Spectacular 'Cirque' will captivate audiences of all ages at the Palace Theatre
“Cirque Dreams Holidaze” aims to wow all ages.
The national tour of the Cirque Dreams show will open Thursday for two performances at the Palace Theatre.
”It’s a family-friendly show for children and adults, with dazzling feats of acrobats, dancers and specialty acts,” co-director-choreographer Kevin Wilson said.
Wilson said the show sustains interest even among the very young.
“It depends on the family,” he said. “But children will be able to enjoy it even if they’re as young as 2, 3 or 4.”
Holiday arts preview:50+ concerts, shows and performances coming to Columbus this season
“Holidaze,” a 115-minute two-act including a 15-minute intermission, incorporates circus elements but isn’t really a circus.
“They use ‘circus’ loosely, because of the jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, daring feats and comedy acts. ‘Holidaze’ is infused with colorful pageantry, extravagant costumes and beautiful lighting. There’s no storyline, but it has an overall theme,” Wilson said.
“We think of it more as a Broadway-style show with the lines blurred between choreography, staging and the acts ... and with performers who’ve trained their whole lives to perform these skills,” he said.
What makes this a holiday show?
The holiday themes are universal.
“It’s about holiday fun but not just one kind of holiday. We’re not just focused on Christmas, but a season of family and giving,” Wilson said.
The show boasts an original instrumental score, while also incorporating several familiar holiday songs, such as “Deck the Halls,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.”
“We put some twists and turns on some of the songs to make a great soundscape. ... People will be tapping their foot and singing along,” Wilson said.
Although “Holidaze” has been touring in various forms for 13 seasons, this year’s edition has been enhanced in multiple ways, Wilson said.
“It’s great that Cirque has the ability to create new imagery. We were able to get new set designs, new choreography and costumes, and bring in new acts that make it a whimsical holiday spectacular," he said.
Who performs 'Holidaze'?
“Holidaze” showcases 38 performers, including six dancers, two singers and specialty acts from Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Jamaica, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
“We’ve got soaring aerialists, hair-hanging artists, jugglers, acrobats and ‘skippers,’ a skilled jump-rope act,” Wilson said.
'Tis the season:Holiday tree lightings, carriage rides and more bring Christmas cheer to Greater Columbus
Grace Lohr, a Maryland native, is one of four acrobatic stunt jumpers in the show’s Acro Skippers act, which involves jump rope, rope manipulations, leg crosses and synchronization skills.
“We do the same tricks at all once ... jumping on our feet and hands, throwing ropes and catching them at the same time,” Lohr said.
“Jumpers do all sorts of crazy things, jumping inside Double Dutch ropes to do front flips and back flips, with the two long ropes going at different times, one on one beat and the other on the off-beat,” she said.
Founded in 1993 and now a brand within Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group that focuses on family entertainment, Cirque Dreams has produced stage productions for casinos, cruise ships, Super Bowls, amusement parks, TV networks, Broadway, corporate events and tours seen by millions worldwide.
“Being part of Cirque Dreams is like joining a family and getting to travel to bring other families joy. It’s an exhilarating feeling,” Lohr said.
How did Lohr develop her skills?
Lohr, 23, has practiced jump-roping for 14 years, including some years with a competitive jump-rope team.“It takes lots of practice and I still have so much to learn,” she said.
Her big number appears in the first act, but Lohr returns in various costumes throughout the show to dance, drum or perform other skills.
To maintain her skill level and polish, Lohr practices five times a week.
“I try to jump-rope and keep up all the other skills. It’s about consistency, because practice doesn’t make perfect; it makes permanent,” she said.
The jump-roping quartet aims to add personality and an upbeat vibe to the show, Lohr said.
“We bring a little suspense, too, because we’re always switching positions. You don't know what will happen next,” she said.
How did two brothers enhance the show?
Wilson directed and choreographed “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” with his older brother, Marcel.
Although the brothers have worked on other shows together as performers or in other capacities, they don’t often get a chance to direct a show together.
Holiday craft fairs and bazaars:Here's our comprehensive list of events around Columbus
“It’s been incredible. In this industry, you don’t often get the chance to collaborate with someone you’re so close to. Marcel knows what keeps my mind going and I know what keeps his (going),” Wilson said.
Working together on “Holidaze” was fun. “We laughed a lot. We were able to dream together in the same process,” he said.
“It’s always a challenge because we both want to get our ideas across, but sometimes the best thing was merging our ideas into something better."mgrossberg1@gmail.com@mgrossberg1
At a glance
Cirque Dreams will present “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Tickets start at $33. (cbusarts.com)