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DENVER (CBS4) - The Cirque du Soleil show "Corteo" returns to Colorado for a week-long run at the Pepsi Center. The show celebrates traditional circus acts centered around the story of a clown dreaming of his own funeral.

"Corteo is one of the most unique Cirque du Soleil productions," said Maxwell Batista, senior publicist for Cirque Du Soleil. "It's a lot of hard work, a lot of hours, and a lot of people as well."

The show features a team of more than 110 people from 52 different nationalities. While so many performers take the stage, there is a tech staff of 32 working behind the scenes. It takes an entire day to setup the show, which is touring across North America, but only three hours to tear down and start the move to the next city.

Batista travels with the show and spoke to CBS4 inside the Pepsi Center as the entire cast and crew were preparing for opening night.

"It's really exciting because the audience is always showing their love," said Batista. "The performers can feel that on stage."

The show has a dark undertone with the image of a funeral. But, the journey this clown takes is one that celebrates the greatest moments of his life with friends from around the world.

Corteo runs Aug. 15 - 22 at the Pepsi Center. The show was last in Colorado in May 2018.

"Corteo is the show that brings people to a different experience," Batista said. "It's easy for you to connect with what's happening on stage because you see a human."
LINK: Cirque du Soleil Corteo

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'Corteo' Focuses On Clown's Journey As He Celebrates Joyous Moments Of Life

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DENVER (CBS4) - The Cirque du Soleil show "Corteo" returns to Colorado for a week-long run at the Pepsi Center. The show celebrates traditional circus acts centered around the story of a clown dreaming of his own funeral. "Corteo is one of the most unique Cirque du Soleil productions," said Maxwell Batista, senior publicist for Cirque Du Soleil.

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Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil's Corteo in Denver

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Cirque Du Soleil gave Westword a behind-the-scenes look at Corteo, which the international circus troupe will perform at the Pepsi Center through August 22, 2019.

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From August 15 through 22 the Cirque du Soleil traveling show "Corteo" stops in Denver to transform the Pepsi Center into a microcosm of angelic whimsy and lighthearted worldly departures. Corteo debuted in Montreal, Canada in 2005 and has undergone a variety of production improvements since to create the arena-sized spectacle that exists today. As no flash photography is allowed during the show, we stopped by during rehearsal to capture the magic details that create the world-renowned shown known as Corteo. Tickets are still available here.

Corteo gathers its inspiration from its Italian meaning, which translates to procession. The celebratory circus parade themed performance is contrasted by the storyline of a clown proceeding through his funeral and departure from the mortal world. During his transitionary period from Earth to the heavens, the protagonist encounters an otherworldly array of playful angels and theatrical characters that guide (and often mischievously misguide) him through the dream state. With thought-provoking themes painting throughout and equally bountiful moments of comedic relief, Corteo keeps each member of the crowd engaged and enthralled for the duration of the show. Cirque du Soleil leaves no detail disregarded in the pursuit of creating an immersive experience. Upon entering the arena, a floor to ceiling artistic representation of the various characters in Corteo enthralls the audience. The semi-translucent curtains draw inspiration from the Adolphe Willette painting "Parce Domine," and serve as the first introduction of the circus procession theme to the onlookers.

In true Cirque du Soleil fashion, performers interact with the audience through animated skits before the curtains rise and periodically throughout the show. A mainstay throughout the evening, the side stage hosts a percussionist in classic clown garb. If timed correctly, audience members can catch a glimpse of twirling drumsticks and spirited reactions from the musical act. The stage remains full of surprises as the awe-inspiring feats compete with one another in creativity and execution. Each equally brilliant in their own right, the various acrobatics defy logic to push the boundaries of what's humanly possible to illicit the classic uproar of applause expected in a circus setting.

A particularly enthusiastic cheer from the audience began when a pint-sized character began floating from the stage to the audience by way of massive helium balloons. The woman used the audience members hands as stepping stones to make her way back to the stage, but not before sprinkling her peppery commentary throughout the onlooking participants. Corteo finds the line between real and imagined, the new world and the old, and explores the infinite possibilities of the in-between. Cirque du Soleil serves to re-spark and reengage the imagination by presenting possibilities one never imagined could exist. The pinnacle of human performance, Cirque du Soleil delivered their unwaveringly impressive collection of physical triumphs in a well-rehearsed immersive experience of theatrical storytelling.

Whether it's your first or returning visit to the world of Cirque, there are plenty of hidden gems and timeless wonders packed into Corteo for visitors to enjoy time and time again. To view available tickets for the remaining nights, click here.
All photography by Glenn Ross.

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Review - Cirque Du Soleil's Corteo Intertwines Life, Death and Entertainment

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From August 15 through 22 the Cirque du Soleil traveling show "Corteo" stops in Denver to transform the Pepsi Center into a microcosm of angelic whimsy and lighthearted worldly departures. Corteo debuted in Montreal, Canada in 2005 and has undergone a variety of production improvements since to create the arena-sized spectacle that exists today.

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SAN ANTONIO -- Corteo, the latest Cirque du Soleil's arena production, is hitting AT&T Center this weekend.

Limited run of 6 performances

Premiered in front of 8 million people

Clown pictures his own funeral in a carnival atmosphere

The show will be in San Antonio from August 8 to 11 for a limited run of six performances.

The production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has premiered in front of 8 million people in 19 countries on four continents.

Artist Sante Fortunato said her favorite part of working with Cirque Du Soleil is being able to see different cities and perform in front of different audiences. When asked about her experience in San Antonio, she said:

"The people seem very nice, but it's very hot."

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown.

The lead, a clown, pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. The show brings together the story as acrobats plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun unfolding in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The cast of Corteo includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

Advance tickets for Corteo are available online to Cirque Club members and on the AT&T Center website.

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"Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo" Coming to San Antonio This Weekend

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SAN ANTONIO -- Corteo, the latest Cirque du Soleil's arena production, is hitting AT&T Center this weekend. Limited run of 6 performances Premiered in front of 8 million people Clown pictures his own funeral in a carnival atmosphere The show will be in San Antonio from August 8 to 11 for a limited run of six performances.

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El Cirque Du Soleil llega al sur de la florida con el espectáculo "Corteo"

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Former SeaWorld San Antonio performer among cast in Cirque du Soleil tour

Photos By Dominique Lemieux

A funeral may be at the heart of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo but cast member Joseane Martins Costa says the production still includes plenty of joy.

At the AT&T Center Aug. 8-11, the acrobatic-laced show depicts a clown who is picturing his own funeral procession, which Costa says takes place in a carnival or circus-like atmosphere rather than a somber environment.

Corteo is drawn from the Italian word that means joyous procession so she says the production leans into the whimsy and fun of circus life. "It touches your soul," says Costa, who performed in SeaWorld San Antonio's Azul before becoming a cast member at Cirque du Soleil a year ago.

A native of Brazil, Costa grew up doing ballet, gymnastics and synchronized swimming and says she'd longed dreamed of joining the Canadian-based troupe that's known for its gravity-defying stunts, artistry and creative storytelling. After auditioning while still working at SeaWorld San Antonio in 2018, she moved to Montreal to train for three months with Cirque du Soleil and then spent another two months learning her specific role in Corteo -that of an angel.

Fellow cast member Alexandr "Sasha" Yudintsev has been with Cirque du Soleil for over 10 years and says this show is a departure from other productions, in part, because he and several other cast members get to play humans. "I'm basically playing myself-a goofy, circus guy," he says.

And while many of the Cirque du Soleil shows are designed to be enjoyed best from one side, Corteo is choreographed like a traditional "big top" circus, which means it provides 360-degree views like those enjoyed in arenas like the AT&T Center, where the show will be performed. "You'll see everything," Yudintsev says.

He and Costa are among 51 actors, musicians, acrobats and singers from around the world who are featured in Corteo. He and Costa say working together in a production that features lots of details and stunts requires incredible focus plus training sessions each day before the show. "It's intense," says Costa.
Corteo
Thursday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 11

AT&T Center
attcenter.com

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Cirque Du Soleil Brings Corteo to San Antonio

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Photos By Dominique Lemieux A funeral may be at the heart of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo but cast member Joseane Martins Costa says the production still includes plenty of joy. At the AT&T Center Aug. 8-11, the acrobatic-laced show depicts a clown who is picturing his own funeral procession, which Costa says takes place in a carnival or circus-like atmosphere rather than a somber environment.

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WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

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SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - Cirque du Soleil performers practiced their routines at the BB&T Center in Sunrise ahead of opening night.

Some of the 52 performers could be seen practicing their routines, Wednesday, which included plenty of high-flying tricks.

"Corteo" is a tribute to the traditional circus as seen through the eyes of a clown.

The show begins Wednesday night and runs through Aug. 4.
Copyright 2019 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Cirque du Soleil performers practice routines ahead of opening night

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SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - Cirque du Soleil performers practiced their routines at the BB&T Center in Sunrise ahead of opening night. Some of the 52 performers could be seen practicing their routines, Wednesday, which included plenty of high-flying tricks. "Corteo" is a tribute to the traditional circus as seen through the eyes of a clown.

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CORTEO: Entrevista com a acrobata brasileira do espetáculo do Cirque du Soleil que celebra a vida no circo

Depois de se apresentar para oito milhões de pessoas e visitar mais de 60 cidades em 19 países ao longo de 10 anos, o espetáculo Corteo do Cirque Du Soleil fez sua última apresentação quatro anos atrás.

Em março de 2018, a companhia relançou o espetáculo como um show de arena, que chega ao sul da Flórida, no BB&T Center Arena, em Sunrise, a partir de 24 de julho e fica em apresentação até dia 4 de agosto.

Dirigido por Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo, que significa cortejo em italiano, é uma alegre procissão, um desfile festivo imaginado por um palhaço. O espetáculo reúne a paixão do palhaço com a graça e o poder do acrobata para mergulhar o público em um mundo teatral de diversão, comédia e espontaneidade situado em um espaço misterioso entre o céu e a terra.

Corteo é uma das melhores produções do Cirque du Soleil porque é uma celebração à vida.

Misturando o grande e o pequeno, o ridículo e o trágico, e a magia da perfeição com o charme da imperfeição, Corteo se concentra na força e fragilidade do palhaço, bem como em sua sabedoria e gentileza.

Esse espetáculo conta com a participação de 51 artistas - acrobatas, músicos, atores e cantores - de todo o mundo. O Brasil está bem representando não só no palco como nos bastidores também. São sete brasileiros que trabalhando como publicista, acrobata, palhaço, baterista, carpinteiro e figurinista.

Eu tive a oportunidade de conversar por telefone com a acrobata carioca Joseane Martins Costa que está a um ano nesse espetáculo. A acrobata interpreta o little angel (pequeno anjo, tradução livre) e também está no número chamado Paradis, que significa paraíso.

Confira no áudio abaixo a entrevista completa com Joseane onde ela explica o espetáculo, suas performances, sua preparação, a saudade do Brasil e muito mais.

https://gazetanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Joseane-Martins-Costa-fala-sobre-CORTEO-do-Cirque-Du-Soleil.mp3

Os ingressos estão disponíveis no site cirquedusoleil.com/corteo.
Baixe nosso app:

Comments

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CORTEO: Entrevista com a acrobata brasileira do espetáculo do Cirque du Soleil que celebra a vida no circo

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CORTEO: Entrevista com a acrobata brasileira do espetáculo do Cirque du Soleil que celebra a vida no circo Depois de se apresentar para oito milhões de pessoas e visitar mais de 60 cidades em 19 países ao longo de 10 anos, o espetáculo Corteo do Cirque Du Soleil fez sua última apresentação quatro anos atrás.

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More in the Morning's Kristen Clarke got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how their creative teams bring the show to life, and what it takes for the performers to execute skills at an elite level.

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Backstage Pass: Cirque Du Soleil is coming to Hertz Arena

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More in the Morning's Kristen Clarke got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how their creative teams bring the show to life, and what it takes for the performers to execute skills at an elite level.

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More in the Morning's Kristen Clarke got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how their creative teams bring the show to life, and what it takes for the performers to execute skills at an elite level.

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Backstage Pass: Cirque Du Soleil is coming to Hertz Arena

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More in the Morning's Kristen Clarke got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how their creative teams bring the show to life, and what it takes for the performers to execute skills at an elite level.

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ESTERO, Fla.-- Cirque Du Soleil has returned to Southwest Florida with their showing of "Corteo." The show is based on a festive parade imagined by a clown.

It 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.

Sasha Yudiltsev, a performer with the show, has been with the company for 12 years and he said this one is a must see.

""First of all, it's high intense and high-quality acrobatics, flying chandeliers trampoline beds, lots of acting good singing, and awesome music."

The show will be at Hertz Arena in Estero from now until Sunday, July 21.

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Cirque Du Soleil 'Corteo' showing at Hertz arena

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ESTERO, Fla.-- Cirque Du Soleil has returned to Southwest Florida with their showing of "Corteo." The show is based on a festive parade imagined by a clown. It 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.

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Obra de teatro dominicana llegará a las tablas de Paseo Wynwood

Productor de "The Batman" defiende a Robert Pattinson de los fans

"Corteo", que significa cortejo en italiano, mezcla la pasión del actor con la gracia y el poder del acróbata para sumergir al público en un mundo teatral de diversión, comedia y espontaneidad situado en un ambiente misterioso entre el cielo y la tierra

MIAMI.-La magia de Cirque du Soleil llegará al BB&T Center, en Broward, del 24 de julio al 4 de agosto, como parte de la gira del nuevo espectáculo, Corteo.

En la historia, un payaso, en la piel del artista circense español Lolo Fernández, imagina su funeral en medio de un ambiente festivo, que combina lo pequeño con lo grande y lo ridículo con lo trágico.

El show también destaca la fuerza y la debilidad del protagonista, así como su sabiduría y bondad para ilustrar el lado sensible que habita en cada ser humano.

Corteo, que significa cortejo en italiano, mezcla la pasión del actor con la gracia y el poder del acróbata para sumergir al público en un mundo teatral de diversión, comedia y espontaneidad situado en un ambiente misterioso entre el cielo y la tierra.

La escenografía y la música, que se vuelve juguetona y lírica, envuelven al espectador en una atmósfera teatral como nunca se había visto en los espectáculos del Cirque du Soleil.

El conjunto de cortinas, inspirado en la Torre Eiffel, así como las cortinas centrales, que fueron pintadas a mano, aportan un aire majestuoso al escenario. Y de esa manera se abre un espacio para la poesía.

El reparto de Corteo incluye 51 artistas, entre ellos acróbatas, músicos, cantantes y actores provenientes de diferentes países.

Para más información o boletos, consulte thebbtcenter.com o para conocer las fechas en otras ciudades, acceda cirquedusoleil.com/corteo.
FUENTE: REDACCIÓN

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Corteo, lo nuevo de Cirque du Soleil, aterrizará en el sur de la Florida

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"Corteo", que significa cortejo en italiano, mezcla la pasión del actor con la gracia y el poder del acróbata para sumergir al público en un mundo teatral de diversión, comedia y espontaneidad situado en un ambiente misterioso entre el cielo y la tierra

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Nuevamente los escenarios del sur de Florida se visten de gala para recibir a Cirque du Soleil.

Corteo visita el BB&T Center en Sunrise del 24 de Julio al 4 de agosto de 2019 con un total de 16 espectáculos subiendo a escena la encantadora producción llamado Corteo, que significa cortejo en italiano.

El show intenta proyectar una progresión alegre, un desfile festivo imaginado por un payaso. En realidad, se trata del 'cortejo' fúnebre de un payaso soñador, quien imagina su propio funeral rodeado de una fila de actos carnavalescos, todos supervisados por ángeles en acción.

Risas y sentimientos a flor de piel. Esta producción única, dirigida por Daniele Finzi Pasca, se estrenó por primera vez en Montreal bajo la Gran Carpa en abril de 2005.

"Desde entonces, el espectáculo ha sido un gran éxito que ha sorprendido a más de 9 millones de personas en 19 países distintos en 4 continentes, afirma la empresa.

El espectáculo, que celebró su actuación número 3,500 en 2015 en Bogotá, Colombia, reúne la pasión del actor con la gracia y el poder del acróbata para sumergir al público en un mundo teatral de diversión, comedia y espontaneidad situado en un espacio misterioso entre el cielo y la tierra.

El payaso imagina su propio funeral el cual se lleva a cabo en un ambiente de carnaval, vigilado por silenciosos ángeles de la guarda.

Yuxtaponiendo lo grande con lo pequeño, lo ridículo con lo trágico y la magia de la perfección con el encanto de la imperfección, el espectáculo resalta la fuerza y la fragilidad del payaso, así como su sabiduría y amabilidad, para ilustrar la porción de humanidad que hay dentro de cada uno de nosotros.

La música se vuelve lírica y juguetona llevando a Corteo a través de una celebración atemporal en la que la ilusión se burla de la realidad.

El concepto y la disposición del escenario envuelven al espectador en una atmósfera teatral como nunca se había visto en los espectáculos del Cirque du Soleil. El conjunto de cortinas, inspirado en la Torre Eiffel, y las cortinas centrales, que fueron pintadas a mano, dan una sensación grandiosa al escenario. Esto establece el tono para la poesía de Corteo.

El reparto de Corteo incluye 51 acróbatas, músicos, cantantes y actores de todo el mundo.

Los artistas de "Corteo" provienen de Argentina, Bielorrusia, Bélgica, Brasil, Canadá, Finlandia, Francia, Hungría, Italia, Japón, Kazajstán, Rumania, Rusia, Reino Unido, Ucrania, Estados Unidos y Uzbekistán.

Te compartimos algunos de los 16 los actos de acrobacia que podrán disfrutar los asistentes:

Escalera acrobática: Un especialista en escaleras asombra al público con su desconcertante equilibrio al realizar acrobacias en varias escaleras tratando desesperadamente de llegar al ángel que lo mira desde arriba

Artista Marionette: Como una marioneta en vivo, una marioneta de artista aparece en un innovador aparato para jugar con Mauro, el payaso soñador en un escenario evocando una escena de playa de su infancia.

Camas saltarinas: Como una manada de niños pequeños jugando en la sala de los abuelos, seis artistas saltan sobre dos camas de 600 libras que se mueven en rotación en un ambiente lúdico realizando hazañas acrobáticas, cada una más atrevida que la otra.

Candelabros: Cuatro mujeres, ex amores del payaso soñador, se unen en una alegría de ensueño realizando acrobacias aéreas en tres arañas gigantes que giran sobre la cama de Mauro.

Jarrones de vidrio y cuencos tibetanos: Implorado por Mauro el payaso soñador y El payaso gigante mientras se preparan para actuar. Una melodía inquietante en copas de cristal, el leal Whistler, un silbato virtuoso, muestra su destacado talento en una actuación impresionante.

Rueda Cyr: Cinco artistas interpretan solos y en grupo a través acrobacias la simplicidad de las ruedas Cyr.

Danza helio: Un momento tierno y poético entre Mauro, el payaso soñador y su pequeño payaso deleitan a la audiencia con un deleite infantil.

Tournik: Un grupo de artistas se cruzan en el aire en una acrobacia que combina las técnicas de la barra horizontal con el arte del circo. Los artistas actúan en forma de cubo central, una estructura con dos barras adicionales en cada lado del cubo. La complejidad del patrón del susto y la gravedad te mantendrá en el borde de tu asiento.

Para crear más de 260 disfraces para el elenco de Corteo, la diseñadora Dominique Lemieux se propuso acentuar la belleza natural de los artistas usando más de 100 telas y adornos diferentes, concentrándose en una sutil paleta de colores que incluye azules, rosas, fucsia y oro con lentejuelas y joyas.

La mayoría de las telas fueron teñidas, sublimadas y serigrafiadas e impresas manteniendo los atributos necesarios para acrobacias de alto rendimiento.

Hay numerosos ángeles en Corteo como el angelito, los arcángeles y los grandes ángeles. En promedio, cada vestido de ángel requiere 25 metros de tela, lo que se traduce en más de 500 metros de material, casi como lo que se necesita para cubrir cinco campos de fútbol.

Como dato curioso, igualmente, para un solo año de operación, los artistas requieren más de 200 botellas de base líquida, cientos de sombras de ojos, coloretes, lápices y lápices labiales, así como más de 50 litros de líquido para retirar el maquillaje.

Originalmente compuesto por 20 artistas callejeros en 1984, Cirque du Soleil reinventó por completo las artes circenses y se convirtió en un líder mundial en entretenimiento artístico. Establecida en Montreal, la organización canadiense ha maravillado y deleitado a más de 180 millones de espectadores con 42 producciones que se han llevado a cabo en cerca de 450 ciudades en 60 países.

Cirque du Soleil cuenta actualmente con más de 4,500 empleados, incluyendo 1,400 artistas de 70 países distintos. Solo en 2019, 20 espectáculos se presentarán simultáneamente en todo el mundo.

Qué: "Corteo" del Cirque du Soleil del 24 de julio al 8 de agosto. 4

Dónde: En el Centro BB & T, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise.

Horarios: De 7:30 p.m. miércoles-sábados (y martes 30 de julio); 5 p.m. domingos; 3:30 p.m. sábados (y viernes 26 de julio); 1 p.m. domingos.

Boletos: Desde $59 a $221 (los niños de 2 a 12 años $35). Los boletos para conocer y saludar a los artistas cuestan $174.

yvaldez@sunsentinel.com, 954-225-1078, @yvonnehvaldezz en FB, Twitter e Instagram.

