Cirque du Soleil's Varekai

This past Sunday I took a road trip up to Portland, ME to see one of the final performances of Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai. This touring production usually plays about a week before going to a new city and as I walked towards the arena I counted almost twenty 18-wheeler trucks ready to start packing up the show once it closed Sunday night. The story of Varekai is that of a white bird named Icarus who after losing his wings learns to trust fate. His wings are broken and he falls into a forest of colorful creatures including a beautiful creature of the earth whom he learns to trust and love. This show drew the audience in from the first moment the lights dimmed and the music began. This being my second Cirque show, I was eager to see what acts would amaze me this time. One of the first that really got the excitement of the arena going was that of the Icarian games. These acrobats would bounce & flip each other through the air. Often there would be multiple people being tossed about all in perfect unison. How they are able to accomplish it I do not know. But they must spend hours and hours practicing. Later in the show was a slippery surface act. These water creatures would slip and slide all over this blue mat that was attached to the stage. These acrobats would balance on one another and get pulled across the stage at the same time. It was beautiful to watch. As usual the Aerial Straps routine was amazing. The amount of strength and agility the performers need to have while at the same time moving with such grace is amazing. But my absolute favorite routine was the last one, Russian Swings. These acrobats would stand on small swinging platforms and catapult themselves across the stage, bounce off of hanging fabric and land back on the stage. It was incredible! I, as well as the rest of the audience, were on the edge of our seats the entire number. Overall, this show was colorful, athletic and a lot of fun to watch. I look forward to my next Cirque du Soleil show!    

It's Opening Night!

One of my favorite things to do as both an audience member and as a writer is to go and see a theatrical performance on its opening night. There’s something about opening night that makes it different from any other performance. This summer I have been fortunate enough to see a number of shows on opening night. And I wanted to talk a little bit about what makes an opening night so special. Firstly, there is raw nervousness and excitement throughout the show. Unless the show had an open dress, which means there was an audience watching the dress rehearsal, then this is the first time the performers are saying their lines and singing in front of an audience. It’s great for the audience because there is a reality to the performance that can sometimes be lost during a run. It’s also great for the actors because they get real reactions. They might have to pause at the end of a song for applause or at the end of a line for laughs. Something else that usually helps but sometimes can hurt the performer is the energy of the audience. Most of the time on an opening night the audience is fairly engaged and excited and that gives off fabulous energy for the performers to feed off of during the show. However, there can also be those times when a performer expects a laugh at a certain line and the audience doesn’t react as planned. Or someone coughs during a really dramatic scene and the actors must be fully focused to not let the outside noise affect the scene. But those types of things happen all the time and are not always an occurrence just during an opening. Something else that I have come to enjoy is the rawness of an opening. It’s not a seasoned performance. The actors have not been doing the show eight times a week for a while and it hasn’t become a routine for them. It’s easier to believe that the things happening to the characters in the show are happening for the first time. Additionally, opening night can include a few snags or mistakes throughout the performance and while some people might think it shows the performers as unprofessional or under prepared, I think that these types of occurrences add to the color of the show. It allows me to see how well the performers can react to different circumstances that pop up. How well can they improvise a scene if there is a quick change mishap backstage that they need to cover for? Or how they react if someone trips over a set piece or if a prop is missing? I find these small pieces of live theatre fascinating to watch. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in similar situations as a performer so I understand what it’s like, unlike most audience members.  And maybe it’s that understanding that allows me to notice the little things that weren’t meant to happen. But I would have to say my favorite part of going to an opening is supporting the cast and crew. Sometimes I know someone in the cast and like to surprise them on opening night when they may not have anyone else in the audience. And sometimes I don’t know anyone but still want to help fill a seat on the opening. Having a full audience for an opening night is a great confidence booster especially if tech week has been a bit rough. When you hear the applause after singing your heart out and dancing as strong as you can even though your body is completely worn out, you know you’ve done your job and done it well.

Now there are a few differences between an opening night and a closing night but that’s another post for another day. Thanks for reading theatre goers and if you have the chance go see a show on opening night.

