Since its world premier in April 1996 in Montreal, Cirque du Soleil’s "Quidam" has had an impressive run, performing on five continents and captivating millions of viewers. Last night it opened its seven-show run in Long Beach as part of its most recent North American tour.

Quidam, (pronounced “key dam”) Latin for “one unknown,” represents the thematic strand that ties the performance together.  Unlike other Cirque du Solei shows, which focus on fanciful, imaginary worlds, Quidam keeps its story planted in reality.

The storyline, part Alice in Wonderland, part Coraline, follows a phlegmatic little girl named Zoe as she escapes the dull, insipid world of her apathetic parents by imagining the world of Quidam.

A headless character in a trench coat appears at Zoe’s door and presents her with a blue bowler cap, which, once she places it on her head, brings the Quidam world to life.  The interaction between worlds is fluid, with Zoe’s parents participating in the action, sometimes in the background, sometimes more directly.  Much of the story itself is symbolic; Zoe carries red balloons of different sizes and configurations in various parts of the show, and acts are separated by crashes of thunder.

She is accompanied by several other transient characters: John, the cowlick-sporting ringmaster; Target, the playful Mad Hatter-esque acrobat; Boum-Boum, the aggressive yet despondent passer-by; and the Aviator, a character with skeletal wings who seems uncertain of his ability to fly.

The acts themselves are samples of what Cirque du Soleil has become famous for: acrobatic stunts highlighting the artists’ incredible strength and dexterity, as well as comedic and theatrical interludes that both entertain and sometimes overwhelm the audience.

The performances are part circus act, part modern dance, and part theater, with each contributing to the overall experience in its unique way.  The acrobatic acts are the highlight of the show, featuring the German Wheel, Chinese yo-yos, Spanish web, aerial silk contortionists, banquine (an Italian acrobatic tradition), hand balancing, aerial hoops, strength-balancing acts, and jump-rope routines.

Quidam has an old-world feel to it, its costumes drawing inspiration from European and mid-20th century fashion, its characters manipulating the hat-racks and tube-radios of a bygone era, and its music a combination of Russian dervishes, 20’s jazz, tango, and modern rock remixed into a haunting, beautiful score.

As Cirque du Soleil seeks to outdo itself with each new production, it continues to raise the bar, not just for circus performance in general, but for its own shows.  Since Quidam is an older show, it is tempting to compare it to its own more recent spectacles and assume that newer is somehow better.  But that does not give due credit to the outstanding feats Quidam’s performers execute, or the masterful artistry they bring to each show, literally risking their necks to show audiences the incredible possibilities of the human body.

This is a show worth seeing, an escape from the mundane, and a journey into the Quidam we are each capable of conjuring.

Tickets for Quidam as well as information about other upcoming Cirque du Soleil performances can be obtained at their website, http://www.cirquedusoleil.com

Quidam’s next stop will be the Citizen’s Business Bank Arena, in Ontario, California.

Reach Whitney here