Metaphorically speaking, since it doesn't feature animals in its shows, let's deal with the 800-pound elephant in the room as Cirque du Soleil brings the classic "Dralion" to town on its first arena tour, visiting Philips Arena through Sunday before moving to Gwinnett Arena for eight more performances next week.
Since 1984, Cirque has been known for its blue-and-yellow-striped tent, whose raising beside Atlantic Station in recent years has been a grand calling card for Atlantans driving the Downtown Connector. Everyone loves the Grand Chapiteau because it symbolizes the unique event that is Cirque, the Canadian hybrid of time-tested circus artistry and cutting-edge production values. And they dig how the 2,500-seat tent, with its outstanding sight lines, makes even those on the back row feel they could touch the performers.
So is Cirque at Philips, the erstwhile Atlanta Hawks "Highlight Factory," similarly special? No and yes.
No: Despite Cirque's and Philips' best efforts to make the multipurpose hall more intimate -- reducing capacity to 4,500 by using a half-house configuration, curtaining off the unused half and top level with acres of black drape, extending seats close to the circular stage, hanging eight huge lanterns above it and keeping lights low -- you never forget you're sitting in a rather cold, expansive space.
Yes: "Dralion" is a terrific show, a worthy revival of a true Cirque classic (originally performed outside Turner Field in 2000) given an energetic charge by eager-to-please performers who are well versed at playing to arena crowds. A homage to the history of Chinese acrobatics, "Dralion" includes Cirque's usual United Nations of cultural references. The production boasts a pulsating set that provides a large canvas for the eternally moving performers, including, at stage rear, a dashboard-shaped climbing wall off of which trampoline artists with springs for legs bounce. From a nook at its base, the band tears into one of Cirque's most rhythmic scores.
"Dralion's" storyline -- something about man's quest for harmony with nature -- isn't as coherent as last year's "Ovo." But no matter. It's the acrobats people pay to see, and the show doesn't shortchange on artists defying mortal limitations. I most loved the sexy aerial pas de deux in which a couple flew over the stage in unfurling blue cloth, the jump-ropers who skipped effortlessly with people on their backs, and the hoop-divers who shot themselves like arrows through moving targets. My 10-year-old companion thought the clowns (appearing and sounding, oddly, like addled Italian waiters) were a gas.
One final consideration in the to-catch-Cirque-in-an-arena-or-not conundrum: "Ovo's" adult ticket prices started at $55; "Dralion's" begin at $40.
Review
Cirque du Soleil's "Dralion"
3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27, 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 28 at Philips Arena. At Gwinnett Arena: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2-3, 1 and 5 p.m. Sept. 4. $40-$84, $32-$68 for ages 12 and under, $36-$72 for military, seniors and students. 1-800-745-3000, www.cirquedusoleil.com/dralion.
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