If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil performance, then you really don’t know what you are missing. They are spectacular, awe-inspiring shows. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM is no different and delivers the amazement you expect to see with a Cirque du Soleil show. I’d love to see it again before it leaves Portland, OR.
Breathtaking Acrobatics and Set Design
Every second of Cirque du Soleil TOTEM is deliberate and meticulous. Nothing is overlooked, and every step, every turn, every breathe is choreographed and meaningful.
Rollerskaters. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
Through 12 acts, Cirque du Soleil TOTEM depicts the journey of the evolution of humans, from their amphibious state through their desire to fly. Using acrobatics and symbols of ancient cultures, TOTEM evokes a number of emotions throughout the show.
Ring Trio Woman. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
The Devil is in the Details
Bringing 21 nationalities together to create a cohesive show can’t be easy. The 48-person cast of gymnasts and other talents speaks 13 different languages, including English (which is the official language on tour). There are back-up performers, per se, but all understudies are other cast members who are trained to perform other acts.
Unicycles with Bowls. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
The costumes are elaborate, to say the least. The Crystal Ladies and Crystal Men costumes are some of the most elaborate, donning thousands of Swarovski crystals and mirrors to reflect and refract the lights in the show.
Crystal Man. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
Crystal Ladies. Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
Make up is equally as elaborate. They use MAC and Ben Nye cosmetics, and the performers each do their own make up. Some character make up, such as the frogs, take about an hour each day to apply.
Cirque du Soleil TOTEM. Photo Credit: OSA Images.
Oh, and I got to go backstage and see behind-the-scenes of this mesmerizing show. Drawers and drawers of makeup, detailed make-up directions, costumes hang-drying, rehearsal and practice space, the list goes on.
The cast members with families have their families with them, as they all have 1-or 2-year contracts depending on how long they’ve been with the show. TOTEM offers a full-time school for the children of cast members.
TOTEM visits 6 to 8 cities per year. You can see TOTEM now through May 4th, 2014, at the Portland Expo Center. The show runs about 2.5 hours including an intermission, so plan to be out late. It’s kind of late for kids on a school night, but well worth the experience. Get your tickets here.
Want a glimpse of what the show is like? Check out this trailer.
Disclaimer: I received tickets to a Cirque du Soleil performance in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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