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Cirque du Soleil llega con 'Corteo' a Sunrise el 24 de julio

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Nuevamente los escenarios del sur de Florida se visten de gala para recibir a Cirque du Soleil. Corteo visita el BB&T Center en Sunrise del 24 de Julio al 4 de agosto de 2019 con un total de 16 espectáculos subiendo a escena la encantadora producción llamado Corteo, que significa cortejo en italiano.

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Advertisement

the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production will visit Sunrise at the BB&T Center Arena from July 24 to August 4, for a limited run of sixteen performances. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has been a great success and has amazed 8 million people in 19 countries on four continents.

, which means e in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music turns lyrical and playful carrying through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

The concept and disposition of the stage bring the audience in a theatrical atmosphere like never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena shows. The set curtains, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and the central curtains, which were hand painted, give a grandiose feel to the stage. This sets the tone for the poetry of Corteo.

The cast of includes 52 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world. It was a pleasure to sit down with Juggler Johan Juslin, for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

How old were you when you decided you wanted to be a performer?
I was 10 years old when I really decided this is what I really wanted to do for my career.
Was it always juggling, or how did that come about?
Yes, I saw Cirque on TV and there was something with the juggling that caught my attention, and when the show was done, I went to my backyard and I haven't stopped juggling since.
Did you get professional training?
I went to Youth Circus in Finland, and I got some training there. Then from 2013 to 2016 I went to the National Circus School in Montreal, and I have a degree for circus performing.
Was the goal always to be a part of Cirque, and if so why?
For me yes, from the moment I saw it on TV. The stage, the costumes and the style of performing suites my profile pretty well.
How did you get cast in Cirque?
National Circus school is across the street from the headquarters of Cirque du Soleil. So when I graduated I got invited to audition. I passed and I got into their database. One year later I was called for Corteo, and I have been with them ever since.
What do you do for fun?
I tend to explore the different cities and bars, but we don't have that much time off. I also play guitar.
What does the future hold for you?
I would like to stay with Cirque du Soleil as long as possible.
Why should our readers come see Corteo from Cirque du Soleil and what makes it different from other Cirque shows?
There is a high level of acrobatics, and performing of all circus disciplines. In this show we are all normal humans, not the big characters like in other Cirque shows. We talk to the audience, and our stage is in the middle of the arenas so we create more interesting sequences.

Corteo, comes to the BB&T Center Arena from July 24 to August 4. Tickets are available at cirquedusoleil.com/corteo . Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to cirqueclub.com .

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Q&A: Johan Juslin Talks Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' | Hotspots! Magazine

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Corteo, the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production will visit Sunrise at the BB&T Center Arena from July 24 to August 4, for a limited run of sixteen performances. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005.

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' tumbles into the Hertz Arena

What do clowns dream of?

Bigger cars?

Smaller shoes?

Boutonnieres that won't squirt water in their face?

Mauro the Dreaming Clown in Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," (pronounced Cor- TAY-oh) dreams of his own funeral. It includes former lovers spinning from chandeliers, children jumping on beds as if they're trampolines, hovering angels, being lifted in the sky by a clowness holding onto giant balloons and people playing music on crystal glasses and Tibetan bowls.

Corteo means cortege in Italian, which is a joyous procession or festive parade.

"The show is a celebration of Mauro," says Aoife (pronounced EE-fa) Carry, the show's artistic director.

As the Dreaming Clown imagines his funeral, she adds, "We get to revisit part of his life. We meet his past lovers. We get to see acts in front of us as he performs during his career. We see him remembering when he was a child, dancing on his grandparents' bed, and the circus acts that he was part of"

There are also Little People and a giant, a live marionette, jugglers, aerialists and a hula-hoop artist. The ringmaster, Mr. Loyal, is a virtuoso whistler accompanied by people playing music on Tibetan bowls and crystal glasses.

If it sounds Fellini-esque, it is, because it was inspired in part by the Italian filmmaker's 1970 film, "I Clowns."

"The Great Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown," a 2004 exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottowa, Ontario, also provided inspiration, as did memories of the show's creator, Daniele Finzi Pasca, and the performer who played the original Mauro, Ms. Carry says. "They invested their own memory in the show," she says. "There's a lot of nostalgia in it."

Mauro, she says, "is imagining all the people who would come to wish him farewell" at his funeral. She describes the show as being luxurious and romantic, funny and awe-inspiring.

"It has enough for everybody," she says, adding the subject of death is not dealt with directly. "It's open to interpretation. For children, it's a beautiful spectacle to watch; for adults, there's a deeper context there."

"Corteo," she adds, is probably the only Cirque du Soleil show that is a circus within a circus.

The cast includes 52 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all over the world.

"English is our working language; the majority will have a working ability in English," says Ms. Carry. They also use the universal sign language for things to communicate. "We get by very well," she adds. "Google Translate can be very helpful ... and sometimes not."

"Corteo" premiered in 2005; Ms. Carry has been working with the show for four months. Her job as artistic director is an operational one, she says, explaining that she has to assure that the artistic integrity is maintained through the life of the show.

"This show will always evolve with time," she says. "But it's my job that it evolves with the same intent. So if we have new performers coming in, I make sure they fully understand the world they're trying to portray."

The cast all travels together for 11-12 weeks and then takes a two-week break. Though touring North America now (they play Sunrise July 24-Aug. 4 after appearing in Estero), the show moves to Europe in September, opening in Turin, Italy, then going on to Milan.

When it originally opened 14 years ago, it was a Big Top show. It was later changed into an arena show, so it could travel to other markets.

This is Ms. Carry's first year with Cirque du Soleil. Prior to this, she was working with other circus companies in Asia. Originally, she wanted to be an actress.

"I pinch myself that I'm so lucky to be able to do this job," she says. "It's a fantasy to run away with the circus. And when you get to live it, it's absolutely wonderful. You're working with some of the best performers in the world, and you get the support so that the shows are as beautiful as possible. It's a fantasy come to life. I'm very grateful.

"I fell into the circus, and I haven't ever left. And I do not want to leave. I absolutely refuse to leave." ¦

Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo'

>> When: July 17-21

>> Where: Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

>> Cost: $49-$125, plus $20 for parking

>> Info: 948-7825 or www.hertzarena.com

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The dreams of a clown | Fort Myers Florida Weekly

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What do clowns dream of? Bigger cars? Smaller shoes? Boutonnieres that won't squirt water in their face? Mauro the Dreaming Clown in Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," (pronounced Cor- TAY-oh) dreams of his own funeral.

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Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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. This beloved show started out in the big top before being redesigned into an arena show in 2016. Before I give you my thoughts on the show, I had the chance to go backstage and see just what it takes to bring this show to life!

Corteo by Cirque du Soleil: A Backstage Tour

This show is like a rock concert. The show is brought into the arena on 25 trailers including the massive stage, lights, set, costumes and everything else needed to keep this show going. They set up the show, rehearse, perform, and then tear down the show before moving onto the next show! I had the fun opportunity to go backstage and look at what really goes into these shows just for the OFF On The Go viewers!

We started out by taking a backstage look at the props, sets, and the rigging. The stage is a first of a kind for Cirque, which places the audience on two sides looking through at the action to the other side of the arena. This allows the viewers to not only witness the acts but see the reaction of the crowd at the same time. The stage has two different backstage areas where the props, performers, and sets live. One of the most iconic pieces from the show are the helium balloons that are used during part of the show which transport one of the performers to have hands-on interaction with the audience.

We then went a checked out the costuming and makeup department. This department is in charge of keeping the costuming looking like they are brand new for each and every performance. Cirque du Soleil is known for their intense shows and lavish sets and costumes. Just because this is a touring show doesn't mean that Cirque is not holding them to the same standard as a big top or residency show. Performers are in charge of their own makeup and can take upwards of an hour to apply to themselves for each performance.

Speaking of performers, we then watched the performers practice before the show. Just because the show is happening sometimes twice daily doesn't mean that they don't condition and practice their acts on a daily basis. I was surprised to see that most performers will workout and practice upwards of 6-8 hours daily on top of their performance time. We got a chance to watch the newest act to Corteo, which showcases a pole dance that is suspended above the stage. This act is the perfect mix of danger and beauty which left the entire crowd speechless for her entire set.

Now that I gave you a glimpse backstage, let's talk about the show in general!

Corteo by Cirque du Soleil: The Review

If you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, then what are you doing with your life? No Seriously, I have seen around 15 shows and I have been blown away by each and every one of them for a different reason. Corteo has been seen by over 8 million people since it first opened in 2005, but there is a reason to come back regardless if you have seen the show or not. Cirque does a great job at adding acts to shows to keep them fresh and new so if you saw it before, there is a good reason to come see it again!

The storyline of Corteo showcases a clown who is picturing his own funeral taking place in a carnival-like atmosphere which is being watched over by angels. The show has a great mixture of action, humor, romance, and of course beauty that each show is known for in the Cirque arsenal.

Corteo highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality. Overall, the show was phenomenal and left the crowd wanting more! If Corteo comes to your town, make sure you get tickets to see it while its there!

To learn more about Corteo and to see if it will be coming to your town, make sure you check out their website here!

My name is Jason Mayhew and I am the owner of OFF On The Go. When not working as a Paramedic, I spend my time traveling bringing you all the fun this country has to offer! I love traveling and seeing the amazing and unique sides of the world! I also love meeting and interacting with my readers! If you want to know more about me? Just ask!!!

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A Backstage Look Into Corteo by Cirque du Soleil | OFF On The Go

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Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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.

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"Corteo's" performers hail from Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the United States and Uzbekistan.

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Cirque du Soleil brings 'Corteo' to BB&T Center | Video

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Watch cast members of Cirque du Soleil give you a little taste of what their show "Corteo" is about. The human circus show plays the BB&T Center in Sunrise July 24-Aug. 4.

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' Comes To Pepsi Center

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' Comes To Pepsi Center: The show is coming on Aug. 15... News video on One News Page on Tuesday, 16 July 2019

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Colorado - CORTEO will visit Denver at Pepsi Center from August 15-22, 2019.

CORTEO, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together 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.

Log onto www.cirquedusoleil.com/CORTEO for tickets.
What: Cirque du Soleil's CORTEO When (day and time):
Thurs., Aug 15 - 7:30 pm

Fri., Aug. 16 - 7:30 pm

Sat., Aug. 17 - 3:30 & 7:30 pm

Sun, Aug. 18 - 1:00 & 5:00 pm

Tues., Aug. 20 - 7:30 pm

Wed., Aug. 21 - 7:30 pm

Thurs., Aug. 22 - 7:30 pm

Where: Pepsi Center
Cost: Adult: $49-$115, Child $39-$92, subject to additional fees

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Colorado - CORTEO will visit Denver at Pepsi Center from August 15-22, 2019. CORTEO, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together 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.

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Bring your family to Cirque Du Soleil Corteo

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Cirque Du Soleil is twisting, turning, and flipping of excitement to come to San Antonio’s AT&T Center. This is the only Cirque Du Soleil’s show with a 360-degree view equipped with great actors, singers, clowns and acrobats.

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CLOSE

Clowns have always been a big part of Cirque du Soleil, but never quite like this. They've never been the stars of the show. And they've rarely tried to do more than just make people laugh.

That changes next week when "Cirque du Soleil: Corteo" arrives at Hertz Arena to tell the story of Mauro the Dreamer Clown.

This isn't like the clowns you've seen before at Cirque shows, though. You'll laugh, sure. But you'll probably cry, too.

That, after all, has always been the goal of "Corteo," which debuted as a tent show in 2005 and now travels the world on tour. The show's creators wanted to leave audiences in tears, says artistic director Aoife Carry.

"But they're not tears of sadness," Carry says. "You've gone through this cathartic re-living of this man's life, and you get to watch his final farewell. So as sad as it is, it should leave you feeling uplifted that he had this final experience.

"It should be a celebration of life."

Mauro, you see, isn't performing for crowds at a circus. He's lying on his deathbed and imagining his own parade-like funeral. And he's thinking about his life and all the people he's known and loved along the way.

"He's getting to revisit these moments of his life that stand out in his memory, and they're important times for him and important people for him," Carry says. "They're not always realistic - so we have one scene where all of his past lovers come together.

"Now, I think, in reality you probably wouldn't want them all in the same room. But in this imagining of his funeral, when everyone comes to say their goodbyes to him, they all come together and they're very supportive of him and they've very supportive of each other. So it's beautiful."

More: MangoMania keeps cool in Cape Coral: Everything you need to know about the 2019 mango festival

But this is Cirque du Soleil, after all. So all those emotional moments are dramatized with the help of acrobats and aerialists doing all sorts of jaw-dropping, death-defying feats.

They jump up and down on a pair of 600-pound beds. They swing above the stage from giant chandeliers sparkling with about 4,000 "jewels." They juggle rings, hoops and clubs.

They balance precariously on various ladders - including one teetering at almost 15 feet high. They soar above the audience on balloons. And they do many other things, too.

The Bouncing Beds act is one of Carry's favorites from the show.

"It's a memory from his childhood, where he remembers going to his grandparents' house and bouncing on the beds," she says. "And it's something that we've all done: We've all bounced on beds.

"It's just one of those things that lets you get back into that childhood excitement and naughtiness."

More: 2 Live Crew rapper celebrated in Cape Coral with protege Fame Faiella, documentary, concert

Acrobat Fredric Umali - who's been a part the show since its debut in 2005 - helps close "Corteo" with the popular Tournik act, where acrobats swing and maneuver on a series of high bars shaped like a cube.

"There's about 10 to 11 of us onstage at one time, and we're all swinging together and flying back and forth, very very closely," Umali says. "We have to be very, very on time, or we will crash into each other.

"It's sometimes a little nerve-wracking, but it's what we train to do."

As with everything else in "Corteo," Tournik represents more than just an awe-inspiring showcase of human agility. It represents Mauro the Dreamer Clown's closest friends, who have gathered together to celebrate his life.

"We get together and we're trying to connect with him again," Umali says. "We're remembering him, and then we start really celebrating him and recognizing that he's not with us anymore, but he's still there. It's quite powerful."

Sure, "Corteo" is darker in tone than most Cirque du Soleil shows - but it's also beautiful and poetic and life-affirming, Umali says. And it's a different kind of storytelling than Cirque fans are used to.

"It has a much different flavor than a lot of other shows that Cirque has done," Umali says. "I find our show a lot more personable and intimate. A lot of shows that Cirque does are very - wow. Loud costumes, crazy makeup, very extravagant set pieces. You don't see the humans onstage as opposed to characters or creatures.

"But our show is very human. You see us. We're wearing very natural makeup. Our clothes are natural colors - they're vibrant, and they're rich in terms of texture and color, but they're not trying to hide the humans that are in the costumes. ... You can see us very clearly."

Yes, "Corteo" focuses on death. But it's so much more than that, Carry says.

It's really about life - specifically, the life of a clown.

Until "Corteo," clowns were secondary elements in Cirque shows, Carry says. They entertained audiences before the shows started, and came out occasionally onstage for comic relief.

But in "Corteo," this clown is more than a funnyman. He's a real man full of nostalgic memories from a life well-lived.

"This puts the human - the clown as a human - at center stage, and we see all aspects of the life," Carry says. "So you see the full human being."

Here's more about "Cirque du Soleil: Corteo":

The show features a sprawling cast of 52 acrobats, aerialists and other performers.

They come from about 16 different countries, including the United States, Finland, France, Japan, Italy, Romania, Brazil and Ukraine.

"Corteo" premiered as a tent show in 2005 in Montreal. Since then, it's traveled to 19 countries on four continents and entertained about 8 million people.

The show's name, "Corteo," is Italian for a cortege or a procession, a reference to the festive parade imagined by Mauro the Dreamer Clown.

Costume designer Dominique Lemieux created more than 80 costumes for the show's cast.

The show features a 41-foot long turntable built into the stage.

Since the story is about a clown, humor will obviously be a part of "Corteo." But it's not the kind of humor Cirque's clowns are known for. "Its not rolling in the aisles, clutching your belly funny," says artistic director Aoife Carry. "It's not that sort of funny. It's very touching. Yes, it's a clown, so there's going to be those comedy moments in it. But it's a very nostalgic show."

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)
What: "Cirque du Soleil: Corteo"

When: July 17-21. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday, with matinees at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero

Tickets: $45-$130 (plus applicable taxes and fees, prices subject to change). Parking on site is $20.

Read or Share this story: https://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2019/07/10/cirque-du-soleils-corteo-visits-fort-myers-hertz-arena-put-clowns-life-and-death-onstage/1598732001/

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' puts a clown's life (and death) onstage at Hertz Arena

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CLOSE Clowns have always been a big part of Cirque du Soleil, but never quite like this. They've never been the stars of the show. And they've rarely tried to do more than just make people laugh. That changes next week when "Cirque du Soleil: Corteo" arrives at Hertz Arena to tell the story of Mauro the Dreamer Clown.

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Cirque du Soleil is what dreams are made of, but not many people get to live out the dream of being a gymnast with the largest theatrical producer in the world. Annapolis native Betsy Zander is one of the lucky few to travel and perform with the Canadian entertainment company. From July 3-7, Zander is returning to her home state for the enchanting arena production of at Royal Farms Arena.

Corteo is the story of a clown Mauro's funeral, but instead of mourning, the procession celebrates memories and the hereafter with laughter and exuberance. Zander participates in an act titled "A Bed That Puts Some Bounce Into Life," which is a celebration of the mischievous prankster's gleeful past. We sat down with Zander to talk gymnastics, the message of Corteo, and her favorite memories of Baltimore.

How long have you been practicing gymnastics?
I've been doing gymnastics since before I can remember, and I love it now just as much as I did when I was a little kid. I started when I was 2 years old at Docksiders Gymnastics [in Millersville] and continued through division one athletics at George Washington University. I auditioned for Cirque du Soleil after graduation.

What is your day-to-day like working with Cirque du Soleil?
The day-to-day work mostly revolves around recovery, training, and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to perform the way we do. Unlike many other professional athletes, we don't train for one or two competitions or games every so often. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We perform every night, sometimes two to three times per night. So the day-to-day training really evolves into a lifestyle for us.

What is the hardest part of your routine for Corteo was touring as a big top show from 2005-2015, where the big top tent would stay in one city for one to two months. In 2018, it was brought back as an arena show that travels to a new city every week. So one of the hard parts about it is the constant travel. We all live our lives out of suitcases. One of the craziest realizations is finding out how much stuff you don't really need. The average person would find it hard to live out of two suitcases, but that's our normal. A couple of nice pairs of clothes, some good shoes, toiletries, and training clothes gets you a long way.

What is the atmosphere like behind the scenes?
The atmosphere backstage is just as intense as it is onstage. There's a show going on for the audience, but there's also a show going on behind the curtain. Between technicians, artists, coaches, and wardrobe everyone is "on" during the show. We all work so hard to produce the same level on premiere night as we do for the last show of the city. Sometimes it chaos, but it's organized chaos.

How do you connect with the overall message of Something so special about Corteo 's story is the humanity of the show. The performers don't apply a ton of makeup. We are portraying real feelings everyone has had in their own life, whether that be joy, sorrow, or just pure excitement. What you see on stage is an emotion every person can connect with. The overall message of the show is a celebration of life, and for me personally, connecting with that isn't difficult. As one of the trampo-bed artists, if I can't be happy going to work jumping on a bed and throwing pillows at my friends, there's something wrong.

How is the performance in Baltimore going to be different for you?
Personally, the performance in Baltimore is so unique because my people are in the audience. Whether that be family and friends, or just Maryland folk, this is where I grew up. I couldn't be more proud to represent that.

What is your fondest memory of visiting Baltimore growing up?
I started going to Ravens tailgates when I met my now fiancè, and there is truly nothing like it. There is so much pride and heart in the city of Baltimore. It's contagious.

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Cirque Du Soleil Gymnast Prepares for Hometown Performance of Corteo

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Cirque du Soleil is what dreams are made of, but not many people get to live out the dream of being a gymnast with the largest theatrical producer in the world. Annapolis native Betsy Zander is one of the lucky few to travel and perform with the Canadian entertainment company.

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Story by Marianne Salza

Exuberant circus clown, Mauro, dedicated his life to joyously entertaining friends and audiences; and even in his passing, his cheerful spirit hopes to remind his loved ones of the laughter they shared. In the Cirque du Soleil show, Corteo, winged angels guide Mauro between heaven and earth in this celebration of life.

"This clown pictures his own funeral, but without fear," explained publicist, Maxwell Silva Batista. "A funeral is for us to remember all the great moments we spent with that person. You remember all the things you did together."

Corteo has traveled to over 60 cities in 19 countries around the world, and is now astounding audiences at the Boston University Agannis Arena June 19-30.

"What makes this show unique to the performer is that there are people sitting everywhere," said Batista, who noted that four groups of live musicians dressed as clowns play at the corners of the stage. "They perform to everyone to make sure they are entertained on all sides."

Rather than mourning the loss of the beloved artist with a somber funeral procession, the soul of Mauro encourages a festive parade in reflection of his magnificent, jubilant life.

Audiences will see astonishing flashbacks of Mauro's exuberant memories of touring with circuses during this two-hour show that features 52 performers representing 18 nationalities, and 2,000 costume pieces.

Aerial acrobats spin above Mauro's bed on giant, crystal chandeliers; and in a playful memory of his childhood, performers bounce on trampoline beds.

"The beautiful thing about it is they are close to the audience and able to interact," Batista described.

Created by Italian director, Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo has European influences, with the surrounding curtain reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower.

Tickets for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo start at $45 and can be purchased at www.CirqueDuSoleil.com.

Free hospitality career training program a success

Fourteen people graduated this past Friday from a two-week training program that has set them up for a new, better-paying career in the hospitality industry. With the program's help, graduates are now turning their attention to securing a job at one of the many quality hotels in the area.

