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Fascination Issue 135
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T h e U n o f f i c i a l
C i r q u e d u S o l e i l N e w s l e t t e r
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http://www.CirqueFascination.com
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VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 April 2015 ISSUE #135
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Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
And perhaps the last with Cirque du Soleil as an independent company.
What am I talking about? It all started on Wednesday, March 25th with
a blurb from the Globe and Mail. In it the paper suggested the sale of
Quebec's famed Cirque du Soleil was moving into the final stages, with
bidders given until the following week to submit offers to a acquire a
controlling stake in the company. We'd heard rumblings of Cirque's
intent in seeking a new "strategic investment partner" someone who
might be interested in taking a 10% or 20% stake in the company (as it
did with Istihmar World Capital/Nakeel, who holds a 10% stake
currently) as far back as 2011, and even more rumblings of a pending
investment these past few weeks, but nothing so drastic as what the
Globe and Mail reported: that Mr. Laliberté had agreed to sell all but
10% of his stake. A stake estimated to be worth $2 Billion. We remain
cautiously optimistic about the new prospects, of course. New money
and new blood could help revitalize Cirque du Soleil financially and
creatively, but we'd be lying if we were happy about the news. Cirque
du Soleil has remained virtually independent for the last 30 years...
to see it suddenly fall in the hands of investors - with boards of
directors and revenue generating requirements - does give us pause. If
the process concluded as planned, bidding ended on Friday, April 3rd.
It's been said that the decision could have been made as early as
Easter Sunday, but as of press time, there's been no news out of
Montreal.
No news except, of course, that Cirque du Soleil Theatrical has found
its first project since becoming a separate arm under the new Cirque
du Soleil Group moniker: The Wiz. That's right. Charlie Smalls and
William F. Brown's The Wiz will be presented as NBC's third annual
live musical, according to Variety. The production will be co-produced
by Cirque du Soleil's new stage theatrical division and is set to head
to Broadway for a revival (also presented by Cirque du Soleil) during
the 2016-17 season. The Wiz, a retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic
Wizard of Oz stories, opened on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tony's
including Best Musical and Best Score. A 1978 film version starred
Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. It was last seen in New York in a New
York City Center Encores! Summer Stars revival in 2009, with a cast
led by Ashanti, Orlando Jones, and Tony winner LaChanze. No casting
information for the latest revival has been announced thus far, but
the news has certainly raised eyebrows in the Cirque du Soleil fan
community. What do we think? Well... hmm... We'll have to wait and
see. It's certainly not the first thing that popped in our heads when
the new theatrical division was announced in January 2014.
On a happier note: it's been rumored for a while now, and last month
the first date appeared on the itinerary, but's its officially
official: KOOZA is returning to North America for an extended run
under the big top! Following its run in Bern, Cirque's 2007 show Kooza
will set up stakes in Columbus, OH then move on to Virginia Beach,
Pittsburgh, and Austin. Whether Kooza will stay in North America
following its run in Austin is not yet known, nor is it known where
the show may end up afterward. So stay tuned! And similarly, dates for
Varekai's Arena Tour well into late 2016 have also shown up, so any
rumors of the show ending Summer 2016 are completely false (at this
time at least).
That being said, however, just as we were putting the final touches on
this month's issue, the team behind Varekai's arena tour gave us
another shock... they bid adieu to its Icarian Games artists and to
the discipline in its entirety. That's right, they're not going to be
replaced with another Icarian Games team; Icarian Games is out of
Varekai for good! I know it's hard to believe - Icarian Games is to
Varekai as Banquine is to Quidam - but it's true! What will replace
the discipline is rumored to be an Acro Sport group, which Varekai's
Facebook page teased on Easter Sunday. We hear the new group is
fantastic - and we wish them all the best as they get integrated in
the show - but we'll miss Icarian Games!
As always we also have the posts made to Cirque's Facebook pages,
and updates to Cirque's touring schedule. Oh, and don't forget to
pick up Issue #5 of "The Chapiteau-Fascination! Magazine" here:
< http://issuu.com/thechapiteau/docs/tcfmag_issue_5 >.
So, let's get started!
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| Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): |
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| The Chapiteau-Fascination! Magazine: |
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\----------------------------------------------------/
- 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
*) "A New Financial Ringmaster in the Wings?"
Edited By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
*) SPECIAL /// "MasterChef Canada Season 2, Ep. 4 Recap"
By: Vancouver Sun Blog Staff
*) INTERVIEW /// "Andrii Bondarenko - Kurios, Hand Balancer"
By: The Chapiteau, a Cirque du Soleil Fan Club
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Cirque / Samsung Teaming for Virtual Reality Show
{Mar.02.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Samsung wants you to strap a phone to your face to get into the
middle of Cirque du Soleil's world of jugglers, gymnasts and
stilt-walkers.
Cirque du Soleil Media, a joint venture between the Canada-based
circus troupe and broadcaster Bell Media, has pacted with
Samsung to produce a liveaction virtual reality aerial show to
be viewed on its flagship Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones.
All that's needed is connecting the Samsung phones to a Gear VR
virtual reality headset, powered by Oculus, to view content
based on Cirque du Soleil's most recent touring show, Kurios
Cabinet of Curiosities. Félix & Paul Studios, a Montreal studio
that produces 3D 360° VR content, will produce the content that
has Cirque du Soleil acrobats tumbling and twirling over the
heads of Samsung phone users.
"Cirque du Soleil excels at joining forces with all sorts of
different collaborators in order to elevate the art of
entertainment and create one-of-a-kind productions which
continue to surprise with its innovative edge," said Cirque du
Soleil Media president Jacques Methe Monday.
His company recently inked a first-look development deal with
20th Century Fox Television to jointly make live-action
primetime scripted projects. And Saban Brands teamed with Cirque
du Soleil Media on a cross-platform kids property that includes
a TV series, online content and merchandising.
Cirque also pacted with Canadian indie producer Marblemedia to
co-produce TV content, including a miniseries, hour-long drama
and live musical event inspired by the circus troupe. And
Samsung has just partnered with another Canada-based media
group, Lionsgate, to produce a four-minute VR experience
Insurgent Shatter Reality, based on the Divergent sequel
Insurgent.
{ SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter | http://goo.gl/XjLzdh }
Cirque du Soleil Looking for Broadway Home?
{Mar.04.2015}
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Cirque du Soleil, the Canada-based circus-style entertainment
company, is looking to take over Broadway's Lyric Theatre after
the current tenant, On the Town, completes its run there,
according to a report in The New York Post. Columnist Michael
Riedel quoted unspecified sources saying that the theatre, which
was recently purchased by London's Ambassador Theatre Group,
would "be happy to have a longtime tenant."
The 1,930-seat theater was built by disgraced impresario Garth
Drabinsky. He opened it with "Ragtime" in 1998. After losing the
Tony to "The Lion King," the show collapsed, bringing down
Drabinsky and his corrupt empire. Drabinsky went to jail and the
theater wound up in the hands of various corporations, none of
which had any success in booking a hit.
Riedel speculated that On the Town, which has not always covered
its weekly costs since opening to strongly positive reviews last
fall, could vacate the Lyric as soon as this spring, though no
one from the production was quoted about that. The report came
on the same day On the Town released its cast album. Riedel said
Cirque has been looking for a permanent home in New York and is
developing "traditional Broadway musicals that will incorporate
circus elements" a la Tony-winner, Pippin.
He estimated that roster of Lyric shows, including "The Pirate
Queen," "Young Frankenstein" and "Spider-Man: Turn Off the
Dark," collectively lost about $250 million. "On the Town" will
add another $12 million to the tab. Will Cirque fare any better
at the Lyric? The company has tried to do Broadway-style shows
in the past with disastrous results. Remember "Banana Shpeel"?
{ SOURCES: New York Post, Playbill | http://goo.gl/0mzInh }
Meet Charles Décarie, Cirque's Chief Operating Officer
{Mar.04.2015}
-------------------------------------------------------
Though every workplace sees its hectic days, Charles Décarie is
among the few executives who can honestly say his workplace is a
circus.
Fifteen years ago, Mr. Décarie made the switch from software
supplier SAP, where he counted Cirque du Soleil among his
clients, to the Cirque itself, where he now serves as chief
operating officer. Like the international audiences its
productions attract, Mr. Décarie watched the organization evolve
from its modest roots in rural Quebec to become the largest
theatrical production company in the world.
"Imagine for a minute the complexity of selling over 12 million
tickets every year which is equivalent to all Broadway shows
combined managing 70-plus legal entities, 320 bank accounts,
27 banks in 26 countries, 19 currencies, $450-million in foreign
exchange on a yearly basis, 1,500 corporate sales tax reports,
$63-million in royalties that need to be sent to designers,
composers, writers and directors across the planet, managing
16,000 active suppliers across the globe and buying over $450-
million in goods and services across the planet, producing
18,000 costume items per year and that's just a partial list,"
he said, adding that Cirque du Soleil's 31 original shows have
been enjoyed by over 150 million spectators in 300 cities across
five continents.
Mr. Décarie said that when he left his job to join the circus,
its productions were limited to the North American market.
"Over the last seven or eight years, we have explored other
territories including Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern
Europe, now we have an office in Russia, even Northern Africa,"
he explained from a boardroom in Cirque du Soleil's headquarters
in Montreal. In the studio space below, acrobats practise on
trampolines to prepare for upcoming shows while costume
designers use 3-D models to create outfits for performers
residing on every corner of the globe.
While Cirque du Soleil's shows are unlike anything that came
before, Mr. Décarie says that, behind the scenes, the
organization is run much like any other company, albeit a
stranger and more elaborate one.
"Procurement is procurement, the items we're procuring are quite
odd in some circumstances, but managing a company like Cirque
has a number of similarities to managing other companies," he
said.
Like other successful organizations, Mr. Décarie said that
Cirque du Soleil's maintains a strong corporate culture.
"You've got to stick to your values and pay a lot of attention
to the culture of the organization," he said. "Emotion is
required to be successful in an entertainment company like
Cirque, because you need to manage artists, and you need to
manage people who are far away from home."
Those who have attended a Cirque du Soleil performance often
describe it as unlike anything they've ever seen before, but Mr.
Décarie is quick to point out that few of its trademark elements
are unique. After all, the company cannot claim to have invented
dancing, singing, acting, acrobatics, musical performances or
clowns.
"We revolutionize it by assembling theatrical events and acts in
a way people have never seen," he said. "The assembly and the
visual signature of Cirque du Soleil really took people by
surprise."
Mr. Décarie said that the Cirque continues to build on its
visual signature around the world by upholding the same creative
spirit that was responsible for the company's earliest successes
30 years ago.
"I've realized that this organization has been driven by
passion, and passion is not a management dimension you learn at
the MBA school," he said.
Mr. Décarie adds that over the past 15 years, he's learned the
importance of ensuring that business decisions don't stand in
the way of creativity. While Cirque du Soleil has seen its fair
share of challenges over the years, including the layoff of 400
employees in 2013 after the closing of a couple of less-than-
successful shows, he believes it is vital to separate its
creative energy from the day-to-day business operations.
"Sometimes companies go through rough patches, sometimes shows
aren't that great, sometimes economical conditions are hurting
us and there are a slew of decisions that need to be made to
protect the business and maintain the business, but the thing
that you do not want to alter is passion and creativity," he
said. "Creativity is something that's very fragile. You can kill
an idea in a minute with a business decision."
Mr. Décarie argues that it is the responsibility of managers to
keep the financial pressures away from the creative process to
ensure that it flourishes independently.
"Despite all the performance indicators and financial pressures,
how can you, as a good manager in this company, protect the
flourishing of this creation? How do you protect your artistic
conceptions from the daily tensions in the market, the sales
figures?" he asked. "You've got to be careful of that. That's an
important lesson I've learned from this company."
{ SOURCE: The Globe and Mail | http://goo.gl/yr7I1V }
Cirque Re-Imagining LIGHT in April!
{Mar.05.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
It looks like Cirque du Soleil is going to re-imagine their
offerings at LIGHT, their night club concept in Las Vegas and
soon!
"Come April, we are introducing a new artistic direction with
the @Cirque cast @thelightvegas! Check back for updates!"
Check out a teaser poster here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=5623 >
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
Cirque Média, Samsung team up on mobile
virtual reality experience
{Mar.06.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil Média is collaborating with Samsung and
Montreal-based Felix & Paul Studio on the development of an
original virtual reality experience that ties in with Cirque du
Soleil's most recent touring show.
The 8 to 10 minute live-action VR experience will be available
with Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition for Galaxy S6 and S6
Edge, and promises to immerse the user into Cirque du Soleil's
new show KURIOS- Cabinet of Curiosities.
"Cirque du Soleil excels at joining forces with all sorts of
different collaborators in order to elevate the art of
entertainment and create one-of-a-kind productions which
continue to surprise with its innovative edge", said Cirque du
Soleil Média president Jacques Méthé, in the news release. "Here
at Cirque du Soleil Média we strive to do just that by pushing
the boundaries of new technology."
Cirque du Soleil Média is a long-term joint venture between
Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media with a mission to develop new
and original media content specifically for television, film,
digital, and gaming platforms. Headquartered in Montréal, the
company develops entertainment projects for sale and licensing
around the world, leveraging Cirque du Soleil's creative
resources and infrastructure with Bell Media's production
experience, media platforms, and diverse distribution
capabilities.
{ SOURCE: CARTT | http://goo.gl/z7Mfcl }
John Legend performs at One Night for One Drop 3
{Mar.09.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
One Night for ONE DROP imagined by Cirque du Soleil welcomes R&B
recording artist John Legend for an exclusive performance at The
Mirage Hotel & Casino Friday, March 20. The Academy Award-
winning musician will celebrate World Water Day alongside more
than 100 Cirque du Soleil artists in an original, one-night only
production created by Mukhtar O.S. Mukhtar.
"We are honored to have award-winning musician John Legend
featured in One Night for ONE DROP," said Mukhtar O.S. Mukhtar,
creator/director of One Night for ONE DROP. "I admire his
innovative approach to music, and his ability to combine
different styles and genres seamlessly. His performance will be
a huge asset to this unique, once in a lifetime performance."
Legend first broke into the music scene with his debut album Get
Lifted, which went platinum and earned him three GRAMMY Awards
for Best R&B Album, Best R&B Male Vocal Performance and Best New
Artist. Following the album's success, the R&B icon continued to
produce countless hits including "Heaven" and "Green Light." He
has collaborated with a wide array of artists including Lauryn
Hill, Alicia Keys, Twista, Janet Jackson and Kanye West.
Recently, Legend accepted a Golden Globe as well as an Oscar for
Best Original Song, with fellow musician Common, for their smash
hit "Glory" from the movie Selma.
One Night for ONE DROP is an annual celebration to raise funds
and awareness for water issues worldwide. All proceeds will
benefit ONE DROP's global initiatives, along with innovative
educational programming in Nevada through a partnership with the
Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Individual, tax-deductible VIP
tickets which include the post-party extravaganza are available
for $1500 with show-only tickets starting at $100. For more
information on sponsorship packages or to purchase individual
tickets for One Night for ONE DROP visit onedrop.org/onenight or
call 1-844-33-WATER.
{ SOURCE: PRNewswire }
KÀ to Perform at PAC-12 Men's Basketball Tournament
{Mar.10.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
This week's Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament Presented by New
York Life will feature some of Las Vegas' top entertainment
acts, the Conference announced today. Included in the line-up
are some of the most iconic performers from Las Vegas shows,
including Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Human Nature, and KÀ by
Cirque du Soleil.
The Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament will be played Wednesday-
Saturday, March 11-14, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in
Las Vegas. The tournament features 11 games over four intense
days. Last year, UCLA captured the title in an exciting
atmosphere as thousands of fans witnessed competitive games
played by some of the best college basketball teams in the
country.
A major benefit to playing the tournament in Las Vegas is access
to first-rate entertainment. Throughout the tournament sessions,
many of the most popular and acclaimed Las Vegas entertainment
acts are scheduled to perform national anthems and halftime
acts.
KÀ will perform both the national anthem and halftime
performance of the Pac-12 Championship game on Saturday. Other
acts making appearances throughout the tournament include Melody
Sweets from Absinthe, Damien Lawson and Sugar Joans from NBC's
The Voice, the Human Slinky, the acclaimed dance crew
Jabbawockeez, Raiding the Rock Vault, and the Australian Bee
Gees.
{ SOURCE: Pac-12.com | http://goo.gl/NL6wJi }
SCALADA, Year 3: "Storia"
{Mar.11.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
From July 4th through August 1st, STORIA will take you on an
acrobatic and metaphorical journey, to trace the origins of
Andorra and learn its legends. What are you waiting for?
Performances run Monday through Friday (dark Saturday and
Sunday) at 10:00pm. Please note that the pre-event entertainment
begins at 9:30pm.
Check out the new poster image here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=5633 >
For more information, visit SCALADA's official site:
< http://scalada.visitandorra.com/ >
{ SOURCE: VisitAndorra.com, CirqueSpotlight }
Watch MJ Immortal Documentary on VIMEO
{Mar.11.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Missed Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour on our worldwide
tour (or wanna see it again)? Catch it on Vimeo, starting today!
Catch the full 1 hour 27 minute documentary on VIMEO for just
$9.99 for a full year's rental.
Subtitles available in: Spanish, Brazillian Portugese, German,
and Japanese!
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour Documentary showcases
the creation of this new Cirque du Soleil live touring show, and
features over 20 minutes of performance footage. Meet some of
the IMMORTAL development team members who were part of the King
of Pop's inner circle and helped imagine this once-in-a-lifetime
electrifying production, which combines Michael Jackson music
and choreography.
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/1By2GqV >
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
New VAREKAI CD & DVDs are Here!
{Mar.12.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
While we wait for news on a KURIOS DVD or a JOYA Music CD,
Cirque du Soleil Musique and Images have redesigned their
VAREKAI offerings for us. Now both products match the current
"volcano" visual now adorning the Varekai Programme book:
THE CD -- The Catalog # is the same: CDSMCD-20017-2, but the UPC
# is different: 8-43277-08461-4. The music is the same, however.
THE DVD -- Both the Catalog # and UPC are different. Catalog
#CDS3-3201, and UPC: 4-00005-18221-1. The offerings inside are
the same.
These items were found at the big top boutique at KURIOS in
Seattle, and since there's no online boutique to purchase either
from, that's likely where you'll find these items
on tour!
Check out cover scans here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=5648 >
{ SOURCE: Keith Johnson, Kurios Boutique }
Robin Leach: Zumanity' is hotter, sexier than ever!
{Mar.13.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
There are now two girls in the bathtub with the man, and they're
pouring champagne over one another instead of milk. The two men
in the fight cage now wear red Christian Louboutin heels for
their exotic dance of anger that turns into love.
Those are just a few of the subtle changes, but they add to the
erotic electricity of the new-look "Zumanity" by Cirque du
Soleil that's a thrill ride of its own sexiness beating the
roller coaster at New York-New York.
There's an edgy familiarity to the acts in this naughty side of
Cirque. You know that you're watching the sexual "Zumanity," but
every act has been spruced up, pushing the playful provocation
farther with the new look that artistic director Ria Martens and
cutting-edge Parisian choreographer Yanis Marshall have brought
to the reinvigorated show.
It's truly brilliant creativity. There are 15 new members in the
cast replacing those who had come to the end of their contracts.
Yanis' dance numbers are fierce, almost ferocious in their
modern approach, which is why he's being hailed as a young
genius in France.
His "Perfect Jam" routine with all-new dancers Tiffany de Alba,
Anouck Margueritte, Briana McKee, Marie Ndutiye, Kaitlyn Reese
Davin, Leah Sykes Hodgson, Monteece Taylor, Arnaud Boursain and
original cast member Pepe Munoz Martinez is a joyful explosion
of male-and-female energy as inner divas are unleashed. It's
simultaneously sultry and dynamic, gorgeous and powerful.
The recognizable acts with Makeda Crayton's African Dance, the
nature-defying contortionist Araz Hamzayev and the better than
"Fifty Shades of Grey" leather straps for the self-teasing and -
pleasuring bondage torturing of Jill Crook are still there but
all with a twist from the past presentations.
The two sweet-and-innocent body-bending swimmers continue to
strike an amazing array of sensual poses as they glide through
water in an oversized glass bowl. And don't fear: The closing
orgy sequence with its smorgasbord of sexual positions on the
revolving lazy Susan stage also is still intact with its bizarre
embraces, stroking and moaning, as is the invitation for two
members of the audience to join in the fun.
But I love the introduction of musical muse Mariko Muranaka, the
electrifying cellist discovered for Cirque's Michael Jackson
Immortal World Tour. Little person Alan Jones Silva still
performs his mesmerizing aerial dance soaring to new heights,
but now it is as a solo star performer trying to win her
affection. You have to go see the show to see if their two
worlds collide.
