Cirque du Soleil Dazzles in San Francisco

Curiously enough, the SF Giants, as exciting and as exhilarating as they proved to be, are not the only show in town. Ladies and gentlemen, the Cirque is coming to town and I will definitely be there as they perform under the iconic blue-and-yellow big top at the city’s AT&T Park.

Fascinated and infatuated with Cirque du Soleil since I first saw them twenty-four years ago in London, I never missed an opportunity to see them wherever I might be at the moment – whether in Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, New York, San Jose or Las Vegas. Does that make me a Cirque groupie?

Like most of the Cirque’s shows, Kurios will continue the company’s well-established tradition of showcasing the multifaceted and thrilling display of the artists’ breathtaking virtuosity and the luminous style of costumes, sets, music, songs, kaleidoscopic illumination, and their own interpretation, far beyond my imagination.

Written and directed by the brilliant Michel Laprise, the new touring production of Kurios is making its U.S. premiere in the city by the bay. Celebrating Cirque du Soleil’s 30th anniversary, this is the thirty-fifth production of the Montreal-based company, whose remarkably creative illusions and the razzle-dazzle of its dynamic performers are reflected in Kurios, along with their ability to capture the spectators’ hearts, imagination, dreams, and aspirations.

According to the company’s press release, the name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker’s Cabinet of Curiosities. It is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audiences inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. Ah, if only it were that easy in the real world. But after all, it is a fantasy and if there were ever a perfect time for an article with less verbiage and more photos, this is the right time.

Following my communications with Michel Laprise, I am happy to share our Q &A e-session. His philosophy behind the Kurios creative process resulted in a spectacular and entertaining show and Bay Area audiences are definitely in for a treat. Michel Laprise worked in theater for nine years as an actor, director, and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. A graduate of the National Theatre School in Montreal, Michel Laprise studied at London’s Royal Academy. Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities is Michel Laprise’s first engagement as Director of a Cirque du Soleil touring show.

Q. How do you keep the magic going?

A. It’s a daily exercise. I think it’s a matter of attitude. The results you see in the show are the results of the habits that we created in the studio. We are thankful that we work in an environment where art is everywhere. At Cirque du Soleil Headquarters, we held a lot of meetings when we created Kurios. There is daily interaction between the creative team and we welcome the contribution of everyone involved. Once the show is created, I tend to have regular contact with the creative team. I go see the people who sew the costumes. I believe if the director is there in direct contact with them, they will be open to suggesting new ideas. I believe the show becomes richer that way.

Q. What inspires you when creating new shows?

A. I’m very sensitive to the different manifestations in life. I notice nature all around me. Human contact between people makes me feel more alive. When I create a show, I want everything to be alive. However, it’s not just me creating the show, it’s a group effort. I think because it’s a group creation, it’s the talent of everybody involved that makes the show a success. Everyone involved in creating a new show becomes inspired by the talent around them. For example, the Russian Cradle performers will be inspired by the humorous talent of the comic character. The comic character will be inspired by the agility of the contortionists, and so on.

Q. How does Cirque du Soleil find new performing artists around the world? And what language of communications is used among the cast and the directors?

A. Cirque du Soleil Headquarters has a big casting department. It is over 30 people. There is also a network of contacts in many cities around the world. The internet also plays a big part in casting. Performers and musicians have the opportunity to submit their video demos online which go directly to the casting department in Montreal. Though we have performers from all around the world in Kurios, the universal language is English. It creates a beautiful environment because we have a collection of accents. For those performers who don’t speak English, Cirque du Soleil provides them with English lessons beginning their second week at Cirque du Soleil.

Photos courtesy of Cirque du Soleil. For tickets visit cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or call 1–800–450–1480.

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, not the best of ‘‘balabostas’’ her beloved beautiful Mom, Dina, was hoping for. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out.

By Lina Broydo