Cirque du Soleil LUZIA: Show Review by Robin Gorman Newman
Cinco de Mayo proved to be the perfect day to take in the latest Cirque du Soleil, LUZIA, celebrating the faces and sounds of Mexico in a truly delightful, two hour production (with an intermission), that is taking stage in a tent adjacent to Citi Field now through June 9th.
I have been a fan of Cirque du Soleil for some time, but for me to date, this NY premiere is the most impressive I have seen, both in performance and staging.
Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, in association with Brigitte Poupart, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul. And, they don’t miss a Mexican beat. From mariachis to maracas to marching armadillos and beetles to falling sombreros, this production is like a pinata on stage with loads of desirable treasures to be revealed once cracked open.
Vivid projections provide bold backdrops of color and whimsical designs…birds flying, butterflies, bugs crawling…etc….creating striking imagery.
Falling raindrops, cascading in design patterns, are simply lovely and meditative.
This show is a stunning Mexican cornucopia of acrobatic athleticism and beauty.
There is much to savor….all of it done so brilliantly that it’s challenging to single out. But if I had to….the male contortionist Aleksei Goloborodko was simply astonishing! How a human being does what he does is beyond me.
I also very much enjoyed the graceful and powerful Cyr Wheel performers in the rain, the muscled and skilled Hoop Divers and the soccer players with their cool street moves and ball antics.
No Cirque du Soleil would not be complete without a clown character played by the rubbery Fool Koller, and he delivers with both heart and humor. He jumpstarts the show when he parachutes into a field of marigolds and stumbles upon a key that grants entrance to all that magically awaits in LUZIA….then we join him on the mystical journey.
Animals visit, including performers representing glorious Monarch Butterflies, frisky hummingbirds, a graceful cheetah, a striking silver stallion…with costumes expertly designed by Giovanna Buzzi.
The rest of the creative team includes Lighting Designer Martin Labrecque, Composer Simon Carpentier, Choreographers Ededio Moreno Barata, Debra Brown, Sylvia Gertrudiz Gonzalez, Set Designer Eugenioe Caballero.
This is a culturally rich show for all ages, and if you’ve yet to experience a Cirque du Soleil, LUZIA, their 38th show, will make you a fan. And, if you are already a Cirque du Soleil afficianado, this production delivers in spades….or dare I say tortilla chips.
And, I might add…the tent seating was very comfortable, and there are the usual concession stands and array of souvenirs.
Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/luzia.
Tags: acrobatics, circus, cirque du Soleil Luzia, Citi Field, clown, family show, Mexico, mom theatre blogger robin gorman newman, show