The training was provided through a partnership between CONNECT, an economic prosperity program based in Chelsea since 2012, and the International Institute of New England (IINE), based in Boston, which has operated a highly regarded hospitality training program for 20 years. The training was made available to Revere residents by the City of Revere, which under Mayor Arrigo's leadership provided the funding.

The hospitality industry is booming in Revere and surrounding communities. In addition to Encore Boston Harbor Resort, which opened this past weekend, the number of hotel rooms in Revere is expected to double by 2020, from 800 to 1,600. IINE and CONNECT are working together to make sure local residents have the best shot possible at securing the 40-80 new jobs expected at each hotel.

Trainees learned about career opportunities in the hospitality industry, what it's like to work in hotels, how to deliver excellent customer service, and how to communicate their knowledge and experience to potential employers in the industry. They also learned about personal financial management, and are encouraged to continue working with CONNECT's experienced coaches as they begin their new, better-paying careers.

The next two-week class will run August 5-16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The class will be held at the Revere Historical Society at 108 Beach Street. There are 25 spaces reserved for Revere residents, and space is still available.

Interested parties can call 857-334-3406 or just come to CONNECT at 4 Gerrish Ave. in Chelsea (right on the 111c and 116 bus lines). No appointment necessary, walk-ins accepted M-F 9am-5pm and Wednesdays until 7pm.

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Cirque du Soleil Corteo at Agganis Arena Now Through June 30

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Story by Marianne Salza Exuberant circus clown, Mauro, dedicated his life to joyously entertaining friends and audiences; and even in his passing, his cheerful spirit hopes to remind his loved ones of the laughter they shared. In the Cirque du Soleil show, Corteo, winged angels guide Mauro between heaven and earth in this celebration of life.

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Cirque Du Soleil gives a preview of this week's show, Corteo, at the Royal Farms Arena.

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A local gymnast featured in the Cirque du Soleil show talks to WJZ about "Corteo."

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Presented by Cirque du Soleil
Directed and Created by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Line Tremblay
Music Composed and Directed by Jean-Francois Cote, Phillipe LeDuc, and Maria Bonzanigo

Review by Gillian Daniels

(Boston, MA) Mauro, the Dreamer Clown, tells the audience, "I dreamed of my funeral." Except it's no dream; this character is actually on his deathbed. A funeral becomes a party and the party becomes a circus. Angels fly on wires above, shoes walk across the stage on their own, and our narrator relives childhood memories while he's fitted for wings. The somber frame narrative balances the rest of the show, which is cheeky, saccharine, and full of dream imagery that seems to have been cut, raw, from a sleeper's mind.

For Cirque du Soleil veterans, the circus acts will be familiar. Trampolines, juggling, teeterboard, hoops-you've seen it before. But have you seen it with a more Spanish vibe, complete with a brief hula-hoop tribute to the opera, ? Or with early twentieth-century imagery, women in long underwear and men wearing shoes with snaps?

Wait, yes? You have?

All of those?

Well, fit into the memories of Mauro, most of the acts take on a peculiar level of humanity. Acrobats in pajamas that look like they came from the last turn of the century bounce on trampolines that are tricked out as giant beds; women meant to represent Mauro's former lovers scale the chandeliers that hang above his bed and swing back and forth; an aerial dancer simultaneously sings while yo-yo-ing on a skein of cloth; a man, initially appearing to be blind, climbs a set of ladders to offer a rose to an angel. With the grim frame narrative delightfully elastic, the pieces end up fitting together in a strange portrait of a jolly elderly gentleman's fraying subconscious.

Most of the imagery flows together by association, but not everything fits. The Giant Clown has an act where he attempts to go golfing, the golf ball in question being a woman's head. Even as I was pleased when the golf ball outwits him, the moment sticks out strangely from the rest of the show. So does a miniature rendition of Romeo and Juliet in Teatro Intimo, which runs a little long without having more than one joke (the joke is: the little people in it are little and the big people in it are big). The show's humor eventually gets repetitive.

I also found some frustration with the venue. I found I missed the tents that Cirque du Soleil has used in the past for their Boston shows. The staff at Agganis Arena seemed overwhelmed and frazzled by the audience numbers.

Yet there's still a magic to so much of . I was especially delighted by the Helium Dance, in which Mauro chats with the Clowness, Anita, a little person who, attached to several enormous balloons, floats over the audience. She lands on shoulders and hands, happily requesting a push every once in a while. Her enthusiasm is infectious.

Fans who've gone to Cirque du Soleil before know how it goes, and yet, there's still the heart palpitation while watching a woman swing between gymnasts bars fifty feet off the ground. I've seen several of the company's performances at this point, but I can't bring myself to feel jaded. It's still lovely. And while many of these shows have tried for acts that feel like dreams, none have been as seamlessly ethereal as .

Much like the century-old newspaper comic , Mauro is the main character surrounded by clowns, beds that become animate, and an endless circus. Unlike Little Nemo in Slumberland Nemo, however, it's heavily implied that he won't be waking from this particular dream. This is about his eventual ascension to the afterlife. He'll be forever cavorting with acrobats with clowns. From the response of the kid behind me when the curtain came down, who cried, "Not yet! I want them to give me more," this sounds like a lovely fate.

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Presented by Cirque du Soleil Directed and Created by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Line Tremblay Music Composed and Directed by Jean-Francois Cote, Phillipe LeDuc, and Maria Bonzanigo Review by Gillian Daniels (Boston, MA) Mauro, the Dreamer Clown, tells the audience, "I dreamed of my funeral."

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June 21, 2019: GOP Sen. John Kennedy On Iran; Life As A Cirque Du Soleil Performer

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President Trump said he called off an airstrike on Iran Thursday after Iran shot down a U.S. drone. Republican Sen. John Kennedy joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson to discuss. And, Cirque du Soleil performer Sante Fortunato discusses the challenges of doing aerial acrobatics on a swinging chandelier in the show, "Corteo."

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo runs from July 3rd to 7th at Royal Farms Arena - allowing audiences young and old to "get carried away with life" in the aftermath of the passing of clown Mauro. His spirit, happily, is still with us. Instead of mourning, the funeral cortege celebrates the here and hereafter with laughter and exuberance. Regret and melancholy retreat in the face of a cavalcade of lively recollections of a life gloriously lived. Baltimore OUTloud recently chatted with performer Francis Croft.

" Corteo is a very special show because it portrays a bit more diplomatic side of circus," explained the Canadian native. "The subject of the show is a funeral, but it's interesting because it's more about celebrating the life of that clown. It's very interesting because there are parts of the show that are told both in the present and the past. Audiences will have a difficult time figuring out if we are in the imaginary or reality. It's a show for all ages because even if the subject seems deep, it's a very joyful moment with beautiful images and acrobatics that Cirque is known for."

Croft, who began gymnastics at the age of five, joined Cirque in 2017. A gymnast for over 15 years, Croft has worked on Corteo since its creation in 2017. "I'm very lucky because I'm part of two very interesting acts. They are both very high-energy - a bed jumping act and 'Tournik.'" The Tournik act from Corteo marries horizontal bar techniques with circus arts. The artists perform on a central cube-shaped structure, with two additional bars on each side of the cube. The various parts of the structure turn, sometimes all in the same direction, sometimes in opposite directions ... just to keep everyone on their toes.

Croft says he enjoys travelling around and seeing the world with the Cirque du Soleil road show. "It's a very nice opportunity to perform in this production," he says. "I've learned a lot about myself and it's been so very lovely." t
For more info and tickets, visit Cirquedusoleil.com/corteo
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Author Profile

Frankie Kujawa

Since 2011, arts writer Frankie Kujawa has covered a wide scope of entertainment stories and celebrity interviews. From the late Carrie Fisher and LGBTQ icon George Takei to comedians Lily Tomlin and Kathy Griffin to performer Idina Menzel, Kujawa's candid interview ability brings readers past the byline and into the heart of the story. His unbiased previews of Baltimore-Washington's theatre scene have allowed readers an inside glimpse of today's most popular local and national performances. A Baltimore-native, Kujawa is proud to call Charm City his home.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo Catapults into Charm City

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo runs from July 3rd to 7th at Royal Farms Arena - allowing audiences young and old to "get carried away with life" in the aftermath of the passing of clown Mauro. His spirit, happily, is still with us. Instead of mourning, the funeral cortege celebrates the here and hereafter with laughter and exuberance.

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' at the Agganis Arena

Corteo - by Mike Hoban Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca. Presented by Cirque du Soleil at the Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston through June 30
"I dreamt of my funeral," says Mauro the clown in the opening minutes of Corteo, this year's Boston touring show from Cirque du Soleil, now playing at Boston University's Agganis Arena through June. Originally staged in 2005, Corteo takes us inside Mauro's wildly imaginative dream of his own funeral, as acted out by his fellow circus performers. Mauro is sent off to the great beyond with the help of clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and of course, a legion of angels. All of this action is accompanied by an eclectic score, ranging from mini-concertos to rock to Klezmer music, and if this is what the sendoff to the afterlife looks like - Lawdy, come take me now.

Corteo opens with the solemn organ piece, "Funerale" and a procession, complete with an angel descending from the "sky, before rocketing into a celebration of Mauro's life. The fun begins with the aerial acrobatics of his four beautiful former lovers performing on three giant swinging chandeliers suspended from the top of the arena (who knew clowns were like rock stars?). The show then follows a loose narrative that mainly serves as way to present the various circus acts - along with heavy doses of music and comedy. In fact, the principal way that Corteo differs from many of the previous Cirque shows I've seen is that it reduces it emphasis on circus acts, functioning more as a kind a grand variety show than a succession of brilliant acrobatic feats.

There's a lot of humor in this show, beginning with a funny little golfing sketch, appropriately accompanied by bagpipes, where a golfer played by the Giant Clown (he is in fact, gigantic) tries to tee off on a ball that refuses to cooperate; a slapstick comic version of Romeo & Juliet performed in a tiny theater by little people and other members of the cast that's reminiscent of British pantomime; and perhaps the biggest crowd pleaser of the night, the Helium Dance, where Mauro gently pushes a little clowness, suspended by massive helium balloons, over and into the crowd, and they guide her around the arena, much like a beach ball at an outdoor concert.

Then there's the music. In addition to the aforementioned out-of-the-ordinary Klezmer tune, there are some synth/rock numbers and a host of other styles, but there's also a virtuoso whistling performance by the ringmaster and a beautiful number featuring Tibetan singing bowls and crystal glasses. There's even a gorgeous number sung by an artist while she's performing a difficult and visually stunning aerial silk routine. But circus arts are what Cirque audiences come to see and Corteo does not disappoint.

This being the circus after all, there's a couple of high flying acts, trampoline performers that bounce on beds like something out of a Dr. Seuss cartoon, some rather elegant suspended pole routines, jugglers, acrobatic ladders, teeterboards and even the hula hoop work is spectacular. The finale is like the end to a fireworks display, as the entire brilliantly costumed cast surrounds a kind of high-speed synchronized horizontal bar exercise (that is just mind-blowing) while Mauro rides his bike across the sky, apparently on his way to heaven. It's what you'd expect from a Cirque show and you won't be disappointed. And if you're thinking that the two-plus hours may be too long for children, don't worry. The gaggle of kids seated around us seemed riveted to the action, and were particularly captivated by the clowning portions of the show. It's a really fun spectacle worth the price of admission. For tickets and information, go to: CirqueduSoleil.com

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' Breathes Joyous Life into Clown's Funereal Dream

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Corteo - by Mike Hoban Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca. Presented by Cirque du Soleil at the Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston through June 30 "I dreamt of my funeral," says Mauro the clown in the opening minutes of Corteo, this year's Boston touring show from Cirque du Soleil, now playing at Boston University's Agganis Arena through June.

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The World Champion Whistler In Cirque Du Soleil's 'Corteo'

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"Corteo" features 51 acrobats, actors and musicians. Among them, the ringmaster of the show is played by world-class whistler Geert Chatrou.

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Spinning Hula Hoops And Swinging From A Chandelier: Life As A Cirque Du Soleil Performer

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Sante Fortunato, who performs in Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" show, discusses the challenges of working in the show.

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They are literally swinging from the rafters... on chandeliers to be exact. There are women on poles suspended in the air (not nailed down to the floor), men jumping on beds, couples spinning in the air and little people performing Romeo & Juliette. There were also balloons, really, really big balloons. This is the circus after all. This is Corteo.

Corteo is one of five arena shows put on by Cirque du Soleil. Along with their six Big Top Tent shows and eight permanent resident shows in Las Vegas and Mexico. You will be able to see a Cirque show somewhere in the world and be entertained by artists representing 50 nationalities and speaking 25 different languages.

Corteo was a Big Top Tent show for 10 years before it was adapted to suit an arena setting. It took two years to make the adjustments to the stage (which can be seen from either side), the performances and the personnel. Making shows accessible to all is par-of-the-course for Cirque du Soleil. Established in Montreal in 1984, Cirque has entertained more than 180 million spectators. This is also why you want to see CORTEO.

It starts with Mauro, the Dreamer Clown, as he imagines his funeral procession being celebrated by his friends. His funeral takes place in a carnival atmosphere watched over by angels. Mauro narrates the story in both English and Spanish continuing with the tradition of the use of multilingual dialogues in Cirque shows. A live band accompanies the expertly choreographed acts which flow from one dream state to another. We're entertained by traditional juggling, hula hoops spinning and Cyr Wheel twirling (a person twirling within a giant steel hoop) and amused by the Teatro Intimo.

Watching Corteo is a great intergenerational activity. My mother loved the thrill of seeing Tournik, the final act of artists (gymnast, really) flying from one bar to the next as they moved in sync.

As they quickly spun around each bar, they flew through the air, releasing and switching positions on the opposite bar. You cringe while watching praying they don't crash into each other. It was very suspenseful and certainly a highlight of the show. I'm so pleased we went as seeing this on TV does not compare to seeing it LIVE.

Every Cirque show is a story from start to finish. Most are dreamlike and challenge you to use your imagination to trust as you follow the players into a world of magic and whimsy. I find that these are the perfect types of shows to bring your parents to. My 85-year-old mother just loved the show because it was well paced, the music was not too loud, the stage was not too bright and the acts were mesmerizing.

To see families with young children oohing and ahhing as the little performer glided up and down as she was suspended by these giant helium balloons was so much fun. These shows bring together a community.

It was great to hear an interview on CBC Radio London with the drummer/percussionist from the Corteo band. He is originally from Brazil but now calls London, Ontario home. Have a listen to his take on life in a travelling circus!

The musicians are very close to the audience and interact with the characters on the stage. A live circus show is dynamic and changes with every performance. The set up is unique as the stage runs the length of the arena with a circular labyrinth in the middle. You can see the audience across from you. It's like you see it as the performers see it.

With the turntable-stage, performers, such as those playing crystal glasses and Tibetan bowls, sit still while the stage rotates around so they can be seen from all angles. Another fun feature is the hole in the centre of the stage where artists pop in and disappear without a trace.

Our VIP Behind the Curtain tour gave us a sneak peek into this magical world. Corteo has 52 performers ranging from 20 to 59 years old, bringing a lifetime of experience as artists, dancers, singers, musicians and even Olympic athletes. The company travels with physiotherapists, hair, make-up and costume artists, choreographers and coaches.

There are seamstresses and shoemakers keeping the performers' clothes looking spectacular. They take care of shoes from a child's size 3 to a man's 18 EEE. Every performer goes to Cirque headquarters located in Montreal to have 300 measurements taken to make their bespoke costumes. These costumes have sensors which are connected to lights for perfect illumination as they swing through the air. Every detail is perfectly calculated.

London is stop number 55 on a world tour that began in March 2018. From here it will finish its North American leg in Boston then proceed to Europe for the summer. CORTEO is a cornerstone show for Cirque du Soleil with over 8 million people seeing the show since its inception in 2005. Will you be one of the many?

You should go, I highly recommend this as a family friendly, entertaining show for young and old. There are so many intergenerational activities to do with your family and seeing Cirque du Soleil's CORTEO should be at the top of the list!

For ticket information in your city: Cirque du Soleil - CORTEO
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. In exchange for this post, I have received perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own and are honest. Thank you to Cirque du Soleil for some of the images in this post.

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Great Intergenerational Activities - Cirque du Soleil - CORTEO Review #Corteo | DownshiftingPRO es

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They are literally swinging from the rafters... on chandeliers to be exact. There are women on poles suspended in the air (not nailed down to the floor), men jumping on beds, couples spinning in the air and little people performing Romeo & Juliette. There were also balloons, really, really big balloons.

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It's hard to become part of the Cirque du Soleil team. It's hard to find love. Envy Alexandr Yudintsev, the Kazakhstani acrobat, juggler, dancer and actor has done both.

This week Yudintsev comes to Boston with cast members from 23 different countries for Cirque's performances of "Corteo," which runs from June 19-30 at Agganis Arena. For Yudintsev, Cirque has become a way of life with his future bride also part of the circus company.

"It's hard to date when you live out a suitcase for 12 ½ years," Yudintsev said with a laugh. "Cirque becomes your family."

Yudintsev began his career as an athlete, a competitive tumbler in the city of Karaganda. And he found plenty of success defying gravity - he competed in the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in 2003 and 2005. But when a friend decided to audition for Cirque, Yudintsev became curious about the legendary troupe.

"Being part of Cirque was never my dream," he said. "For some it is, but it wasn't mine. But through my friend I discovered them and (after an audition) they said, 'Would you like to come to Montreal in two weeks?' "

Hard work, focus and immense talent helped prepare Yudintsev, but he quickly found he had a lot to learn when he arrived at the Cirque headquarters in 2007. For four months, from 9 to 5, he took classes. He danced and learned to act and sing and become a percussionist using only his body. Hour by hour, week by week, he filled in a dozen skills he would need for a career with the company. And he has never stopped learning - backstage he always tries to pick up new tricks, his latest being juggling with the diabolo, a sort of Chinese yo-yo.

Yudintsev loves "Corteo" because it combines everything he's learned in his decade-plus with the company. The title comes from the Italian word for procession, often a solemn funeral procession. But this re-imagining of the word comes as a festive parade dreamed up by a clown. While it still has all the acrobatics associated with Cirque, the show incorporates much more theater. The results combine for comedy and mystery in space meant to be somewhere between heaven and earth.

"I love to be part of a performance where we play humans compared to other shows where we are creatures or even objects," Yudintsev said. "When we play humans we need to rely on more of our training as actors and I think we can be connected with the audience in a different way.

"Being a great acrobat is not good enough to be part of this," he added. "You need so much more."
"Corteo," at Agganis Arena, June 19-30. Tickets: $45-$145; cirquedusoleil.com.

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Cirque's 'Corteo' more than acrobatics and spectacle

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It's hard to become part of the Cirque du Soleil team. It's hard to find love. Envy Alexandr Yudintsev, the Kazakhstani acrobat, juggler, dancer and actor has done both. This week Yudintsev comes to Boston with cast members from 23 different countries for Cirque's performances of "Corteo," which runs from June 19-30 at Agganis Arena.

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" 'Corteo' touches people in a different way because we're all human beings onstage," said Marie-Christine Menard-Bergeron, one of the show's acrobats. "[The audience] can recognize themselves and go [in their minds] from childhood to super nice moments of their lives."

The production returned from its own sort of afterlife in 2018. The big top show, which ended a 10-year run in 2015, was reborn as an arena show, complete with a redesigned stage and new acts.

Upon arrival, the staging looks like a typical theater setup: one stage with an audience facing it. In the distance, the crowd sees what looks like itself.

"I once was watching the show when I just started, and there were two people next to me and they said, 'Whoa, that's a big mirror!' " said Geert Chatrou, who plays Mr. Loyal, the show's whistling ringmaster.

When the curtain finally goes up, the audience realizes the stage is actually round and that's the other half of them seated across the arena.

"They're always like, 'Oh, there's actually real people sitting on the other side,' " said Maxwell Batista, the show's publicist. "Every single show, I look at people and I always see someone having a reaction."

The design is intended to provide the audience with a "performer's eye view." It's an exercise in dual consciousness, one that almost breaks the fourth wall (except in this staging, there aren't any walls).

Luckily, what's happening on that stage is so mesmerizing that viewers should lose themselves in the acts. There are aerialists swinging from chandeliers, a dual straps act that ends in a "rain of sparkle," and even the tiny Clowness, who floats over the audience using helium balloons.

"[It's like] when you were a kid and your friends were giving you a million balloons and you were always thinking, 'Maybe if I have more I'm gonna fly away.' You would try to jump and feel like, 'They pulled me a little bit!' even if it was just in your head," Menard-Bergeron said. "Then you see this scene and you're like, 'Oh dear, they actually did it!' "

"And I want to do it, but I need 25 balloons," Chatrou quipped.

New is a suspended pole act, which replaces a high-wire sequence the arena's structure couldn't support. It ends with Stephanie Ortega gliding through the air, dancing as though she'd never left the ground. The pole is attached to a dolly system that allows it to move up, down, and across the stage.

"She makes it look so easy," Menard-Bergeron said. "She goes up and down and around that pole in a way that's so graceful. And then every time I try to climb on that pole, I'm like 'How can she do it?' She makes it look like there's nothing happening and she's floating in the air."

"Corteo" contains some incredible physical feats, but the circus is ultimately a vehicle for theater.

One of Chatrou's favorite bits comes in the show's final moments. Mauro finds himself pedaling a bike into the air, saying goodbye to the friends who've celebrated him.

"I am sometimes very aware of the fact that everybody will die, and that's special in the last moment," Chatrou said. "I don't want to make it too big. I mean, I'm enjoying life, and I'm not thinking about death all the time, but this helps to be aware that you have to enjoy moments and that what's the most important [is] our friends and relatives."

