After months of anticipation, I finally went to see Cirque du Soleil’s newest production
“Banana Shpeel” this evening. It’s currently playing at the historic Chicago Theater.
It’s a new twist on vaudeville, and a new direction from the folks at Cirque du Soleil.

Receiving mixed reviews, the “smaller” show fits the smaller venue. It is the first time that
Cirque du Soleil has launched a show in a pre-existing theater. Typically they will bring their
big blue & yellow tent, or build themselves a full-blown, over-the-top theater in Las Vegas.
This time, they have sized down the production for the smaller, more intimate theater space.

Going in, I knew that I should not expect the grand, glorious, over-the-top production
that I love so much. I knew that it was going to be a “new twist” and I was open for anything.
We had even gone to the pre-production lecture a couple weeks ago to learn more
about the how and the creative process & evolution of the show.

The show starts out a little rough with a “sketchy” audition segment… and I was concerned.
But once the show actually gets started, and the dancers kick it into full gear, the “real show”
gets started. For me, the “production numbers” with all the dancers and the acrobatic acts
were the best part. I would consider cutting back on some of the “clown” acts. There are
six clowns who take up a LOT of stage time – and do a lot of yelling at each other. It was a
little too much. Although I did really enjoy Dave’s tenth anniversary with a audience member
scene towards the end of the show… remember?… it was Fall.

All in all, it was a great night. Very enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong…
it’s no evening under Le Grand Chapiteau when they come with a full show.
But it was a wonderful night in the theater. Being the world premiere of “Banana Shpeel,”
Chicago has been treated to a “new twist” from Cirque du Soleil. I think that the show will
continue to evolve and reinvent itself as it plays here in Chicago, and then moves on to
New York City. Hopefully they will get all the kinks worked out… limit the clowns
and give more time to the dancers & Acrobats!!! The best act of the night was definitely
a simple act where a gymnast did some incredible, gravity-defying balancing & contortion
acts on a single pole. A lot of strippers in Vegas could learn a trick or two from this guy!!!

So it’s a Monday night..
and what better way to spend it than with some new “friends” from Cirque du Soleil?!

Tonight I attended a lecture about the debut of their new show in town “Banana Shpeel.”
On their soirée de relache, (that’s a night off in the theater world), oh la la…
French clown Patrick De Valette and creative assistant Raphaelle Pujolle came for a night
at the Alliance Francaise de Chicago to unveil the Cirque du Soleil’s newest venture.

Vaudeville, from the French words “voix de ville,” or village voice, was the most popular form
of entertainment in t America making immigrants from all over Europe laugh together
in makeshift theaters. More than a century later, it’s back! Director David Shiner,
trained as a mime in Paris, created a show that is a “roller coaster mix of performance styles
inspired by vaudeville that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick.

So now that I’ve heard all about it… their inspirations, the process, the backstage videos,
and so much more… I can’t wait to go to the show!!!… in less than two weeks!!!

With a special pre-sale offering to Cirque Club members months ago…
and yes, groupies like myself are of course in the official Cirque Club…
I already have my tickets. And when I bought them way-back-when,
the show was still yet un-named. But who cares… I’m a Cirque groupie!!!
They just teased us with “a new twist on vaudeville.” What the heck
does that mean?… whatever it is, I’m sure it will be great!!!

Today they finally announced the show’s official name…
and I can’t wait to see the debut of the newest Cirque du Soleil show!!!
With Chicago being the official kick-off premiere of the show, it’s going
to be a big event here in the Windy City. Lucky me.

Tickets are now on sale to the general public – get yours right away!!!

ps… Love the name!!!

Another night under the Big Top here in Chicago!
Not quite Cirque du Soleil… but VERY close! And that ain’t no horsin’ around…

So tonight I was “treated” to a wonderful night of equestrian fantasy.
A group of us were given some great tickets for this incredible show. Thanks!!!

A combination of incredible horses, beautiful scenic effects, mesmerizing music
and the magic of Cirque du Soleil. In fact, “Cavalia” was created in part by one
of the former folks from Cirque du Soleil. And you can tell…

It’s not quite as fantastic, energetic & exciting… rather more inspiring, relaxing & beautiful.
The things that the horses do – incredible! They way they perform… the way they interact…
all different horses… an evening of magical equestrian beauty I would highly recommend!

