By Shari Barrett
The thrilling, internationally-acclaimed Cirque du Soleil KOOZA production is now entertaining audiences under its iconic Big Top adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier through December 1, returning to this much-loved location since its first show there in 2014. The signature Cirque du Soleil experience in its most exciting form features high-flying acrobatics, whimsical characters, lavish costuming, colorful sets, and a powerful live score.
A breathtaking return to its origins, KOOZA pays tribute to traditional circus in all its splendor with audacious acrobatic prowess and bold slapstick comedy, without any live animal acts. Filled with chills, thrills, laughter, and wonder, the show unfolds into a non-stop, adrenaline-packed series of edge-of-your-seat surprises.
KOOZA (translates as “box”) centers around an innovative journey viewed through the perspective of The Innocent, an endearing yet naïve clown looking for his place in the world. One day while artistically flying a kite, a mysterious large box is delivered. Once it is opened, out pops The Trickster, an enigmatic, highly skilled clown with the remarkable ability to transfer The Innocent to a bizarre and exotic world where his journey to self-discovery is inspired by traditional circus arts from around the globe. The show’s mind-boggling performances display remarkable showmanship, exceptional execution, and incredible agility, most notably during a double-level High Wire act, a Teeterboard see-saw and tumbling troupe, and the double Wheel of Death gravity-defying act, taking audiences on a thrilling emotional ride with its nail-biting, absolutely astounding acrobatics.
Many ensemble members run around the central promenade through the audience during scene changes, often stopping to greet patrons along the way. And two skits involve the cast selecting an audience member to join the fun, giving them a role to play amid the craziness! Traditional Cirque acts seen in other productions are included, most notably a trio of three female contortionists in skin-tight bodysuits, a woman whose multi-ring twirling on all parts of her body at once seems too improbable to be real, and a man balancing on a stacking tower of chairs which often sway as if ready to tumble like a stack of Jenga tiles!
This family-friendly production is a wonderful way to celebrate life and love across generations by purchasing Family 4-8 packs. Or perhaps you would prefer to treat yourself to the Cirque du Soleil exclusive VIP experience which includes tasting locally-sourced food prepared by a Cirque Touring Chef, strike a pose with performance artists in the beautiful, air-conditioned VIP Lounge, and gain access to the best seating which takes you close to, and perhaps part of, the action. The VIP lounge also includes an exclusive gift, a full bar available from the moment you arrive on site to the end of intermission, sweet treats, an exclusive entrance to the performance tent, and VIP restrooms.
KOOZA runs just over two hours with a 25-minute intermission. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the Big Top lobby and may be taken inside to enjoy during the show. A premium backstage tour, Meet and Greet, and Ticket & Hotel packages are available. For more information and tickets starting at $69, call (877) 924-7783 or visit cirquedusoleil.com/Kooza.
The music of the Harlem Renaissance comes to life in the three-time Tony Award-winning musical revue Ain’t Misbehavin’ directed and choreographed with great style and flair by Paul David Bryant, with music directed by William Foster McDaniel who accompanies the cast on piano while conducting the onstage live jazz band. The revue is filled with hit songs by Thomas “Fats” Waller, the big-hearted, bigger-than-life impresario and international jazz pianist who helped create and define American swing, including Honeysuckle Rose, the comical Your Feet’s Too Big, soulful ballad Black and Blue, the title song Ain’t Misbehavin’ and The Joint Is Jumpin’ among many others. The talented cast features Eric B. Anthony, Chante Carmel, Marty Austin Lamar, Amber Liekhus, and Fredericka Meek, each of whom exuberantly fills the stage with sass, humor, and heartfelt sentiment about the battle of the sexes.
Songs not written by Fats Waller (that he recorded) include I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, and It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie, among others from 1922-1943. The entire two-hour performance honoring his place in American music offers a joyful experience for all your senses, filled with humor, sexy banter, and great renditions by a fabulously talented cast. I especially enjoyed Eric B. Anthony’s stunning song and dance man moves during The Viper’s Drag, and his comical Fat and Greasy duo with Marty Austin Lamar during which the audience was invited to sing along. The Ladies who Sing with the Band highlights the trio of Carmel. Liekhus, and Meek reminiscent of early sister trios which eventually led to groups like the Supremes.
Flashy and sparkling cocktail party costumes designed by Carina Holley and wigs designed by Garrett Ruiz add to the revue’s classy nightclub atmosphere, especially during Lounging at the Waldorf. The entire production is enhanced by scenic designer Edward E. Haynes, Jr.’s multi-level set, which I first admired in the Laguna Playhouse production, and colorful lighting design by Paul Black. During the first act, sound design by Cobalt McAvinue was out of balance, making it difficult to understand most of the words being sung; thankfully the problem was corrected during Act 2.
Musical Theatre West’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ The Fats Waller Musical Show, conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz, continues on Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. through November 3 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of Cal Stage Long Beach, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach 90840. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org
The Verdi Chorus, led by Anne Marie Ketchum, kicks off its 41st season with its Fall 2024 Concert We Are Verdi Bizet on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd Street, Santa Monica 90401. The program will feature selections from three Verdi operas – I Lombardi, Don Carlo and Rigoletto and Bizet’s Carmen and The Pearl Fishers. The program will also feature four guest soloists: critically acclaimed soprano Shana Blake Hill, award -winning mezzo soprano Audrey Babcock, tenor Todd Wilander, and critically praised dramatic baritone Malcolm MacKenzie. Tickets are available online at www.verdichorus.org. Priority seating is available for $50, general admission is $40, seniors are $30, and students aged 25 and under with a valid ID are $10.