As I wrote earlier, newcomers Anouk and Monteece are the topless
duo who play with the bubbly in Mario Peoples' bathtub at
midnight. There also is the take-your-breath-away airborne
acrobatics of newcomers Marina Toimanova and Michael McNamara.
Their passionate and sensual performance is so daring in its
desires, it could be just a dream or it could be reality.
Either way, the bed is there not just as a safety precaution
because of the aerial dangers but for what would be the home
base of love after their 70-foot-high dance.
The refreshed choreography of two men in a cage (newcomers
Boursain and Philip Sahagun, who rotate in the role with
Martinez) is incredibly passionate with fierce choreography for
love and anger, attraction and repulsion until their magnetic
energy overwhelms each into an awesome deep kiss. Their red high
heels send a shock wave through the audience. The daring
eroticism of the performers as captured on their new videos
prove their emotional freedom.
But it's Brandon Pereyda who defies gravity. His athleticism on
chains is a miracle unto itself. How he dares hang by one foot
high up in the air during the performance defies logic and
belief. Is he totally crazy? To say he is the most daring
performer on the Strip still might be an understatement. Once
upon a time, this was just a backup act, but it now deservedly
is the featured permanent addition to the show.
To use the word astonishing for these 16 acts in "Zumanity" also
is an understatement. The entire show is vibrant, bold and even
more colorful with French fashion king Thierry Mugler's new,
sex-sparked costuming. Bravo to Li and Lu Medeiros as the
hostess Botero Sisters and Christopher Kenney as resident drag
queen Edie, the Mistress of Sensuality, for holding and linking
the entire show together.
It's the let loose show of the Strip, sensational and sensuous.
After 11 years, it's become more risque than ever, and with this
new makeover it's certain to hit the magic 20-year mark. If only
the producers and actors of "Fifty Shades of Grey" had come to
"Zumanity" for lessons first!
{ SOURCE: Vegas, Inc. | http://goo.gl/6cLDrT }
Vegas.com: ZUMANITY gets sexier!
{Mar.13.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil where wild
fantasies are explored by way of tantalizing acrobats that blow
your
mind.
With incredible acts that intertwine all elements of feminine
and masculine energy as well as the undeniable urges that reside
between the two, "Zumanity" crosses the line of lust and love
during the intimate, 90-minute showcase leaving very little to
the collective audience's imagination.
However, while the body-bearing production has made just about
every aspect of the "Zumanity" experience sexy yes, starting
at the theater's bar you can order yourself signature cocktails
such as the frozen Blue Balls bevvy or the Horni Margarita the
12-year-old production recently rendezvoused to completely
reinvigorate the show.
"Zumanity's" Artistic Director Ria Martens said, "All Cirque du
Soleil shows are always changing [and] with Zumanity' having
opened 12 years ago, it was time to make a big change to give
people who already saw the show many times a different
experience."
Leaving no part of the show untouched, the production's creators
reworked everything including new music, lighting, costume and
projection elements to give audiences an experience unlike
anything they've encountered before.
An example of the risqué revamp is perfectly captured in the new
number "Perfect Jam" created by "Zumanity's" choreographer,
Yanis Marshall. Not only is this down and dirty dance wildly
entertaining, this sexy number will make you for the first
time in your life wish you were a chair
unless, of course,
wishing to be used as furniture is normal for you (Jeopardy
answer: What is forniphilia?).
The erotic number showcases nine dancers as they pulse to and
manipulate their bodies into scandalous positions on and around
their blue, glowing chair props while the production's on-stage
band performs the act's original namesake song.
But while this number is the show's only new dance act, other
additions in choreography and aerial performances are seen in
many of the show's other acts including the famous "Chains,"
"Waterbowl" and "Pole" performances, among other sensual
surprises that pop up throughout the production.
For a show packed with a little something for returning audience
members and for first-timers alike, Martens said, "They will
[see] some new acts, some acts they will recognize presented in
a new way, and overall they will feel a new energy."
To elaborate, Marshall said, "Zumanity was amazing without the
new choreography already but the plan was to make it amazing for
another 10 years."
{ SOURCE: Vegas.com Blog | http://goo.gl/0gh516 }
One Night for One Drop' preview: Third
production is a genius achievement
{Mar.19.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Just 24 hours remain now until the curtain goes up on the third-
annual Cirque du Soleil "One Night for One Drop" spectacular
featuring the largest cast of any Cirque show anywhere in the
world.
It's a mind-blowing, phenomenal production that will have Friday
night's audience in "The Beatles' Love" Theater at the Mirage on
the edge of their seats and giving standing ovations and wild
applause.
All 110 performers agree that director and creator Mukhtar Omar
Sharif Mukhtar is confident that all will go well Friday night
even though there's only one full dress rehearsal tonight, and
Academy Award- and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John
Legend won't rehearse his two numbers until four hours before
the show.
[ Check out these great galleries from The Las Vegas Sun:
One -- http://goo.gl/zQVln5
Two -- http://goo.gl/G5N51s
Three -- http://goo.gl/4ss42w
Four -- http://goo.gl/M4Zq76 ]
Curiously, there's a quiet calm, but this isn't the one that
normally comes before the storm. It's part of the spiritual,
heavenly and angelic mood that Mukhtar has set amid the chaos of
the yearlong volunteer effort that culminates in the one-off
production.
"He's totally calm, very focused, with a clear vision of what's
to be achieved. There's no panic or fear about it being
perfect," one Cirque executive sitting with me said.
Mukhtar told me at Wednesday's final staging of the show
segments: "It's sweat and tears, but no blood. If I'm calm, then
the cast is calm. Preparation is ten-tenths of the process. I'm
sleeping well even with the rigors of the show and my two new
babies.
"Everybody taking part knows we have no time to deal with any
trial and error. The biggest problem has been making sure we got
all the performers together for rehearsals because of their
different work schedules."
The "Love" Theater will have been closed for eight days to
permit the staging, lift technicalities, rehearsals and show.
All eight Cirque shows are dark on Friday night. It's incredible
to think that a year of work by volunteer performers, scenic
builders, costumers and crew ends with the oh-so-good, one-and-
once-only 1 hour and 35-minute show.
However, 10 cameras will film "One Night" for potential future
broadcast. Cirque officials gave Vegas DeLuxe an exclusive sneak
preview of the 17-act show. Our thanks to contributing
photographer Tom Donoghue for his stunning photo galleries from
Wednesday and tonight.
Only a few tickets remain on sale now to fill all 2,000 seats in
the "Love" Theater.
Cirque founder Guy Laliberte, who flies in today, will only see
it for the first time on Friday night at the gala fundraising
event. He, too, will be struck at how the theater has changed
from the look of "Love."
Everything is new, different and altered in an amazing way. The
four quadrants of The Beatles show have literally vanished, and
you have no idea you're sitting in the traditional "Love"
Theater.
The stage was repainted white on Monday to reflect the different
effects and the halo of near psychedelic colors. It will be
repainted back to black over the weekend for "Love" to resume on
Monday.
The creators have used a giant television with large-screen
projections of video effects with the silver-clad dancers
appearing to move in unison with a spinning aerialist through
actual rain.
Another dance sequence in the "water" features the daughter of
two Cirque show artists flying through the air as the water
splashes upward. That screen projection is so lifelike that
several dancers wind up balanced atop towers of books with TV-
set helmets to keep dry.
Not all 110 stage performers are Cirque artists. Mukhtar has
recruited the Quixote multimedia performance arts group from
Kansas City and an extraordinary team of Japanese rhythmic
gymnasts from Hanazono University.
I watched with my jaws wide open as they tumbled, then flew
across the stage mat. They formed an instantaneous pyramid
leaving one member of the troupe to somersault over the other
five athletes.
But it's the trampoline to teeter board to trampoline act that
is beyond sensational. Paul Cameron, who is the Canadian coach
at Cirque's "Michael Jackson One" in Mandalay Bay, created an
all-new act for his Cirque artists from "Mystere" at Treasure
Island and "One."
They propelled themselves so high, one was able to turn into a
high-flying human corkscrew with a spinning quadruple
somersault. It's more than breath-taking; you simply stop
breathing!
Paul and Mukhtar took previously unheard Las Vegas music from
the Cirque touring show "Kurios" for the athletes to keep time.
It may well be one of the two main high-points of Friday's
theatrical masterpiece.
Even in the staging rehearsal, dozens of other Cirque artists
waiting their turn to perform cheered and applauded at the fast
and furious feats. However, it's the new aerial act featuring
British twins Kevin and Andrew Atherton from "Zarkana" at Aria
that could stop the show. They will defy gravity performing
together hanging on one strap 50 feet in the air.
In addition to the Japanese gymnasts and the Quixote multimedia
team, Mukhtar brought in cellist Philip Sheppard from London and
John, who will perform at his piano. John will sing for the
second act "Mother's Love" with a solo dancer, and in
"Celebration," which ends the production before the all-cast
finale. Dancers from other companies auditioned with Cirque
dancers to perform in the show.
Two other dance routines are absolutely fascinating: the
staccato slo-mo "body popping" dancers and those that dance
backward and on treadmills. Totally unique and different.
Another act that will entertain is the "helicopter" ring that
flies in over a cushion of male dancers wrapped in one massive
piece of red fabric for the four aerial acrobats to fall on, one
at a time, to the music of the emotionally charged French song
"Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don't Leave Me)," the same song Celine Dion
performed in her most recent headliner show in the Colosseum at
Caesars Palace.
The show's music ranges from the heavenly to the hellishly
powerful blasts that won't let anybody drift off. The entire
show also is punctuated with the wraparound, near cinemascope
movie screens that show brilliant close-up videos of the
performers and an important message: "Value the people who
sacrifice something for you because maybe that something was
their everything."
I have only one worry: Will John be able to concentrate on his
piano and song performances as the true magic of Cirque envelops
him onstage, above him in the rafters and as the other cast
members run down the theater's stairs? He, like Guy, will only
see the show fully for the first time at his actual performance.
Bravo to all involved both onstage and offstage. This is a major
and incredible genius achievement. We'll have coverage of the
blue carpet gala here on Sunday, so be sure to check back for
the star-studded party stories and photo galleries.
The first two "One Night for One Drop" shows at "O" Theater in
Bellagio in 2013 followed by "Michael Jackson One" Theater in
Mandalay Bay in 2014 raised $11.3 million for the world water
charity.
