MESMERIZED.
I watched the entire LUZIA show with my mouth agape...you know, like a little kid watches fireworks, or their favorite movie character when they see them live?
Yeah, that was me.
I’ve seen lots of shows in Denver, but this was my very first Cirque du Soleil. I’ve heard they were good, but nothing prepared me for the amazing show I was lucky enough to watch!
Many of you have probably seen the tent in the parking lot of the Pepsi Center. What you don’t see from the outside is the Cirque City that lies within! Beyond the stage, there is a costume shop, gym, storage, laundry facility, training area, and much, much more!
There is room for about 2600 audience members, but the feel is incredibly intimate. I felt like I was almost part of the show. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, with the rotating stage and “in the round” seating.
We were fortunate enough to visit behind the scenes with a backstage tour after the show! Some tidbits and fun facts that I learned:
There are 44 cast members and over 100 crew (costume, chefs, lighting, etc) who work on the show.
Many of the cast members work out after the show, focusing on areas that are not worked during the production. I have to admit, it was pretty crazy to see one of the performers on the treadmill backstage, after what seemed like a very intense workout onstage!
Denver is the 4th city on the tour this year...LUZIA will visit six additional US cities, and then head out internationally.
After its 12 year run in Big Tops across the globe, LUZIA will change up the show to accommodate smaller venues who cannot host tent shows...and hold them in arenas.
Performers and crew come from all over the world...flags on the Big Top show countries that are represented.
Average length for performers to stay with one Cirque show is about 5 years, although there are many who stay the entire length of the show...up to 20 years! Performers often “retire” to non-performance positions in the shows, or move on to other Cirque shows.
Every show is recorded, and performers watch their performances regularly. Cirque keeps EVERY recording of EVERY show!
Cirque du Soleil helps performers with college expenses, and many performers have degrees in other areas...like accounting!
Families often travel with the performers...we sat behind Adagio performer, Kelly McDonald’s parents! They were here watching the show, from their hometown of Seattle. Kelly’s background is in gymnastics, as are many of the performers. She was AMAZING...such control!
Performers train in Canada for at least 4 months before they even get to the show, and train for two additional months before they get onstage!
The tents and stage are put together in 7 days.
Hand painted or stamped costumes are washed after every performance, and shoes are repainted almost daily. They are all created just for LUZIA, because fabric patterns retire and become impossible to find. Costumes are ever-evolving, based on the performers’ needs during the show.
The water feature recycles 600 liters of water during the show, and it is clean enough to drink! The water temperature starts off at over 100 degrees, but it cools to 80 degrees as it is falling!
The LUZIA juggler, Rudolf Janecek, is the Guiness World Record holder for the fastest juggling!
Performers often start training as very young children...23 year old contortionist Alexkei Goloborodko began at 4 years old!
The cast and crew live in apartments in the city they are performing in. They have most of the day to explore! Cirque du Soleil shows visit cities for 5 weeks to 3 months...just enough time to get comfortable in the location, before they move on!
The Cirque shows are constantly changing, based on performer and audience feedback...you won’t see the same show twice!
“Cirque du Soleil LUZIA, a waking dream of Mexico, brilliantly captures both the traditional and modern cultural aspects of Mexico. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, in association with Brigitte Poupart, LUZIA is a remarkable visual ode to the spirit of Mexico's landscapes and people. LUZIA is a fusion of "luz" which translates into light and "lluvia" which translates into rain.”
If you can see one show this summer, make it LUZIA! Everyone, from toddlers to grandparents will be mesmerized...like me!