Presented by Cirque du Soleil. At Agganis Arena, Boston, June 19-30. Tickets from $45, 800-745-3000, www.cirquedusoleil.com

Jenni Todd can be reached at jenni.todd@globe.com.

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Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' looks to the heavens - The Boston Globe

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" 'Corteo' touches people in a different way because we're all human beings onstage," said Marie-Christine Menard-Bergeron, one of the show's acrobats. "[The audience] can recognize themselves and go [in their minds] from childhood to super nice moments of their lives." The production returned from its own sort of afterlife in 2018.

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Cirque du Soleil turns traditional circus routines into high art in "Corteo."

In the dozen years since he first joined Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," performer Alexandr Yudintsev has done a bit of everything - all in the troupe's signature style.

An acrobat, juggler, and actor, he's flown into the air from a teeterboard, rotated and spun on a large metal Cyr wheel, and juggled with the diabolo, an apparatus akin to a Chinese yo-yo.

After performing for eight million people in 19 countries on four continents over 10 years, Corteo gave its final big top performance four years ago. It was relaunched in March 2018 as an arena show, which comes to Boston's Agganis Arena beginning June 19.

Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, "Corteo" - cortege in Italian - takes place in the vivid imagination of a clown who envisions his own funeral that is set in a carnival atmosphere in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

Blending the large and the small, the ridiculous and the tragic, and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show focuses on the clown's strength and fragility, as well as his wisdom and kindness.

The company of Corteo includes 51 acrobats, musicians, actors, and singers from around the globe. Yudintsev - who has also toured in Cirque's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities" - performs as Clown August in the new Corteo.

Yudintsev, born in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, discussed his life with Cirque du Soleil and more, during a phone interview from his home in Vancouver.

Q: Tell me about Clown August and how he figures into Corteo?

A: In many ways, he is a traditional circus clown. He wants to be perfect, but that is just not in him. He means well but he always messes up, which makes him like a lot of Charlie Chaplin's characters. That also makes him the nemesis of the White Clown, who is a kind of authority figure in the show.

Q: What differentiates Clown August from a traditional circus clown?

A: He's different because he's not only funny, but also acrobatic. He's a very physical character. He falls down a lot and also gets a pretty rough ride from his companions, especially the White Clown.

Q: Do you enjoy inhabiting a character like August Clown?

A: Yes, because I am so much like him. It is natural for me because, like him, I am a happy person and very silly, too. I like to have fun and I love being a clown. It's a great pleasure to get to be myself on stage. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Q: Tell me about the Bouncing Beds act in Corteo?

A: There are four performers in Bouncing Beds, myself, another man, and two women. I play a young Clown August and they are three of his childhood pals. It's very comical. We're young kids bouncing around and having pillow fights on mattresses that are actually trampolines.

Q: Growing up, were you a circus fan?

A: Russian circuses would come through my town, but they were too much about animals and that didn't interest me. I don't think I went to one until I was maybe 15 years old. I always loved to jump around as a child, though, and in second grade, my teacher said I was too active. So my parents ended up sending me to a tumbling school where I could train. From there, I went to compete in the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in two separate years.

Q: Tell me about your day-to-day life is like with Cirque du Soleil?

A: It's very disciplined because you have to be 100 percent at all times. It's different for each one of us, of course, but I like to come in early every day and get going. I like to juggle. I like to practice. I like to stay in shape, and I like to regularly upgrade my skills. I consider all of that to be very important. Just doing what we do on stage isn't enough.

Q: Are there other circus performers in your family?

A: No, I'm like the black sheep - the only one in the family to become an acrobat.

Q: Did I hear correctly, however, that something will be happening in a few months to change that?

A: Yes, I am very happy to say that Santé Fortunato and I will be getting married on September 1 in Vancouver, where we both live. Santé is an aerialist who does Hula-Hoop and contortions. She is part of the Chandelier act in "Corteo." We met while working together and I immediately became her biggest fan. She is a wonderful, wonderful person, and an amazing performer.

Q: Will the two of you have a chance to see at least some of Boston while you're here?

A: We're both outdoor, nature people and we love to sightsee. This will be the first time either of us has visited Boston so we're very excited. Tuesdays are our day off and we're already planning everything we want to do and see.

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For 'Corteo,' Cirque du Soleil sends in a clown

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Cirque du Soleil turns traditional circus routines into high art in "Corteo." In the dozen years since he first joined Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," performer Alexandr Yudintsev has done a bit of everything - all in the troupe's signature style.

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Alex Reis is travelling the world doing his dream job, and he owes it all to his personal hero - Animal from The Muppets.

The drummer touches down in his adopted home of London for Corteo, Cirque du Soleil's travelling show about acrobatics, music and death, Thursday through Sunday at Budweiser Gardens.

Reis set aside his classical guitar at age 8 after witnessing the frenzied mayhem of Animal screaming and wailing on the drums.

"I was more attracted to the rhythm than to the melodies and things like that," Reis, 46, originally from Brazil, said during a Cirque du Soleil media junket in St. Louis, Mo.

"Drums is more fun. I was looking for having fun. And you know, one of my biggest influences was Animal from The Muppet Show. When I was a kid, watching them on the television, I was blasted about how fun he was and how amazing he was. I was trying to feel the same thing that he was feeling."

Corteo, an Italian word meaning cortege or procession, is a bizarrely joyous story about death.

It tells the tale of Mauro the Dreamer Clown, who is on his deathbed watching his life pass before him in "a mysterious place between Heaven and Earth."

But this is a Cirque du Soleil show, so even dying is fun. At one point, Mauro finds himself trying not to fall off that bed as it dangles in the air. In another scene, he disappears into the darkness on a flying bicycle.

His carnival funeral and the snapshots of his life are also full action with flying angels, jugglers, contortionists, hula hoops, awe-inspiring acrobatics and the most extreme version of jumping on the bed you'll ever see. There's also a performer tied to helium-filled balloons who floats over the crowd while being pushed along by audience members.

Corteo is one of Cirque's biggest productions because of its complexity and the number of people required to pull it off. The show has 110 people from 22 different countries travelling together, including another Southwestern Ontario transplant. Bandleader and musical director Roger Hewett, originally from England, now lives in Leamington.

Twenty-three tractor-trailers are required to transport the stage and equipment.

Cirque has also added a new act to Corteo that was not in the rotation during the show's Detroit visit in January.

Paradis is a Russian Cradle act with performers standing on opposing platforms as they toss somersaulting acrobats back and forth between them up to 20 feet in the air.

"It's like flying, it's amazing," said Brazil's Joseane Costa, 29, one of the Russian Cradle performers. "It's a really good feeling. You get up there and you have the adrenaline. You feel that emotion and that's what drives you. If you can control your emotions, it's really good."

While Corteo puts all the highflying and death-defying antics you'd expect from Cirque du Soleil on display, music is the backbone of the show. Dancing and singing - and even an extended duel between a violinist and a whistler - often take centre stage. Sometimes it's toe-tapping, sometimes it's heartbreaking. Sometimes it's both at once.

There is a raucous marching funeral band, and a woman who sings while flying upside down high above the stage in an aerial silk performance.

"Music has the emotion of the show," said Reis. "When the audience is watching the show, they are receiving this whole package of emotional content. And music is like the envelope to give them. They feel it. And especially because it's live music, the impact is more strong. They feel it different than if you listen to a track."

Reis has been travelling with Cirque since 2010. He switched gears from a lifetime of recording and touring with bands in South America and Europe, after a recruiter found him in Brazil.

"It's a different experience for me," said Reis. "I'm not playing with a band, I'm playing for a show and travelling with more than 100 people at the same time. It's very fun. It's hard of course. We are far away from home but it's fun. I love this job, man. It's the perfect job for me."

Since last January, Reis has called London home. He became enamoured with the city during a tour stop with Dralion, another Cirque du Soleil show.

"I was in love with the city," he said. "It's a town that really attracted me. My first choice when I choose to come and live in Canada."

He said he loves the "small town" feel of London, and whiling away his time off at Victoria Park.

"I'm from Sao Paolo," said Reis. "It's a huge town in Brazil, 18 million people live there. So I was looking to live in a small town with a more calm way of life. And I loved the environment. There's a lot of trees, a lot of nature, and the people are so kind. This really attracted me. The way of living there is interesting. And I like the mood of the people."
twilhelm@postmedia.com twitter.com/WinStarWilhelm

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Londoner set to play hometown Cirque du Soleil show at Bud Gardens

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Alex Reis is travelling the world doing his dream job, and he owes it all to his personal hero - Animal from The Muppets. The drummer touches down in his adopted home of London for Corteo, Cirque du Soleil's travelling show about acrobatics, music and death, Thursday through Sunday at Budweiser Gardens.

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The circus is in town! And not just any circus. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo had it opening night last night at FirstOntario Centre and is running until Sunday and Tim Bolen got to explore the world of Corteo behind the scenes today.

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The circus is in town! And not just any circus. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo had it opening night last night at FirstOntario Centre and is running until Sunday and Tim Bolen got to explore the world of Corteo behind the scenes today. Follow on Instagram & Facebook

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A Leamington composer is returning to the Windsor-Essex region as Cirque du Soleil's Corteo show comes to the WFCU Centre this week.

Roger Hewett, the musical director and keyboardist, has been with Corteo since it started in 2005. He has written pieces of music for the show along with a number of other composers.

"As the show has developed over the years, I feel I have also developed as a musician and as a person," he said. While it has been 14 years, much of the musical score remains unchanged.

He conducts the band during each show. For Hewett, his favourite moments are when he's able to take his eyes off the stage to watch the audience.

"Some moments bring a lump to my throat every time I see it, especially when I hear the response of the audience," said Hewett.

A piece of advice he would offer for other classical musicians starting out is for them to become comfortable with basic theory.

That has helped him in cases where a band needs to adjust on the fly while they perform, in order to coordinate with what is happening on stage.

"Nightly, that's what keeps it interesting," said Hewett.

"It's an organic show. Jugglers are going to drop, somebody's going to fall somewhere. The music just keeps going seamlessly so yeah, it's all a part of the show. That's what we do."

Hewett said the younger folks can sometimes have a leg up in the industry because of their ability to pick up new technology in music quickly.

Corteo is playing at Windsor's WFCU Centre from May 15 to May 19.

After the week in Windsor, Hewett and the crew will be headed to Hamilton.

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Leamington composer's homecoming for Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' | CBC News

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A Leamington composer is returning to the Windsor-Essex region as Cirque du Soleil's Corteo show comes to the WFCU Centre this week. Roger Hewett, the musical director and keyboardist, has been with Corteo since it started in 2005. He has written pieces of music for the show along with a number of other composers.

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The "magic circus" comes to Windsor this Victoria Day weekend with a popular arena-style production.

Cirque du Soleil, which has been delighting and stunning audiences worldwide since its beginning in Montreal in 1984, hits the WFCU Centre for the production of 'Corteo', a two-hour presentation featuring dancers, acrobats, and gymnasts from all over the world. Members of the media, along with gymnasts from Alpha Gymnastics Academy in Windsor, sat in on a sneak preview Wednesday.

The production features 52 cast members from 18 countries, including Canada, the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, France, Belarus and others. The corresponding crew responsible for the behind-the-scenes action consists of another 60 people.

Performing in Cirque is a lifelong dream come true for juggler John Josln, who told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com he was inspired by watching a Cirque production on television in his native Finland.

"I was 10 years old. I saw Cirque du Soleil on TV, and there was something about the juggler on the show that made me like 'Wow, I need to start doing that,'" said Josln. "When the show was done I went to my backyard with three tennis balls, started practising, and now I've been juggling since then."

"Corteo", which is the Italian word for cortege, or procession, is the story of a clown who dreams of his own funeral, with the twist being a carnival setting. The other cast members portray clowns from other circuses who have come from far and wide to pay last respects in what publicist Maxwell Batista calls a "celebration of life". He said the setting of this arena-style show is different from other Cirque productions.

"The design is unique from any other show because it's in the middle of the arena, and we have the audience sitting on both sides of the stage," said Batista. "It is made like this to give the audience the perspective of the actor. So when there is something extraordinary happening on stage, you can see the reaction of the people on the other side."

This touring production requires 20 semi trucks to carry all of the set pieces, gymnastics equipment, costumes, props, lighting, soundboards and other apparatus. Batista said it takes 12 hours to set up the stage and backstage areas for the performance run, and they hire Windsor-Essex workers to assist. After the final performance Sunday night, the stage will be dismantled in three-and-a-half hours, packed up, and moved to the next stop on the tour, which is Hamilton.

"Corteo" opened Wednesday night at the WFCU Centre and runs through Sunday. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday night, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, then 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the WFCU Centre box office or by visiting the official website.

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The magic of 'Corteo' hits the WFCU Centre

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The "magic circus" comes to Windsor this Victoria Day weekend with a popular arena-style production. Cirque du Soleil, which has been delighting and stunning audiences worldwide since its beginning in Montreal in 1984, hits the WFCU Centre for the production of 'Corteo', a two-hour presentation featuring dancers, acrobats, and gymnasts from all over the world.

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This weekend, courtesy of Cirque du Soleil, we will be experiencing in Dayton, Ohio. It is opening on May 8 th and running through May 12, 2019. Then Corteo will continue touring. If you are in the Ohio area, I strongly advise you to get your tickets. Cirque du Soleil shows are magical and your family will love them.

The Big Guy and I saw our first Cirque du Soleil show, La Nouba, on our honeymoon at Walt Disney World. It was mesmerizing and started our love affair with Cirque du Soleil. Since that first show, we've seen several more with our girls including Dralion, Kurios, Luzia and we even took them to see La Nouba. It's something we love to experience as a family and a gift I love sharing with my children.

Corteo, the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production is now touring in North America. The show will visit Dayton at the Wright State University Nutter Center from May 8 to 12, 2019 for a limited run of seven performances. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has been a great success and has amazed 8 million people in 19 countries on four continents.

Corteo, which means corteg e in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music turns lyrical and playful carrying Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

The concept and disposition of the stage bring the audience in a theatrical atmosphere like never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena shows. The set curtains, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and the central curtains, which were hand-painted, give a grandiose feel to the stage. This sets the tone for the poetry of Corteo.

The cast of Cirque du Soleil Corteo includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

If you've never been to a Cirque du Soleil, let me tell you, it is like nothing you have ever experienced before. The music is live and otherworldly. The talent is extraordinarily brilliant and the moment you leave you will be wishing that you could stay forever. We've been taking the girls to Cirque shows since they were 4-years-old and it is something we always look forward to as a family.

For more information please follow Cirque du Soleil Corteo on there social media channels/
Social media
Facebook: facebook.com/Corteo

Twitter: @Cirque #CORTEO

Instagram: @cirquedusoleil #CORTEO

Ticket information
Show Schedule:
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 9, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Friday, May 10, 2019 - 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 11, 2019 - 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 12, 2019 - 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm

Have you ever been to a Cirque do Soleil show? If so which one? What's your favorite one?

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CIrque du Soleil Corteo is the perfect show for the entire family.

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This weekend, courtesy of Cirque du Soleil, we will be experiencing in Dayton, Ohio. It is opening on May 8 th and running through May 12, 2019. Then Corteo will continue touring. If you are in the Ohio area, I strongly advise you to get your tickets.

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ST. LOUIS, MO. - There's no need to remind Roger Hewett that he is clearly not an acrobat, but it still happens a lot.

Hewett is the bandleader and musical director for Corteo, Cirque du Soleil's travelling show about acrobatics, music and death.

He will return to his adopted home turf this month when Corteo comes to the WFCU Centre. Originally from Norfolk, England, Hewett has called Leamington home the last 2 ½ years.

"People ask me 'what do you do on the show, you're obviously not an acrobat,'" Hewett said during a recent media junket in St. Louis, Mo. "That's one I get frequently."

"I'm the one who makes sure the music stays with the action on stage."

Corteo, an Italian word meaning cortege or procession, is a bizarrely joyous story about death. It tells the tale of Mauro the Dreamer Clown, who is on his deathbed watching his life pass before him in "a mysterious place between Heaven and Earth."

But this is a Cirque du Soleil show, so even dying is fun. At one point, Mauro finds himself trying not to fall off that bed as it dangles in the air. In another scene, he disappears into the darkness on a flying bicycle.

Mauro's carnival funeral and the snapshots of his life are also full-action with flying angels, jugglers, contortionists, hula hoops, awe-inspiring acrobatics and the most extreme version of jumping on the bed you'll ever see. There's also a performer tied to helium-filled balloons who floats over the crowd while being pushed along by audience members.

Corteo is one of Cirque's biggest productions because of its complexity and the number of people required to pull it off. The show has 110 people from 22 different countries travelling together, including another Southwestern Ontario transplant. Drummer Alex Reis, originally from Brazil, now lives in London.

Twenty-three tractor-trailers are required to transport the stage and equipment.

Cirque has also added a new act to Corteo that was not in the rotation during the show's Detroit visit in January.

Paradis is a Russian Cradle act with performers standing on opposing platforms as they toss somersaulting acrobats back and forth between them up to 20 feet in the air.

"It's like flying, it's amazing," said performer Joseane Costa, 29, from Brazil. "It's a really good feeling. You get up there and you have the adrenaline. You feel that emotion and that's what drives you. If you can control your emotions, it's really good."

While Corteo puts on display all the high-flying and death-defying antics you'd expect from Cirque du Soleil, music is the backbone of the show. Dancing and singing - and even an extended duel between a violinist and a whistler - often take centre stage. Sometimes it's toe-tapping, sometimes it's heartbreaking. Sometimes it's both at once.

There is a raucous marching funeral band, and a woman who sings while flying upside down high above the stage in an aerial silk performance.

"In a way, it's similar to doing an underscore to a film," said Hewett, who also wrote some of the music and plays keyboards in the show. "In this particular case, where there's a strong storyline, the music goes with the flow. There are some quiet moments, there are some moments of pure underscore, and there are some moments of really big dramatic sections that really match the action and take it to a higher level."

Hewett knows what he's talking about. Before his Cirque gig, he did composing and orchestration for television shows and movies, including The Art of War with Wesley Snipes and Double Jeopardy with Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones.

The live, adventurous atmosphere of Corteo brings added challenges. The band is divided into four different pits on two sides of the stage, which is set up in the round. The musicians can't see each other.

"The challenge was trying to keep everybody on track," said Hewett. "We have a metronome that runs most of the time, and also I keep in touch verbally through a microphone."

When he's not touring with Cirque du Soleil, Hewett and his wife, Kari Lynn, play local clubs and venues in their adopted hometown. They will be performing at a Leamington night market in a few weeks when he is on a break from Corteo.

They moved to Leamington after a chance meeting in England led to a chilly stint in Quebec.

Hewett was playing a nightclub in England several decades ago when he met someone who worked on a cruise ship. He hopped aboard, ended up in Canada, and fell in love with the place.

"Leamington was pretty much a random choice, literally finding it online," he said. "I enjoyed the look of the climate and the area as a whole. And the climate. Did I say that? Absolutely, the climate. So much less snow than there was in Quebec. The climate was a big seller. And I love living near the water, so living on the lake is fantastic."

"It's great to be here on tour with Cirque and with the show, but looking forward to going home and spending some time in Leamington, that's for sure."

Cirque du Soleil's Corteo plays the WFCU Centre from May 15 to 19. For tickets (adult prices range from $55 to $130), go to cirquedusoleil.com.
twilhelm@postmedia.com

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Cirque du Soleil's high-flying Corteo, with Leamington bandleader, coming to Windsor

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ST. LOUIS, MO. - There's no need to remind Roger Hewett that he is clearly not an acrobat, but it still happens a lot. Hewett is the bandleader and musical director for Corteo, Cirque du Soleil's travelling show about acrobatics, music and death.

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CEDAR RAPIDS - U.S. Cellular Center cleaning crews will be busy picking up jaws off the floor between performances of Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," onstage through Sunday evening.

This is the fifth time the Montreal-based showcase of circus artistry has come to Cedar Rapids, beginning with "Saltimbanco" in April 2008, and continuing with "Alegria" in March 2010, "Quidam" in June 2013 and "Dralion" in 2014.

All were spectacular, but "Corteo" easily is the best. Partly because Cedar Rapids Washington graduate Erin Cervantes, 39, who grew up in Bertram, is flying high through the show from beginning to end. And partly because this show's storyline is the most delightful and easy to follow.

"Corteo," Italian for a solemn procession, turns joyous in a celebration of life for the clown Mauro, who either is watching his funeral or dreaming of his funeral. He delights in seeing the various chapters of his life replayed with all the pomp and circumstance of heightened memory. In this case, his memories soar to the heights of the arena's rafters over and over again, from flying angels and bicycles to aerial acrobatics and floating helium bubbles.

Plenty of breathtaking action happens on or near the stage floor, which sports a labyrinth pattern with a revolving outer ring. Clowns and jugglers romp across the stage, and acrobats vie for the highest heights springing from a teeter-totter, swinging through high bars or balancing on poles or ladders. All are feats of heart-stopping athleticism, fluidity and finesse.

Beginning with a funeral dirge, angels descend, the whistling ringmaster steps in, and all the various characters parade to Mauro's bedside to pay their respects. The action whips into a frenzy until Mauro rises from his bed to meet the first of his visions: his four past loves.

Cervantes is one of these women who dance among three giant chandeliers that ascend, descend and swing high overhead. Be prepared to hold your breath for 6.5 minutes, as they cavort and contort in a beguiling frolic among the beads and bars - sometimes hanging on by just one hand or one foot. As they land, Mauro calls Cervantes by name, which is a lovely little shout-out to our hometown star.

