Cirque du Soleil's latest offering, OVO, super sizes the realm of crickets and ants, fleas and scarabs, revisiting signature Cirque elements in a light-hearted, family-friendly, less-plot-more-clown-oriented show sprinkled with Brazilian flavor. And while tickets don't go cheap, the Montreal-based troupe of buskers-turned-international-sensation give you your money's worth -- and an intimate view of the show no matter where you're sitting under the custom built chapiteau -- down to the last flip, grimace and prop. Just one piece of advice: try to dress in layers. It gets stuffy in that tent.
'OVO': A Brazilian Baseline
I've had a love affair with Cirque du Soleil ever since I laid eyes on Saltimbanco back in 1992. Then again, most who've had the auspicious pleasure of attending a Cirque production (or two) feel the same way. The drama, stories, costumes, makeup, sheer talent and effort that go into delighting a crowd for a couple of hours is almost as unreal as the Cirque's imagination.OVO, the Cirque du Soleil's 25th production in 25 years, sets an insect-themed show to the rhythm of Brazilian sounds, combining traces of samba, forró, carimbó, Rio funk, and samba-reggae. The sounds of real insects are also incorporated into the buoyant tribal score and the resulting mix complements OVO's airy and chaotically fanciful characters, a decidedly warm bunch in comparison to some of the Cirque's eerier types.
First Half of the Show
Then a strange bug appears in the middle of the audience, smitten within seconds of spotting the lovely ladybug on stage, as locals ooh and ahh over a large egg the stranger brought with him.
Smiley ants foot-juggling kiwis and corn, diabolos spinning in unison with every beat, butterflies engaging in a comely midair tryst, scarabs engaging in what the Cirque describes as "the most difficult flying trapeze act in the world in terms of distance covered," the first half of OVO feels like a gentle buildup -- with frequent, sometimes lengthy clown breaks in between acts -- setting the stage for a dynamic second half.
Second Half of the Show
Performers waste no time bringing the audience back into their world as the second half begins with a stunning contortion dance. I have a soft spot for contortions in general, and this act impressed me on so many levels, from the music's sensual flow to the choreography including two contortionists for a brief time, both independent of each other, yet somehow weaving a symbiotic canvas of color and grace with their nimble movements, a dance of unsynchronized beauty.Another highlight and obvious crowd favorite was the spider slackwire act, a flawless performance one hair away from eliciting a standing ovation. And it's hard to forget the wall act, a flurried mix of wall climbing and trampoline tumbling with twenty performers in tow.
In Conclusion
Check out a picture gallery of OVO.
In line with About.com's and the New York Times Company's full disclosure policy, readers should be aware that the writer was provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of reviewing OVO, a common procedure in the entertainment industry. Also note that the latter gratuity has not influenced this review. For more information on full disclosure at About.com, please consult our ethics policy.
