Michael you have been an inspiration for all of us
on tour. We wish you lots of fun on your next venture with
Varekai.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/cDpeM6 >
{Jan.27}
Take a look at this behind the scene video of the show!
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFvlO6gLOk >
{Jan.30}
Dralion with UPSALA Circus (12 photos) - Yesterday, more than
20 kids from the Upsala Circus program in St.Petersburg got
to learn some circus skills with members of our cast.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/3UD7r1 >
{Jan.30}
Happy Chinese New Year!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/uwkxEV >
---[ KOOZA ]---
{Jan.05}
Ever wondered what artists do backstage while waiting to go on
stage? Some of them relax playing backgammon!!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/5bpdRN >
{Jan.09}
KOOZA in Focus Magazine (Germany)
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/EqYADV >
{Jan.23}
Kooza's pastries for Amsterdam media...we are here for a media
day David Shiner, Kooza's creator!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/p6ewJ6 >
{Jan.27}
Our Head of Wardrobe is getting everything ready for our
opening in Munich. Artists arrive tomorrow and, this Friday
we will present KOOZA for the 1st time in Germany!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/kSnFTZ >
---[ KURIOS ]---
{Jan.13}
Surprise and excitement at Cirque du Soleil IHQ as we reveal
the name of our newest creation.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/iy3XKS >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/QBZToD >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/FxQeM1 >
---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]---
{Jan.06}
IMMORTAL Contortionist, Baaska Enkhbaatar, takes the ultimate
selfie photo backstage before the show at Dubai World Trade
Centre!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/QqVRNV >
{Jan.10}
The beautiful IMMORTAL band ladies gearing up for the first
show of the day! 5 more shows to go in Dubai - don't miss
your chance to see us!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Ra6jvc >
{Jan.16}
Thank you to the thousands of fans who came out for our
performances in Dubai! It was an incredible experience for
the entire IMMORTAL family. (Photo: Contortionist Baaska
Enkhbaatar posing in the middle of desert!)
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/eJ9jsr >
---[ OVO ]---
{Jan.04}
Bye bye Taipei! Thank you for 7 beautiful weeks! We are
packing up the artists and the Big Top before heading to
Tokyo! See you soon!!!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/zvGLDk >
{Jan.24}
Konichiwa Japan! OVO is here! The Fuji Dome is up in Tokyo
and we are getting ready for the Premiere on February 12
2014. Who's coming?
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/rA2c20 >
{Jan.27}
Did you know that OVO is the 10th Big Top show to hit Japan?
---[ QUIDAM ]---
{Jan.02}
#quidamLondon Happening right now at Royal Albert Hall.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/XZlJA7 >
{Jan.03}
The Quidam technical crew load in day 2 in Royal Albert
Hall - the hardest working team in show-business!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/hAkcrf >
{Jan.18}
Today Quidam is performing 3 shows!!! - To show the
cast&crew our support the #BackstageCirque Tour Management
office got together and created a "survival kit" with snacks,
chocolate and energy boosting drinks. How would you
encourage them? at Royal Albert Hall.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/aQRpVV >
{Jan.26}
Quidam's awesome catering team Red Radish Supper Club made
a special menu to bring a little bit of home to our native
Aussie Quidamers. Can you guess how many Australians are
part of our cast & crew? at Royal Albert Hall.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/26UHlF >
{Jan.29}
Our awesome fan Taylor James C. wrote us this amazing
message: "Quidam was the most breathtaking thing I have
ever experienced. Thank you all for reminding me what it
is to be transported into another world by art. You're all
utterly stunning. Thank you" We liked it so much we
printed it and passed it around to the cast and crew...
check out their feedback! Thank you Taylor you made our
day #BackstageCirque #quidam (Note: Check the notes for a
heartwarming story of Cirque going "above and beyond")
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/MFiyD3 >
{Jan.31}
Ever wondered what happens backstage during the show? Here
is a sneak peek of our banquine artists rehearsing their
signature move just before going on stage!
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7-RUmEeNhM >
---[ TOTEM ]---
{Jan.12}
And we are now at the Santa Monica Pier ladies & gentlemen!
