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蜜桃视频app contributor Briana Thomas, of the 鈥�DC Getaway,鈥� series, checked out a performance in Canada. The story below is based on a press trip sponsored by Cirque du Soleil and reflects Briana鈥檚 independent editorial research. The sponsor has no editorial involvement.
Yellow marigolds, massive monarch butterfly wings and a vibrant sunrise mark the beginning of Cirque du Soleil鈥檚 imaginative journey to Mexico in the touring show 鈥淟uzia,” which debuts in the D.C. area this weekend.
At the close of each summer, monarch butterflies travel nearly 3,000 miles from southern Canada to the mountain forests of central Mexico. On Saturday, this epic migration comes to life under the “Big Top” at Cirque du Soleil in Fairfax County, Virginia.
蜜桃视频app contributor Briana Thomas got an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look of the production at the circus鈥� home base in Montr茅al, Canada, before .
Audiences can follow the 鈥淟uzia鈥� traveler (a hilarious clown) guided by a larger-than-life monarch butterfly through scenes and sites of Mexico. The family-friendly show 鈥� co-written by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Julie Hamelin Finzi with a Latin American score by composer Simon Carpentier 鈥� is an ode to Mexico鈥檚 culture, traditions and natural beauty.
Olivia Aepli, who plays the running woman, says the opening butterfly scene where she spreads a set of bright orange wings while gliding along a treadmill is her favorite.
“鈥奍 get to do this big run, and every night it鈥檚 really magical,” Aepli said.
Magical truly describes this lively theater escape to Latin America鈥檚 northernmost country. Aepli is one of more than 45 artists who perform live circus acts, such as hoop diving, hurling acrobats, trapeze stunts and more mesmerizing physical feats throughout the two hour production.
Beyond the major display of talent and athleticism, a signature of Cirque du Soleil showcases, viewers can expect to be transported to a dreamlike depiction of Mexico, illuminating the country鈥檚 rich heritages and history.
The program utilizes engaging storytelling to celebrate Mexico鈥檚 contributions to film, dance, music, fashion, wildlife and sports. The visuals are impeccable, and according to Charlie Wagner, senior publicist at Cirque du Soleil, the narrative is moving too.
Wagner has been on the production team for five years. She said there are moments in the show that make the audience laugh, and that draw emotion from the crowd.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a beautiful love letter from Mexico,鈥� Wagner said.
The interpretations of the country鈥檚 traditions are reenvisioned through live vocals, color-changing costumes, towering agave plants, scenes of lucha libre wrestling, ball-bouncing football choreography, Aztec art, hand-clapping fiestas and more homages.
But the show鈥檚 main attraction is water.
鈥淟uzia鈥� is the only traveling production that incorporates water into the acrobatic acts. The pool and rain surprises that viewers experience on stage require an intricate recyclable water system that sits outside of the Big Top in a 40-foot container.
The huge task of transporting, heating and testing the water infrastructure requires an on-site aquatics team.
Assistant Head of Aquatics Ethan Westland said the contrast of the light and water theatrics 鈥� a play on the show鈥檚 title which means light and rain 鈥� is what鈥檚 made the show so successful.
“鈥奍 think we have a unique relationship with water itself, and it’s just such a beautiful piece,鈥� Westland said. 鈥淭he first time you see the rain curtain or the pool, it’s such a wow moment. You could almost time it to the second in the show when everyone’s going to say, 鈥榃ow.鈥欌��
The Big Top show, headquartered at Old Port in Montr茅al, and its cast 鈥� including accompanying family members 鈥� packs up and travels to five to six cities around the world 12 months out of the year. The next stop is Tysons, Virginia, from Sept. 6 through Oct. 19. Tickets start at $60 per person.
Briana Thomas is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and tour guide with a passion for travel. She is the owner of local history and culture tour company聽, and the Arts and Culture writer for Washingtonian Magazine. To read more of Briana鈥檚 cultural explorations sign-up for her聽.听
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