She returns shortly thereafter, spinning across the stage in a cyr wheel in a solo spotlight, then later, surrounded by four men also spinning in the metal hoops.

In between her scenes is one of the show's most giddy moments, when Mauro is transported back to his childhood bedroom, where everyone is bouncing on ornate scrollwork beds, outfitted with trampoline mattresses. The artists dressed as children tumble and twirl through pillow fights, jumping from bed to bed until the White Clown marches in, scolding them to settle down and quell the noise, thus squelching their fun.

Each new scene brings an explosion of sight, sound and color, met with bursts of applause in Wednesday's opening night performance.

Gasps reigned supreme, as well, especially when the silk aerialist not only took her daredevil plunges from great heights, but sang as she whirled along her silken path stretching from earth to sky. All the vocalists and instrumentalists created their own musical gymnastics, sliding between haunting melodies and bombastic bursts.

From the gorgeous hand-painted front curtain to the ornate costumes, dazzling lights and feats of strength and beauty, this top-flight show that moves through the ages is a show for the ages. Don't miss this chance to take your inner child out for a dizzying spin.

* Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com

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REVIEW: Cirque du Soleil dreams up joyous celebration in Cedar Rapids arena

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CEDAR RAPIDS - U.S. Cellular Center cleaning crews will be busy picking up jaws off the floor between performances of Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo," onstage through Sunday evening. This is the fifth time the Montreal-based showcase of circus artistry has come to Cedar Rapids, beginning with "Saltimbanco" in April 2008, and continuing with "Alegria" in March 2010, "Quidam" in June 2013 and "Dralion" in 2014.

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Cirque Du Soleil's latest North America arena tour "Corteo" brings its special brand of theatrical magic to Wright State University's Nutter Center May 8-12.

First produced in Montreal in 2005, "Corteo," meaning cortege in Italian, centers on a clown who imagines his own funeral taking place within a festive carnival atmosphere. Here are five reasons why you should see this incredibly entertaining tour, which has been seen by 8 million people in 19 countries on four continents.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Corteo is Cirque Du Soleil's 'most enchanting' show yet, and it will soon be in Dayton

1. IT'S A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

"Corteo" invites its audiences to reassess the idea of death, to particularly find joy in the midst of sorrow. As the clown envisions his funeral, which is being watched over by angels, the production becomes a world of comedy and spontaneity "situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth." "Think about when you see a film in which a person who is about to die suddenly has flashbacks and they see all the things that happened in their lives - that's what you're going to see on the stage," said "Corteo" publicist Max Batista. "The clown sees all the greatest memories of his life including (memories) from childhood and the people he traveled with on the road with the circus. A funeral is a moment for us to remember all the greatest moments we had with the (deceased). It's a celebration."

2. IT HAS A THRILLING CAST AND DESIGN

Under the direction of Daniele Finzi Pasca, the wonderfully diverse, dynamically athletic cast of "Corteo" includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers, and actors from around the world. Also, the set curtains are inspired by the Eiffel Tower and the hand-painted central curtains greatly add to the grandeur, opulence and excitement. "We have 18 different nationalities in this beautiful, high-energy show," Batista said. "Audiences will have a lot of emotional feelings throughout."

>> PHOTOS: Sneak preview of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo in mesmerizing photos

3. IT'S A TRIBUTE TO TRADITIONAL CIRCUS

Every Cirque Du Soleil production notably relies on its astounding, eye-catching acrobats and "Corteo" is no exception. Expect to be wowed by this homage to traditional circus aesthetics. "We have two big trampolines on stage featuring our acrobats performing amazing, difficult acrobatic tricks," Batista said. "We also have other entertaining acts to delight audiences from beginning to end because 'Corteo' is a tribute to the traditional circus. We have jugglers, gymnasts, dancers, and so much more combined in a very beautiful setting."

>> BEST EVENTS: 35 ways to spend your May days

4. IT'S A HUGE UNDERTAKING

Unlike the Cirque productions in residence in Las Vegas such as the mesmerizing duo of Beatles "Love" at the Mirage and "Michael Jackson: One" at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the technical and overall production demands of "Corteo" are immense, primarily because it's a road show. Over 100 individuals are responsible for providing audiences with a one-of-a-kind evening. "Of our group of 110 people who travel with the show, 34 are technicians from many different departments such as rigging, sound, lighting, props, makeup, and carpentry," Batista explained. "We also travel with 20 trucks and it takes an entire day to set up the stage. There is a great show happening on stage, but there is definitely another performance happening backstage making sure 'Corteo' comes to life."

5. IT HAS UNPARALLELED UNIQUENESS

Whether you've witnessed Cirque Du Soleil in the past or are curious to see what the fuss is about, it's no secret that the troupe, originally composed of 20 street performers in 1984, supplies an amazing spectacle unlike any other. The troupe has performed to over 180 million people in close to 450 cities in 60 countries. "Cirque Du Soleil is known all over the world for bringing people together to have an experience," Batista said. "You're not coming just to see a show."

WANT TO GO?

What: "Corteo"

Where: Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy, Dayton

When: May 8-12; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Tickets start at $42

Tickets: Visit ticketmaster.com or cirquedusoleil.com/corteo

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5 reasons why you should see 'Corteo' at the Nutter Center

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Cirque Du Soleil's latest North America arena tour "Corteo" brings its special brand of theatrical magic to Wright State University's Nutter Center May 8-12. First produced in Montreal in 2005, "Corteo," meaning cortege in Italian, centers on a clown who imagines his own funeral taking place within a festive carnival atmosphere.

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Cirque du Soleil is known the world over for its eye-catching grandeur and superhuman feats.

It turns out getting ready for a show is also pretty impressive.

Take a look at our photos and videos as we captured Cirque getting ready for the performance of 'Corteo' Wednesday night in Cedar Rapids.

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Video and Photos: Cirque du Soleil prepares 'Corteo' in Cedar Rapids

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Cirque du Soleil is known the world over for its eye-catching grandeur and superhuman feats. It turns out getting ready for a show is also pretty impressive. Take a look at our photos and videos as we captured Cirque getting ready for the performance of 'Corteo' Wednesday night in Cedar Rapids.

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Some of the performers of Cirque Du Soleil enjoyed some time at the City Museum before their big show at Chaifetz Arena tonight through Sunday.

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Behind The Scenes of Corteo Cirque Du Soleil | 103.3 KLOU

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Cirque Du Soleil Corteo is a Not To Miss See WHY

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Cirque Du Soleil brought their latest stunning visionary tale, " Corteo ," for a night of spectacular storytelling and gravi ty- defying acts to the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, with performances from April 24 th through April 28 th .

Following the story of the recently deceased clown Mauro, the audience witnesses a celebration of lif e for the young man , as both the cast and audience relive some of the most vibrant and veracious moments of the clown's life. With a parade, an exotic chandelier performance, and a fun trampoline spring in place of a mattress on a bed - there is so much going on from the very start the audience can't help but be mesmerized as this was a truly incredible performance.

Mauro's previous lovers took the stage to celebrate the beloved clown, with an impressive acrobatic/trapeze routine performed from hanging chandeliers elevated high above the stage. The combined performance with the large light fixture s was truly incredible, having several moments where the girls were able to support their own body weight by simply hanging from a strand of beads. The show c ontinued with a fun trampoline extravaganza, where the clown's fellow travelers bounced around the stage from bed to bed in an energetic and gleeful remembrance of the prankster's past.

It seemed the performers were pulling trick after trick as it sounded like steady applause could be heard from the enthusiastic audience. As Cirque Du Soleil is infamous for their incredible stunts and acts, it was no surprise when we saw an incredible juggling trio, intense aerial work, and a trapeze routine of performers thrusting each other from one side of the stage to th e other at incredible heights.

The show contained a brief intermission but easily got back into the fold enveloping the audience within the captivating story. I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of comedy added to the show, as it is considered one of the more darker storylines that has developed. But, there were several bits were laughter rolled through Chaifetz.

One of the most memorable moments being when Mauro got his angel wings and was learning how to fly. There was also some audience engagement when the infamous Mini Lili, sitting at only 3 feet and 2 inches and barely 40 pounds, floated around the arena by being supported by giant balloons. Each time she came down she yelled "Push! Push! Push!" as the audience then assisted in bouncing her back into the air, allowin g for her to float around the entire arena for the audience to see.

Being a little over 2 hours, " Corteo " was filled with dazzling tricks and acts from beginning to end. Being my first time seeing Cirque Du Soleil live, I was pleasantly surprised and couldn't have asked for a better performance to witness. The finale was filled with flip, after flip, after flip, as the entire cast joined acrobatic performers on stage for one final sensational feat of using an intricate balance beam setup to fulfill a dazzling visual spectacle of gymnasts using the setup to swing around each other and simultaneously swing around the bars.

Overall, the crowd was incredibly impressed with the performance, as was I. The storyline was beautiful, the setup of the stage and props used was absolutely brilliant , and the stunts were incredible (not to mention, visually stunning and looked impossible).

Corteo is on tour right now, remaining at Chaifetz until April 28th. I highly recommend seeing the show if you get the chance, as you won't be disappointed.
For tickets and more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com.
Matthew Kistner is not new to ReviewSTL.com, as he has been an avid reader for years. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to write for them, as he has a passion for reading and writing. Matthew graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville with a BA in English, and a minor in communications. In his spare time, he is a huge film buff, a total book nerd, and is in a never-ending battle to clear out his DVR - a battle he has yet to win. He also loves writing, and has continued to experiment in modern poetry, short fiction, as well as nonfiction pieces, and wishes to return to get his Masters degree in English beginning in 2019.

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Review: Cirque Du Soleil 'Corteo' Flies High at Chaifetz Arena Through April 28

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Cirque Du Soleil brought their latest stunning visionary tale, " Corteo ," for a night of spectacular storytelling and gravi ty- defying acts to the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, with performances from April 24 th through April 28 th .

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Erin Cervantes went to a circus class on a lark while living in Los Angeles - and emerged winging her way through a new career as an aerialist.

The Cedar Rapids native will be flying high above the U.S. Cellular Center when Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" extravaganza comes to her hometown Wednesday (May 1) through May 5.

"It's unbelievable," she said by phone from a recent tour stop in Topeka, Kan. "When I saw Cedar Rapids on the tour plan, I could not believe my eyes. I thought people were messing with me. I was like, 'How is that possible, that we get to go to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, of all places - my hometown?' I'm really, really, really excited and really happy that I get to go there and (perform for) my family and friends."

She debuted with the "Corteo" touring show in March 2018, after rehearsing for five months at the Cirque du Soleil facility in Montreal, and she's recently signed on for the upcoming European tour beginning in September.

When she's not hanging from the heights of the U.S. Cellular Center, she'll be hanging with her parents, Michael and JoAnn Cervantes, and her cat, who is living with her parents in the house they built in Bertram in her childhood.

Now 39, the last time she "stepped foot in the arena" was for her graduation from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 1998. This time, she'll be performing at the start of "Corteo," when her feet leave the ground so she can dance suspended from a chandelier 25 to 30 feet in the air - depending on what part of the mammoth structure she's hanging onto.

While audience members hold their collective breath, she'll swing free as a bird - with no safety net underneath.

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With nearly a decade training for the "what ifs" and performing in other shows, she's able to make decisions and corrections in a split second if something doesn't feel right. They practice the dangerous moves low to the ground - with spotters around them - trying to fail, so they know how the worst-case scenarios will feel.

It's the kind of thing they practice in circus school, which translates to her current work, she said, because feet can get caught in the beaded ropes of the "Corteo" chandeliers, or the artists may catch some beads when they're grabbing the bars.

"If it's something that you really need to redo, at that point, it doesn't matter if you look ugly for a second, because it's all about safety first. Do it, be safe, get into the position and carry on from there," she said.

When she's up in the air, she feels like she's flying the whole time.

"It's so nice," she said. "The first grab of the bar when the chandelier lifts off the ground and you feel your feet leave, it's just a nice floating, freeing feeling - especially at the beginning of our chandelier act. It's so pretty and slow and the music is nice, and the male singers are onstage with us singing. It's lovely."

All of the acts in "Corteo" illustrate different points in the life of a clown named Mauro, as he's reunited with the people who mattered to him in life.

"It's his funeral, or the dream of his funeral - you don't really know," Cervantes said, and she and the other three aerialists who perform on three chandeliers represent his past loves.

"He's lying on a bed, like he's dead at his funeral, and they spin into the middle of the stage, and all four of his past loves run out. It's the first time we make a connection with him. After that, it's all about being there with this person you haven't seen in years, and it's a celebration of his life. All of that combined with the floating and the flying - it's lovely," she said.

"I really enjoy my hair blowing in the wind. It's a nice feeling, when you can just tune out and you really know what you're doing in the act, you don't have to think about what you're doing. You're just present onstage in the moment there with the other women and with the main clown, Mauro. It's a really lovely feeling."

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She'll appear at other times during the production, and is on a rotation for the rue cyr act, performed by stepping into a giant metal wheel and spinning. She's also the backup for the suspended pole act, which she may do once or twice a month if the featured performer is ill or injured.

"It's very much an ensemble show, so we all have a lot of cues to do within the show," she said. "You're an angel over here, then you're yourself over there, and you have to go and do different cues. There's really no acts that are alone on stage. There's always something else going on. It's nice to have, at times, the entire cast onstage together."

Cervantes grew up taking ballet and dance classes, from age 4 until middle school, then joined Washington's dance team in high school. she took some more ballet classes during college in Chicago, then when she moved to Los Angeles.

"I was never super-passionate about dance and ballet to be really good at it," she said. "I was OK at it, but I was never the prima ballerina."

Her real passion lies in acting, which she inherited from her father, a longtime theater teacher and performer. Both skill sets, however, meld well with circus arts, she said.

"But when I started circus, I had no upper body strength. None at all. Zero. None. It was all in my legs from dance. Now it's the opposite. My legs are weak and my arms are really strong," she said with a laugh.

Her path began at Cirque School L.A., when a friend invited her to come along. She had lived in Los Angeles for about five years at that point, and had never heard of the facility. She became intrigued with the training as a hobby and a different way to work out.

"Then I started to feel like I had a little bit of talent for it," she said, studying with the owner, who had been in Cirque du Soleil for many years. "She took about four or five of us under her wing and pushed us really hard, because she saw potential."

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In 2013, Cervantes began sending off videos of her own choreography, and submitted one to Cirque du Soleil, since she heard the troupe would be holding auditions in Las Vegas. She was thrilled to score an invitation to those auditions.

"I was a little freaked at that point, because I didn't really think that they would invite me, because I was so new to circus. At that point, I'd only been training about a year and a half," she said. She passed each round, and was placed in the Cirque database.

She's now part of a "family" of about 100 people traveling with "Corteo," where performers range in age from 20 to 43. She plans to keep flying as long as she feels healthy.

"And hopefully when I'm ready to retire, it's my own choice and not my body that chooses for me."

GET OUT!

WHAT: Cirque do Soleil "Corteo," featuring Cedar Rapids native and aerialist Erin Cervantes

WHERE: U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids

WHEN: Wednesday (5/1) to May 5; 7:30 p.m. May 1, 2, 3; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 4; 1 and 5 p.m. May 5

TICKETS: $48 to $118 adults, $39 to $95 children; arena box office, 1- (800) 745-3000 or uscellularcenter.com/events/

SHOW'S WEBSITE: cirquedusoleil.com/corteo

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Cedar Rapids native ready to share aerial artistry with family & friends at Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo'

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Erin Cervantes went to a circus class on a lark while living in Los Angeles - and emerged winging her way through a new career as an aerialist. The Cedar Rapids native will be flying high above the U.S. Cellular Center when Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" extravaganza comes to her hometown Wednesday (May 1) through May 5.

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Corteo juggler Johan Juslin talks about the mystique of the show as Cirque du Soleil comes to town on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 for the start of seven performances of Corteo in Chaifetz Arena. Shows run through Sunday, April 28.

Video by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

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Cirque du Soleil preps for Corteo at Chaifetz

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Corteo juggler Johan Juslin talks about the mystique of the show as Cirque du Soleil comes to town on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 for the start of seven performances of Corteo in Chaifetz Arena. Shows run through Sunday, April 28. Video by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

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Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

U.S. Cellular Center - Wednesday-Sunday, May 1-5

The U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids will host Cirque du Soleil May 1-5, offering seven performances (including two matinees) to Eastern Iowans eager to experience the way that the world might be distinct from its everyday-ness. Tickets are $48-118. This particular show, Corteo, engages audiences with an imagined journey through the funeral and afterlife of a clown, opening into what performer Erin Cervantes, during a phone interview, describes as a "celebration of life."

Corteo "moves through periods in [a clown's] life ... it revisits his life, the people and places he's known," Cervantes said, in a way that reminds audiences of the possibility of an otherworldly edge to our everyday existence. Cervantes appreciates the aesthetics of Corteo in particular: "It's very theatrical," she said. "The makeup is natural looking" - unlike the bugs or avatars of other productions - "and it has a nice vintage feel, and it captures the old Cirque du Soleil and the nice, vintage circus feel ... we're just ourselves."

Cervantes grew up in Cedar Rapids - her last time at the U.S. Cellular Center, she said, was for her high school graduation. She was a performer from an early age.

"From when I was very small, 3-4, I started in dance lessons as many little girls do," Cervantes said. "I continued with dance. My father is a theater director and acts [at Theatre Cedar Rapids] and other places - so I was always exposed to acting and performing."

She went to Columbia College in Chicago, studying directing, and went to Los Angeles to work on the production side of the film and television industry. After struggling, Cervantes joined a dance troupe in L.A., eventually finding her way to a circus school where she found a mentor. She began to train for circus when she was 30.

Circus work is a unique blend of athleticism and performance, requiring talent and training in both worlds. Cervantes describes herself as "an aerial acrobat as well as an artist," saying that the performance is "closer to dance in terms of athletics," but noting that "you're still acting on the stage."

"[We] make up our own backstory of what our relationship was to the clown," Cervantes said of the process of developing Corteo. "When we see him for the first time, the acting past can come out, and it comes out through the entire show. [My] dance background gives me the grace, fluidity, movement and awareness of my body. We're dancing in the air."

Cirque du Soleil started in the streets of a small town near Quebec City in the early 1980s. It was an amalgam of differently talented performers - jugglers, fire breathers, gymnasts. By 1984, the troupe, under the leadership of Guy Laliberté, decided to take their act beyond their hometown. This led to a 1987 tour of the U.S. called "We Reinvent the Circus," which maintained an act grounded on human excellence rather than freakishness, grace and beauty rather than cruelty and ridicule.

The fearlessness that had been demonstrated through the use of force in the animal acts of older circus models was reincorporated into practiced acts of self-discipline. By 1993, Cirque du Soleil had made a permanent home in the United States, providing Mystere for those who found themselves in Las Vegas.

The company now performs a number of shows around the world, continuing to develop new kinds of productions and stories with a fidelity to its core values of engaged interaction and the beauty of embodied story telling opportunities. A majority of the shows center on the recurrent themes of human experience, translated into dynamic modalities: autonomy and volition, magic and imagination, freedom and fearlessness. Each of these translates the human experience into transcultural terms, whether framed as a dream or a death, as insects or as gods.

Training and rehearsals for the show is extensive. Corteo, which had an initial run from 2005-2015, is Cervantes' first show with Cirque du Soleil (her first circus performance was with Troupe Vertigo in Los Angeles, 2012), and she notes that they've now been touring for over a year following five and a half months of rehearsal in Montreal. Three of the four women in her portion are new to their roles this time.

"In the beginning, it was about getting used to the chandeliers - 275-300 lbs. each - getting used to how they move," Cervantes said. "We learned the choreographed parts of the act ... also getting to know each other and feeling how each other works, strengths, personalities - and then we could explore our solo roles within the piece. Once we got to know each other ... we explored new movements for the choreographed parts that were already set ... I'd seen [the show] before, but when you're part of it, you learn things that the director was going for that you wouldn't notice. You get to dig deeper."

The performance, in other words, becomes a synthesis of muscle memory and knowing and trusting fellow performers - and oneself. It requires discipline and creativity, a connection within the body and with the bodies of others.

After undergoing all of this, Cervantes says that it becomes possible to find a deeper understanding of the performance through an emphasized investment in character beyond choreography: interacting with new people on the stage, resisting the possibility of making the performance into something more like a machine.

"It's nice to talk to new people on stage, find new ideas," she said. "No matter how sore or tired [you are], it's quite magical; it all just goes away and we can focus and deliver the show to the audience."

Even if Cervantes' perspective on this circus production of a circus dream goes deeper than the audiences, it remains just as inspired and infused by magic.

Rather than seeing circus as a synonym for chaos, Cervantes emphasized its emphasis for order and precision - and a place that, behind the scenes, is characterized by support and care. Further, although it hadn't been her intention to join the circus when leaving home, she's been impressed with the ability of circus to convey complex human emotions as beautiful.

"You're able to tell a story without words, to move a story from the beginning to the middle to a climax and the end - and the period at the end of the sentence - with movement. Whether or not [the audience gets] the story, [seeing] how a body can express movement and feeling is important and powerful, whether it is funny or dramatic, slow or fast."

The performance of Corteo is a chance for the audience to witness the incredible storytelling potential of a human body as it whirls and spins in space.

If Corteo is a celebration of a clown's life, then this particular act is a culmination for Cervantes, who is excited to see her old friends and her family, particularly her nieces.