We are very excited to start the 30th year of Cirque du Soleil
in the Los Angeles area, first ever tour stop of the company
outside of homeland Canada!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/mG3KqO >
{Jan.14}
Our frogs and blue fish had a great time taking over the
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium today! Did you get a chance to
see them? Cirque du Soleil's frog people escaped on to the
Pier today! #DontFeedTheFrogPeople Their show #TOTEM opens
at the Pier this week.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Xe8Qd6 >
{Jan.14}
We just visited our neighbor the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
with our amphibians! (4 photos)
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/nYFVQK >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/2OI15a >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/HHtgOa >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/oXLMqc >
{Jan.26}
Happy Australia Day!! Tour Services is helping the cooks
today for the special menu! Photo credit: Sally Yu
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/uE3iZH >
{Jan.30}
TOTEM on The Queen Latifah Show (6 photos) - Roller Skaters
Denise and Massimo from TOTEM appeared on The Queen Latifah
Show on January 30, 2014! Watch the performance here:
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRFvZ3fMapA >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/nrJkr3 >
---[ VAREKAI ]---
{Jan.14}
Varekai is officially on the road as an arena tour and is
in full rehearsal mode to adapt to our new environment!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/pVFBqZ >
{Jan.22}
Detroit! Be sure to tune into NBC Local 4 from 11:30-12:00
today as Varekai is taking over the newsroom! We'll be
performing at the Joe Louis from Feb 5 - 9!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/0MN5PN >
{Jan.22}
We took some of our characters out to the #DetroitRedWings
game tonight to reward a lucky row with some tickets to see
Varekai. Goooo RedWings!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/yXTHIw >
---[ ZARKANA ]---
{Jan.28}
Catch Zarkana performers in #LastVegas now out on DVD!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/SzdykW >
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "Cirque 2014 is: KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities'"
Edited By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) "QUANTITY OR QUALITY: A look at Cirque Facebook Stats"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
o) "AMALUNA ON DVD A Quick Peek"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
Cirque 2014 is: "KURIOS Cabinet of Curiosities"
Edited by: Ricky Russo Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
"Things are getting curious and curiouser at the Cirque du Soleil,"
said the Montreal Gazette this morning, as Cirque du Soleil revealed
the unusual moniker for its newest touring production today: KURIOS
the Cabinet of Curiosities, directed by Michel Laprise. Presented
under the Big Top in Montréal's Old Port starting April 24, the show
will then go to Quebec City as of July 24 and Toronto on August 28.
/// THE SHOW: REALITY IS RELATIVE
What if you could alter reality at will? Delve into a world of
curiosity where seeing is disbelieving: the world of KURIOS Cabinet
of Curiosities from Cirque du Soleil. The show immerses you in a
mysterious and fascinating realm that disorients your senses and
challenges your perceptions, leaving you to wonder: "Is it real, or
just a figment of my imagination?"
Step into the curio cabinet of an ambitious inventor who defies the
laws of time, space and dimension in order to reinvent everything
around him. Suddenly, the visible becomes invisible, perspectives are
transformed, and the world is literally turned upside down in a place
that's as beautiful as it is mysterious. In this realm set in the
latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative
indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the
show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the
Seeker's Cabinet of Curiosities.
KURIOS Cabinet of Curiosities takes is inspiration from the latter
half of the 19th century, when railroads made long-distance travel
easier and inventions like the telegraph improved communications. "For
the people of the 19th century, everything seemed possible," Laprise
said. KURIOS is an ingenious blend of unusual curiosity acts and
stunning acrobatic prowess from Cirque du Soleil. Let KURIOS show you
that anything is possible through the power of imagination.
/// CREATIVE TEAM
KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities' creative team comprises 17 creators
under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François
Bouchard (Chief Creative Content Officer):
o) Michel Laprise Writer and Director
o) Chantal Tremblay Director of Creation
o) Stéphane Roy Set and Props Designer
o) Philippe Guillotel Costume Designer
o) Raphaël Beau Composer and Musical Director
o) Yaman Okur Choreographer
o) Ben Potvin Choreographer
o) Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Choreographer
o) Susan Gaudreau Choreographer
o) Jacques Boucher Sound Designer
o) Jean-Michel Caron Sound Designer
o) Martin Labrecque Lighting Designer
o) Rob Bollinger Acrobatic Performance Designer
o) Germain Guillemot Acrobatic Performance Designer
o) Boris Verkhovsky Acrobatic Performance Designer
o) Danny Zen Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
o) Eleni Uranis Makeup Designer
/// CREATIVE TEAM BACKGROUNDS
MICHEL LAPRISE
Writer & Director
Michel Laprise worked in theater for nine years as an actor, director
and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. Even
before he was out of theatre school, Michel had started his own
creation company, Théâtre Pluriel, which spawned the innovative
productions Fenêtre sur Qui?, Tonalités and Masculin-Féminin that have
garnered both popular and critical acclaim. He also went on
international tours with the Théâtre des Deux-Mondes as well as with
the duo formed by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. At Cirque du
Soleil, Michel spent five years as a talent scout before taking on, in
2006, the role of Special Events Designer. In that capacity, he
directed the act with Quebec diva Diane Dufresne during the Opening
Ceremonies of the Montreal 2006 Outgames; the large-scale performance
event created for the launch of the Fiat Bravo in Italy (2007); the
Cirque du Soleil performance event celebrating Quebec City's 400th
anniversary (2008); the launch of Microsoft's Kinect console at the
2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, broadcast on MTV; the opening show
at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia in 2009; and the Opening
Ceremonies of the 2010 FIBA International Basketball Federation World
Championships in Istanbul. In 2012, Michel collaborated with pop star
Madonna, providing artistic direction for her performance at the Super
Bowl XLVI halftime show; he later went on to direct her MDNA tour. In
2013, he directed the musical Robin des Bois Ne renoncez jamais, to
be presented in France, Belgium and Switzerland. A graduate of the
National Theatre School in Montreal, Michel Laprise studied at
London's Royal Academy and at the Scuola Internazionale dell'Attore
Comico in Reggio Emilia (Italy) as an Acfas grant holder. KURIOS
Cabinet of curiosities is Michel Laprise's first engagement as
Director of a Cirque du Soleil touring show.
