A Macaroni Review: Cirque Du Soleil LUZIA

Cirque du Soleil is in Denver! Showing now through July 9, 2017, this mesmerizing performance is one you don't want to miss. 

On Wednesday night I had the opportunity to see the Cirque du Soleil LUZIA show under the Big Top in the parking lot of the Pepsi Center in Denver. I'll be honest... My expectations were VERY high. I've seen Cirque shows in the past and knew what was coming: high caliber performers with riveting costumes, one-of-a-kind acrobatics, and entrancing music to set the scene. Despite these elevated expectations, I was still BLOWN AWAY.

As I walked into the big top, I was immediately drawn to various decorations and merchandise that were reflections of Mexico. Brightly colored papel picado was hanging throughout the entrance. Ornately tiled tables were positioned around vendors. Lucha libre masks and light up floral headpieces were beautifully displayed and available for purchase. I felt like a kid in a candy store, walking around the facility and waiting patiently for the doors to open. We headed down to our seats, the lights dimmed, and the music played. It was show time! As I sat there, just a rows away from the arena, I watched with eyes locked on the set.

SYNOPSIS: Cirque du Soleil LUZIA, a waking dream of Mexico, brilliantly captures both the traditional and modern cultural aspects of Mexico. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, in association with Brigitte Poupart, LUZIA is a remarkable visual ode to the spirit of Mexico's landscapes and people. LUZIA is a fusion of "luz" which translates into light and "lluvia" which translates into rain.

ACROBATIC FEATURES THAT CAUGHT MY EYE:

• Adagio performers Kelly & Grzegorz: My favorite act of the night! I held my breath through the entire performance. 
• Cyr Wheel artists & trapeze experts: They perform under the rain without hesitation. Yes, it really rains in the big top!
• Hoop divers: Dressed as birds, they performed on huge treadmills for extra speed and exhilaration.
• Guinness World Record holder juggler, Rudolf Janecek: He is the fastest juggler in the world! The shiny juggling pins looked amazing under the spot light.
• Contortionist Alexkei Goloborodko: I don't know how he bent his body in the ways he did!

FUN FACTS ABOUT PRODUCTION:

• With 44 performers and over 100 additional employees (including engineers, chefs, set technicians, and even an accountant), the entire Cirque du Soleil "city" packs up their production in 65 huge trucks in order to move from location to location. It takes 7 full days to set up for production.
• The "city" is actually a compilation of people from all over the globe! Flags displayed on the big tent are representations of the countries from where the performers and crew originate. 
• LUZIA is an evolving show. Performing up to 10 times a week for the next 12 years and across the world, the cast and crew assess feedback from viewers to determine if and where certain acts could use editing. You may see the show this week and again in a few years, only to find that much has changed.

Denver is the fourth stop for LUZIA in the United States. Once performances wrap up here, the crew will travel to six other states before heading off to perform across the globe. If there's only one more thing you can fit into your calendar this summer, I would highly recommend seeing Cirque du Soleil LUZIA. It's one of those shows that really embodies a "mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, breathtaking" experience.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary tickets to this event for my review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.