CMU School of Drama


Friday, October 09, 2009

Review: Joyfully daring acrobatic feats fill 'Alegria'

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Ninety-three individuals representing at least 17 countries have taken over the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.
No, it's not the return of the G-20.
Cirque du Soleil, the imaginative and flamboyant Montreal-based entertainment troupe, is in residence through Sunday with its lavish, highly entertaining touring show 'Alegria.'"

4 comments:

Liz Willett said...

It's really great that Cirque is taking a show on the road. This will help open their audience pool up to those who can't travel to Vegas, or their other permanent show locations. One of the main drawbacks is the ticket price. I understand that Cirque can afford to keep their ticket prices high, but when people really want to see their show, and can't afford it, it's rather unsettling. There is something about Cirque that draws in an audience, I think by now it is the name. But its also the performance and entertainment expected when you pay that close to $100 for a ticket. You expect to be razzle-dazzled. You don't go into many shows knowing that you're going to be blown away by death-defying feats, but Cirque supplies a sort of on-edge entrancing performance.

Tom Strong said...

Having just gone to see the show yesterday I agree with most of the article, it's a huge spectacle of a show from the acrobatics, clowns, singing, and music to the technical accomplishments backstage to make it all happen. When a stage that large and complex can be assembled in a day and taken down and loaded out in under 4 hours those technical accomplishments seem to outweigh what goes on in front of the curtain. What Tait has done to make a show like this happen is incredible.

Robert said...

this seems like it is prit amazing in the way that they are doing as show not in a tent or in a permanent place they are doing it in an arena. i find it some what strange that they are doing a show in this type of venue. also when the reviewer sad that the front on seats are the only one that are rill good the one on the sides are ok it seems like the design team would have looked at that also with this type of show with the building always change i think that this might be better in different locations that they go to. i would like to go see this show and see if it is as good as other shows that i have seen.

Cody said...

This show was spectacular. I expected nothing less from Cirque. The back stage was interesting and not as exciting as I expected. Tait has branded everything with their logo. I think they have earned the right to. They really pay attention to ever detail and make the crew's job insanely simple. They took a 9 day load in and shortened it to a few hours. I know there is no tent to set up, but Tait really limited the stage setup as well. Well done, amazing and can't wait for the next one.