CHANTAL TREMBLAY
Director of Creation
At the end of the 1980s, while living in New York pursuing a career in
dance, Chantal Tremblay decides to join Cirque du Soleil after having
seen one the company's shows. Chantal started out as a dancer on a
Cirque project and then became choreographer Debra Brown's assistant
on the creation of Mystère. Before KURIOS Cabinet of Curiosities
Chantal has worked on many Cirque projects including the shows
Alegría, La Nouba and Mystère for which she once was the Artistic
Director. In 2006, she becomes the Director of Creation for The
Beatles LOVE, followed by OVO in 2009, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL
World Tour in 2011.
STEPHANE ROY
Set & Props Designer
Stéphane Roy has worked as both a set designer and artistic director
on over 100 productions in Montreal and abroad among which L'Odyssée,
directed by Quebec playwright Dominic Champagne, at the Théâtre du
Nouveau Monde (2002), and Les Âmes mortes, directed by Gilles Maheu,
at Carbone 14 in Montreal (1996). Since 1990 he has designed sets for
dance productions by such internationally-acclaimed dance troupes as
La La La Human Steps and O Vertigo.While primarily active in theatre
and dance, he has also worked in film, television, advertising and
variety shows. Since 2011, Stéphane has been one of three artists in
residence appointed by the Montreal Nature Museums group to create
organic links between the city's four natural science museums. He also
designed The Warrior Emperor and China's Terra Cotta Army exhibition
at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 2011. His achievements have
earned him many awards and honors, including being named Revelation of
the Year, All Categories Combined, by the Association Québécoise des
Critiques de Théâtre in 1989. In 1992, the same association honored
him with the award for best set design. His talent has also been
recognized by the Conseil des Arts de la Communauté Urbaine de
Montréal, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television and the
Académie Québécoise du Théâtre. For Cirque du Soleil, Stéphane
designed the set for Dralion, Varekai, Zumanity, KOOZA, Zarkana and
KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities.
PHILIPPE GUILLOTEL
Costume Designer
Philippe has worked for many high profile French movie and theatre
directors. Since 1985, he has had a long working relationship with the
renowned French choreographer Philippe Decouflé for whom he designed
the astonishing costumes seen in the opening and closing ceremonies of
the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. He also worked with
Decouflé on the opening ceremonies of the 50th Cannes film festival in
1997 and Tricodex, a multimedia work for the Ballet de l'Opéra de
Lyon, in 2003. Between 2001 and 2005, his designs were featured in
four ballets, including La Belle, staged by the Ballets de Monte
Carlo. In cinema, Philippe designed the exuberant costumes for the
2002 feature film Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cleopatra, for which he
received a César award, and prior to that, the films Doggy Bag and À
la Mode. In 2007 he designed the costumes for choreographer Jean-
Christophe Maillot's production of Gounod's Faust in Wiesbaden. He has
been equally active in the world of live shows, designing the costumes
for the musical Starmania in 1995 for Canadian composer and director
Lewis Furey, and videos for a number of artists such as Julien Clerc
and Alain Souchon. With KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities, Philippe
Guillotel collaborates with Cirque du Soleil for the third time after
The Beatles LOVE and IRIS.
RAPHAEL BEAU
Composer & Musical Director
After studying the piano and writing at Conservatoire national de
région de Toulouse, Raphaël Beau deepened his knowledge of musical
language at the Conservatoire national de région de Paris with Jean-
François Zygel. At the same time, he undertook musicology studies at
Université de la Sorbonne in Paris and became a certified music
teacher (holder of the agrégation). From 2000 to 2004, Raphaël goes on
a European tour with the band Spook and the Guay and performs in
several festival in France including Les Vieilles charrues, Le
Printemps de Bourges, Le Fête de l'humanité. The tour also took him to
the Zigets Festival in Budapest and the BAM Festival in Barcelona,
among others. In 2008, he turned toward composing for orchestra and
wrote the music for Georges Feydeau's musical L'Âge d'or staged by
Yves Pignot. In 2009, he composed the original music for Jean-Pierre
Jeunet's latest motion picture Micmacs, a director with whom he
collaborated again in 2010 on a commercial. In 2010, he composed the
music for "Grants," an Australian advertisement for Commonwealth bank
made by Jeunet. A year later, he composed the soundtrack for Defective
Detective, a short American animation film written by Avner Geller and
Stevie Lewis winners of the 38th Student Academy awards picking up
an award at the Burbank International Film Festival. With KURIOS
Cabinet of curiosities, Raphaël Beau writes his first score for a
Cirque du Soleil show.
