The wonder of human artistry

When I know I will be in Las Vegas, one of the things I always plan in advance for is an evening at a Cirque du Soleil show. These theatrical productions are amazing to me in their artistic celebration of human talent; I am always awestruck, and think to myself, someone had to create this, and they did!

This time, I gladly shelled out the $165 per ticket for four of us to see “O” on my last night there, and it was a terrific impression to leave “Sin City” with. From their official website:

Cirque du Soleil weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance in the timeless production, “O.”  Inspired by the concept of infinity and the elegance of water’s pure form, “O” pays tribute to the beauty of the theatre - from the simplest street performance to the most lavish of operas - where anything is possible and where the drama of life plays itself out before our very eyes. World-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters perform in, on, and above water to create a breathtaking experience. Only at Bellagio, Las Vegas.
Watch a trailer here.

It’s my understanding that each Cirque show tells a story, and I’ve yet to understand what the story is actually about when I see each production for the first time; I’ll admit that I didn’t “get it” this time either. As I usually do, I get lost in all that happens on stage at one time, for the scenes are not singular, and like KÀ, in which a massive stage tilts, lifts, and goes completely vertical (and as tons of sand slide off it), “O” completely reinvents how we normally think of a ‘stage.’  Water covers it in part and then completely, and then to unimaginable depths as actors plunge into it from dizzying heights. And how in the world does that makeup and costuming stay on in all that water?

As a mom, I’m also very appreciative of how Cirque du Soleil contributes great family value to the Las Vegas experience; the older my own kids get, the harder it is to amaze and entrance them, and “O” did just that. Priceless, and worth every cent of those tickets.

Comments

[David Zinger]

Hi Rosa,

I love Cirque du Soleil. The music, the movement, the artistry. I never really try to figure out the story, I just sit there and soak it in with little understanding yet full appreciation.

David

[Rosa Say]

Aloha David, we are of a like mind on this! There is so very much to appreciate, and within the gratitude for what we are seeing I would say that we end up understanding quite a bit more.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Rosa - I, too, am a Cirque fan. I have always thought that it would be great for a senior team to go to a show the day before a strategic planning meeting. I have never been able to test this theory, but I bet it would make for better and richer imagination.

[Rosa Say]

What a terrific idea Lisa! Each Cirque show is available on video, however I'm not sure you can get the same effect unless you have a mega-sized screen with surround sound ... and perhaps a CEO willing to provide those costume and set-changing breaks that the Cirque clowns normally do!

I did a SP retreat for a hotel group in Las Vegas last June, and we DID see a Cirque show then (that was when I saw KÀ) - but it was the final night event as a thank you from the CEO for everyone's hard work and focus; we never thought of doing it first!

Let's invoke the "Law of Attraction" here and get this chance to happen for one of us - or both, and together!

[Steve Sherlock]

I too am enchanted by Cirque in almost equal parts the show itself and how they do it.

I endorse the idea of a joint viewing; sharing the experience is a wonderful thing. You can always come back to something specific that occured with someone from the group and they will be able to make the connection! These connections help to make the learning last as it will have tied play (the show), love (your sharing) and work (the connection) together.

Yes, I am enthralled with the Power Of Play by David Elkind which I just completed a review of the book.

Thanks for sharing Rosa! I want to go! I want to go now!