This third production is so awesome and manages to outshine the
first two already before its actual night that Cirque has given
the go ahead for "One Night for One Drop" No. 4 next March 18.
Mukhtar tells me, though, that it's time for a new director to
take the helm. "I've given this as much as I possibly can," he
said.
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun | http://goo.gl/Tew0w1 }
IG Has a Few Words With Stella Umeh
{Mar.20.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
The March 2015 IG features an interview with Toronto native
Stella Umeh, who remains one of the most inspiring figures in
gymnastics. She and her husband, Sam Nicholas, are expecting
their first child in August, which means Stella might have to
slow down a bit. She's certainly accomplished many things:
Olympian, UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame member, actor, performer.
She's retired from various performance roles with Cirque du
Soleil (see photo as a clown), and has started her own business,
which you can check out: http://www.theivoryelephantgroup.com/.
For now, however, here are a few excerpts from her interview:
Q. You turn 40 on May 27. How do you view conventional age
milestones?
Yep, turning 40 is right around the corner. With regards to
conventional age milestones, what are those? I've hit some
pretty profound ones and I've blown past a couple of the
conventional ones. I am a healthy and happy adult. I made it
through an elite gymnastics career and I can still walk, bend
over and even jump every now and then.
Q. When did you know you wanted to perform in front of people?
I have known I have wanted to perform in front of people from
the moment I did it, when I was 4 and I started dancing. The
interesting thing, though, is I see it less about performance
and more about having such a burning desire to share something
with people. I yearned, and I still do, for that opportunity on
a regular basis.
Q. Any advice for a gymnast who is considering Cirque du Soleil?
You might as well try it; there is a place for everybody. Push
yourself to the edge of your skinny branch, throw yourself
outside of your box, don't look down, always look ahead and
dream huge.
Q. What do you think of Simone Biles? She seems to have your
unique and individualistic attitude.
Well, first off let me thank you for comparing [me] to Simone
Biles. She's kind of ridiculous! She smiles more than I did. She
is definitely unique and
an individual. She let's her light
shine through and I commend her for that. I am inspired by her
fierceness. We both have the same favorite events: vault and
floor. Way back in 2013 she said she wanted to work on her dance
skills. I'd love to have a dance up with her. I think she'd hold
her own.
Q. What inspired the name of your new company, The Ivory
Elephant Group?
Elephants did. They are such majestic animals. They show grief,
humor, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, playfulness, and
they have excellent learning abilities. Elephants are social and
tactile. They are a matriarchal herd and their commitment to one
another is mind-blowing.
{ SOURCE: International Gymnast Magazine | http://goo.gl/SFy4kL }
ONOD3 Raises More Than $6 Million for One Drop!
{Mar.24.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
On Friday, March 20, some of the biggest names in entertainment
came out to support One Night for ONE DROP imagined by Cirque du
Soleil in Las Vegas, featuring Academy Award-winning recording
artist John Legend. The third annual, one-night-only benefit
sponsored by MGM Resorts International raised more than $6
million for ONE DROP, the non-profit organization created by
Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberte, with all proceeds
supporting water access initiatives across the globe.
The glamorous event brought fantasy to life as more than 100
Cirque du Soleil performers came together for an extraordinary
performance directed by Mukhtar O.S. Mukhtar inside The Beatles
LOVE Theatre. Legend provided a memorable moment during the
show with a special rendition of his smash hit "All of Me," and
closed the show with a standing ovation as he performed
"Dreams."
Notable names in attendance for One Night for ONE DROP included
Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberte; ONE DROP CEO Catherine
B. Bachand; lifestyle expert, designer, model Camila Alves;
American pop punk band Plain White T's; "Real Housewives of
Beverly Hills" stars Mauricio Umansky, Kyle Richards, Camille
Grammar and Faye Resnick; British producer Nigel Lythgoe;
President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Daniel Lamarre; UFC Hall
of Famer/Former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin;
British-American actress Jane Seymour; Mayor of Las Vegas
Carolyn Goodman and husband Oscar Goodman; Bree "DJ 88? DeLano;
American chef/TV personality Susan Feniger; international
Spanish actor Miguel Angel Silvestre; Burlesque superstars Romeo
and Lada; Canadian Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu;
Professional poker player and TV personality Maria Ho;
supermodels Karlina Caune, Constance Jablonski, Valentina
Zelyaeva, Daria Strokous and Ginta Lapina; guest performer/solo
cellist Philip Sheppard; guest performer/Quixotic violinist
Shane Borth; Emmy-award winning choreographer Anita Mann and
more.
This year marks a major milestone for ONE DROP as it receives
special recognition from the United Nations with the closing of
the International Decade for Action on Water (2000-2015).
Honored with the Water for Life' Best Practices Award, ONE DROP
is celebrated specifically for its artistic approach to change
behaviors in how people deal with water.
Cirque du Soleil's "One Night for One Drop" is moving to The
Smith Center for the Performing Arts next year.
Photos at:
http://tinyurl.com/nnmxcdp Blue Carpet
http://tinyurl.com/ofzsg3e Performance
Video at (credit ONE DROP & Cirque du Soleil):
http://tinyurl.com/nr2s8ty One Night for ONE DROP
{ SOURCE: PR Newswire | http://goo.gl/nD7alM }
"ALLAVITA!" Created Exclusively for Expo 2015 Milan!
{Mar.25.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to announce a new live production:
ALLAVITA!, created exclusively for #EXPO2015 in Milan, Italy.
Performances run from May 13 to August 30 in the spectacular
newly-constructed open air theatre. For more information or to
purchase tickets, please visit: http://cirk.me/1Bn75Lg
TICKETS
The tickets for the show Allavita! by Cirque du Soleil allows
access only to shows held at the Open Air Theatre on the date
you have chosen; it is not valid as a ticket for Expo Milano
2015.
To watch the Allavita! show you should also be in possession of
an Expo Milano 2015 ticket, purchased as a FIXED DATE ticket for
the same date as the show, or converted into a fixed date ticket
if purchased as an OPEN DATE ticket. Please go to the Tickets
section of the website to convert the ticket, confirming the
date.
Within sectors (A, B, C) seats are not pre-assigned but are free
seating.
Prices are as follows:
o) Section A: 35.00
o) Section B: 30.00
o) Section C: 25.00
Check out some concept art and video here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=5692 >
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil; YouTube }
Don't Forget: Pre-Order "Le Grand Concert" Today!
{Mar.27.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Amazon.ca has a pre-order page up and running for "Cirque du
Soleil- The Great Concert/ Le Grand Concert Blu-Ray + DVD
(Bilingual)" for $22.50 CDN, and yes, you can get the disc
shipped to you even if you're not a resident of Canada. The
release date is April 21, 2015!
The Product description:
For their 30th anniversary, Cirque du Soleil presents a
monumental musical event CIRQUE DU SOLEIL LE GRAND CONCERT,
a concert recorded live at the stunning Montreal Saint-Jean-
Baptiste Church, offering exceptional acoustic sound. Gregory
Charles is the artistic director for the choirs featured in this
90 minute musical Odyssey that unites 8 soloists accompanied by
28 musicians that transports us through the emotion and poetry
of 35 shows created by the Cirque du Soleil since 1984
Dans le cadre de son 30e anniversaire, le Cirque du Soleil
présente un grand événement musical unique CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
LE GRAND CONCERT, capté au coeur de la splendeur de l'Église
Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, à l'acoustique exceptionnelle.
Gregory Charles assure la direction artistique des chorales de
cette odyssée musicale de 90 minutes réunissant 8 solistes
accompagnés de 28 musiciens qui nous transportent à travers
l'émotion et la poésie de la musique des 35 spectacles que le
Cirque du Soleil a créés depuis 1984.
Pre-order the disc here:
< http://goo.gl/ZaVgXI >
{ SOURCE: Cirque Spotlight, Amazon.ca }
Corteo Celebrates 3,500th Performance!
{Mar.29.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Tonight, Cirque du Soleil's 2005 production - Corteo -
celebrated its 3,500th performance in Bogota, Colombia!
Corteo celebrated its 500th performance on August 13, 2006 in
Chicago, IL; its 1,000th performance on January 20, 2008 in San
Diego, CA; its 1,500th performance on June 3, 2009 in Nagoya,
Japan; its 2,000th performance in September 2010 in Kazan,
Russia; and it's 3,000th performance on July 17, 2013 in Sao
Paulo, Brazil!
Congratulations Corteo!
After Colombia, Corteo will push into Mexico, visiting Merida,
Guadalajara, and Monterrey, before putting on its last shows
under the big top in Mexico City. It's hard to believe, but
Corteo will have its final curtain call in Mexico City on
November 22, 2015 and it will not be converted to the arena
format. So if you want to see Corteo one last time, you have to
do it before November 22nd!!
Check out their awesome celebration here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=5740 >
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
Cirque du Wiz??
{Mar.30.2015}
-----------------------------------------------------
Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown's The Wiz will be presented
as NBC's third annual live musical, following 2013's The Sound
of Music LIVE!, starring Carrie Underwood, and 2014's Peter Pan
LIVE!, starring Allison Williams and Christopher Walken. The
event will be presented December 3, according to Variety.
The production will be co-produced by Cirque du Soleil's new
stage theatrical division and is set to head to Broadway for a
revival (also presented by Cirque du Soleil) during the 2016-17
season. No casting information has been announced thus far.
Earlier this year, NBC had announced that the upcoming musical
would be either The Wiz or Meredith Willson's The Music Man.
Tony winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Holler If Ya Hear
Me) will stage both the live television production and the
Broadway revival, and four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein
(Kinky Boots) will contribute new material. Craig Zadan and Neil
Meron will return as executive producers, with Universal
Television producing.
"We love this yearly tradition and we're more excited than ever
to not only bring another Broadway musical to America's living
rooms, but also see it land on Broadway as well," Greenblatt
said in a statement. "It's a natural next step for our live
musical events and we're so pleased to be in business with this
award-winning creative team and Scott Zeiger, president and
managing director of Cirque du Soleil's new theatrical division.
Cirque's incredible imagination will help bring the fantasy
world of Oz vividly to life and give this great show a modern
spin on the age-old story we all love."
"We are delighted that NBC and Cirque du Soleil will present The
Wiz," added Zeiger. "It's a musical I have wanted to produce for
years and it's the perfect show to present under the new Cirque
du Soleil Theatrical banner."
"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to not only produce this
as our next live musical for NBC, but to then see it move to
Broadway for a new generation to experience," said Zadan.