YAMAN OKUR
Chroeographer
It was in his early teenage years that Yaman Okur discovered his love
for dance. After only a year of refining his talent as a student of
contemporary dance, ballet, and jazz at the Académie Internationale de
Danse (France), he was invited to join the French crew of "Trafic de
Style" before becoming an integral dancer of "Wanted Posse" in Paris
in 1999. Only a few years later in 2001, Yaman took home the
remarkable title of BBoy World Champion at the International Battle of
the Year in Germany. Yaman, though anchored in hip-hop, further
perfected his own style over the years, which resulted in his first
place win in the Experimental category of Juste Debout's 2007
competition in France. His acute sense of music and unparalleled body
control have led him to win numerous battles and competitions. He
finished third at the 2010 TV series La France a un incroyable talent.
His choreographic abilities and work have been recognized both
nationally and internationally, reflected in works created for his own
dance crew, Pro Phenomen to work for Madonna (Sticky and Sweet and
MDNA tours). Yaman Okur takes part in the creation of a Cirque du
Soleil show for the first time with KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities.
BEN POTVIN
Acrobatic Choreographer
A former national competitive gymnast, Ottawa-born Ben Potvin joined
Cirque du Soleil as an artist during the creation of "O" in 1997. He
performed on this show for six years and acted as coach-performer for
the production's aerial hoops act. In 2004, he joined Dragone as an
artist, coach-performer, dance captain, talent scout and act designer.
In 2009, he came back to Cirque du Soleil as a head coach on the show
Viva ELVIS and later took on the acrobatic development role during the
creation of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour and Amaluna. After
Michael Jackson ONE, KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities marks Ben's
second assignment as Acrobatic Choreographer, a mandate in which he
leverages his vision and experience in both the acrobatic and artistic
realms.
SIDI LARBI CHERKAOUI
Choregorapher
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has worked for theaters, opera and dance
companies, ranging from the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Sadler's Wells in
London, the Grand Theatre of Geneva to Les Ballets C. de la B. His
choreographies have earned him a series of prizes including a Benois
de la Danse, two Laurence Olivier Awards and two National Dance
Awards. In 2008 and 2011 Tanz magazine proclaimed him 'Choreographer
of the Year'. In 2010, he founded his own company. For Eastman he
created Play with Shantala Shivalingappa and Babel(words) with Damien
Jalet and Antony Gormley. In 2011 he set up TeZukA, a piece for 15
dancers and musicians inspired by the Japanese manga author Osamu
Tezuka. In 2012 he created Puz/zle with the Corsican men's choir A
Filetta, Lebanese singer Fadia Tomb El-Hage and Japanese musician
Kazunari Abe. That same year he helmed the choreography for Anna
Karenina, Joe Wright's movie. In 2013, Eastman was recognized as a
European cultural ambassador and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui created 4D, a
production composed of four duos, as well as ?? GENESIS, co-created
with Chinese dancer Yabin Wang. KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities is his
second collaboration with Cirque du Soleil after Michael Jackson ONE.
SUSAN GAUDREAU
Choreographer
Susan Gaudreau has worked as a dancer and choreographer for over 20
years in a variety of styles that include contemporary dance, jazz,
ethnic, tap and classical ballet. She has worked with a number of
Montreal dance companies such as Rubberband Dance, FLAK, Cas Publique
and La La La Human Steps, among others. From 1989 to 2008, she was
principal dancer, dance captain and assistant to the artistic director
at Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, for which she choreographed Rhythm #5
(2000) and ZAP (1996). Throughout her career, Susan took part in a
number of projects as a freelance artist. She danced in YES (2001),
created by Debra Brown and René Bazinet, collaborated on television
specials and variety shows, and was involved in a series of special
events for Cirque du Soleil in Canada and abroad. Susan Gaudreau lent
her talents as artistic coach to Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson
ONE and was assistant to the choreographer on Amaluna, Michael Jackson
THE IMMORTAL and Zarkana. KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities is her first
engagement on a Cirque du Soleil show as choreographer.
JACQUES BOUCHER
Sound Designer
For over 25 years, Jacques Boucher has been creating sound
environments for a number of productions from Quebec and beyond.
