Cirque Du Soleil TOTEM: Evolution Under A Big Top
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Underneath an airy and illuminated big top in Great Park, wide-eyed spectators looked eagerly toward the center ring. Glancing from face to face, illuminated by spotlights overhead, it was clear there were no bad seats in the house. After an entrancing first act, the audience emerged into the night air, indulging in a brief intermission from the acrobatic splendor inside of Cirque Du Soleil "TOTEM".
Cirque du Soleil is known for beautifully artistic productions. The French-Canadian company has continued to turn out popular shows since its humble beginnings in the mid 1980's.
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"TOTEM", which debuted in Irvine last week, is the latest of Cirque du Soleil's portfolio of acrobatic shows. Directed by Robert Lepage and choreographed by Jeffrey Hall, "TOTEM" centers on the theme of evolution. Tracing the evolutionary process of Earth's species, the show features a myriad of characters--from amphibians to human beings to mythical creatures.
Beginning in early 2014, "TOTEM" will have two stages in Southern California: Great Park in Irvine and the Pier in Santa Monica. For now, Great Park reigns on its own.
For those who haven't been to Great Park, it's a unique spot in the L.A. urban ring. The park provides a rare opportunity to feel hundreds of thousands of miles from the second largest city in the country. For this reason, the Irvine "TOTEM" experience is definitely worth the trip. Great Park affords "TOTEM" the gift of the more traditional circus experience of generations before. Underneath the "TOTEM" tents, the audience is greeted by a whimisical, intimate setting. There is no bad seat in the house. As an audience member, one finds themselves quickly feeling involved in the show, craning necks to try and understand how the acrobatics are achieved.
The Fixed Trapeze Duo act was a favorite part of the show. In it, two lovebirds flirt and chase one another while hanging from trapeze high above the stage. Their costumes and energy were delightful. The Unicycles and Bowls act was another favorite. Five unicycling women perform unbelieveable balancing and juggling acts high atop unicycles. The charisma of these artists was both charming and infectious.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, "TOTEM"'s creative team comes with impressive credentials. Costume Designer Kym Barrett worked on Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film, "Romeo and Juliet", creating (incredible) costumes for Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. She also designed costumes for "The Matrix", "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions".
The cast of "TOTEM" is comprised of 47 artists from 15 countries—Belarus, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and The United States of America. There are 120 touring employees and artists with 48 official accompanying members (spouses and family). Like any true European caravan, "TOTEM" maintains a total of 168 employees, artists, spouses and children on the road.
Unfortunately, the costume selection for "TOTEM" ranged from stunning to ugly. An assortment of painted male body suits, for example, which attempted to convey chiseled muscles with leotard paint, were simply awkward.
Cirque de Soleil commands an altogether different big-top experience than typically associated with an American circus. Stepping out into the quiet darkness, one might actually get the feeling they were thousands of miles from here. At the very least, a world away from the mania of metropolitan Los Angeles. For this achievement above all else, "TOTEM" at Great Park is a magical evening worth securing.
To find out more about Cirque du Soleil's current productions, including performances of "TOTEM" in Southern California, click here.
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Reach Arts and Culture Editor Ashley Riegle by email. Follow her on Twitter here.