The Wiz, a retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic Wizard of Oz
stories, opened on Broadway in 1975 and won seven Tonys
including Best Musical and Best Score. A 1978 film version
starred Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. It was last seen in New
York in a New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars revival in
2009, with a cast led by Ashanti, Orlando Jones, and Tony winner
LaChanze.
{ SOURCE: TheaterMania, UPI }
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Amaluna, Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Kurios}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Quidam & Varekai}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
Believe, ZarKÀna, MJ ONE & JOYÀ}
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:
Madrid, ES -- May 6, 2015 to Jun 21, 2015
PortAventura, ES -- July 3, 2015 to Aug 23, 2015
Brussels, BE -- Sep 11, 2015 to Oct 11, 2015
Paris, FR -- Nov 5, 2015 to Dec 13, 2015
Corteo:
Bogota, CO -- Mar 19, 2015 to Apr 12, 2015
Mérida, MX -- Jun 18, 2015 to Jul 12, 2015
Guadalajara, MX -- Jul 30, 2015 to Aug 16, 2015
Monterrey, MX -- Aug 27, 2015 to Sep 13, 2015
Mexico City, MX -- Sep 25, 2015 to Nov 22, 2015
** CORTEO TO CLOSE IN MEXICO CITY **
Koozå:
Bern, CH -- Feb 28, 2015 to Apr 4, 2015
Columbus, OH -- Jun 4, 2015 to Jul 5, 2015
Virginia Beach, VA -- Jul 16, 2015 to Aug 16, 2015
Pittsburgh, PA -- Aug 26, 2015 to Sep 27, 2015
Austin, TX -- Oct 15, 2015 to Nov 8, 2015
Kurios:
Calgary, AB -- Apr 9, 2015 to May 24, 2015
Denver, CO -- Jun 11, 2015 to Jul 26, 2015
Chicago, IL -- Aug 6, 2015 to Sep 20, 2015
Costa Mesa, CA -- Oct 15, 2015 to Nov 29, 2015
Los Angeles, CA -- Dec 10, 2015 to Feb 7, 2016
Ovo:
Sendai, JP -- Apr 23, 2015 to Jun 7, 2015
Totem:
Brisbane, AU -- Apr 10, 2015 to May 24, 2015
Adelaide, AU -- Jun 11, 2015 to Jul 5, 2015
Perth, AU -- Jul 31, 2015 to Aug 30, 2015
-----------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
Quidam:
Moscow, RU -- Apr 16, 2015 to Apr 26, 2015
St. Petersburg, RU -- Apr 29, 2015 to May 4, 2015
Linkoping, SE -- May 8, 2015 to May 10, 2015
Gothenburg, SE -- May 13, 2015 to May 16, 2015
Turku, FI -- May 22, 2015 to May 25, 2015
Tallinn, EE -- May 27, 2015 to May 30, 2015
Stockholm, SE -- Jun 3, 2015 to Jun 6, 2015
Krakow, PL -- Jun 12, 2015 to Jun 14, 2015
Gdansk, PL -- Jun 18, 2015 to Jun 21, 2015
Tel Aviv, IL -- Jul 2, 2015 to Jul 16, 2015
Bangkok, TH -- Jul 29, 2015 to Aug 3, 2015
Varekai:
Bakersfiled, CA -- Apr 1, 2015 to Apr 5, 2015
Sacramento, CA -- Apr 9, 2015 to Apr 12, 2015
Stockton, CA -- Apr 15, 2015 to Apr 19, 2015
West Valley City, UT -- Apr 22, 2015 to Apr 26, 2015
SpoKÀne, WA -- Apr 29, 2015 to May 3, 2015
Portland, OR -- May 6, 2015 to May 10, 2015
Penticon, BC -- May 13, 2015 to May 17, 2015
Vancouver, BC -- May 20, 2015 to May 24, 2015
Victoria, BC -- May 27, 2015 to May 31, 2015
Edmonton, AB -- Jun 18, 2015 to Jun 21, 2015
Winnipeg, MB -- Jun 24, 2015 to Jun 28, 2015
Ottawa, ON -- Jul 2, 2015 to Jul 5, 2015
Baltimore, MD -- Jul 8, 2015 to Jul 12, 2015
Boston, MA -- Jul 15, 2015 to Jul 19, 2015
Fairfax, VA -- Jul 22, 2015 to Jul 26, 2015
Duluth, GA -- Jul 29, 2015 to Aug 2, 2015
Tampa, FL -- Aug 5, 2015 to Aug 9, 2015
Sunrise, FL -- Aug 12, 2015 to Aug 23, 2015
Nashville, FL -- Aug 26, 2015 to Aug 30, 2015
Toronto, ON -- Sep 2, 2015 to Sep 6, 2015
Berlin, DE -- Oct 8, 2015 to Oct 11, 2015
Leipzig, DE -- Oct 14, 2015 to Oct 18, 2015
Stuttgart, DE -- Oct 21, 2015 to Oct 25, 2015
Mannheim, DE -- Oct 28, 2015 to Nov 1, 2015
Vienna, AT -- Nov 4, 2015 to Nov 8, 2015
Dortmund, DE -- Nov 11, 2015 to Nov 15, 2015
Cologne, DE -- Nov 19, 2015 to Nov 22, 2015
Innsbruck, AT -- Nov 25, 2015 to Nov 29, 2015
Munich, DE -- Dec 2, 2015 to Dec 6, 2015
Lyon, FR -- Feb 3, 2016 to Feb 7, 2016
Hamburg, DE -- Feb 10, 2016 to Feb 14, 2016
Luxembourg, LU -- Feb 17, 2016 to Feb 21, 2016
Hanover, DE -- Feb 24, 2016 to Feb 28, 2016
Nice, FR -- Mar 23, 2016 to Mar 27, 2016
Nantes, FR -- Nov 16, 2016 to Nov 20, 2016
Toulouse, FR -- Nov 23, 2016 to Nov 27, 2016
Strasbourg, FR -- Nov 30, 2016 to Dec 4, 2016
---------------------------------
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
2015 Dark Dates:
o May 14 - 22
o July 15
o September 10 - 18
o November 11
Added performances in 2015:
o April 2
o December 31 (only 7 pm performance)
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2015 Dark Dates:
o April 13 - 21
o June 14
o August 3 - 11
o October 11
o November 30 - December 15
Added performances in 2015:
o March 17 and 31
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 November 2 - 5
o December 7 - 9
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
(Only 7:00pm on the following days in 2015: January 20,
May 8, May 15, May 19, May 20, and December 31)
2015 Dark Dates:
o April 12 - 20
o June 16
o August 16 - 31
o October 31
o December 6 - 14
Added performance in 2015:
o December 27
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark Thursday/Friday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
(Only 7 pm performances on May 9, 16 and June 21)
2015 Dark Dates:
o April 15 - 17
o May 30 - June 5
o August 5
o September17 - 25
o November 18
Added performances in 2015:
o January 1 - 2
o April 3
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
(Only 7:00p.m. performances on May 15-16, June 19-21, December 31)
(Only 4:30p.m. & 7:00p.m. performances on July 4)
2015 Dark Dates:
o May 28
o July 28 August 5
o September 15 17
o October 20 22
o December 1 16
Added performances in 2014:
o June 9
o December 30
CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE:
Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2015 Show Schedule:
o Wednesday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm (only 7:00pm on January 7,
February 4 - 25, September 30)
o Thursday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm (only 7:00pm on January 8-29,
December 31)
o Friday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm (only 7:00pm on January 930,
February 6, February 20 27, March 6 13,
May 1 22, June 5, June 19, September 1125,
October 29, October 2330, December 4 11,
December 25)
o Saturday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm (only 7:00pm on May 216,
June 20, July 4, October 31)
o Sunday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm (only 7:00pm on February 822,
March 115, April 26, May 24, June 7, June 21,
September 1327, October 425, November 18,
November 2229, December 613)
2015 Dark Dates:
o April 13 21
o May 25 June 2
o June 22 30
o August 31 September 8
o November 9 17
o December 14 22
Added Performances in 2015:
o December 29
ZARKÀNA:
Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2015 Dark Dates:
o May 10 -18
o July 14
o September 6 - 14
o November 10
Added Performances in 2015:
o March 30
o December 28
MICHAEL JACKSON ONE:
Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Two Shows Nightly - Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Schedule: 7:00pm & 9:30pm on Friday, Saturday, Monday & Tuesday
4:30pm & 7:00pm on Sunday
(Only 7:00pm on January 12, 19, & 26, February 9, 16, & 23)
(Only 4:30pm & 7:00pm performances on July 4)
2015 Dark Dates:
o April 14 - 16
o June 3 18
o August 11
o October 14 22
o December 15
Added performances in 2015:
o August 19
o November 25
o December 30
JOYÀ:
Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
One/Two Shows Nightly:
9:00pm (Weekdays)
7:00pm & 10:15pm (Fri, Sat & Holidays)
Prices:
o) VIP Show Dinner & Champagne [RED] $MXN 2,970.00
o) Show Dinner and Champagne [BLUE] $MXN 2,178.00
o) Show and Champagne [GREEN] $MXN 1,452.00
o) Show Only [ORANGE] $MXN $1,056
o) High Stools (Show Only) [PURPLE] $MXN 858.000
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter
---------------------------------------------------
{Compiled by Keith Johnson}
---[ AMALUNA ]---
{Mar.08}
Happy International Women's Day!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/IzTYa8 >
{Mar.18}
Last night, Amaluna welcomed its 2,000,000th guest! With only
five more days of performances in the United States and over
two million visitors in the past (almost!) three years, we
hope YOU have had a chance to witness the magic of Amaluna!
MADRID?! The countdown is on! We'll be hitting your beautiful
city in just over a month...
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Z9H9WN >
{Mar.23}
We won't say goodbye Houston because goodbye means going away
and you'll always be in our hearts! Thank you for this
wonderful journey! See you next time around!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/qE7g6W >
---[ CORTEO ]---
{Mar.04}
Pelotita, make a hole in one!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/YfndGl >
{Mar.07}
Extra thanks to artists who accompany me in the act of the
bouncing beds!! One more week to see you in Bogota!!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/1Tx4Wu >
{Mar.11}
Two days after the big top, and everything goes on wheels!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/lfk589 >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Cf2zHM >
{Mar.14}
Our artists are jumping 2600 feet closer to the stars! Our first
day in Bogota!!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/kfACX2 >
{Mar.17}
Tonight we are in technical rehearsal. Tomorrow is dress
rehearsal and media day.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/7lx2Zg >
{Mar.19}
Our shows in Bogatá start in just a few minutes. Our technical
team is ready to give the Columbian people an incredible
experience.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/n5pwJY >
{Mar.24}
This week we will be celebrating 3,500 shows. Please join us in
the countdown. We're 6 shows away, today is the 3,494 show.