Jacques also worked as a sound technician for various Quebec artists,
including Richard Séguin, Laurence Jalbert, Diane Dufresne and Bruno
Pelletier. He went on to develop an expertise in sound design for
musicals such as Dracula (2006) and large-scale events, including the
mega-show 2000 voix chantent le monde, presented in Quebec City in
2000, with over 2,300 singers on stage. In 2008, Jacques was asked to
handle the sound for almost every event presented as part of the
celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. As Sound
Designer and Head of Sound, he designed sound for the Quebec Symphony
Orchestra's performance of the Symphonie des mille by Gustav Mahler,
The Image Mill by Robert Lepage, for which he designed the impressive
sound system spanning 1.2 km, and the special show presented by Cirque
du Soleil. Jacques also works as Sound Designer and Head of Sound for
some Cirque du Soleil special events. After TOTEM and Amaluna, he is
taking part in his third Cirque du Soleil show with KURIO Cabinet of
curiosities.
JEAN-MICHEL CARON
Sound Designer
Jean-Michel Caron has spent the past 20 years in the realm of sound
and KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities is his first engagement as Sound
Designer of a Cirque du Soleil show. Jean-Michel has been creating
soundscapes for the past five years, including for a number of Cirque
du Soleil special events. He took part in several productions by new
media and entertainment studio Moment Factory including Ode à la vie,
a multimedia show projected on the façade of the Sagrada Familia
(Barcelona) in 2012. He also worked on various exhibition and theatre
projects in Quebec. At Cirque du Soleil, Jean-Michel was involved in a
number of creations as Project Manager and Head of Sound. He was also
Assistant Sound Designer on the shows OVO and Zarkana, an experience
he repeated on TOTEM and Amaluna alongside Jacques Boucher. Since
2012, Jean-Michel Caron teaches sound at Collège d'Alma, in Quebec.
MARTIN LABRECQUE
Lighting Designer
Martin Labrecque's professional credits include more than 140
theatrical productions, as well as circus shows. Martin contributed to
the critical success of several Quebec shows. He has won many Quebec
awards for his lighting design in addition to several nominations.
Martin Labrecque created the lighting for two critically acclaimed
circus shows produced by Cirque Éloize, Rain and Nomade, as well as
Cirque du Soleil shows Corteo, KOOZA, Viva ELVIS and Michael Jackson
THE IMMORTAL World Tour before KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities. In
2009, Martin designed the lighting for an eleven-hour show by Canadian
author, director and actor Wajdi Mouawad, which was presented in the
courtyard of the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France. He also worked
on the show Paradis Perdu, directed by Dominic Champagne and presented
in Montreal and Belles Soeurs (2011) directed by René Richard Cyr.
ROB BILLINGER
Acrobatic Performance Designer
Rob Bollinger was a competitive trampolinist at the age of 9 and
partnered with his father on the invention of the double mini
trampoline as his family owned a trampoline club in Illinois, where he
grew up. He studied Business at Indiana University on a scholarship as
a competitive springboard diver. He won two Big Ten and two NCAA
national diving championships and qualified for the 1980 and 1984
Olympics trials. He did not make the team on either occasion, and at
first turned away from the world of competitive sports. After a brief
period working in aeronautics and insurance, Rob found the pull of
acrobatics too strong to resist, so he went to work in diving shows in
theme parks, which led him around the world. On his return to the
United States he put his talents as a diver and trampolinist to work
in film and television as a professional stunt man, notably for
Universal Studios. Rob joined Cirque du Soleil in 1993 during the
creation of the first resident show Mystère as a coach and artist in
the show's original house troupe. In 1997 he joined "O", first as a
coach, then as artistic coordinator and eventually he was appointed
the production's artistic director. He also added the artistic
direction of Mystère to his responsibilities. KURIOS Cabinet of
curiosities is Rob's third show as Acrobatic Performance Designer
after ZAIA, Amaluna and Michael Jackson ONE.
GERMAIN GUILLEMOT
Acrobatic Performance Designer
Germain Guillemot began attending circus schools at the age of 11 and
completed his studies eight years later at the Centre national des
arts du cirque de Châlon-en-Champagne in France. After touring with
various circus companies including Cirque Archaos, he created the
French circus company Les Arts Sauts with other circus fellows where
he worked both as a creator and performer for 15 years. Germain joined
Cirque du Soleil in 2007 as a coach for the flying trapeze act on ZED
and then became Acrobatic Training Manager for Viva ELVIS. KURIOS
Cabinet of curiosities is Germain Guillemot's third collaboration with
Cirque du Soleil as Acrobatic Performance Designer after Michael
Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour and Michael Jackson ONE.
BORIS VERKHOVSKY
Acrobatic Performance Designer
Following his graduation from the Institute of Physical and Sports
Culture in Minsk, Belarus with a degree in Physical Education and
Sports, Boris Verkhovsky rose through the ranks to become a coach of
the national acrobatics team of the former Soviet Union. Boris
emigrated to Canada in 1978 and eventually became Head Coach of the
Canadian national trampoline and tumbling team, and was approached by
Cirque du Soleil in 1993 to consult on a proposed tumbling act for the
Las Vegas resident show Mystère. He was subsequently named Head Coach
of Acrobatic Training at Cirque du Soleil and is currently Director of
Performance Design and Development. Although KURIOS Cabinet of
curiosities is Boris' second "hands-on" Cirque du Soleil show as
Acrobatic Performance Designer after IRIS, he has been deeply involved
in the development and creation of every Cirque production since he
joined the company.
