The amazing, imaginative Cirque du Soliel began in 1984. Since its simple beginnings as a group of street performers it has blossomed into an international force. In 2013 Cirque had 19 different shows in production throughout the world. Now, in 2014, you and your family can see their newest theatrical creation, TOTEM, which is about the creation of the world.
The amazing, imaginative Cirque du Soliel began in 1984. Since its simple beginnings as a group of street performers it has blossomed into an international force. In 2013 Cirque had 19 different shows in production throughout the world. Now, in 2014, you and your family can see their newest theatrical creation, TOTEM, which is about the creation of the world.
The show, written and directed by Robert Lepage, begins as “The Crystal Man” descends from the ceiling into a large turtle-like form in the tented arena. In many ancient civilizations the turtle represented the origin of life.
In TOTEM creation is also personified by the recurring character of Crystal Man who represents the spark of life. His costume, entirely covered in 4,500 small mirrors and crystals, glistens in the on-stage light representing the mystical force that eventually creates life within the primordial ooze.
At this point green amphibian like figures hop and leap on and off bars, representing the earliest forms of life on this planet.
The cast of TOTEM is made up of 47 artists from 15 countries ranging from Belarus, Canada, China, Finland and France to Germany, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
Representing the power of love and romance are two couples, one in the air, one on the ground. Guilhem Cauchois and the delicate Sarah Tessier perform overhead on a trapeze like two lovebirds in flight. They fly effortlessly in a sweet, light-hearted courtship punctuated by lifts and movements that defy gravity.
An equally beautiful courtship is performed by Massimiliano Medina and Denise Garcia-Sorta who evoke an early American Indian wedding ceremony on roller skates. They express love and devotion as they whirl at heart-stopping speeds atop a tiny platform shaped like a drum that is just 1.8 meters (a mere 6 feet) in diameter. I still wonder how they were able to do it.
Cirque chose TOTEM as the title for this show because “the word contains the idea of the order of species. In this context,” they note, “we carry in our bodies the potential of all species, all the way to our desire to fly like the thunderbird at the top of the totem pole.”
Other acts in the show feature Devil Sticks which are twirled in the air to a sizzling flamenco-inspired beat and foot juggling performed by the Crystal Ladies who emerge from the earth to evoke the creation of the world and the beauty of minerals. They wear sparkling costumes as they spin squares of glittering material on their hands and feet before coming together to create a dazzling display of coordinated high-speed motion. Hoop dancers are reminiscent of the early American Indians.
In Act I a performer dances, using hoops to create shapes to evoke various animals and images in a ritual that symbolizes the endless circle of life. Hoop dancers return in Act 2 as two Amerindian dancers create new figures with their hoops. Throw in comedy, hand balancing and juggling by the scientist who represents reason and the quest to understand the universe in ways that can be quantified. He juggles glass containers filled with mysterious fluorescent fluids.
These luminous balls may represent the plants or molecules or both. But as they spin and bounce, radiating colors, the viewer is just pleased by the colorful effects.
TOTEM opened Jan. 21 and will run under the Grand Chapiteau (blue and gold circus tents) at the Santa Monica Pier until March 16. For tickets and information go to cirquedusoliel.com/totem.
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A Theatre Calendar –Tony and Oscar Award winning actor Christopher Plummer will be at the Ahmanson Theatre for 16 performances only in “Christopher Plummer: A Word or Two”—a one man show which he wrote, arranged and performs under the direction of Des McAnuff. The show is both intimate and dignified, guaranteed to please those who love theatre. For tickets call 213-972-4400 or online at CenterTheatreGroup.org/AWord. Ends Feb. 9.
Ballet aficionados won’t want to miss the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s new production of “Giselle” which will make its U.S. debut in L.A. on Jan. 31 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The ballet will be at the Music Center Fri. to Sunday, Jan. 31–Feb. 2 only.
“The Book of Mormon” is on a mission to make you laugh, now at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a lengthy return engagement that will run through May 11. Ticket prices start at $35. For more information call 800-982-2787.