3,850km of thread has been uses for the maintenance of costumes
from our first show on the 21st of April 2005.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ZhsdNB >
{Mar.25}
5 shows away, today is our 3,495 show! Approximately 56,000
pounds of potatoes have been cooked up in our kitchen. If a
person had to peel all those potatoes, it would have taken 156
days without rest.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/PZEEKL >
{Mar.26}
4 shows away, today is our 3,496 show! The male singer has sung
"Porque" 100,224 times during our 3,456 shows.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Os6E5N >
March 27}
3 shows away, today is our 3,497 show! Can you guess how many
slaps Valentyna has given to Gregor during the TeatroIntimo
scene? Can you believe there have been 10,371 slaps during our
3,457 shows?
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/SXBJ2h >
{Mar.28}
1 show more: today were shows number 3,498 and 3,499!
Approximately 633,500 chickens have fallen from the sky!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/CMT3tC >
---[ JOYA ]---
{Mar.14}
Life is Full of Delicious Discoveries at the Cancún - Riviera
Maya Wine & Food Festival. Get a taste of the extraordinary,
visit us at the Tasting Village today from 2pm-5pm.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/s6VZZn >
{Mar.30}
Welcome Spring with JOYA! Join us for this celebration - taste
our extraordinary dishes while enjoying music from our live
band!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/OVmG0X >
---[ KOOZA ]---
{Mar.05}
KOOZA High Wire Artist, Vicente Quirós Dominguez, previously
visited Bern when he walked above the Bern Bears! Now he's
performing under the Big Top with KOOZA.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/CG5ObO >
{Mar.14}
KOOZA took to the streets today performing around Bern!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/qsgOFS >
{Mar.27}
Grab some popcorn and a seat and let's get lost in the zany
world of KOOZA!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/zcpBwF >
---[ KURIOS ]---
{Mar.04}
Did you see us on KCPQ this morning? We were quite impressed
with Kaci's flying talent! Come see us in Marymoore Park before
March 22nd.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/xfAUTk >
{Mar.21}
It's luggage day on Kurios! It's time to say goodbye Seattle.
Thank you for this amazing run and Calgary, here we come!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/DHSmpE >
---[ KURIOS ]---
{Mar.04}
Fukuoka is raving about OVO!!! If you haven't bought your
tickets yet, this review should convince you...
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/X2CWxX >
{Mar.07}
Happy International Women's Day !!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/iNzbLX >
{Mar.09}
It's makeup time!!! Witness the fast transformation of the
artists into your favorite insects!
LINK /// < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUins7q_8u0 >
{Mar.13}
What an awesome performance and first pitch of OVO at the
Fukuoka Dome right before the game between the Fukuoka Hawks and
the Tokyo Giants! Here are some pictures of the event!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/rN7fw4 >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/8WOsHB >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/qg9pNv >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/VuPcnr >
{Mar.20}
Konichiwa Sendai! It's been a long time since we visited you but
the wait is now over; OVO is coming!!! Last Thursday, few
artists came to Sendai and offered a sample of the show to the
local media. Everybody was pretty excited, and so are we...
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/txHNaO >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/4cp1uI >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/TDnlJd >
---[ QUIDAM ]---
{Mar.04}
Quidam? Street Team performance at Oslo Sentral Stasjon
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/cSWwdq >
{Mar.07}
We had such a grrrrrrreat time in Oslo.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/FyxhWu >
{Mar.10}
Skipping around the AAMUTV studios this morning, MoiMoi Suomi!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/hQlE1N >
{Mar.18}
BoumBoum met his match! (Ed Note: One of the most clever car-
based advertisements we've seen.)
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/zKFwJH >
{Mar.20}
Seems like the sun is in a Quidam state of mind
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/K8LAE4 >
{Mar.27}
Look who's performing on The ?Urgant? Show Tonight!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/QF8945r >
---[ TOTEM ]---
{Mar.02}
GuilhemCauchois, Duo Fixed Trapeze, is celebrating his birthday
in style by trying a new trick backstage with partner Sarah
Tessier... speechless!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/gX2CbH >
{Mar.05}
Rings Trio artist Olli Torkkel visited our neighbors at
Flemington Racecourse and Victoria Racing Club today in
Melbourne, Victoria! He even made a friend.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/MRQX2r >
{Mar.08}
We are in Brisbane today for a special shoot with QWeekend!
TOTEM opens on April 10 under the big top at Northshore
Hamilton!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/3PHF0Z >
{Mar.19}
We are saying goodbye this week to hand balancer Pavel Saprykin
who has been with TOTEM since creation! Good luck in your new
projects Pacha!!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/CX1Owu >
{Mar.29}
Last day in Melbourne for TOTEM and we are saying goodbye to our
Rings Trio artist Yann Arnaud who is moving on to new
challenges! Thank you Yann for 5 amazing years on stage and
wishing you all the best with your new adventures!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/UgNjeY >
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/7W6R5N >
---[ CASTING ]---
{Mar.02}
How is it going on the dance auditions in Amsterdam? Watch
this to find out!
LINK /// < https://instagram.com/p/zt9JyunW3-/ >
{Mar.05}
Inspiring mindset and way of thinking from Gabriel Christo,
our artist from Corteo.
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/iSEG1Y >
{Mar.07}
Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil is looking for
GentilsCircassiens, performing artists and instructors, to run
its recreational circus-themed artistic and acrobatic activities
in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and share their passion for
circus and the performing arts. To learn more and apply,
communicate with rob.bollinger@cirquedusoleil.com
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/w0czbQ >
{Mar.12}
Watch Severine Parent, our artistic talent scout, talking about
how is an audition for singers at Cirque du Soleil. And don't
forget there is still time to apply for SINGER AUDITIONS at
Hamburg and Helsinki. More details below:
LINK /// < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOE_lCNGHVM >
{Mar.13}
URGENT CASTING CALL: We're seeking a high-caliber BMX FLATLAND
MALE SPECIALIST to perform in our resident show La Nouba by
Cirque du Soleil in Orlando, Florida (USA). Apply now:
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/1MyCYri >
{Mar.26}
Singers, don't miss the presence of our artistic talent scout
Séverine Parent on April 13th, 12am, on a conference at the
Sibelius-Akatemia, Taideyliopisto, Agora hall (Helsinki,
Finland). Come meet her to discuss career opportunities at
Cirque du Soleil!
LINK /// < http://goo.gl/1cb09I >
{Mar.27}
Montreal is waiting for you on April 12! DANCERS, come show us
your skills! For all the details on this international
competition: www.proeliumbattle.com
LINK /// < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYQR5i70xYE >
LINK /// < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMTkd1toIoE >
{Mar.30}
Cirque du Soleil and its partners are looking for a TRUMPET
PLAYER to be part of our new show JOYA on the Mayan Riviera in
Mexico. To learn more (This has a link to a download of some
music tracks from Joya!):
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/1E93d3C >
{Mar.31}
Download our desktop and tablet calendar ?wallpaper? here
LINK /// < http://cirk.me/1me4nRt >
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "A New Financial Ringmaster in the Wings?"
Edited By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) SPECIAL /// "MasterChef Canada Season 2, Ep. 4 Recap"
By: Vancouver Sun Blog Staff
o) INTERVIEW /// "Andrii Bondarenko - Kurios, Hand Balancer"
By: The Chapiteau, a Cirque du Soleil Fan Club
------------------------------------------------------------
"A New Financial Ringmaster in the Wings?"
Edited By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
------------------------------------------------------------
It all started on Wednesday, March 25th with a blurb from the Globe
and Mail. In it the paper suggested the sale of Quebec's famed Cirque
du Soleil was moving into the final stages, with bidders given until
the following week to submit offers to a acquire a controlling stake
in the company. We'd heard rumblings of Cirque's intent in seeking a
new "strategic investment partner" someone who might be interested
in taking a 10% or 20% stake in the company (as it did with Istihmar
World Capital/Nakeel, who holds a 10% stake in the company) as far
back as 2011, and even more rumblings of a pending investment these
past few weeks, but nothing so drastic as what the Globe and Mail
reported: that Mr. Laliberté had agreed to sell all but 10% of his
stake in Cirque du Soleil. A stake estimated to be worth $2 Billion.
DOWNPLAYING THE SALE
--------------------
To say the report caused a stir in Quebec would be an understatement,
prompting a spokesperson for the Cirque du Soleil to make a statement
downplaying the potential sale.
"Last June, Guy Laliberte announced his intentions to find a strategic
partner. That process is underway but is very long," Cirque
spokeswoman Renee-Claude Menard said in an email to AFP. "This is a
very long process and [founder and majority shareholder] Guy Laliberté
will take the time necessary to evaluate all available options,"
Ménard said.
Bidders include mostly foreign entertainment companies and private
equity funds, the Globe and Mail said. Some suitors, including private
equity firm BC Partners, have withdrawn their offers after looking
over Cirque's confidential financial documents, which reportedly point
to dwindling profits.
PARTI QUEBECOIS RAISES CONCERNS
-------------------------------
The report also sparked concern from Quebec politicians, including
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, who appealed to the CEO of Cirque
du Soleil to keep the company's headquarters in Montreal, even if the
company ended up being sold. "I want to issue a particular appeal to
Guy Laliberté, who is the main shareholder in this transaction,"
Couillard said. "I want to tell him that for Quebecers, for the
government and for all political parties represented here, it is very
important not only that the headquarters remains in Montreal but that
the creative activities should also remain in Montreal."
During Question Period in Quebec's National Assembly, Parti Québécois
leadership candidate Pierre Peladeau described the Cirque as "Quebec's
international calling card." He also said the government has known for
months that Laliberté intended to sell off a huge chunk of his shares,
but that it has remained silent. Peladeau wanted to know what was
being done to keep the Cirque in the hands of Quebecers. Jacques
Daoust, the minister of economy and innovation, replied that a Quebec
group has been involved. "It is important to keep it because it is one
of our success stories, and I am very proud of the Cirque du Soleil,"
Daoust said. Daoust said his government will wait to see what happens
next before discussing whether it's necessary for them to intervene.
"I can say that confidentially, there are Quebecers who are serious
(and) who are at the heart of this transaction," he added.
THE CAISSE TO THE RESCUE?
