Cirque du Soleil's 'Alegría' is Playing at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland,CO Next Week
In its show "Alegría" (Spanish for "joy" or "jubilation"), renowned Montreal performance troupe Cirque du Soleil uses extreme flights of choreographed athleticism to express this power struggle.
"It sets up the theme of the old establishment, old money, the older generation and their struggle and how they are forced to join forces with the younger generation and that pushes the world forward," explained "Alegría" Artistic Director Tim Smith of the show's theme told with a baroque style, complete with intricate costumes and operatic music.
But even if they don't catch all the nuances of the storyline, audiences won't miss it with this show.
Featuring a cast of 55 performers and musicians, "Alegría" showcases a dizzying array of breathtaking acts, including the synchro trapeze, where an aerial duo swings high above the crowd completing synchronized mid-air twists and maneuvers; contortionists, who manipulate their bodies into positively sculptural formations; and the Russian bars, in which artists perform somersaults and mid-air turns before landing on bars perched on the sturdy shoulders of the catchers below them.
"It's what Cirque does the best," Smith said. "They're the only ones who really do this. Every show has an amazing style and music and story that are taken to a new level."
While "Alegría" has been part of Cirque's show lineup in the big top for the last 16 years, it wasn't until May 2009 when the show went on the road for its current arena tour. While "Alegría's" theme is the same, Smith assured that even those who've seen the show before will find much is different with this production.
"The mandate of the company is creation," he said. "This is a theater show whose goal is to constantly challenge the performers and motivate the acts to continuously grow and change ... It constantly evolves."
Fast facts of Allegria
> The cast of "Alegría" includes 55 performers from 17 countries speaking 11 different languages.
> "Alegría" features more than 400 costume pieces and each of the singers' costumes includes more than 200 hand-sewn jewels.
> "Alegría" is Spanish for "joy" or "jubilation."
> Cirque du Soleil began in Montreal in 1984 with 73 employees; today it employs more than 5,000 people worldwide, including 1,200 performers.
> Since its beginning, Cirque du Soleil has performed shows in more than 300 cities on five continents to almost 100 million audience members.
> In 2010, 15 million people saw a Cirque du Soleil show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Jan. 29; 3:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 29; and 1 and 5 p.m. Jan. 30
Where: Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, Loveland
Cost: $35-$94 for adults; $28-$76 for children 12 and younger (there also are discounts for seniors and military, as well as a family four-pack deal)
Information: (877) 544-TIXX or http://comcasttix.com
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