Cirque du Soleil dazzles in final week in ATL
Photo Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
The juggling acts are one of the most exciting parts of Corteo, now being performed by Cirque du Soleil under their blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau in Atlantic Station. The last show is Jan. 28.
After extending their stay in Atlanta due to the overwhelming response, Cirque du Soleil's Corteo will be leaving the city following their final performance Jan. 28.
Cirque du Soleil returned to Atlanta after a two-year absence, and this time the animal-free circus is housed under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau the group constructed in Atlantic Station. Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession. The show tells the story of a strange but beautiful funeral procession imagined by a clown.
Though one might imagine a story about a funeral to be depressing, the story told by Corteo is quite the opposite.
The entire mood of the show is kind of dream-like, while the audience meets the people the clown knew during his life. Beatuiful angels decorate the stage as they soar above the actors.
Before the intermission, parts of the show seemed somewhat slow. The opening act of acrobatics on the chandeliers were definitely the best part of the first half. However, after intermission the show seemed to really speed along with each act getting better than the last.
There were amazing jugglers and comedic interludes as well as some extremely impressive trampoline work. Not to mention that there is a floating midget at one point.
Still, when it was over I felt like I was just getting used to it.
Overall, although Corteo was full of amazing acrobatics, talented singers, a live orchestra pit and moments of hilarious comedy scenes, the show seemed to lack cohesion.
The primary reason for the disjointed feeling was because every time one of the actors was speaking I felt lucky if I could make out a word or two.
The story is told in both English and French, but understanding either was nearly impossible due to the barely-audible volume of most of the speakers' voices.
Despite the fact that I often was confused on how each scene was related to the story, I can say that my experience at Corteo was a very positive one.
If I could only use one word to summarize my experience at Corteo it would be "astonishing".
Partly because of the astounding acrobatics and impressive juggling, and partly because of my overall confusion surrounding the plot, I found myself with my jaw dropped many times during the performance.
After the show's creative finale that included eight men in a choreographed high bar routine, I was simply left mesmerized; though I expected Corteo to be full of some amazing body contortions, I had no idea it would be such a beautiful production.
Getting to and from the event was difficult, as the traffic at the already crowded Atlantic Station can be nearly intolerable, and tickets to the show are pricey, but I would highly recommend this show for anyone who has not yet attended a Cirque du Soleil performance.
A final note: be sure to arrive on time. Late arrivers must wait for designated times to be seated by an usher.
Tickets range from $40 to $75, and more information is available at www.cirquedusoleil.com.