-------------------------
On Friday, March 27th, the Globe and Mail reports that The Caisse de
dépôt et placement du Québec has indeed been vying for a minority
stake in the Cirque du Soleil, as political opposition continues to
mount over the prospect of a foreign takeover of the famed Montreal
circus company.
According to people familiar with negotiations, the Caisse has made
overtures to potential suitors that it would like to join the winning
bid for the Cirque du Soleil by acquiring a minority stake of about
10%. These sources said the Caisse, Canada's second-largest pension
fund managers by assets, is reluctant to buy a bigger stake because
the production company is in need of significant capital to revitalize
some of its struggling shows and expand into new foreign markets.
Despite the company's weakened condition, the prospect of a foreign
suitor buying the Montreal-based group is igniting a political
backlash by opposition parties that charge Quebec's Liberal government
should do more to ensure the Cirque doesn't fall into non-Quebec
hands. The Liberals, meanwhile, are trying to balance their concern
over losing a local head office and potential jobs with their
reluctance to intervene in what remains a private transaction.
THE PREMIER CONTINUES TO PLEA
-----------------------------
But in a sign of just how politically sensitive the potential sale has
become, Premier Philippe Couillard made a rare personal plea, urging
Mr. Laliberté to keep the circus troupe's decision-making and creative
base in Montreal. "I'm making this appeal as Premier in the name of
Quebeckers," Mr. Couillard said in a short statement before a caucus
meeting. "To ask him to consider the important ties between Quebeckers
and the Cirque du Soleil." Mr. Laliberté is one of Quebec's most
influential entrepreneurs and the company he's built represents a big
source of pride for Quebec, the Premier added. "For Quebeckers, for
the government and for all political parties represented here, it is
very important not only that the Cirque headquarters remain in
Montreal but that key activities, including creative activities,
should also remain in Montreal."
The Cirque employs about 4,000 people, of which roughly 1,500 work at
its international base in Montreal's Saint Michel district. Those
employees are involved in the conception of shows as well as making
costumes and training performers. Although the Premier's plea was
meant to tug at Mr. Laliberté's patriotism, Mr. Couillard also
recalled the public backing the Cirque received when the company was
struggling to break out from its modest beginnings as a small
performance troupe in Charlevoix in the 1980s.
"Let's remember the history of the start of the Cirque du Soleil. It
was very much governments, the government of Quebec, that supported
it. So taxpayers," the Premier said, while acknowledging that the
entertainment company is nevertheless a private entity controlled by
Mr. Laliberté and the final decision is his. A spokeswoman for the
Cirque declined to comment on the Premier's plea.
WHO WILL PREVAIL?
-----------------
If the process concluded as planned, bidding ended on Friday, April
3rd. It's been said that the decision could have been made as early as
Easter Sunday, but as of press time, there's been no news out of
Montreal.
{ SOURCES: The Globe and Mail, CBC.ca }
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL /// "MasterChef Canada Season 2, Ep. 4 Recap"
By: Vancouver Sun Blog Staff
------------------------------------------------------------
"Cirque de Purée!"
It's probably fitting that this season's first team challenge has a
circus theme with Cirque du Soleil being involved in the competition
this week.
Sabrina is obviously excited since her hometown of Montreal is
represented, but while it's all fun and games in the beginning, it's
about to get all scary clown fun-house soon.
Having both cooked the best dishes in the previous elimination
challenge, Andrew is the leader of the red team, and military vet Line
captains the blue team. Andrew has first dibs since he won the stir
fry challenge.
The selection process is classic playground stuff and it follows
familiar lines that have been drawn so far in the competition: Big Jon
the football guy gets picked for his meat skills, Debra gets the nod
for her plating, some think they should've been picked higher (Cody,
who takes it with tongue firmly in cheek), while others accept their
fate in the lower tier (Christopher, who is fully aware his strength
is pastries rather than savoury things).
Kwasi and Chatty Jenny are the last two remaining.
Andrew calls Kwasi "generally nice to be around," which earns a bit of
a befuddled pout from Jenny.
"Since Day One in kindergarten Always. Picked. Last," Jenny says,
wearing it like a shameful badge of honour.
So the red team, under Andrew's leadership, consists of Kristen, Cody,
Big Jon, Kevin, Kwasi, and David. Line's blue team has Tammy, Sabrina,
Debra, Christopher, Michael, and Chatty Jenny.
The challenge? To build a buffet style meal for the cast and crew of
Cirque du Soleil.
The losing team, of course, will be sent to the pressure test. And at
least one home cook will go home. Send in the clowns.
TEAM CHALLENGE
--------------
The contestants have one hour to prep and cook meals with the
following options: Chicken and fish with two sides, and a vegetarian
option.
Andrew is revving up the red team to go multi-cultural Asian cod,
Mexican grilled chicken, falafel, pasta salad and cauliflower-bacon
soup are ideas being tossed around.
On the blue side, Line is thinking healthy mostly protein and stuff
that will make the performers look good in their spandex outfits.
There's not much room for debate. In the end, it's couscous, green
beans, and vegetarian curry going along with cod and chicken.
Line is micro-managing EVERYTHING. There's no room for anyone else's
input. The blue team is run with military precision, and according to
Line's tastebuds. If the team fails, it's essentially on her.
Andrew is a little bit frantic and Cody is quick to point this out
and Claudio Aprile comes over to settle him down a bit. He brings up a
big question: What are they serving the soup in? There are no bowls in
sight.
Cody, thinking on his feet, decides to turn the soup into a creamy
polenta side dish. Bingo.
Over on the blue side, Chatty Jenny is having a hard time figuring out
how to use the mandolin to slice her veggies, and Line is giving her a
hard time. They go at each other back and forth and Jenny is losing
her grip.
Ironically, it's the Demon Chef Alvin Leung who comes over and defuses
the situation and tells Line to let Jenny cut her veggies whichever
way she wants. A happy kitchen is an efficient kitchen, after all.
It's cold outside, and the grill is tricky. Big Jon solves the red
team's grill problem by constructing a makeshift oven out of tin foil,
and it's impressive.
All of a sudden, the blue team is falling apart. Line is killing wasps
buzzing around her table left right and centre.
On the red side, Andrew's orzo salad flavour balance is a mess.
The Cirque folks line up and, at first glance, the blue team has the
better looking dishes.
Cody is serving up the red team's soup-now-polenta and it kinda looks
like wallpaper glue. Cirque de Purée anyone?
There's good and bad critiques on both sides and it's tough to tell
who's really coming out on top. It's up to the Cirque folks to vote by
casting a red or blue ball in a gramophone.
The winning team reveal takes place inside the big top with Cirque
performers handing out the envelope containing the winning team to the
MasterChef judges.
The red team, led by Andrew, wins. Cody takes a big chunk of the
credit for the win thanks to his creamy polenta, which he argues
belongs in a cookbook.
Line is deflated. Her team is going to the pressure test.
PRESSURE TEST
-------------
So Andrew's team is safe, and it's time for Line to make some tough
choices.
Michael says the health component was too headstrong. He argues he
would've been more collaborative. Line sticks to her guns and says she
wanted to serve food she would have wanted to eat.
The judges put a twist on the usual "you can save one member of the
team" (which usually revolves around the leader saving themselves).
Instead, it's the winning team that has 20 seconds to pick a blue team
member to save.
They pick Chatty Jenny, arguing she's someone they can beat later
anyway.
"Thanks?" Jenny says, more as a question than a proper thank you.
"When we're down to Final Three and I'm still standing there I can't
wait to take you all out," she says in a commentary shot.
But the judges aren't done with the surprises. Another blue team
member gets to avoid the pressure test. That person gets picked by
Line. So we're back to the usual dilemma: Is she going to save
herself?
"Not a chance," Cody says. And so Line, saves herself. Sabrina isn't
impressed.
"Unless somebody has walked a mile in those shoes, it's easy to
judge," Line says. "And I did apologize to my team for letting them
down."
Jenny, who is now safe, argues anyone else would've done the same
thing. Big Jon voices his disapproval. So we have a House Of Cards-
style showdown: Pragmatists vs. idealists.
"You're better than that."
"Whatever."
And then Line faints.
As Line is sent to the hospital, Michael, everyone's favourite
bleeding heart (*cough*), says: "Even though she did us wrong I hope
she's OK."
Well, that'll make everyone feel nice and fuzzy.
Michael Bonacini tells the contestants Line was severely dehydrated
and will be back soon. Anyway, let's get cooking, shall we?
Michael, Sabrina, Tammy, Christopher and Debra now have to make a
traditional Quebec dish (and one of my favourite holiday memories):
Tourtière.
To get this meat pie right is no easy feat. The cooks have access to a
variety of filling options including veggies, fruit, spices and
various meats including bison, pork and deer. There are 80 minutes on
the clock.
Tammy raves about being able to work with game meat (after all, it's
what got her through the audition round) while Christopher thinks his
affinity for pastry will probably work in his favour. The meat filling
scares him, though.
Montrealer Sabrina is going traditional: pork and bison. It's extra
emotional for her as she's missing her sister's wedding.
Michael goes for the unconventional: Jalapeno peppers and a Mexican
twist. Uuuhhh.
Debra is improvising, doing a pie version of Christmas ham. Could
work.
From the rafters, Jon is putting his money on Tammy, but Claudio is
throwing a wrench in the optimism by pointing out the mix is too soupy
and the meat is going to be tough. It's a bad sign.
Debra thinks Michael is going home but the dapper dude will have none
of it.
"I'm so sorry I forgot my lollipop 'cause all I see is a bunch of
suckers out here."
Michael is the first one to get his pie tasted and tested. He calls it
a "man's pie." Bonacini is happy with the crust, which looks flaky and
thick. The jalapeno is a little too strong, though. Aprile agrees but
gives Michael strong marks. He's digging the heat and the traditional
crust.
Christophers pie is impressive. Aprile sticks a knife in the meat pie
and it stands up. The filling is super dense, and the presentation on
the crust is terrific. "It looks great and it tastes even better,"
Aprile says.
Debra is next with her wild boar pie. Bonacini is critical of Debra's
pick of the wild boar tenderloin because it's a little bit dry. And
then Aprile finds a piece of bay leaf in the mix. That's a big no-no.
Sabrina, the true blue Quebecer, basically makes a perfect pie. She's
thinking of home and it gets to her. But she arguably made the best so
far.
Finally, Tammy goes all in and points out she removed her bay leaf
(zing for Debra). The apple in the mix leaves Leung nonplussed, and
the dried rosemary addition at the end has taken over all the flavour,
says Aprile.
