Cirque du Soleil loves San Diego. Or at least the fabulously successful fantasy entertainment machine knows it has a cash cow in our local population. It always has, ever since it came into town in the late 1980s. And, thankfully for us, the high-concept circus troupe from Montreal keeps coming back, usually every two years with a new touring show.
Now, as you probably know, I am a big Cirque du Soleil fan - I've loved the shows ever since I saw the first one some 20 years ago. And though each show is, at its most basic, essentially the same (clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and New Age-y music), each show is as different as they are similar.
Of the recent shows that have come to San Diego, "Varekai (2004)" was stunning, one of the best ever. "Quidam," which was here in 2006, was a bit more ethereal, but no less entertaining. So, I'll go on a limb and say that the latest touring show, "Corteo," which debuts here on Jan. 11, will be of the same high standard and excellence of other Cirque shows.
"Corteo," which means "cortege (funeral procession)" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. Corteo, created and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, has a cast that includes 61 artists from 16 countries.
The world premiere of Corteo was on April 21, 2005 in Montréal, Canada. Since then, Corteo has visited the following cities: Québec City, Toronto, Minneapolis, San Francisco, San Jose, Phoenix, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC, in addition to the 2008 San Diego debut.
Presented in the 2,700 seat state of the art blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau on the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Corteo has a unique stage and seating configuration in which the stage runs down the middle of the big top and divides the audience into two sides.
The acts of Corteo include:
Acro-Duet
In this beautiful choreographed dance, a couple gracefully glides through a series of acrobatic and artistic poses highlighting superior strength, balance, and rhythm.
Adagio Duet
This masterful, tender pas-de-deux using contortion and hand-balancing is performed by a duo of little people, on a vertical ring set into a pivoting platform.
Artist Marionette
Like a live puppet, an artist marionette suddenly appears in an innovative, rigging apparatus to play with the Dead Clown in a setting which evokes a beach scene from his childhood.
Bouncing Beds
Like a gaggle of young kids playing in their grandparents’ room, six artists jump on two 600-pound beds that move on rotating platforms. In a playful atmosphere, they perform acrobatic feats, each more daring than the last.
Chandeliers
Four women, the Dead Clown’s former loves, come together in dreamlike joy. They perform aerial acrobatics on three giant chandeliers that spin above the Dead Clown’s bed.
Cyr Wheel
Four artists perform solos and group figures on Cyr wheels. The simplicity of the Cyr wheel’s line—a pure circle—sets off the intricate and energetic performance.
Crystal Glasses and Tibetan Bowls
Implored by the Dead Clown and the Giant as they prepare to perform a haunting melody on crystal glasses, the Loyal Whistler, a whistling virtuoso, showcases his remarkable talent in a breathtaking performance.
Duo-Straps
In this mesmerizing act, a duet use aerial straps to create a magical and tender connection that enchants the audience with beautiful displays of agility, balance, and strength.
Juggling
Four young artists perform fast-moving feats of prowess in a surprising act that blends juggling and acrobatics. With unsurpassed style, they defy the law of gravity as they juggle successively
with rings, hoops and clubs.
Wow, sounds like a pretty exciting show, now, doesn't it?
Corteo Show Essentials
Show ScheduleTuesdays thru Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
No performances on Mondays
Corteo Ticket Prices
$50.00 - $85.00 for Adults
$35.00 - $59.50 for Children (ages 2-12)
$45.00 - $76.50.00 for Students (13+) and Seniors (65+)*
*Weekdays performances on Tuesday - Thursday, and Friday at 4:00 p.m.
Tapis Rouge VIP Package
This special package includes one of the best seats in the house, and exclusive access to the VIP suite one hour before the show and during intermission. Tickets are $210.00 for adults and $147.00 for children.
About Cirque du Soleil:
From the 20 or so performers that the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with over 3,800 employees, including 1,000 artists who hail from 40 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has thrilled over 70 million spectators in more than 100 cities on four continents. With its International Headquarters in Montreal, the organization is presenting 15 different shows around the world in 2007.