So now I’ve seen all of the Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas… that is as long as
you don’t really consider that “Criss Angel” magic fiasco a true Cirque show!
So here’s my quick review of the current Las Vegas shows as a true Cirque aficionado!
Of course, these are my own thoughts, nothing official, in ascending order!!!
Yes, I’m a dork – and a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil… can you tell?

#5 – Zumanity – touted as the “sensual side” of Cirque du Soleil.
But let me just say… it wasn’t at all as steamy, racy or sexy as they had built it up
to be in my head. It was much more “vaudevilley”… and topless like any other
Vegas show. And a lot of English speaking parts… I must admit I prefer the
“jibberish” of the more traditional Cirque shows. And what really annoyed me,
my two favorite songs on the soundtrack were NOT part of the show!!!

#4 – Mystere – the most “traditional” of the Cirque shows in Las Vegas.
After seeing several of the touring shows in Chicago, I think there is a certain
charm to the original style of Cirque du Soleil. I love the music, the performances,
the costumes, the action – and this show had it all. The Taiko drums are incredible!
Unfortunately… it is another proscenium stage where everyone sits facing a “box”
stage. I must admit I prefer sitting under Le Grand Chapiteau tent in-the-round
when the traveling show comes to Chicago!

#3 – KA – a technical marvel. The stage not only moves… it rotates… it floats…
and it even goes completely vertical – WITH the performers still on it! Amazing!
However… this show has a lot more storyline going throughout. And a lot of
martial arts.  I was quite impressed by the décor of the theater. Loved the towers
that surround the audience and how some of the performers use them throughout
the show. Incredible music… but the live performance wasn’t as clear as the
studio soundtrack!

#2 – O – a splashing good time! Another technical marvel, but a lot more traditional
Cirque style. Beautiful music, beautiful costumes & fantastic performances! Loved it.
It’s amazing to the stage when you first walk in… it looks flat like any other stage.
And then the splashing, flipping, diving, flying and other water fun begins! The entire
stage “floor” is the top surface of a huge water pool. So the trapeze artists fly over the
water, splash into the water and “dive” dismount into the water. And then out of nowhere –
someone walks right across the stage… on top of the water! And then as you begin to
process that one, then all of the water bursts into flame?! What?! It’s incredible.

#1 – LOVE – My most recent show… and current favorite!!! I was totally engrossed
the entire time! And what fun to go to a show and already know every single word
to every single song! They’ve done a wonderful job bringing the music & characters
of The Beatles’ classic songs to life on the stage. Things appear out of nowhere, and
then disappear as quickly as they arrived. Things fly in & out. Lots of lights. Lots of
costumes. Lots of confetti. And audience “enveloping” fun in the middle! I would
definitely “LOVE” to come back and see this one again… and again… and again!

Another sunny day in Las Vegas… where else should I be but by the pool?!
So I’m playing in the pool, resting on my chaise, soaking up the rays…
and looking at the banner on the top of my hotel! Love it…

Later that night, we went out for a wonderful sushi dinner… where one of
my dishes was very thinly sliced beef that I actually cooked on a hot rock!!!
Then we all went to see Cirque du Soleil’s “LOVE.” We had purchased our
tickets and advance and I had been anticipating this night for a LONG time!

It was an incredible show – I loved it!!!
The entrance to the show itself is pretty darn impressive!!!
In fact, it is definitely my favorite Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas!!!
With a soundtrack that everyone knows & loves – and the visuals that
Cirque du Soleil adds to the evening… it was a magical mystery tour!

I’ve been on the road working for the past couple weeks… traveling from
Chicago to Grand Rapids to Las Vegas. It’s been a long journey…
But now I have a night free… a chance to play…  and what better way to spend
my evening than to go to see Cirque du Soleil’s “KA” ?!!!... finally!

The show is spectacular. Awe inspiring. Visually brilliant. Incredible!!!!
Just when you think you’ve seen everything that Cirque du Soleil can offer…
they turn it all on it’s side! Literally!!! Not only are the costumes, the songs,
the acts and everything else brilliant – then they create a set which works wonders!
It floats, it revolves, it moves back & forth… then turns on it’s side!!! Literally.
It’s one of those events that you sit there immersed in the entire evening,
soaking in the entire experience, watching everything… and yet STILL you have
no idea how they did it!!! I’m just glad that they did…