"I'm shocked this is going to Cedar Rapids. I'm really, really excited ... It's going to be incredible ... When I left, I was lost in terms of what I wanted to do with my life and I'm coming back knowing that I'm doing what I should be doing."

The joy in Cervantes' voice was an indication of the exuberance made available in the production. In the case of this circus clown, joy enters not as cheap laughs but as earned awe and the surreal spectacle of the human form at its collaborative, interdependent best.

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'Corteo' offers a high-flying homecoming for Cedar Rapids' Erin Cervantes | Little Village

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The U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids will host Cirque du Soleil May 1-5, offering seven performances (including two matinees) to Eastern Iowans eager to experience the way that the world might be distinct from its everyday-ness. Tickets are $48-118. [...]Read More...

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Corteo, the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production, is coming to Giant Center on Wednesday, August 28 through Sunday, September 1, 2019, for a limited seven awe-inspiring performances.

This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has amazed 9 million people in 19 countries on four continents, with a cast of 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

Tickets for this show start at $51.85 (processing fees apply), and are available at Giant Center Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3911 or 800-745-3000, and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

SOURCE: Hershey Entertainment

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Cirque du Soleil to Present "Corteo" at Giant Center in Hershey

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Corteo, the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production, is coming to Giant Center on Wednesday, August 28 through Sunday, September 1, 2019, for a limited seven awe-inspiring performances. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005.

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The circus is coming to central Pa. And it promises to be in tents.

Well actually it will be at Giant Center in Hershey, as the Cirque du Soleil will bring its popular show "Corteo" there from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28-30, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 and 1 and 5 p.m. Sept. 1.

Tickets start at $51.85 and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 26. They can be purchased at the Giant Center Box Office, by phone at 717-534-3911 or 800-745-3000, or online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is about a clown named Mauro who watches his own funeral taking place in a festive-like atmosphere.

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Cirque du Soleil to bring its 'Corteo' show to Hershey's Giant Center

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The circus is coming to central Pa. And it promises to be in tents. Well actually it will be at Giant Center in Hershey, as the Cirque du Soleil will bring its popular show "Corteo" there from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Aug.

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Photo Gallery: Cirque Du Soleil - Corteo

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Cirque Du Soleil-Corteo is a whimsical play about the clown Mario who has passed away but his spirit is still among his friends. Instead of mourning, his friends celebrate with laughter and exuberance. Cirque Du Soleil-Corteo is playing at the Kansas Expocentre on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. See more photos here.

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Behind-the-scenes look at Cirque du Soleil show 'Corteo'

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Cirque du Soleil is in town and on Thursday, KRQE News 13 got a behind-the-scenes look.

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La historia detrás de Cirque Du Soleil- Corteo

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Nuestra Busca Aventuras se metió tras bambalinas y nos enseña cómo se arma esta increíble producción.

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The Cirque du Soliel show is touring the U.S. and Canada.

"Corteo has 52 performers and 18 different nationalities," said show publicist Maxwell Batista.

Corteo follows the story of a clown who watches his own funeral taking place in a carnival-like atmosphere, performers like Johan Juslin visit him, depicting different parts of his life.

Doing these tricks and stunts takes a lot of practice!

"Lots and lots of different stuff, different acrobatic disciplines a lot of high technique and what a human body can do," said Juslin.

Juslin says he's been with Cirque du Soliel for 17 years and traveling the United States has been a great experience.

"For me it's been very interesting, I come from Finland so it's a small country. Seeing this big country going from state to state, city to city," said Juslin.

The cast and crew even got to take in some sights in Albuquerque.

"We had a few days off and of course Breaking Bad was filmed here so we went to see the Breaking Bad houses and everything, so that was pretty cool," said Juslin.

The show continues this weekend through Sunday.

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Cirque du Soleil performs 'Corteo' at Santa Ana Star Center

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The Cirque du Soliel show is touring the U.S. and Canada. "Corteo has 52 performers and 18 different nationalities," said show publicist Maxwell Batista. Corteo follows the story of a clown who watches his own funeral taking place in a carnival-like atmosphere, performers like Johan Juslin visit him, depicting different parts of his life.

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The spectacular Cirque du Soleil will thrill audiences at the Santa Ana Star Center beginning Thursday "Corteo". The latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production is now touring in North America. The show will visit Rio Rancho at the Santa Ana Star Center from April 11 to 14, 2019 for a limited run of six performances.

This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has been a great success and has amazed 8 million people in 19 countries on four continents.

'Corteo', which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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.

David Henderson is one of the acrobats from the final act of the show, the Tournik act. The tournik is when a group of artists cross paths in an act which marries horizontal bar techniques with circus arts. The artists perform on a central cube-shaped structure, with two additional bars on each side of the cube.

Tickets start at just $45 to witness this fascinating event.
View additional information on Cirque Du Soliel's Corteo.

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Cirque Du Soleil visits the Santa Ana Star Center with mesmerizing 'Corteo'

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The spectacular Cirque du Soleil will thrill audiences at the Santa Ana Star Center beginning Thursday Corteo. The latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil's arena production is now touring in North America. The show will visit Rio Rancho at the Santa Ana Star Center from April 11 to 14, 2019 for a limited run of six performances.

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Mark Shaub is always ready for a challenge.

As the artistic director of Cirque du Soleil's traveling show "Corteo," Shaub was tasked, along with his staff, with taking the original show from under the big top to an arena show.

"At first, we thought it was too complex to go into the arena format," Shaub says in an interview from Reno, Nev. "We had to think of creative ways to put 'Corteo' into the arena. We actually didn't scale it down much. Technically, the show is new. Artistically, it looks like what you saw in the big top."

Shaub says part of what makes "Corteo" work is the stage's layout.

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"We've put the stage in the middle of the arena floor so that there is an audience on both sides," he says. "Each person can see the entire stage from their seat."

Shaub is also looking forward to returning to New Mexico for the six-performance run.

"I lived in New Mexico for more than a year when I was growing up," he says. "I always try to get back to the Southwest whenever I get a chance."

"Corteo" was created in 2005 and premiered under the big top, where it toured for 10 years. It is written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca.

By 2015, work began on the redesign for the arena show.

"Corteo" is Italian for "cort e ge," a solemn procession.

The production follows Mauro the Dreamer Clown, who pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, quietly watched over by angels.

Shaub says there are 16 acts in "Corteo."

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They include the acrobatic ladder, artist marionette, bouncing beds, a Cyr wheel, helium dance, juggling, suspended pole and teeterboard.

The cast is made up of 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from around the world.

Harvey Donnelly is one of the performers who does tricks on the teeterboard, from which acrobats toss one another into the air.

Donnelly has been part of Cirque du Soleil for eight years and has participated in five shows.

"I've done a little bit of all types," Donnelly says. "I've done arena, big top and Broadway."

Donnelly says what makes "Corteo" unique is that the original design of the show feeling intimate was kept in the transition to the arena.

"When you come into the arena, it's beautiful," he says. "All of the costumes and production value is high."

Donnelly was originally a trampolinist and got his foot in the door with Cirque du Soleil when the company was working with the Michael Jackson estate.

"I managed to get that job on the show and was on it for about three years," he says. "When I got into Cirque, what I understood about myself is that I was never brilliant at anything, but I was good at everything. I wanted to keep myself diverse, and that lends itself well to these shows. I keep very open to the various disciplines. I've also learned the Cyr wheel, which was a trial-by-fire training. They just had me do it. I had to figure it all out on my own."

'Corteo' by Cirque du Soleil 'Corteo' facts
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11; 7:30 p.m. April 12; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 13; 1 and 5 p.m. April 14
WHERE: Santa Ana Star Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE, Rio Rancho
HOW MUCH: $39-$140, plus fees, at santaanastarcenter.com
* "Corteo" premiered in Montreal in 2005 and visited more than 60 cities in 19 countries as a big top show before transforming into an arena show in 2016.
* "Corteo" celebrated its 3,500th performance in 2015 in Bogotá.
* More than 8 million people have been enthralled by the world of "Corteo."
* In the transformation from the big tent to the arena, new acts were added, and the storyline was changed slightly.
* The cast is international, representing more than 15 nationalities. Performers are from Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the United States, Uzbekistan and more.
* Although French and English are generally spoken on-site, other languages are also spoken, including Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
* Costumes include more than 100 fabrics and trims, concentrating on a subtle color palette that includes blues, pinks, fuchsia and gold, with appliquéd spangles and jewels.
* Most of the fabrics were dyed, sublimated and silk screen-printed to give them a patina of age while retaining the attributes necessary for high-performance acrobatics.
* There are numerous angels and each angel dress requires 25 meters of fabric, which translates to over 500 meters of material (or the approximate length of five football fields) appearing on stage each night.
* For a year of operation, performers require over 200 bottles of liquid foundation, hundreds of eye shadows, blushes, pencils and lipsticks, as well as more than 50 liters of makeup remover.

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Adrian Gomez | Journal Arts and Entertainment Editor

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Solemn magic: Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' is a colorful funeral for a clown

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Mark Shaub is always ready for a challenge. As the artistic director of Cirque du Soleil's traveling show "Corteo," Shaub was tasked, along with his staff, with taking the original show from under the big top to an arena show.

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Usually when a collective gasp takes over the crowd at the Tucson Arena, a hockey stick is smashing into the glass or a player is sent to the penalty box. Last night the oohs and aahs came instead because of high-flying acrobats, agile jugglers and magic floating bicycles. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo is in town for the weekend.

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Courtesy Cirque du Soleil

Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, both the storyline and the acrobatics captured the audience seated on either side of the see-through stage.

A hula-hooping gypsy performer dazzled the audience by spinning more hoops that seemingly possible on her neck, waist, arms and ankles all while dancing and contorting herself into shapes that just look like they have got to hurt.

Next, a tiny "clowness" floated onto the stage held up only by a bouquet of giant helium balloons. She then garnered huge applause by floating out into the audience and walking across viewers' outstretched hands.

click to enlarge

Courtesy Cirque du Soleil

The show was never short on audience participation with Mauro the Dreamer Clown bantering with the crowd throughout each act.

Sixteen acts total, each of which told their own small story, worked together not only to entertain but to capture the audience's imaginations. Two hour-long sets were split with a 20 minute intermission to refill on popcorn for the jaw-dropping show.

Corteo got its start in 2005 in Montreal as a Big Top show. In 2016 it transformed into an arena show and has visited more than 60 cities in 19 different countries.The cast is as diverse as the places the show has traveled to, with performers representing 18 nationalities.

click to enlarge

Courtesy Cirque du Soleil

For an entertaining evening that leaves you asking, "How do they do that?!" over and over again, check out Corteo before it packs up and moves to the next arena.

The show is in Tucson for one weekend only, and has show times through Sunday, April 7. Find more information about Cirque du Soleil's Corteo here.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo Dazzles Crowd on Opening Night

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Usually when a collective gasp takes over the crowd at the Tucson Arena, a hockey stick is smashing into the glass or a player is sent to the penalty box. Last night the oohs and aahs came instead because of high-flying acrobats, agile jugglers and magic floating bicycles.

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Before artists can dazzle you with their daring dives and endeavors way up in the air, they're on the ground, preparing for another day in the office.

"I'm so used to doing it, it's like going to work," said artist Sante D'Amours Fortunato.

She has been performing with Cirque du Soleil for two years. Before that, she performed on cruise ships among other shows, and before that, she went to a circus college in Montreal.

Her education led to this, performing for the prestigious Cirque Du Soleil, the largest theatrical company in the world.

First, of course, you have to be in the right physical condition. Why? Just listen to some of the things she does.

"I do a chandelier act. There are three hanging from the grid and there are four artists. I am one of them. We do aerial acrobatic things hanging from them," she said.

You know how you often hold your breath and feel scared for the performers when watching some of their shows? She said she doesn't feel that, or maybe she just doesn't let herself think about how far up she is.

"Its probably best I don't know, doesn't feel that high," she said.

We'll continue watching with jaws dropped, and she'll continue another day at work.

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Before artists can dazzle you with their daring dives and endeavors way up in the air, they're on the ground, preparing for another day in the office. "I'm so used to doing it, it's like going to work," said artist Sante D'Amours Fortunato. She has been performing with Cirque du Soleil for two years.

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Southern Californians-you have only this week-end to behold another amazing Cirque du Soleil show right in our own backyard! So please rush right out to see Corteo, at the Fabulous Forum, one of my original favorite venues in LA!

First, a thought on Cirque du Soleil in general. I remember the excitement when they first arrived in town a few decades ago. If you missed their magnificence back then, you were definitely not in with the in crowd.

I still feel that thrill every time I even see their name! So I was especially excited to discover that they're back in LA with yet another offering that's new to us.

As usual with Cirque productions, Corteo has a story. The official word is that, since "corteo" is Italian for "cortege," (which is a funeral procession,) it's about a "clown who pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere." Although a cortege is usually a solemn affair, you know that's far from the case here!

So, as a former circus girl myself, and one who made my Los Angeles stage debut playing a mourner at a funeral, (don't ask,) this one was of special interest to me. I could have fit right in! (If I had any athletic talent. Which I do not. I just got cast as the star of the side show because I was very young and looked good in a bikini! Again, don't ask! But do read the story in my memoir one day.)

Corteo is actually one of Cirque's classiest, most innovative productions. After their zillion different presentations, these ridiculously creative minds still come up with acts we've never seen before. For example, this one opens with a quartet of females doing aerials...on chandeliers! Who dreams-up this stuff???

As amazing as the artists' physical abilities are, I loved that this is more of an ethereal happening than a program of death-defying feats, even though danger elements are still prevalent throughout. It's all still awe-inspiring, but it also meant that Mr. X enjoyed it the most of the Cirque du Soleils he's seen because he doesn't like to be terrified for the performers, but rather just wowed by them. (And we still had to hold hands to get through the scary parts.)

Every single one of these acts is ultra-creative, with lots of surprises and many magical moments.

And, as always with Cirque, Corteo is full of seamless transitions, with amusing and unusual little touches in-between the main acts, such as empty clown shoes walking by themselves across the stage, and angels flying around quite often, (I assume because the deceased clown is now an angel himself.)

More on the actual show in a minute, but I must tell you that the evening began with a funny mystery. When we entered the Forum, we checked-out our seats before we headed back to the lobby for snacks. As we entered the arena, the first thing we noticed was the gorgeous stage area. Of the ten or so Cirque productions I've been lucky enough to enjoy, I had never seen one on just a regular stage like that, beautiful as it is, so I was sort-of surprised by the new configuration. Then, since it was still early, and lovely out, we walked around the outside perimeter of the Forum, and came to the lobby again pretty quickly. We could not imagine how we had gotten around the entire circumference that fast! When we tried to go to our seats, the section number had changed! The usher told us that our section was actually around the other side of the building. But the stage was right there, in front of our eyes, as it was when we first looked at it. We were so confused. But we walked around the outside again, and came to our section. Mr. X asked what had just happened. I said that maybe we had been upstairs somehow, because the view of the stage had been the same. And then, when the curtain opened, our jaws dropped-it turned-out to be a round stage, with an exact mirror image of seats right across the way! That's why it had looked the same from the other side of the building! That's brilliant staging.

And while we're on the topic of that venue surprise, I have to tell you what an easy experience this was. I had been to the Forum only once since the glory days of all the sports teams and ice shows. I had actually never even entered the building by the the normal entrance-I was always a regular guest in the Forum Club, so I went in through there. (I know-spoiled much?!) But getting there this time, parking, going through security into the Forum, walking around the lobby-it was all very uncomplicated. And fun, too; they have free digital photo machines in the lobbies, and even a discount on all the concessions when you use a Chase card! So I was pleasantly surprised by the entire adventure this time. And I hope to be back there soon.

Now back to the highlights of Corteo.

There's a fascinating number that involves basically just whistling and playing the rims of water glasses and giant bowls. Who would have thought that whistling could be so entertaining?! I guarantee you that only Cirque du Soleil would think of that!

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of clowning, even though many think that's what I did in the circus. So I was happy that there was just the right amount of that art. Mr. X really enjoyed those sections, as did just about the entire assemblage. [Note: Even though a clown is the central figure in this narrative, and many of his compatriots are present throughout, that theme does not overwhelm; it's actually quite charming.]

I don't want to ruin any of Corteo for you by telling you about each act in specific, so suffice it to say that it's all fascinating, from a trampoline act...on beds, to comedy, to normal circus acts performed in extraordinary ways. And it's all closed-out in a big way, with high-bar gymnasts, who at times reminded me of foosball men!

And there's music. Lots of music. With great musicians who impressed Mr. X no end. Even though Cirque always has good music, which I do appreciate, I rarely seem to be moved by it. But Corteo is a step above, with two very special performances. Mr. X said he was just about brought to tears by Alain Labrie's expressive soaring singing. I don't have to tell you how special it is to have a voice virtuoso as talented as he is in a circus show! (His female counterpart, whose name I'm sorry I didn't get, is a great complement to him.)

And we were both bowled-over by Geert Chatrou, who is the talented artist who graced us with the aforementioned whistling! I could not believe that such stunning music can be created that way.

Those two, from Canada and the Netherlands, respectively, are representative of one aspect of all Cirque du Soleil presentations that I really appreciate-how international the cast is.

And that reminds me-when it leaves LA, Corteo will be traveling around not only North America, but the world! So even if you're not in SoCal right now, don't despair. Just check-out their website below, and find-out when it's coming to your city.

And for lucky Angelenos, I understand that next month, Cirque will be bringing us yet another offering under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau on the waterfront! So get ready for that one, as well. You know that I am!

Corteo running through March 31, 2019
The Forum 3900 W. Manchester Blvd. Inglewood www.cirquedusoleil.com/corteo

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THEATRE/LIVE PRODUCTION: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S CORTEO

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Southern Californians-you have only this week-end to behold another amazing Cirque du Soleil show right in our own backyard! So please rush right out to see Corteo, at the Fabulous Forum, one of my original favorite venues in LA! First, a thought on Cirque du Soleil in general.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo is at Lawlor events center this weekend. The production is described as "the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil arena production."

"Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. 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."
Get show details here.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo is at Lawlor events center this weekend. The production is described as "the latest and most enchanting Cirque du Soleil arena production." "Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown.

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RIO RANCHO, N.M. - "Corteo," one of Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic productions, is coming to Santa Ana Star Center on April 11 to 14.

"Corteo," meaning a joyous procession in Italian, follows the story of a clown who imagines his own funeral. This show, produced by Daniele Finzi Pasca, brings together musical and theatrical elements to excite audiences with a world of fun, comedy and spontaneity, according to Cirque du Soleil's website.

Julie Dionne, an acrobat in the show, has worked in the circus business for 20 years and said she particularly enjoys "Corteo" because it has more of a human aspect to it, compared to other shows.

"I like that the show is very down-to-earth and human-like," Dionne said. "It's a very beautiful, poetic, theatrical piece. It's also very interesting and funny."

Dionne has worked on "Corteo" for many years, including when the show first started in 2004. She said the biggest challenges in her line of work are staying healthy and keeping her body in good shape.

"Being sick is challenging. When you are performing and spinning and hanging upside down, that is the most challenging," she said. "The show must go on, though; that's part of the saying. If I'm not there, others have more pressure put on them to put on the show."

................................................................

Performers and crew members working on Corteo carry on a lifestyle of being on the road all the time and traveling weekly for their career. However, Dionne said her job is very rewarding because she is able to bring joy to many people.

"Seeing the public's reaction is most rewarding," she said. "Getting to see the audience react to the show, and see their emotions, their approval - that is rewarding."

"Corteo" is a show suitable for all audiences. Since the show has started, more than 8 million people have seen the performance.

"It's quite a show for everyone," Dionne said. "Every generation appreciates it. Older people love to see the fashion and set designs, while younger people are interested in the acrobats and the tricks. Everyone can find pleasure in watching the show."

Tickets and more information can be found at cirquedusoleil.com.

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A joyous procession parades into Star Center next month

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RIO RANCHO, N.M. - "Corteo," one of Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic productions, is coming to Santa Ana Star Center on April 11 to 14. "Corteo," meaning a joyous procession in Italian, follows the story of a clown who imagines his own funeral.

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The Clackamas Print - Clackamas Community College News

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'Corteo' from Cirque Du Soleil comes back to Portland

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Take a Look Behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo

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In Cirque du Soleil's extravaganza Corteo, a clown envisions his own funeral. Although the show meditates on death, being part of it is a joy for David Lieder Resnick, who started doing gymnastics 30 to 40 hours a week when he was 6 years old and is featured in two acts of Corteo, titled Bouncing Beds and Tournik.

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Cirque Du Soleil performing artist, Harvey Donnelly, stops by MORE

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Cirque Du Soleil performing artist, Harvey Donnelly, stops by MORE

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Director - 15 Minutes - Opinions - February 28, 2019

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By Jeri Chadwell. Mark Shaub is the artistic director for Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo. Published on February 28, 2019 as 15 Minutes in the Opinions section of the Reno News & Review

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Stef Manisero and Todd Boatwright talk to Cirque du Soleil performer Julie Dionne about the latest performance in Cedar Park.

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This, it is safe to say, is an unusual job description:

"I'm going to be the golf ball," said Marie-Christine Ménard-Bergeron, speaking on the phone from Pittsburgh. "There's a comedy moment with the giant, where I poke my head out of the stage, and I try to talk him out of swinging my head away, basically."

That bit of strange humor is just one of the many surreal set pieces that make up "Corteo," the Cirque du Soleil spectacle that will occupy FedExForum from Jan. 31-Feb. 3, in much the same way that strange visions must have occupied the mind of Lewis Carroll before he devised the story of Alice in Wonderland.

"The show is kind of a dream, in an atmosphere between reality and fantasy," said Ménard-Bergeron, 31, one of the 51 acrobats, gymnasts, clowns and other performers who make up this particular Cirque du Soleil troupe. "It's magical and beautiful."

Corteo is the Italian word for cortege, as in funeral cortege, or procession. According to a Cirque du Soleil press release, the performances in the "Corteo" show represent the imaginings of a clown who is "picturing his own funeral." What he pictures is "a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels..."

By "juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection," continues the press release, "the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us."

In other words: Although the name means "Circus of the Sun," Cirque du Soleil has ambitions beyond those of the typical circus. Said Ménard-Bergeron: "We're doing a celebration of life, so people can really relate to us."

If that sounds heavy, rest assured the performers will appear light as feathers - there's even a "Helium Dance" number - as they tumble, contort, spin, balance and otherwise seem to defy gravity and physics. But, of course, much of the show's appeal is due to the audience's awareness that what they are seeing is not a product of movie-style digital trickery or magic-show illusion.

"We're right there in front of them, so they see there are no ropes, no special effects," said Ménard-Bergeron, a lifelong athlete, gymnast and former competitive diver who had been dreaming of joining Cirque du Soleil since her teen years in the Canadian province of Quebec where the now world-famous reinvention of the traditional big-top circus show was founded in 1984. "We're really human, so people can relate to us."

Human, for sure. "It's super fun," Ménard-Bergeron said of her job, which currently is taking her all over North America (after Pittsburgh, "Corteo" travels to Evansville, Indiana, and then to Memphis). "But there's a flip side because, yes, you're always sore, you never wake up without pain. And sometimes you have a fever or you're tired, but you just put all of that aside and do the show the best you can, because you know that for most people in the audience, this is the only time they will see the show."

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

Jan. 31-Feb. 3, FedExForum

Show times: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31-Feb. 2; 3:30 p.m. Feb. 2; 1 and 5 p.m. Feb. 3

Tickets: $44-$110

Visit TicketMaster.com, FedExForum.com or cirquedusoleil.com/corteo, or call 1-800-745-3000.

► Find even more things to do in Memphis with the Commercial Appeal app.

Read or Share this story: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/2019/01/23/cirque-du-soleil-corteo-memphis-fedexforum/2615176002/

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Cirque du Soleil swings into Memphis; here's what you can expect during 'Corteo' show

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This, it is safe to say, is an unusual job description: "I'm going to be the golf ball," said Marie-Christine Ménard-Bergeron, speaking on the phone from Pittsburgh. "There's a comedy moment with the giant, where I poke my head out of the stage, and I try to talk him out of swinging my head away, basically."

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WEHT Local Lifestyles - Cirque de Soleil "Corteo"

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Cirque de Soleil productions is coming to the Ford Center with a festive new show called Corteo. Artist Frederic Umali shares the excitement with us.

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Cirque du Soleil 'Corteo' swings into Ford Center

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The latest spectacular by Cirque du Soleil is in Evansville through Sunday; and audineces won't want to miss a chance to see 'Corteo.'

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo at Evansville's Ford Center

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Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession or festive parade imagined by a clown.

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Last night, I was invited to attend the opening night of Cirque du Soleil: Corteo at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN. It has been several years since I attended a Cirque show which focused mostly on acrobatics. Corteo was completely different and I absolutely LOVED it.

When you walk into the Ford Center, the stage is set in the middle of the arena and seats are placed on either side with the ends blocked off so there are no bad seats. With a live orchestra, in character, stationed at all four corners and all live music, the acoustics in the venue are phenomenal. And the show was full of laughter, emotional moments, and surprises around every corner. At one point, I think I actually squealed with delight. It just came out. Don't judge me!

According to their website, "The clown Mauro has passed, but his spirit is still with us. Instead of mourning, the funeral cortege celebrates the here and hereafter with laughter and exuberance. Rich, extravagant memories frolic with the senses. The sound of laughter peals around the stage, visions of joyous tumblers and players fascinate the eyes. Regret and melancholy retreat in the face of a cavalcade of lively recollections of a life gloriously lived. A festive parade that entertains; the perfect accolade for an artist whose life was dedicated to revelry and making merry."

The storyline was perfectly whimsical and the performer who played Mauro had me in stitches! There were, of course, acrobatics and feats of danger but each part was played with care and deep emotion. Even my husband, who doesn't fancy himself a live performance connoisseur was enchanted. He didn't exactly use the word "enchanted" but I could tell... A wife can tell when her husband is enchanted, ya know?

Corteo was so good, that my next order of business is to purchase tickets for my parents and daughter because after hearing our rave reviews, they have to go and see it for themselves. And, dear readers, I'd suggest not googling photos and video of the performance because the surprises are a fantastic touch! If you HAVE to see it and won't just take my word for it (which you should), watch the above video.

You can still purchase tickets to the show - as they will be performing today thru Jan 27, 2019 here in Evansville. To see ticket options, click here.

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A Review of Cirque du Soleil ~ Corteo ~ at the Ford Center

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Last night, I was invited to attend the opening night of Cirque du Soleil: Corteo at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN. It has been several years since I attended a Cirque show which focused mostly on acrobatics. Corteo was completely different and I absolutely LOVED it.

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Harvey Donnelly- Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' 11.14.18

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Live Video Breaking News Weather Delays/ Closings

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cirque du Soleil's upcoming production will feature six Cleveland dates this fall.

The troupe puts on a circus-like performance, with acrobats flying through the air and groups moving in carefully choreographed dances on the ground. Cirque du Soleil formed over 30 years ago in Canada, and has toured around the world with its colorful, intricate shows.

The troupe's current tour, "Corteo," follows the story of a clown who imagines his funeral with angels watching over him. "Corteo" is an Italian word meaning cortege, or a funeral parade. The stage design was inspired by European landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, and features hand-painted curtains.

The performance includes 51 unique acrobats, musicians and actors. Some performers climb up tall, free-standing ladders. Others spin hula hoops, or leap through the air with a large teeter-totter. In addition to the death-defying stunts, "Corteo" includes humorous bits by clowns and a performance by a percussionist and a whistler.

The show premiered in April 2005 in Montreal, Canada, and has since toured through 19 countries and 64 cities.

Cirque du Soleil's "Corteo" will come through Cleveland from Nov. 15-18 for six performances at the Quicken Loans Arena, 1 Center Ct., Cleveland.

Tickets will start at $39, and will go on sale to the general public Friday, May 18 at 10 a.m., but presale tickets are available for Cirque Club members. Find more information about "Corteo" tickets here.

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Cirque du Soleil will bring acrobatic 'Corteo' tour to Cleveland this fall (photos)

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cirque du Soleil's upcoming production will feature six Cleveland dates this fall. The troupe puts on a circus-like performance, with acrobats flying through the air and groups moving in carefully choreographed dances on the ground. Cirque du Soleil formed over 30 years ago in Canada, and has toured around the world with its colorful, intricate shows.

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CLEVELAND - Cirque Du Soleil began with 20 street performers in 1984. Since then, their shows have been viewed by 180 million people in 60 countries. Their latest show to hit Cleveland, Corteo, is about a clown picturing his own funeral. However, with Cirque Du Soleil, the storyline is only the beginning.

Their shows use many different performers from a wide range of backgrounds. Freddy Umali, for example, has been training to be a Cirque performer since he was a wee lad. Even though he didn't know it at the time.

"It took me all my life to be able to prepare my body to do the things that I do," says Umali. "I was a gymnast for the United States since I was about 6 years old." After gymnastics, Freddy was looking for another career path to use his talents and found a home with Cirque Du Soleil. Umali says, "It led me here."

Freddy is joined onstage by everyone from actors and acrobats to dancers and aerialist to make up the spectacle that is Corteo. The show, which originated back in 2004, even uses synchronized swimmers in the cast. All the performers, like Freddy, have been training for years to perfect their disciplines.

All told, the show uses over 50 performers from 18 different countries and about 60 others working backstage and behind the scenes. Umali says, " These productions take years of planning to create. About 110 people that travel just with this show, technicians. stage management, lighting, sound and we even have a catering staff that follows us around."

The show is very demanding of the performers with its fast pace with precision timing. When you add in the lights and music, Umali says it creates an intimate extravaganza that he looks forward to each and every night.

"We're not hidden behind lots of makeup or masks. I feel it's a much more intimate type show," says Umali. He continued, "I love performing in it so much."

Corteo has 6 performances at Quicken Loans Arena between November 15TH and November 18th. For ticket information, click here.

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Cirque Du Soleil brings Corteo to Cleveland

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CLEVELAND - Cirque Du Soleil began with 20 street performers in 1984. Since then, their shows have been viewed by 180 million people in 60 countries. Their latest show to hit Cleveland, Corteo, is about a clown picturing his own funeral. However, with Cirque Du Soleil, the storyline is only the beginning.

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Jennifer Mayerle Wcco and Mike Augustyniak peel back the curtain for a sneak peek of Corteo by Cirque du Soleil!

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Let's just get this out in the open, I am about to use some adult language.

Cirque du Soleil's Corteo arena show at the DCU Center almost made me shit my pants.

That's not hyperbole. If you are familiar with my weekly column, the Lyford Files, then you probably know that I don't enjoy writing reviews. I see it as counterproductive to my reporting duties, frankly. If there is something I would write a bad review for, I generally just scrap it. No harm, no foul. I'll save my word inches for the things I think are worthwhile.

Consider this the alternative.

I wrote a preview of Corteo last week and it sounded like a lot of fun. I've seen a few of Cirque's productions over the years, my favorite to date being last year's Crystal (I'm a sucker for ice skating, what can I say?). Corteo, was an entirely new sort of experience for me.

Corteo is one of the production company's flagship shows, debuting back in 2005. They've had plenty of time to dial it in and rearrange some acts for arenas, rather than the big top.

I knew this going in, but wasn't quite prepared for what I experienced.

Back to that fiery intro line.

I arrived a bit late to the show. The walk from dinner took a bit longer than expected, so when I received tickets at will call, my partner and I rushed to our seats, quick as rabbits.

Our seats were incredible. We were sat nearly center, close to the front row and directly behind the front of house audio mixing station.

The driving, dramatic music (performed live and itself quite awe-inspiring) was channeled through the massive PA stacks directly into our chests. The lights strobed while three chandeliers swung perilously and dancers (acrobats? Maybe both.) representing lead character Mauro's past lovers defied gravity above our heads. Disembodied feet marched across the stage. There was a lot to take in and -- in an entirely positive and jaw-dropping way -- it was too much for me. I thought for sure I was going to be sick. Possibly in my seat, probably by projectile vomiting. It had been awhile, but I was most certainly experiencing a panic attack. The only course of action was to maniacally leap from my chair and rush up the steps.

Here's the thing, that is the most positive possible review I can give of Corteo. It was so incredible, so well put together, so eye-opening, that my minuscule brain couldn't handle it. So, I did what any self-respecting (ha!) journalist would do, I got a 24 ounce Coors Light and held some breathing exercises in the men's room until I was confident I wouldn't ruin my seat-mate's night.

And, boy, am I glad I did. Cirque du Soleil is a production you simply have to experience. It's theatrical, it's dramatic and it's a testament to what humankind is capable of.

Corteo is a dark story. It follows lead Mauro as he relives moments of his life in the circus from his death bed. It's beautiful, it's whimsical and it infuses its dark space with a magic I am incapable of defining.

Here is my advice: Corteo is performing at the DCU Center through Sunday, Jan. 6. Tickets start at $54. If you can swing it (and lord knows I understand if you can't), you should go. Even if the show is something that would never, ever be on your radar, you owe it to yourself to experience it. I assure you, you will leave breathless, astounded and capable of saying one single phrase: "oh my god."

And hey, if I'm wrong, at least you probably won't shit your pants.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo is absolutely wild

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Let's just get this out in the open, I am about to use some adult language. Cirque du Soleil's Corteo arena show at the DCU Center almost made me shit my pants. That's not hyperbole. If you are familiar with my weekly column, the Lyford Files, then you probably know that I don't enjoy writing reviews.

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Cirque Du Soleil's 'Corteo' Now Playing at Target Center

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This weekend, you can get your friends and family together to attend a lively new Cirque du Soleil performance in Minneapolis ...

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The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge

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By Lethbridge Herald on October 31, 2018.

Herald photo by Ian Martens Performers roll over the stage in cyr wheels as they rehearse Wednesday for the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo, set for performances at the Enmax Centre through until Sunday. @IMartensHerald

Productions runs until Sunday at the Enmax Centre

Tim Kalinowski
Lethbridge Herald
tkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com
Cirque du Soleil has built a reputation over the past 30 years as the foremost name in the artistic expression and circus performance, bringing together lavish set pieces, amazing costumes and riveting, live, original music to complement superhuman feats of gymnastics and acrobatics displayed on stage.
But at the heart of Cirque du Soleil's success, beyond the spectacle, has always been a sense of creative experimentation, a touch of mysticism and an emotional yearning to understand and give expression to the human condition. In this respect "Corteo," which opened Wednesday and runs until Sunday at the Enmax Centre, is one of the most powerful and relatable of Cirque du Soleil's productions.
"That is one of the things I appreciate about this show," said Cirque teeterboard and cyr wheel artist Harvey Donnelly at a press opportunity on Wednesday. "I have worked for five other shows, but the focus on detail and the artistic creativity that is in this show, 'Corteo,' is so like a fine painting coming to life. The director, who as an Italian Daniele (Finzi Pasca), skipped no minor detail. Every single fine thing was his masterpiece. We have a great artistic team that tour with us who remind us of the creativity and the meaning that is 'Corteo.'"
"Corteo," which literally translates as "Funeral Procession," is about a dying circus clown named Mauro who dreams about the wonders he has experienced in his full, rich life and the many friends he has met along the way.
"The audience feels touched and moved by the things they see on stage," said Cirque publicist Maxwell Batista. "We are going to go though the journey of Mauro's life and there is a mix of feelings they will have, from nostalgia to excitement and happiness. It's a completely different experience the audience will have, and here people will be able to forget the things that are happening in the outside world and focus on the life of this clown. At the end of the performance, I think they will be inspired and moved by everything they see there."
Lethbridge residents attending the nightly shows can expect an enthralling experience carefully crafted by Cirque du Soleil's world-class production design team, added Batista
"It's a massive production with a lot of different departments working together to put this together," said Batista. "When we create a Cirque du Soleil production, we have a set designer, makeup designer, costume designer, composer for the soundtrack, the creator of the show - it is a big team working together to put all the pieces of this big puzzle together and makes sure it looks like one big beautiful piece like 'Corteo.'"
Tickets are available at http://www.enmaxcentre.ca.
Follow @TimKalHerald on Twitter

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Corteo one of Cirque's most powerful productions

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Productions runs until Sunday at the Enmax Centre Tim Kalinowski Lethbridge Herald tkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com Cirque du Soleil has built a

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As a classically trained musician, Stephane Allard didn't imagine himself a circus performer - especially not one in clown makeup and full costume - but that is now his life in Cirque du Soleil's Corteo.

The violinist studied in Quebec City and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and was freelancing in Montreal when Cirque first entered his world on a day in 2002. A composer contacted him, asking him to create a piece of music for Cirque's Varekai show, which ran from 2002 to 2013 as a big top show and from 2013 to 2017 as an arena show.

Allard said he wasn't ready to tour at that point and only did shows near his home in Montreal and Quebec City.

"And then I let it go - until 2009, when I was called in as a replacement for Cirque's Corteo show in Japan," he said.

"That was supposed to be for six months, but it ended up being three years - and then it was extended."

Corteo, which is coming to Kamloops in its return as an arena show next week, started off as a big top show in 2005, running until 2015.

The show tells the story of a clown, Mauro, on his deathbed, who imagines a parade of characters and scenes from his past, as Allard put it.

That parade features acts like the acrobatic ladder, where a ladder specialist interacts with a floating angel while keeping up an unnerving balance. Another is the helium dance, which features a tender and poetic moment between the dreaming clown and his clowness, who floats attached to large balloons.

"It just brings the audience into a theatrical world of fun and comedy," Allard said.

Allard is primarily a musician in the show, but his new life as a clown also brings with it "something different," which the performer said he appreciates, leading him to explore new opportunities the show presents.

"And what's even newer for me, I'm doing a backup act," he said.

Allard said he appears in the first act of the show and that it feels "just fantastic" when he's on stage.

But what the performer really appreciates is touring with the show's acrobats, downplaying his own role in comparison.

"For us musicians, you can say it's an easy job, yes and no, but we don't have to go during the day and work our act. We go there for soundcheck, we warm up and play and it's good," he said.

"The acrobats have to go early, and they do their act and they work hard and that's what the people will see. When they perform, they are really into it."

Corteo will run from Wednesday, Oct. 24, to Sunday, Oct. 28, at Sandman Centre, 300 Lorne St. The shows during the week are at 7:30 p.m. while weekend shows are at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range in price from $57 to $143 depending on location and are available online via Ticketmaster.

© 2018 Kamloops This Week

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Violinist-turned-clown provides soundtrack for Cirque show

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As a classically trained musician, Stephane Allard didn't imagine himself a circus performer - especially not one in clown makeup and full costume - but that is now his life in Cirque du Soleil's . . .

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KAMLOOPS - The latest Cirque du Soleil production has made its way to Kamloops, and will be wowing audiences tonight until Sunday.

Along with impressive displays of acrobatics, and showcasing the potential of human movement, the story of "Corteo" is centred around the funeral of a clown, reflecting on his life experiences.

While funerals generally aren't particularly cheerful, Corteo publicist Max Batista, says the show has a positive focus.

"We're going to see his friends from all over the world, in different circuses coming to see him and show all their amazing skills that they have," Batista says. "It is a celebration of life, where we kind of go through the journey of this clown, and see all the greatest moments that he had while he was alive."

Like most Cirque du Soleil shows, the talent showcased comes from all over the world.

"In Corteo we have 52 performers, from 18 different nationalities," Batista says. "They have a big variety of backgrounds. We have some musicians, actors, actresses, people coming from circus school, gymnasts. So it's a really mixed group."

Included in the international group is juggler Johan Juslin, originally from Finland, who got his start at a young age.

"I saw Cirque du Soleil on TV, and the juggler in the show was just mesmerizing," Juslin says. "There was something with the juggling that made me super interested with the whole thing. So when the show was done, I went to my backyard with three tennis balls and started practicing, and I've been juggling since then. So, 17 years now."

Preparations for each city's show are no small endeavour either, which performer Marie-Christine Menard says can take a full day of rehearsing and setting up.

"On Wednesday, every city, it's always a long training day," Menard says. "Everybody gets here super early, and then we slowly get through the day to be ready for the evening."

The first performance starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Oct. 24, and the Sandman Centre will be hosting the show until Sunday.

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Cirque du Soleil's Kamloops performance will turn a funeral into a celebration

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Your source for news, sports, weather, classifieds, and more.

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SPOTLIGHT

Cirque Corteo

Enmax Centre, Lethbridge

Oct. 31 to Nov. 4

Tickets and info: cirquedusoleil.com

In 1967, Ray Davies documented the final days of a circus performer in a melancholic bit of music titled Death of a Clown. In Cirque du Soleil's show Corteo, a clown who has taken his final bow watches his own funeral procession pass.

To say it's a lively wake would be a gross understatement.

The show had its premiere in 2007 in Montreal and toured the globe for the next eight years. Mounted in a unique in-the-round big top presentation, Corteo proved to be one of the most beloved creations of the Cirque du Soleil. In 2017, the Quebec-based performing arts behemoth announced that a re-imagined Corteo. The new show opened in March, and tours across Canada, coming to Lethbridge's Enmax Centre Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.

Mark Shaub is the artistic director of the re-configured show. Having begun his work with Cirque du Soleil as the first artistic director of the Corteo big top, he's pleased to be on board.

"What we're bringing to Canada is a re-creation of the show with all of the heart and soul but behind-the-scenes there are significant technological advancements," said Shaub.

"To go into the arena was quite a significant undertaking and one that required a lot of attention to the details of what is, for me, one of my all-time favourite Cirque shows."

Technically speaking, all of the company's shows have a narrative line threading through the high wire antics, juggling and balancing dynamics and assorted bells, whistles, bicycles and what-have-you. Truthfully, most of these are pretty esoteric and nobody in the audience devotes much effort to follow along. Corteo is quite different.

Anchored around the central character of Mauro the Dreamer Clown, who may or may not be experiencing his fantastic funeral, the story does play out in near linearity. As such beautifully staged acts as the Helium Dance (a dazzling Hula-Hoop showcase) occur, the audience gets a feeling for the clown's deep humanity.

Shaub heartily agrees, noting there was a lot of concern that this might not translate well into a hockey rink venue, or its equivalent.

"We always said that Corteo was too technically complex to take into an arena and, when we retired it in 2015, thought that was it," he said.

"But, in terms of technological advancement, there are things which we never thought possible that are possible now, and we had rigging and automation specialists working on this for 18 months before we brought anyone else in. The original production had this arched (promenade) that allowed for all kinds of motorized flights and movements which we can now do on a flat frame that can be quickly assembled and disassembled for an arena set up."

One of the things that was key to the original production was being close to the performers to maintain the intimacy required to enjoy the character-based flow of the show. By limiting ticket sales to specific areas of the arena, that intimacy is, hopefully, maintained.

Shaub says that this is the best version of the show he's seen.

"Owing to the time constraints present in an arena setting, the show has been tightened up and edited in areas which should have been done years ago," he said.

"You have tighter transitions, better pacing and - best of all - our original Mauro, bandleader, giant and little people from the 2005 production are all back. They were concerned that we didn't mess it up."

The future for Cirque du Soleil is clearly in the arena setting and Corteo is aiming for the same audience that the Michael Jackson Immortal and Avatar-themed Toruk: The First Flight productions drew in.

While the giant striped Grand Chapiteaux have come to be events in themselves, there are more rinks and stages across the country than there are places to pitch a big top. By streamlining shows like Corteo, the company is able to reach all audiences which don't go to major urban centres for a big top show or Las Vegas for a permanent production. The big top may be the heart and soul of the company, but economies of scale require new approaches.

"What is exciting is that there is still room to do those long-touring life big top shows and the permanent shows in Las Vegas, Orlando and (soon) China, while also launching arena-direct shows like Delirium, Toruk or Michael Jackson," he said.

"And we've got our ice shows such as Crystal, which are perfect for Canada. Maybe we hit upon something there again?"

With over 260 costumes, the stage, and all the acrobatic rigging and lighting, the Corteo tour has a lineup of semi-trailers and talent transportation to rival any pop major act. It also has more than 15 nationalities and languages on the bus, as Cirque's entertainment empire is most definitely global.

sderdeyn@postmedia.com

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Cirque du Soleil stages re-imagined favourite Corteo in arena setting

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SPOTLIGHTCirque CorteoEnmax Centre, LethbridgeOct. 31 to Nov. 4Tickets and info: cirquedusoleil.com In 1967, Ray Davies documented the final days of a circus performer in a melancholic bit of music titled Death of a Clown.

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October 25, 2018 - 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS - Cirque du Soleil is in Kamloops this week, and the Sandman Centre is buzzing with clowns.

But not just clowns. Musicians, acrobats, and the technical crews who keep the gears oiled, and the seams sewed are in town for the production of Corteo.

Based off the Italian word "Cortéo" meaning "procession" this Cirque du Soleil spectacle tells the story of Mauro the clown's funeral.

"Yes it is about his funeral but it is a celebration of life," touring publicist Max Batista says. "When somebody is about to die they have flashbacks of everything that happened in their life. This is what you're going to see on stage."

While you can see the show in Kamloops until Sunday, Oct. 28, here are some parts of the show that you don't see.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shelby Thevenot or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

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iN PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of Corteo in Kamloops

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KAMLOOPS - Cirque du Soleil is in Kamloops this week, and the Sandman Centre is buzzing with clowns.But not just clowns. Musicians, acrobats, and the techni

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As a classically trained musician, Stephane Allard didn't imagine himself a circus performer - especially not one in clown makeup and full costume - but that is now his life in Cirque du Soleil's Corteo.

The violinist studied in Quebec City and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and was freelancing in Montreal when Cirque first entered his world on a day in 2002. A composer contacted him, asking him to create a piece of music for Cirque's Varekai show, which ran from 2002 to 2013 as a big top show and from 2013 to 2017 as an arena show.

Allard said he wasn't ready to tour at that point and only did shows near his home in Montreal and Quebec City.

"And then I let it go - until 2009, when I was called in as a replacement for Cirque's Corteo show in Japan," he said.

"That was supposed to be for six months, but it ended up being three years - and then it was extended."

Corteo, which is coming to Kamloops in its return as an arena show next week, started off as a big top show in 2005, running until 2015.

The show tells the story of a clown, Mauro, on his deathbed, who imagines a parade of characters and scenes from his past, as Allard put it.

That parade features acts like the acrobatic ladder, where a ladder specialist interacts with a floating angel while keeping up an unnerving balance. Another is the helium dance, which features a tender and poetic moment between the dreaming clown and his clowness, who floats attached to large balloons.

"It just brings the audience into a theatrical world of fun and comedy," Allard said.

Allard is primarily a musician in the show, but his new life as a clown also brings with it "something different," which the performer said he appreciates, leading him to explore new opportunities the show presents.

"And what's even newer for me, I'm doing a backup act," he said.

Allard said he appears in the first act of the show and that it feels "just fantastic" when he's on stage.

But what the performer really appreciates is touring with the show's acrobats, downplaying his own role in comparison.

"For us musicians, you can say it's an easy job, yes and no, but we don't have to go during the day and work our act. We go there for soundcheck, we warm up and play and it's good," he said.

"The acrobats have to go early, and they do their act and they work hard and that's what the people will see. When they perform, they are really into it."

Corteo will run from Wednesday, Oct. 24, to Sunday, Oct. 28, at Sandman Centre, 300 Lorne St. The shows during the week are at 7:30 p.m. while weekend shows are at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range in price from $57 to $143 depending on location and are available online via Ticketmaster.

© 2018 Kamloops This Week

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Violinist-turned-clown provides soundtrack for Cirque show

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As a classically trained musician, Stephane Allard didn't imagine himself a circus performer - especially not one in clown makeup and full costume - but that is now his life in Cirque du Soleil's . . .

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Just saying the name Cirque du Soleil results in shortness of breath, an increased heart rate, a sense of exhilaration, the anticipation of greatness.

Originally composed of 20 Montreal street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil reinvented circus arts and became a world leader in artistic entertainment.

After thoroughly enjoying performances in Vancouver and Florida, I could hardly wait to experience the opening night of Corteo (pronounced core-TAY-oh) at Prospera Place in Kelowna on Wednesday. A total of eight shows will be presented through Sunday. Tickets are available at Select Your Tickets or the Prospera Place box office.

Although Corteo is promoted on its current North American tour as Cirque du Soleil's latest arena show, it actually premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, one of the best-loved productions has amazed eight million people in 64 cities in 19 countries on four continents.

As soon as 2,000 fans entered Prospera's arena on Wednesday, it became abundantly clear that Cirque had done it again, reimagined how an audience would experience the circus.

Director Daniele Finzi Pasca has brought everyone into an intimate setting never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena shows: a circular stage with seating in both the front and back. Or is it in the front and front?

The set curtains, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and the central curtains, which were hand-painted, give a grand feel to the stage.

On both sides - or, in this case, four sides - are huge decorative wood carvings to, in effect, frame the stage a la 1800s.

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown who is literally lying on his death bed in the opening scene. Yet, in typical Cirque mind-warping style, he isn't at death's door but perhaps dreaming of his own funeral in which friends from circuses around the world perform to celebrate his life. Except he can not only watch but participate in the surreal funeral, which occurs "in a mysterious space between heaven and earth."

So it shouldn't be a surprise that angels drift down from the heavens (or side stage) and even participate in a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity, all in the most outrageous costumes. (Loved the human golf ball.)

As in other Cirque shows, Pasca has meticulously arranged the proceedings as a series of skits sandwiched between various events in a Cirque Olympics.

Those who have watched TV shows like America's Got Talent will have seen competitors balancing on and climbing a free-standing ladder in the middle of the stage, for instance. Or jugglers. Or trapeze artists. Or pole dancers. Or a performer spinning around inside a two-metre metal hoop.

Cirque not only takes it to another level, but does it in the unique Cirque style. It's not just (adult-looking) children playing in two beds, but two beds which double as trampolines. Inside three chandeliers are large hoops (three-ring circus) where men and women skilfully perform a seemingly endless variety of acrobatic manoeuvres (including hanging by their toes).

Cirque fans have seen similar routines, such as the two long drapes hanging from a cable with a lithe young woman wrapping the ends around her hands, arms, legs and body while careening above the stage. But it never fails to thrill.

With a show like this, a reviewer has to be careful not to spoil all the surprises. Suffice to say, there are a lot.

Although there is the required amount of acting, Cirque must attract some of the best physical specimens who aren't reticent about displaying their prowess, whether it is on rings, drapes, hoops or ladders. Like the imagined or dreamt funeral participants, the cast of Corteo includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from around the world.

Corteo lives up to its advance billing as one of the best. Now, when is the next Cirque show coming to the Okanagan? I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later.

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Review: Cirque du Soleil arena show delivers on lofty expectations

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Just saying the name Cirque du Soleil results in shortness of breath, an increased heart rate, a sense of exhilaration, the anticipation of greatness.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo wowed crowds at Prospera Place on opening night in Kelowna.

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown.

The concept, stage design and presentation bring a theatrical atmosphere like no other to the confines of an arena more usually host to WHL hockey.

"We have over 100 people working together to make a show like this happen," said publicist Max Batista. "There are 51 performers from 18 different nationalities."

The unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in 2005. Since then, it has amazed eight million people in 64 cities and 19 countries on four continents.

"It's one of the most unique Cirque du Soleil performances. The stage is right in the middle of the arena, so we will have people on both sides, which gives the audience the perspective of the actor," Batista added.

For tickets, click here.

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo wowed crowds at Prospera Place on opening night in Kelowna.

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Corteo, One of the best-loved Cirque du Soleil productions was performed at Save On Foods Memorial Arena this past weekend Oct 4-7th 2018. ISN photographer Troy Ferris was on hand to capture a few shots for us, Enjoy !

Your sports. Your teams. The ISN Daily Digest.

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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - CORTEO ISN Photo Essay - ISN

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Corteo, One of the best-loved Cirque du Soleil productions was performed at Save On Foods Memorial Arena this past weekend Oct 4-7th 2018. ISN photographer Troy Ferris was on hand to capture a few shots for us, Enjoy ! Your sports. Your teams. The ISN Daily Digest.Sign up to the ISN Daily Digest and sit [...]

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The Cirque is back in town, this time with new show, Corteo at the Pacific Coliseum from Oct 10-14. Our community reporter Michael Newman, got a backstage preview to the show and even takes a stab at juggling.

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Cirque du Soleil Corteo juggles both wonder and amazement | Watch News Videos Online

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Watch Cirque du Soleil Corteo juggles both wonder and amazement Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

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WATCH: Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will run at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria Thursday to Sunday. April Lawrence got a sneak peak of the show.
Cirque du Soleil Corteo has pulled into Victoria offering seven shows over the next four days.

Corteo is a tribute to the traditional circus. The main character a clown who is dreaming about his own funeral.

"The show is a celebration of life when he sees his friends from all over the world in different circuses coming to see him they show all their amazing skills that they have," said Cirque du Soleil publicist Maxwell Batista.

The show features 51 performers from 18 different countries with backgrounds ranging from gymnastics to diving to dancing. They play multiple characters throughout the show.

"I'm about eight to 10 years old, wearing pink pajamas, flipping on a bed jumping around, doing pillow fights, throwing a teddy around so it's pretty much a dream job," said performer Marie-Christine Menard-Bergeron who used to be a professional diver.

While the audience is mesmerized by the acrobatics on stage, there is another show happening behind the scenes. Dozens of people are sewing and prepping costumes, while others are preparing the massive props.

There is also a hidden zip line system that whips the performers back and forth underneath the stage.

"We hang on to the rope and they drag us to the other side of the stage," said Menard-Bergeron.

Corteo is one of the biggest touring productions Cirque du Soleil currently has.

Tickets are still available here.

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The circus is in town! A behind-the-scenes preview of Cirque du Soleil Corteo

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will run at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria Thursday to Sunday.

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WATCH: Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will run at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria Thursday to Sunday. April Lawrence got a sneak peak of the show.
Cirque du Soleil Corteo has pulled into Victoria offering seven shows over the next four days.

Corteo is a tribute to the traditional circus. The main character a clown who is dreaming about his own funeral.

"The show is a celebration of life when he sees his friends from all over the world in different circuses coming to see him they show all their amazing skills that they have," said Cirque du Soleil publicist Maxwell Batista.

The show features 51 performers from 18 different countries with backgrounds ranging from gymnastics to diving to dancing. They play multiple characters throughout the show.

"I'm about eight to 10 years old, wearing pink pajamas, flipping on a bed jumping around, doing pillow fights, throwing a teddy around so it's pretty much a dream job," said performer Marie-Christine Menard-Bergeron who used to be a professional diver.

While the audience is mesmerized by the acrobatics on stage, there is another show happening behind the scenes. Dozens of people are sewing and prepping costumes, while others are preparing the massive props.

There is also a hidden zip line system that whips the performers back and forth underneath the stage.

"We hang on to the rope and they drag us to the other side of the stage," said Menard-Bergeron.

Corteo is one of the biggest touring productions Cirque du Soleil currently has.

Tickets are still available here.

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The circus is in town! A behind-the-scenes preview of Cirque du Soleil Corteo

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Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will run at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria Thursday to Sunday.

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Crew members get ready for tonight's Cirque du Soleil performance, Corteo, at the Save on Foods Memorial Arena. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

WATCH: Backstage as Cirque du Soleil premieres 'Corteo' in Victoria

Story of a clown's dream-like funeral fantasy in the circus world runs Oct. 4-7 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

With the buzz and business backstage at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Thursday, some would say it looked like a circus, and they would be right.

Hundreds of people prepared for the Victoria premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo, which runs Oct. 4-7 at the Centre.

That meant that chandeliers had to be hung, trampolines had to be set up, and last minute costume adjustments had to be made.

While the stage itself - aptly nicknamed "patience" - took 12 hours to set up, the rest of the show is designed to run like a well-oiled machine.
READ MORE: Five fast facts about Cirque du Soleil's Corteo
Performers rehearsed their aerobatic, juggling and hoop routines, crew members adjusted lights and props, and costume designers made sure all outfits were ready for the stage.

Before showtime begins performers spend hours doing their own makeup, pulling products from a giant tool cabinet.

When the first note sounds to signal the start of the show, the audience will watch from two opposite sides of the stage.

Cast members will get from one side to the other using a pulley, as they lie on their backs and are transported by a below-stage conveyor belt - another aptly named contraption called the "stage crosser."

The 51-person cast will tell the story of Mauro, a contemporary circus clown who imagines what his own funeral might be like.
nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com
The show began Thursday, with matinee and evening performances until Corteo closes Oct. 7.

For more information or to purchase tickets you can head to sofmc.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Publicist Maxwell Batista shows off some of the costume gear during rehearsal for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Hoop performer Santé Fortunato rehearses for the Cirque du Soliel show, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Juggler Johan Juslin rehearses for the Cirque du Soleil performance, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Hoop performer Santé Fortunato rehearses for the Cirque du Soliel show, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

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WATCH: Backstage as Cirque du Soleil premieres 'Corteo' in Victoria - Goldstream News Gazette

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Story of a clown's dream-like funeral fantasy in the circus world runs Oct. 4-7 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

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Crew members get ready for tonight's Cirque du Soleil performance, Corteo, at the Save on Foods Memorial Arena. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

WATCH: Backstage as Cirque du Soleil premieres 'Corteo' in Victoria

Story of a clown's dream-like funeral fantasy in the circus world runs Oct. 4-7 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

With the buzz and business backstage at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Thursday, some would say it looked like a circus, and they would be right.

Hundreds of people prepared for the Victoria premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Corteo, which runs Oct. 4-7 at the Centre.

That meant that chandeliers had to be hung, trampolines had to be set up, and last minute costume adjustments had to be made.

While the stage itself - aptly nicknamed "patience" - took 12 hours to set up, the rest of the show is designed to run like a well-oiled machine.
READ MORE: Five fast facts about Cirque du Soleil's Corteo
Performers rehearsed their aerobatic, juggling and hoop routines, crew members adjusted lights and props, and costume designers made sure all outfits were ready for the stage.

Before showtime begins performers spend hours doing their own makeup, pulling products from a giant tool cabinet.

When the first note sounds to signal the start of the show, the audience will watch from two opposite sides of the stage.

Cast members will get from one side to the other using a pulley, as they lie on their backs and are transported by a below-stage conveyor belt - another aptly named contraption called the "stage crosser."

The 51-person cast will tell the story of Mauro, a contemporary circus clown who imagines what his own funeral might be like.
nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com
The show began Thursday, with matinee and evening performances until Corteo closes Oct. 7.

For more information or to purchase tickets you can head to sofmc.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Publicist Maxwell Batista shows off some of the costume gear during rehearsal for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Hoop performer Santé Fortunato rehearses for the Cirque du Soliel show, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Juggler Johan Juslin rehearses for the Cirque du Soleil performance, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Hoop performer Santé Fortunato rehearses for the Cirque du Soliel show, Corteo. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

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WATCH: Backstage as Cirque du Soleil premieres 'Corteo' in Victoria - Victoria News

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Story of a clown's dream-like funeral fantasy in the circus world runs Oct. 4-7 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

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ON STAGE

What: Cirque du Soleil's Corteo
Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.
When: Thursday through Sunday
Tickets: $45, $75, $99, and $130 available by phone at 250-220-7777, in person at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre box office, or online at cirquedusoleil.com and selectyourtickets.com

The distinctive style of Montreal-based theatrical troupe Cirque du Soleil has made it one of the most successful performing arts organizations in the world. Since 1984, various productions have won three Gemini Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and earned producers stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.

Clowns, acrobats and jugglers are synonymous with the circus-like production, which often leaves little room under the spotlight for the musicians involved. The songs that support the story arc are hugely important, however, for both the audience and the artists. Last year alone, 19 shows were being presented simultaneously throughout the world, employing more than 100 full-time musicians.

"It's an awesome chance I have to perform music to accompany acrobats," said assistant bandleader Philippe Poirier, who plays keyboards and saxophone in Corteo, one of the company's current touring productions.

"It's quite different from what I would usually do in a band, where we just play our own music. The quality of the show is better because of it. Whatever happens on stage, the music is following it."

Corteo has already been seen by eight million people in 64 cities in 19 countries on four continents - and, it would appear, there is no end in sight. Corteo is touring arenas in Western Canada beginning Thursday night, with the first of seven shows at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre through the weekend. The production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, also stops in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops as part of a North American tour that will continue through 2019. Corteo premièred in Montreal in 2005 and has been produced nearly 4,000 times in the years since.

The story follows Mauro the Dreamer, a clown who imagines his own funeral in a world that exists between heaven and Earth. The Montreal-based Poirier is among the 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from France, Hungary, Romania, Russia and elsewhere bringing the story to life. Poirier spends his time during the show in one of the four orchestra pits that hold six musicians and two singers. The musicians are connected through talk-back monitors while they are playing, which keeps them attuned to what is happening on stage.

Because it is live theatre, much can - and often does - veer from the script. It is the musicians' job to play along as if nothing happened, ensuring what the audiences sees has the semblance of well-timed orchestration. That can be difficult given the scope of the stage. There is a rotating 40-foot turntable to contend with, in addition to what is known as 'The Patience' - a massive steel structure that hangs four storeys above the stage.

Two enormous curtains also shield the musicians from the acrobats, making it even more difficult to see what is happening on stage. "It's challenging and fun at the same time because we never really know what is going to be the musical form every night," Poirier said. "If a juggler drops his club, we'll extend a section or shorten another one. Altogether we make it happen."

He has been with Cirque du Soleil since 2009, and has maintained a typically heavy schedule in the years since. Cirque du Soleil is known for taking care of its own, but producers expect a significant time commitment in return. Members of the touring company are on the road for 10 weeks at a time, followed by two weeks at home. The schedule can repeat itself for years at a time, Poirier said.

The musicians love being busy, he added. "It's dangerous to fall into a comfort zone, if you don't practise as much. As a saxophone player, I need to practise every day to keep my mind working and active. Like an acrobat who needs to stretch every day, it's challenge for me on the road. We travel so much and sometimes my instruments are in their road cases for two days when we change cities. It's a mission for me to keep searching, to keep trying to be better, to make sure I don't disappear into the curtain when all this is done."

mdevlin@timescolonist.com

© Copyright Times Colonist

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Wildly popular Cirque du Soleil show Corteo playing in Victoria

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The distinctive style of Montreal-based theatrical troupe Cirque du Soleil has made it one of the most successful performing arts organizations in the world. Since 1984, various productions have won three Gemini Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and earned producers stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.

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If you are in any way tempted to run away with Cirque du Soleil, I hope you have nerves of steel and the grace of a snowflake.

Have you ever tried the hula hoop? On your foot? While doing the splits? Suspended upside down by two people? I didn't know where to focus-the entire 360-degree stage was alive with something wonderful and breathtaking.

The performance, Corteo, centres on the funeral of one clown, who leads us with revelry and celebration through his memories while he journeys toward some form of afterlife. As he gains his wings, he recalls happy moments and life lessons from his childhood.

From bouncing on beds to tossing a ball at the beach, the performers make each experience truly wonder-filled. It's a spectacle that shocked and delighted as much as it made me shiver with the beauty of it all.

There is no detail left unattended. The music for the show is performed live from four small boxes around the circular platform, sometimes joined by a marching band of elegant clowns on stage. A man fills the arena with his arresting voice, joined by the equally moving ethereal vocals of a woman (who, at one point, sang a solo while suspended and flipping on aerial silks).

Finely tuned and hyper-flexible muscles ripple as the troupe hoist themselves up and toss each other around, performing incredible feats of acrobatics with barely a safety harness-and no nets-to be seen. These are human bodies honed to animalistic abilities.

The trust and reliance between performers must be paramount in both rehearsals and performance. One scene nearly ended in disaster when an acrobat stumbled slightly on his landing (after doing a triple flip off a massive teeter totter); upon landing, he was not standing on his end of the teeter totter to could catch his airborn counterpart on the descent. A collective gasp rippled through the audience, but the acrobats just shook it off and jumped back into it.

In turns cute, wondrous, whimsical, fearsome, sensual, funny, and always, always spectacular, Corteo does not disappoint. This is an inspiring homage to a life well lived, with no regrets or unfilled desires to dampen the journey. I left with a head and heart full of wonder at the incredible things human beings are capable of achieving.

Various times, until Sunday, October 7,
Various prices, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
sofmc.com

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Cirque du Soleil brings another night of magic to town with Corteo

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If you are in any way tempted to run away with Cirque du Soleil, I hope you have nerves of steel and the grace of a snowflake. Have you ever tried the hula hoop