All in a day’s Cirque

PUBLISHED by Boston Metro

When Cirque du Soleil created the traveling show “Alegria” in the ’90s, Internet technology was only beginning to permeate our everyday life. Though the show fittingly became about the battle between old and new, tradition and modernization, the Cirque’s new arena-hosted version of the show actually pares down on technology and brings attention back to the performers.


After years of touring under the big-top, which takes nine days to set up and two days to tear down, Cirque du Soleil decided to adapt the show for arenas, allowing more intimate performances and access to smaller cities, says Sheryl Lynne Valensky, assistant artistic director.

“One of the nice things about taking a show running for 15 years back into rehearsal is you get to update it, like a rebirth of the show,” says Valensky. “The nice thing about ‘Alegria’ is there’s not a lot of technology. The show’s acts showcase what the artists do and the incredible things the human body can do.”

“Alegria,” which means “jubilation” in Spanish, is about the conflict in society between the old world and the new and how they converge. The resistance to change is represented by the Old Birds, aristocratic characters dressed in brightly colored masks, and on the other side, a group of Angels symbolize youth, energy and moving forward.

The arena tour brings the show to a new city every week, meaning set-up time is limited to eight hours, says Valensky. That’s why the equipment is minimized, and most of the grandeur comes from the artists’ abilities. The performances include intricate trapeze acts, contortion girls, and a “power track” involving a giant trampoline, she says.

“Every show is so unique; you see different acts in every show, and we don’t repeat anything,” says Valensky. “Our show in Japan right now is more theatrical, and this show is more abstract.”

Though every Cirque du Soleil show has a theme, the purpose is not to make a statement but to simply present a concept in a way that audiences across borders and age groups can grasp it. The storyline is presented through movement and music, and while some songs have verses in multiple languages, the message is mostly visual.

Boston is the show’s third stop in three weeks, and “Alegria” will continue touring the U.S. and Canada for the next three years.

“The whole idea is that we could go anywhere, and everybody would get to see the same show. No one’s experience would be lessened because they couldn’t understand,” says Valensky.

‘Alegria’
Tomorrow through Sunday
Agganis Arena
925 Comm. Ave., Boston
MBTA: Green line to
St. Paul’s
$36-$95, 617-931-2000
www.cirquedusoleil.com