DANNY ZEN
Acrobatic Equipment & Rigging
Danny Zen first arrived at Cirque du Soleil in 1990 to work as a
welder in the company's workshops. That same year he went on the first
European tour of Le Cirque Réinventé, then moved on to Nouvelle
Expérience on which he worked as a welder, assembler, mechanic and
head usher. In 1992 he toured with Saltimbanco as a tent technician.
Danny has worked at the National Circus School in Montreal and has,
over the years, contributed to the design of most of the aerial
acrobatic equipment used in the Cirque du Soleil shows Alegría,
Mystère, Quidam, Dralion, Varekai, "O", La Nouba and KÀ. He was also
Head Rigger for Quidam in 1996. In 2008, he designed the rigging and
equipment for the acrobatics show at the Quebec City 400th anniversary
celebrations. KURIOS Cabinet of curiosities is Danny Zen's fourth
engagement as Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer for a Cirque du
Soleil show, following Corteo, KOOZA and Zarkana.
ELENI URANIS
Makeup Designer
Eleni Uranis joined Cirque du Soleil in 1989 as Assistant to Costume
Designer Dominique Lemieux. She then worked on various shows, where
she was responsible for materials research, fittings and artistic
quality control. She then designed costumes for the show Pomp Duck and
Circumstance, performed in Hamburg (Germany) from 1997 to 1999. In
2002, she worked alongside world-renowned designer Thierry Mugler to
design the costumes for Zumanity. In 2004, Eleni Uranis' career took a
sharp turn when she joined the Cirque du Soleil make-up workshop,
where she would see her ideas brought to life by the artists of
Dralion. Between 2004 and 2006, Eleni Uranis assisted Make-up Designer
Nathalie Gagné with several shows and, in 2005, she designed the make-
up for Reflections in Blue, the show Cirque produced for the opening
ceremonies of the XI FINA World Aquatic Championships. With KURIOS
Cabinet of curiosities, Eleni is designing the make-up for her seventh
Cirque du Soleil production after Dralion, Wintuk, ZED, Banana Shpeel,
Zarkana and Amaluna.
# # #
More about Kurios as Cirque du Soleil makes it public!
----------------------------------------------------------
"QUANTITY OR QUALITY: A look at Cirque Facebook stats"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washigton (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
For the last two months we featured an interview with Mr. Andrew
Levey, Director of Customer Relationship Marketing for Cirque du
Soleil, about Cirques efforts on social media. As part of our
research homework, we wanted an idea of how often the various
Cirque shows use social media, specifically Facebook. So we did
what we love doing, gathering the facts and doing an analysis!
For our analysis we looked at entries between March 1 and December
31, 2013. This was just after Saltimbanco closed, followed in
the next month by closure of the resident show IRIS, and was when
the Facebook page for Michael Jackson ONE had first started up.
We didn't measure just the sheer number of entries. Instead, we
didn't count repeated content (one piece of news posted over
multiple shows pages, such as posts pushing One Night for One Drop
for example). We also didn't include posts whose only purpose was
to encourage ticket sales. So our totals are more curated, but
the same culling process was made equally across all the pages.
Let's go to the numbers!
Here are the results for all of Cirque's shows, organized by type
of show. (We include Varekai in Big Top Touring Shows because it
wasn't converted to the Arena format until 2014.)
Cirque du Soleil (corporate page) 83 total, 8.3 average per month.
Resident Shows:
o) Zumanity 8 total, .8 per month
o) KA 9 total, .9 per month
o) Criss Angel BeLIEve 11 total, 1.1 per month
o) La Nouba 17 total, 1.7 per month
o) O 17 total, 1.7 per month
o) Mystere 24 total, 2.4 per month
o) The Beatles LOVE 26 total, 2.6 per month
o) Zarkana 35 total, 3.5 per month
o) Michael Jackson ONE 63 total, 5.30 per month
Big Top Touring Shows:
o) Varekai 23 total, 2.3 per month
o) OVO 53 total, 5.3 per month
o) Amaluna 60 total, 6 per month
o) Corteo 60 total, 6 per month
o) Kooza 74 total, 7.4 per month
o) Totem 154 total, 15.4 per month
Arena Touring Shows:
o) Quidam 31 total, 3.1 per month
o) Alegria 84 total, 8.4 per month
o) Michael Jackson Immortal 87 total, 8.7 per month
o) Dralion 100 total, 10.00 per month
By Type of Show:
o) Resident Shows 192 total posts, 24 group average, 2.4
average per show.
o) Big Top Touring Shows 424 total posts, 70.67 group average,
7.07 average per show.
o) Arena Touring Shows 302 total posts, 75.50 group average,
7.55 average per show.
