Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Cirque du Soleil is always looking for new worlds to conquer. So, it was only natural that the entertainment giant that has offered everything from a Beatles-themed Las Vegas show to an “Avatar”-inspired extravaganza should take to the ice.
Cirque’s arena-sized spectacle is “Crystal,” a version of what we’ve come to expect from the Canadian company. Bringing together the acrobatic and skating worlds has added elements of speed and danger, even for a company that incorporates high-flying aerialists and BMX riders into performances.
4 comments:
I am super excited to see Crystal this weekend. Daniel a fellow drama student and I attended the workshop that the Stage managers gave back in November and we both knew we had to see this show. I find it extremely interesting that this is the first show done on ice. Disney has been doing ice shows for years and you would think that Cirque would have done the same. They seem to have put a lot of money into this production by getting former Olympic winners to skate for them. I wonder how the quality of the show well be compared to the quality of skating.
A major thing that worries me is that when you see a Cirque show, the environment transports you into another world and you forget that you are in a tent in some random parking lot. How will they be able to create this effect while being an NHL arena? Cannot wait till Sunday to find out!
This seems like such an interesting concept and idea I have only had the pleasure of seeing of one cirque show but the idea with the added of the show being done on ice is something that I think can really add something different to the show. Cirque always seems to be pushing the industry and the ideas of what is and isn't possible further and further into the future. Ice shows have always been something that people I feel have looked down upon in the entertainment industry as something that is corny or unprofessional in its nature not reaching the heights that it possibly could. With Cirque it is a company and a name that can help bring the performance type into a field that needs more attention and growth that will make it flourish and gain more notable recognition in the world of art. I'm really excited to hopefully see this show but I really can't wait to see where cirque goes.
The constant innovations and explorations of Cirque is definitely exciting, and performing on Ice seems to be a natural next step for them. I have never had the pleasure of seeing a Cirque show, but It's always been a desire of mine so maybe I'll make this one my first! I can only imagine what kinds of stomach churning stunts the company will perform, and on ice no less. Don't get me wrong, I'm a relatively competent ice skater, but anything more advanced than lazily milling around in circles is beyond me. I can't imagine the skill and precision that will be showcased in this production, and hopefully I'll be able to catch a glimpse of it somehow! In any case, I love how Cirque keeps evolving, and really stays fresh and new. You would think that the circus would be considered antiquated now, but Cirque has taken that spirit and made it into a modern, exciting, and evolving animal that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
I have only seen Cirque du Solei once as a kid, but I remember being completely astonished by the acrobatics and theatrics. The Cirque team creates something that is amazing, mystical, and completely gorgeous in a very highly sophisticated, yet accessible manner (accessible in the sense that all age groups can appreciate it deeply). Putting the show on ice creates many complications in the design and rehearsal process, as well as the performance itself. I really appreciate the hard work that Cirque is doing to continue to break boundaries (possibly through broken bones..?) and evolve our definition of circuses, spectacles, and theatre. I have always loved going to the Big Apple Circus as a child and, though Cirque is totally different, they have something important in common: Wild animals are not their main attraction. I think it's important to show the value in spectacle that is human, beautiful, incredible, and cruelty free.
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