Cirque du Soleil "Kurios" Comes To Boston - A Rare Peak Behind The Wizard's Curtain!

The Cirque du Soleil show "Kurios" opens on Thursday evening at Suffolk Downs and will play through July 10th.  I was given a rare opportunity yesterday to go back stage and spend time observing some of the performers in rehearsal, and then to speak with several of the stars of the show. From the time I saw my first Cirque du Soleil show over a decade ago, I have been in awe of the artistry and the rare athleticism that goes into each unique Cirque production.  "Kurios" promises to only add to my sense of wonder.

After walking through the backstage dressing rooms and warm-up spaces, I was taken to the center of the action - The Big Top - where Rola Bola performer James Eulises Gonzalez was rehearsing, practicing his rare art and making sure that all of his equipment was ready for the high flying act that he performs each night.

James Eulises Gonzalez
Rehearses Rola Bola
Cirque du Soleil "Kurios"
At Suffolk Down
Through July 10th

Once he had gone through his complex and death defying routine several times, he gave way to a troupe of contortionists who portray electric eels, contorting their bodies into unimaginable patterns atop a 600 pound mechanical hand.  One of those artists, Imin Tsydendambaeva, spent time with me telling me about her career and training to become a Cirque du Soleil artist.  She and her three colleagues grew up together in Siberia, near Lake Baikal and not far from the border with Mongolia. As a young girl, she trained with a coach who would show her and her friends videos of Cirque du Soleil shows. Her lifelong dream of joining Cirque became a reality in 2010.  She and her fellow contortionists spend several hours each day, apart from performances, stretching and practicing their art. They communicate with one another and their coach in English, Russian and Buryatia, a language similar to Mongolian that is spoken around Lake Baikal. Imin remarked that in her first few hours seeing Boston, she was most impressed with the beauty of Boston Common.

Imin Tsydendambaeva and friends
rehearse ContortionCirque du Soleil "Kurios"
At Suffolk Down
Through July 10th

Before leaving the world of Cirque, I watched several of the performers rehearse for the act entitled Banquine.  I know enough Russian and they know enough English that we were able to joke together and compare notes on neighborhoods in Moscow we are all familiar with.

Yesterday's foretaste of the wonders of "Kurios" make me even more eager than I had been to see tomorrow evening's opening night performance.  Expect a full review on Friday.

Do not delay ordering tickets.  A friend of mine just informed me that a performance he wanted to attend is already sold out.

Cirque du Soleil website

Enjoy!

Al