Breaking down the numbers, we find that Resident shows post half as
much as Big Top shows and Arena shows post 30% more than Big Top. The
touring pattern is a large factor why; Arena shows visit a new city
every week so need to produce content applicable to the latest local
market more frequently (which also explains the frequent posting of
load-in pictures). Big Top shows nest in a city for six weeks or so
at a time so have less need for frequent content. Resident shows don't
tour so they have even less opportunity for content.
KÀ, La Nouba, Zumanity (which due to its mature nature finds it harder
to create content for a family-friendly web) and Believe post on average
less than twice per month. (Though it needs to be mentioned that since
the artist death last Spring, KÀ has been silent, not posting anything
since July. Before that, it had kept to an average of 2.3 posts per
month. If it had gone back to that average in August, it would bring
the show right into the middle of the pack of resident shows in terms of
total Facebook postings. As it is, we have heard nothing from the page
in five months.) The Big Top shows mostly keep to the average of 5-6 per
month (except Totem which way overachieves at 15). And the Arena shows
come in at an average of 8 per month (except Quidam which underperforms
at an average of 3). The Cirque du Soleil corporate Facebook page is
also busy, though it frequently reposts interesting things from other
shows pages.
If we recalculate the averages to not include the one show in each
category that either out- or under-performs the others, we come up
with this:
By Type of Show:
o) Resident Shows 147 total posts, 18.4 group average, 1.8
average per show. (Michael Jackson ONE removed)
o) Big Top Touring Shows 270 total posts, 54 group average,
5.4 average per show. (Totem removed)
o) Arena Touring Shows 271 total posts, 90.3 group average,
9 average per show. (Quidam removed)
Now the posting disparity is starker. Here Resident shows post one-
third (not one-half) as much as Big Top Shows and Arena shows post
almost double Big Top shows (not 30% more). Quite a difference!
When we mentioned our findings to Mr. Levey, (as first quoted in our
interview) he replied, "It's a tough balance and we don't think there's
a perfect equilibrium. They're different situations. With the touring
shows, if it's an arena show you're in a different city every week.
So [in order] to be relevant you really have to post a lot. You want
to tell people hey you know what we're in Brazil now', or we're
in Minnesota now.' With the resident shows there isn't that traveling
activity so sometimes there's not a lot of news. And honestly sometimes
there's nothing to update."
"And sometimes there's content that is repurposed or we find that we
just posted [something similar] a month ago and people are going to
know. [It's] something that we're trying to figure out because we know
that there's that discrepancy between shows that post 2 to 3 times a
week versus some shows where you don't have any updates."
It will be interesting to see if Varekai's postings become more frequent
with its conversion to an Arena format. And how will the new KURIOS
show perform? We'll have to wait and see.
----------------------------------------------------------
"AMALUNA ON DVD A Quick Peek"
BY: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
UPC - 8-43277-06686-3
Catalog -- 516323
Video -- 1.78:1 Wide screen
Audio -- English 2.0/5.1/DTS
Run Time - 1 hour 48 minutes
Region - 0/All
Just as our January 2014 issue "headed to press" last month, I'd
received via mail the package I had been waiting over a week for: my
copy of the AMALUNA DVD, which had quietly been released to the Cirque
du Soleil Online Boutique and on-site under the Grand Chapiteau. To
say I was excited to view AMALUNA again would be an understatement; I
fell in love with the show at premiere in Montreal. I had such an
amazing experience with AMALUNA, if you don't mind me saying again
more amazing than any touring show premiere that had come before.
My first experience with this brand of euphoria came when witnessing
Varekai's birth in 2002. I knew from the moment I stepped foot on the
cobblestoned streets of the venerable old port of Montréal this was
how you celebrated a premiere, and I wanted to be a part of it from
then on. Varekai and Koozå were well received by the hometown crowd
(how about standing ovations DURING the performance?); OVO not so
much. For me personally Corteo was not a particularly good premiere,
especially after coming off that spectacular Russian Swings ending to
Varekai three years before, but the crowd enjoyed it. OVO fared much,
much worse by both me and the crowd I saw it with; in fact, the
response was so tepid I was sure Cirque had its first bona-fide flop
on its hands! (That honor would later befall BANANA SHPEEL.) TOTEM was
much better, but even it had a "WOW + WTF" combination that made it a
little uneven at the start. But Amaluna took the cake. Whereas with
Varekai (my prior high point) I came away thinking, "I really like
this show" (and still do), I came out of AMALUNA thinking, "I LOVE
this show!"
And I shocked my friends who were there with me too, because I didn't
really like the show the first night. Sure, I enjoyed it and some of
its acrobatic elements, but overall Amaluna didn't "speak" to me, nor
seem to hold a candle to some of Cirque's more sophisticated
offerings, such as Quidam, Alegria, Mystere, "O" or ZED. Then
something strange and amazing happened: as we assembled for the
performance the following afternoon, I grew more and more excited
about seeing it again. Then as I sat, allowing the opening moments of
the show wash over me, something clicked. I don't know why and I don't
think I could ever explain it succinctly beyond: I "got" it. I got the
show, what it was attempting to say, how the music was used, and all
the visionary elements the creators stirred into it. And then I fell
in love with the whole kit-and-caboodle, grinning like a slack-jawed
idiot.
