the mommy avenger

The Cirque Du Soleil brand continues to expand to meet the demand for exciting, acrobatic performances. Last year in June, we were wowed when we attended their “Crystal” group. Which added the dangers and skill of ice skating. 

Part of the magic comes in their tradition that weaves fanciful storytelling into the performances, similar to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.  Each performance has a distinctive European artsy style in the narrative which takes some getting used to for some audience members. We have grown to love it. 

This evening we attended Cirque Du Soleil’s BAZZAR. The performance’s advertisement, “Discover a world where simple instruments and vocals create a dreamy music that blends with costumes and inspired by different time periods,” caused us to wonder if this new offering will continue to focus on acrobatics and story, or will it take the troupe’s brand in a new direction. 

We found ourselves under the big top nestled between the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and the Perkiomen Creek. The blue and white stripes, flashing lights, and energetic staff readied us for what would be an incredible night. Everything had been set for a show to remember. 

Once sitting, the lights dimmed, and “the Maestro” appeared on the floor, walking right in front of the audience playing with an imaginary ball while a percussionist in the background solidified the illusion with perfectly timed beats. The ball went form hand to hand, to audience members and back, up into the heights of the tent, and back again. The small, simple, and compelling act immediately captured the whole audience who laughed, cheered, and responded the Maestro’s various gesticulations and captivating facial expressions.  

As his imaginary ball bounced onto the stage—to the laughter of the audience—the spotlights and music kicked in and the Maestro switched from conducting the audience to conducting “the Troupe”. Within minutes the stage was filled with costumed performers whose appearance resembled those in a puppet master’s workshop with wildly unique colored hair, painted faces, and elaborate costumes. The costume designer earned high marks for how the colors of the costumes melded with the rhythmic music and the intricate choreography to dazzle the eyes and ears.  

Each act developed the story incrementally. The Maestro’s dismay at breaking his top hat, his quest to fix it , and also then rescue from the mini-Maestro provided a light-hearted thread of story. This narrative wove in and out of teeterboard acrobats flipping through the air to a foot-stomping beat, a roller-skating couple whirling on a 6 foot circular stage in the spotlight, trapeze and rope acrobats tumbling in near-freefall, and even a few Cirque du Soleil firsts like a mallakhamb acrobat and a hair suspension act (you read that right) called Hairceau. Each act—from the solitary ones with one performer to the elaborate ones with the whole Troupe—were somehow both intimate and emotional as well as grand and breathtaking.

If the awe of watching those acts wasn’t enough, every time the Maestro appeared back on stage or among the audience it was to bring the audience themselves into the performance by conducting their cheers, organizing them into a musical light show, peering into the heads of a few audience members with VR goggles (like he did to mine!), playing to his Philadelphia audience with references to Wawa, Jawn, his coming from “the King of Prussia” or chanting “E-A-G-L-E-S, go Eagles go!” 

At the end, I couldn’t tell if I had watched this amazing show or been a part of it.  It was an absolute pleasure for all ages. Where some other Cirque du Soleil performances have focused on one aspect or another—water or Beatles music—this one could be described as entrancing sheer fun. 

Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR is running now through October 22, 2023 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. For more information and to purchase your own tickets, visit them online.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are my own*}