GOING HOME
----------
Sabrina and Michael get called up first, and both are safe. Having
been raised on tourtière, I'm surprised Michael got such high marks
for that Mexican-infused pie, but hey the judges actually got to taste
it, so I'leave it alone.
Christopher get the mid-grade slot and gets saved as well. Savoury
didn't take him down.
Debra and Tammy, two of our B.C. contestants, remain.
Tammy gets complimented for the meat and pastry, but gets cornered on
the use of spices. Debra, who had never cooked a tourtière before,
gets negative marks for her choice of meat and the bay leaf snafu.
In the end, Debra gets sent back home and Tammy gets a second chance.
"The fact that I made it to the Top 14 is such a humbling experience,"
Debra says on her way out.
We've lost a B.C. contestant. Five more remain in a group that now
counts 13.
Missed the episode and want to see it for yourself?
Check it out here: http://goo.gl/hPMQkO
{ SOURCE: Vancouver Sun Blogs | http://goo.gl/KikZvk }
------------------------------------------------------------
INTERVIEW /// "Andrii Bondarenko - Kurios, Hand Balancer"
By: The Chapiteau, a Cirque du Soleil Fan Club
------------------------------------------------------------
Andrii Bondarenko is a 28 year old Ukrainian acrobat currently touring
with Cirque du Soleil's newest Big Top show Kurios. Get to know a bit
of Andrii as he tells us about his acrobatic beginnings, how he ended
up in Cirque du Soleil, when his dream came true and much more!
"I really love my job. It doesn't matter if I'm doing Banquine or if
I'm doing a solo act, I'm always trying to do my best. I really like
the stage. I enjoy every moment on stage."
Q. Where were you born?
I was born in Ukraine Mykolayiv city. It's close to Odesa. It's
south.
Q. How old are you?
I'm 28.
Q. Do you come from an acrobatic background or a circus background?
I came from acrobatics. At the age of 10, my father brought me to
acrobatic sports. It was kind of late because usually kids start at 6
years old. I had some basics because I was taking part in karate, so I
had some flexibility. It helped me for my future in Acrosports. In
2002 I won my first world competition. It was at the European
Championships in Belgium. I won 1st place (I won three gold medals). I
started to go on many competitions and usually placed 1st and 2nd
place. I won World Games it's like Olympic Games but for sports not
included in Olympics Games. It's a very important competition. So, I
won this competition in 2005 in Duisburg, Germany. After that, I
decided no more Acrosports, so I left acrobatics.
In 2006, Cirque du Soleil invited our four-men group to do general
formation for 3 months. I was the flyer in our four-men group. We were
learning acting and dance, so it was a really good experience for us.
After this formation, we went back home and after maybe one month, we
got a proposal to do special events with Cirque du Soleil. We did a
special event for Mercedes(Benz) McLaren in Spain. I met Michel
Laprise in 2007 when we did a special event for Fiat Bravo, which he
directed.
Q. So you went to Cirque du Soleil in 2006. You said that you were
scouted by Cirque du Soleil; you didn't audition. Cirque invited
you to do the formation?
Yes.
Q. And when you did the formation, you weren't invited for a show yet
It was formation for Quidam Banquine but only two of us had proposals,
so we decided to stay together and said no to Cirque. In 2010, we were
working in another show, not with Cirque du Soleil, and our group was
separated. After that we got proposals again from Cirque du Soleil to
join Quidam's Arena tour in the Banquine group.
It was actually my dream since I was young. I saw Quidam on TV and it
was my dream to get in Quidam's Banquine group. My dream came true in
2010.
Q. So you grew up knowing about Cirque du Soleil and knowing about
Quidam. Was that always your goal? Were you working towards being
in Cirque du Soleil, Quidam or did this just happen?
I would say yes. It was one of my favorite shows ever since I saw it
on TV. It just was my dream to get there. So it was a formation for
Quidam's arena tour in 2010 and we started working in 2011.
Q. How long did you do the special events for?
It was just temporary contracts; just for a few weeks. We did two with
Cirque du Soleil. After that, we worked in varieties/dinner shows in
Germany.
Q. Now, in 2010, you're in Quidam and you're doing the formation. The
formation process would you say it's difficult? How was the
experience for you?
You mean from 2006 or 2010?
Q. From 2010 when you were joining Quidam
It was a good experience and it was kind of hard. We had two trainings
a one day. The first training started at 8 and finished at 12,
followed by a break. The second training started at 4 and we would
usually finish at 8 or 9. It was hard work, but we did it. It was a
good experience. This formation was in Verkhivtseve, Ukraine. It was
actually creation for Quidam's arena tour. We spent about 7 or 8
months there before we went to Montreal. There were 22 people in
Verkhivtseve, Ukraine for creation but only 18 went to Montreal. It
was also kind of audition.
Q. What did you like about Quidam so much that you wanted to be part
of that?
I really like the idea and the music. When you're watching Quidam and
Zoë puts the hat on her head and the chairs start to go up, you get
goosebumps. It's really impressive. It has really strong music. The
acts are really strong. For me, even now, it's one of the best shows.
Q. How long were you in Quidam?
I left Quidam in January 2014 and I got a proposal to join the new
show. The name was still Cirque 2014. I said ok and they invited me
first as a Banquine flyer. Also, I was supposed to be a backup for
Rola Bola and do Hand Balancing on the platform, if Rola Bola is not
working.
Q. You were contracted to do Banquine, but what act are you currently
performing? You're not doing Banquine anymore, right?
No. I was learning Hand Balancing and if you saw my act with the
chairs, before, the idea was only the top. It just happened with time
and now I'm doing Hand Balancing. Two weeks before the premiere, the
creator, Michel Laprise, decided to implement this chair act from the
bottom and to build the chairs and start the dinner from the bottom.
It's like a surprise. The guy starts to build the chairs from the top;
It's kind of a mirror effect. This show is now one of my favorite and
I'm so happy to be here.
Q. Let's go back to the creation process of Kurios. How was that?
For me it was good. It was not really difficult. We had a really good
creator, Michel Laprise. He's really smart. He had crazy ideas and he
made these ideas work in this show. You will be surprised when you see
the show. You're not going to expect this.
Q. Did you find that Michel Laprise has a different thought process
because he comes from Cirque du Soleil?
I think he was in auditions first, in casting. Actually, for this
show, he invited some artists himself.
Q. So he was scouting for the artists himself?
Yes, most of the artists. It's very easy to work with him because he
has a good experience with the people and he's a really nice person.
He didn't press on the artists and it was a pleasure working with him.
Q. What does your act represent in the show and how does it fit in?
It's called Upside Down World. So, I start from the bottom and I build
the chairs up. At one point there is a pause and all the focus goes
to the top. We start the dinner on the bottom and then when my act
starts. I'm trying to reach the chandelier because there is a
character (The Mentalist) who pulls the chandelier up. I'm trying to
reach the chandelier, which is why I'm building the chairs. I'm also
doing some hand balancing tricks. At the pause, all the focus goes to
the top when the chandelier goes higher, then you see the top has the
same dinner we have on the bottom. It's a really good effect and the
people react very well. The top chandelier goes down and the guy
starts to build chairs from the top. Eventually, we meet in the middle
and we hold the chandelier. He holds from the top and I hold from the
bottom. It's like a mirror effect.
Q. In Quidam you were part of a team, Banquine, and now you're more of
a solo performer. Do you like this better? Do you find that it's
too different?
Sometimes I miss Banquine, but all the time when I'm on stage, I
really love my job. It doesn't matter for me if I'm doing Banquine or
if I'm doing a solo act, I'm always trying to do my best. Of course a
solo act for me is better. Now I'm doing Hand Balancing and I really
love it. Also, I was working with my brother in Quidam.
Q. Is your brother still with the show?
Yes. He's still in Quidam.
Q. What is your training schedule like?
I usually have training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We only have one
day off on Monday. Sometimes, although not often, Monday and
Tuesday, but usually only Monday off. My training starts on Tuesdays
around 1 or 2 pm. I usually wake up, have some coffee and then I go to
the Big Top. We have free food here, so I have my dinner and then I do
my warm up and start to train.
Q. How long does it take to do your makeup?
About 45 minutes. It's not hard for me.
Q. What do you like to do on your days off?
I like biking, I like to go to a park. It depends on the weather. It
also depends on the city if we have some beaches, swimming pool, I
prefer this. Usually on Sundays after two shows we go to the sauna and
relax in there because it's very important for us to relax our body
and muscles.
Q. Do you usually do stuff in the morning before a show?
Yes. Sometimes we have some media interviews and then some training.
For example yesterday, kids came to Cirque du Soleil from Cirque du
Monde. I had training but some guys were doing workshops with them.
Q. What would you say is the toughest part of the touring life?
You know, I like my life because it's touring life and we meet new
people, new cities, new hotels, new apartments, new places. We're
exploring as much as we can. When I was in Quidam, it was an arena
tour and we changed cities every week, so we only had two days off. We
couldn't see too much in two days because on Mondays we would be
tired, so we would stay in the hotel. On Tuesdays we went out and saw
some monuments, some good places. Here in the Big Top, I like it
better because we stay 2 or 3 months in one place, so we have more
time to see and explore the cities and new places.
Q. Do you plan on staying with Kurios for a while?
I will see. So far, yes. I like this show. Like I said, I think it's a
very successful show and one of the best in Cirque du Soleil. I like
our team; we're like a big family. Everybody cares about each other
and we support one another. I really like it.
Q. In your opinion, why should we see the show?
In this show you will see some crazy ideas that you're not expecting.
It's not the standard way of the Cirque. Here are so many new ways.
Even if you come only to the Big Top area, you will see characters
already waiting for you on the Big Top roof.
Q. Speaking of characters, do you think in the future you would be
open to maybe playing a character?
Yeah. Actually, when I was in Quidam, I was the Target character
backup. I was doing the Target character and then I would change my
costume to do Banquine. After my act I would run backstage to change
my costume again and I would go into the finale as the Target
character. Yes, I'm open to this as well. I really like the stage. I'm
enjoying every moment on stage.
Q. What can you say to those who are aspiring to be performing on
stage?
Just enjoy and give to the public all your energy and you will receive
double or triple back.
# # #
Read and HEAR this fantastic interview on The Chapiteau's Website:
< http://www.thechapiteau.com/interviews/andrii-bondarenko/ >
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
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Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 15, Number 4 (Issue #135) - April 2015
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2015 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a
subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter
can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or
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Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil,
Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright
infringement intended.
{ Apr.06.2015 }
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