Saturday, July 09, 2016

Cirque du Soleil Comes To Broadway - "Paramour" Soars


I love Broadway.  I love Cirque du Soleil.  I could not wait to see how these two very different worlds would collide in the new Cirque show and musical "Paramour." The good news is that they pair very well together at the Lyric Theatre, adding a narrative arc to the usual spectacular Cirque acrobatics.

Director Philippe Decoufle leads a cast that tell the story of a classic Hollywood love triangle. Jeremy Kushnier plays an aggressive movie director with his mind set on recreating some of the iconic love scenes in movie history.  He also has his heart set on wooing his latest starlet, played by Ruby Lewis.  The complication is that she is already in love with a struggling song writer, played by Ryan Vona.  The chemistry among the three throws off sparks that illuminate the stage. Ruby's character must make a difficult choice between her heart and her art.  She is, in effect, walking a tightrope without a net - like any good Cirque performer would do!


Ryan Vona, Ruby Lewis, Jeremy Kushnier
"Paramour"
A Cirque du Soleil Musical
Lyric Theatre
The show is a visual spectacular and a total delight.  Sometimes the acrobatic acts advance the story lines, and at other times they do not.  But it does not matter, for the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  I walked into the theater expecting a Cirque show with slightly more story line than normal, and I was not disappointed.

One of the most thrilling aspects of the show is the original duo-strap aerial act performed by the Cirque veterans, The Atherton Twins.  Andrew and Kevin soar above the stage and above the audience looking like Greek gods ascending to heaven. It is a breathtaking moment of spectacular beauty and athleticism.

The Atherton Twins Soar
"Paramour"
A Cirque du Soleil Musical
Lyric Theatre
"Paramour" is entertainment in one of its purest forms, steeped in thousands of years of history of telling stories through theater and movement. I can recommend it as a worthy investment of your entertainment dollar. Kill two birds with one stone: come to New York AND run away with the circus!

Paramour on Broadway Website

Enjoy!

Al

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