Despite all the highfalutin trappings that have become attached to the word, "cirque" is just French for circus.
But it's become the brand du jour for a certain type of flashy, pricey show. That's evident more than ever in metro Atlanta this week as two competing cirques set up shop a few miles apart: Cirque Dreams at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and Cirque du Soleil at Atlantic Station.
They're the biggest players of the increasingly circulated name; the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra also hosted Cirque de la Symphonie last month, and there's a Cirque Shanghai and a Cirque de Flambe as well.
No strict definition encircles all things cirque, but they generally have a pan-cultural feel, with amazing acrobatic performances, a little slapstick for comic relief, flamboyant costumes and music and eye-popping sets, all plugged into a story (of sorts) that's sometimes very much in love with its own mythology. (And no animal acts.) They spring from the Cirque Nouveau movement that began in the 1970s in Europe.
The dominant player of Cirque-dom —- the Starbucks of this new harlequinade —- is, of course, Cirque du Soleil, the Canada-based company that now runs five permanent shows in Las Vegas, one in Disney World, and is making its 10th visit to Atlanta with the new "Kooza."
When Neil Goldberg launched his Cirque Dreams out of Fort Lauderdale in the 1990s, Cirque du Soleil sued Cirque Dreams for trademark infringement. The case dragged on for five years until a U.S. appeals court finally ruled in 2003 that the French word for "circus" could be used by anyone. And is.
And that's how we got to this week's Cirque vs. Cirque in Atlanta. Here's a rundown on the two shows.
Cirque Dreams: "Jungle Fever"
The show: Tuesday-Jan. 4 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
The story: A young adventurer wanders into a jungle and meets Mother Nature, who shows him wondrous things, including a ballet of aerialist butterflies and juggling frogs.
The performances: 26 performers include clowns, contortionists and balancing acts. Pay attention to Andrey Averyushkin, a Russian juggler (dressed as a frog) who plays a full percussion set using nine juggling balls, but no drumsticks,
The Atlanta history: An earlier version of "Jungle Fever" played the Fox Theatre in 2006, but much of the cast and even the show's structure have changed. "This show is touring with the original Broadway cast," founder Goldberg said.
The scoop: Less expensive than Cirque du Soleil, and considered very family-friendly. Because it's set on a traditional stage rather than in a tent, "Jungle" feels more like crazed musical theater than a circus per se. Reviews of the show's recent Broadway run were largely favorable. Samples: "chaotic overkill," "ideally suited for children ages 6 to 12," "an extravagant spectacle."
The tickets: $15-$63
Online: www.cirqueproductions.com
Cirque du Soleil: "Kooza"
The show: Friday-Feb. 22. Le Grand Chapiteau (a big blue tent) at Atlantic Station
The story: Kooza is Sanskrit for "treasure chest," according to Cirque. An Innocent finds a large box and lets loose a Trickster, who shows him the various acts in the show. "The story is quite simple," senior artistic director Luc Tremblay said.
The performances: Crowd-pleasers include the Wheel of Death (which, truth be told, has not yet killed anyone) and a family high-wire act 25 feet in the air.
The Atlanta history: This is "Kooza's" first stop here, but the 10th time Cirque has come to Atlanta, starting with "Nouvelle Experience" in 1991.
The scoop: Reportedly a more straightforward Cirque than recent shows, with less New Age foofaraw. Reviews have been strong. Samples: "a tougher, more informal street vibe," "more knockabout than knockout, more Keystone Kops and high-wire acts than luxuriously upholstered bohemian fantasia."
The tickets: $55-$125 adults; $38.50-$87.50 children
Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com
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