The Wiz at Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH

Last night I had the pleasure of sitting in a very full house at Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH for the super-soulful musical, The Wiz. It closes out the summer season this week playing until Sunday August 17^th. Once again the superb Director and Choreographer Kenney M. Green did not disappoint. From the opening overture to the return home this show is delightfully fun. As always there are a few things in every show that catch my eye that I like to mention. Firstly, the choreography performed by the dancers in this show was incredible. From the “Tornado Ballet” complete with black lights to the upbeat “Everybody Rejoice (Brand New Day)” I thoroughly enjoyed every step. Secondly, I have to congratulate the three amazing men behind the Scarecrow (Saidu Sinlah), Tinman (Basit Shittu), and Lion (Darius Nelson). They were a fantastic trio that complimented each other well and kept the audience smiling. Thirdly, I was quite impressed with the sassy Addaperle played by Carla Martinez. Her vocals and dancing shined in “He’s the Wiz”. Lastly and certainly my favorite part of the show was the phenomenal Nasia Thomas who portrayed Dorothy! She brought real life and charisma to the story she was sharing and her voice was brilliant and completely mesmerizing. By the end of closing number “Home” there was not a dry eye in the house. She was certainly the biggest highlight in the show and her performance is not to be missed! Like I said earlier, this show only runs until Sunday August 17^th so get your tickets now to see The Wiz!

42nd St. at Interlakes Theatre

Hello Theatre audiences,

If you ever danced when you were younger or if you are a dancer now I strongly suggest you make your way to Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH and enjoy one of Broadways best dance musicals, 42^nd St! Last night as I sat awaiting the show I could hear the faint sound of tap shoes backstage. For a Tuesday evening the rather full audience was buzzing with anticipation. The footlights were glowing as the house lights came down and the audience hushed but not for long. From the very first number through the closing curtain, the company was high energy and full of smiles. Overall, the spectacular tap dancing was the highlight of the show. But there were a few other performances that really caught my attention. The first was the young man playing Billy Lawlor (Erik Joshua Clack) who was charming and charismatic. He danced with incredible ease and was vocally superb. Ellie Kahn, who played Maggie Jones, had me laughing with her witty one-liners throughout the show. The always amazing Ashley Landroche, who played Dorothy Brock, was a vocal powerhouse. Lastly, and my favorite performance of the evening, is the phenomenal Alexandra Fassler who played Peggy Sawyer. She was brilliant from the moment she stepped on the stage and delighted the audience with her fast foot work and beautiful voice. Last night’s audience loved this show and you will too! But you only have until Sunday July 13^th to catch 42^nd St. before it taps away!

Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to see my first ever live Cirque du Soleil show, Amaluna. Before the show began the audience was entertained by creatures and characters soon to be seen onstage. Cali, half human and half lizard, playfully interacted with the audience, especially those with popcorn. Amazons, Peacocks and even the drummer made their way through the audience for about ten minutes before the start of the show. As I was sitting in my aisle seat one of the Peacocks brushed their feathers on my shoulder and at that moment I knew that I would love this show. Though these pre-show interactions may seem insignificant, they really drew the audience into the world of the show. As the lights went down, the excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout the tent. The opening number introduced the audience to the inhabitants of the island (characters) including Prospera and her daughter Miranda. Over the next hour of the first act the audience was entranced by the music and performers both on stage and flying over it. Incredible acrobatic skills and flowing dance along with power and precision are just a few of the things to expect when seeing this production. One of my favorite numbers was when Miranda demonstrated unbelievable balance and grace on canes on the side of the waterbowl. She would be balancing in a one handed handstand while delicately moving her legs and the next moment she would be swimming around the waterbowl. She would go back and forth from balancing on one and two canes with such precision and beauty. At the end of the piece she is joined by Romeo, one of the men shipwrecked on the island, and they playfully splash in the waterbowl before submerging themselves as the lights dim. The first act concludes with the amazing Amazons and their uneven bar routine. The four uneven bars are in constant use as the women fly and flip in unified small groups. When the house lights came up for intermission my friend sitting next to me & I looked at each other in amazement at what we had just seen. As preparations began onstage for the second act we wondered what would be coming next. As the lights come up we saw one of the other men from the shipwreck fly up from behind a fenced area where they are being kept by the Amazons. And thus began the athletic and acrobatic all male Teeterboard routine. The fencing was moved away and I watched in awe as they soared into the air over the next few minutes. To say that the second act started on a high note is an understatement. Throughout the second act we continue to be astonished by acts such as the Chinese Pole and of course juggling. One of the final performances was Aerial Straps in which three Valkyries flew over both the stage and the audience with such power and strength. But what made this piece even more amazing was that all three were soaring through the air at the same time zigzagging through each other. The show concludes with all characters back on stage as the audience goes wild. This brilliant show comprised mostly of females is full of power and grace and is one of the best live theatrical shows I have ever seen. Cirque du Soleil’s production of Amaluna playing in Boston until July 6^th is not to be missed! If you can’t see it while it’s in Boston it’s headed to Washington, D.C. at the end of July and then opens in Atlanta, Georgia this October. But if you can’t see Amaluna definitely check out any of Cirque du Soleil’s productions either a resident show or touring. You won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t.

Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna