It’s always a wonderful sign when I spend more time in awe than writing things down and wow, does the time fly in a delicate balance of comedy and amazing feats.
Having only ever seen Cirque Du Soleil online or on television, it was a special treat to travel to the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts to witness the fascinating and unconventional stars of Cirque du Soleil’s latest production…insects.
Beautifully written, directed, and choreographed by Deborah Colker, Cirque de Soleil: OVO continues live and in person at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, July 28 before continuing at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island August 1 through 4 and then to the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire from August 8 through 11. This family-friendly, semi-interactive production is approximately two hours including a 20 minute intermission. Click here to go Behind the Scenes with the Sleepless Critic and here for more information and for tickets.
In a world likened to the Brazilian rainforest, an “OVO” which is Portuguese for ‘egg’, is carried to an insect colony by a Blue Fly called The Foreigner. Master Flipo, a jeweled beetle and master of this colony along with the community, are immediately curious about this incredible egg. Featuring performers mimicking exotic creatures including a ladybug, red spider, laced fly, crickets and many others that roam, leap, bend, contort, bounce, climb, flip and hunt this fascinating and multi-colored lit OVO, Cirque du Soleil: OVO is part sweet love story and part athletic spectacle with a good dose of absorbing comedy that is sure to enchant the whole family.
What keeps Cirque du Soleil both amusing and enthralling throughout the production is it never lingers on the comedy or the choreography. It keeps the bright and lively pace moving while always featuring something new to explore. As a big fan of gymnastics, it’s easy to see its influence on this production. The meticulous manner in which these wild creatures move with Liz Vandal’s innovative costumes lend to the flexibility and sprightly nature of each individual and most notably in the crickets. Each controlled movement is bold and expressive as the soft sparkling glow of fireflies light up the stage while demonstrating astonishing aerial feats. Vibrant, colorful, and camouflaged insects fiercely scale lighting designer Éric Champoux’s projected and realistic surfaces above and below sea level. Tropical flowers grow and bloom onstage as part of Gringo Cardia’s vivacious set and a flourishing backdrop feature rain-soaked leaves in fine detail as a royal red queen directs her minions and a psychedelic Creatura slinks rampantly.
Warm yet strict Master Flipo shares some amusing encounters with the anxious and spiky Foreigner and the charming lady bug as they express themselves much like insects do. Keeping the jokes clownish and mostly kid friendly, the trio chirps, squirms, croons and shouts in their own language while miming their engaging intentions.
Sound designer Jonathan Deans and composer and music director Berna Ceppas navigate the on and offstage live orchestration that varies from soothing to edgy to ambient to electrifying. A playful onstage violinist, a drummer in a green mask, the haunting and soul-stirring harmonies of the red queen, an edgy and suspenseful guitar-tinged score as well as the immersive nights sounds of unique environments all bring this immense ecosystem to life in spectacular ways.
The laced fly spins like an ornament with the extension at the top of her head. The ballerina-like movements are graceful and delicate as it floats through the air and spins like a top. However, the red spider with a pink Mohawk crawls and glides urgently to edgy and captivating rhythms.
Cirque de Soleil: OVO revamped their show since taking a break during the pandemic with new acts and new music. What has not changed is the remarkable spirit of this wild ecosystem that learns to thrive in the brilliance in each other’s differences which all starts with an egg.
Photo credit Max Bocanegra and courtesy of Cirque du Soleil OVO
Beautifully written, directed, and choreographed by Deborah Colker, Cirque de Soleil: OVO continues live and in person at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, July 28 before continuing at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island August 1 through 4 and then to the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire from August 8 through 11. This family-friendly, semi-interactive production is approximately two hours including a 20 minute intermission. Click here to go Behind the Scenes with the Sleepless Critic and here for more information and for tickets.