It was uncanny, and welcome. I felt enlightened, invigorated and
hungry for more. Naturally I devoured the music CD when it was
released, comparing and contrasting the studio version of the show's
tracks to those played live, but what I really wanted was a video
recording of the show.
Rumors began floating regarding a DVD as soon as the tour left
Montreal for Quebec City and Toronto. By December 2012, DVD-like
footage turned up about 50 minutes worth of highlights on
French/German network ARTE (fans might remember that a similar
highlight reel of KÀ had aired on the network in years past), further
stoking rumors. And as the old axiom "where there's smoke, there's
fire" told us: surely a DVD release was around the corner.
Nice turn of phrase, but, it didn't apply here. The smoke petered out.
News about an imminent release trickled to a halt. Rumors stopped.
What happened?
It turns out that thanks to the filming and subsequent release of
Worlds Away 3D to theaters in December 2012 pushed the DVD release of
Amaluna back. But now we can finally get our hands on it. So how does
the DVD fare against some of Cirque's more recent home releases?
Perplexing.
Much like Cirque's more recent DVD releases ("ZAIA: Crossroads in
Macao", "ZED in Tokyo" and "Cirque du Soleil Presents: Koozå"), the
title is presented in the company's "new" recycled paper packaging,
adorned with the show's poster, and a quick blurb on the back
describing the product in hand: "Cirque du Soleil presents Amaluna,
the coming-of-age story of Miranda, who meets a brave young suitor
named Romeo upon his unexpected arrival to her mysterious island.
Miranda and Romeo must endure a series of trials that teach them both
about trust, harmony, balance, and inner strength through the art of
Cirque du Soleil." And much like the company's previous show DVD
releases, AMALUNA is also presented as a 2-disc package.
But after viewing both discs I'm left scratching my head in wonder:
why there was a need for two discs?
The "Show Disc" doesn't really need much in the way of comment. The
basic options are available here; the video and audio here is
stunning, and the video recording presents 99.9% of the show as you
would have seen it in Toronto currently cut acts and all. This disc
is the true gem of the package! An un-cut show! It's the inclusion of
the second disc that confounds me: the "Bonus Disc" doesn't really
contain much on it, and that's the real perplexing part.
Slipping it in you'll find five (5) menu selections: THE STORY, MUSIC,
DIRECTOR, UNVEILING THE NAME, and CASTING each containing a little
peek into the world of Amaluna. And I do mean little.
o) THE STORY is a 1 min 44 sec video giving us a brief peek
into what the story of the show is all about and how it draws
from "The Tempest", using clips and interview style, but
there isn't anything new here.
o) DIRECTOR a 1 min 44 sec video featuring the show's Director
Diane Paulus enlightening us how she came to Cirque du
Soleil and why. However, as before, there isn't anything here
of real substance.
o) UNVEILING THE NAME is a 1 min 2 second video describing the
show's name, the reason it was chosen, and a little passage
on the show's theme in relation to its chosen name. However,
this is nothing the blurb on the back of the DVD didn't
already tell us.
o) CASTING a 1 min 17 sec commercial for the Cirque du Soleil
Casting Department. Want to be an acrobat?
But perhaps the most interesting "bonus" of this disc is found under
the MUSIC category. Here I expected a short video on the show's
compositions, perhaps with a little blurb from the composers: Bob &
Bill (Guy Dubuc and Marc Lessard). What we are treated to instead are
five tracks from the Amaluna CD, as released on November 20, 2012:
o) "All Come Together" (5:54)
o) "Hope" (3:28)
o) "O Ma Ley" (4:29)
o) "Burn Me Up" (3:44)
o) "Run" (4:23)
The music is the truly surprising addition to the "bonus disc", in my
opinion, and I'm forced to ask: with the release of the CD a year
prior, why were these even included? The immediate answer could be
because the two (the CD and the DVD) were scheduled for release at the
same time, and this offered Cirque du Soleil a convenient cross-
promotion opportunity. Even with that being true why the second disc
at all? If you add up the various video segments you only come to 5
minutes and 47 seconds of added material. Certainly this could have
fit on the "Show Disc", could it not? Add the music tracks there and
viola, you've got a complete package without the waste of an added
disc. Perplexing, isn't it?
Still there's no reason not to add the title to your collection,
especially if you fell in love with Amaluna like I did!
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=======================================================================
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
=======================================================================
Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 14, Number 2 (Issue #121) - February 2014
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2014 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
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Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way
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Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil,
Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright
infringement intended.
{ Feb.05.2014 }
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