When I was invited to experience Cirque du Soleil Paramour, the organization’s first created specifically for Broadway at the Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street), I was intrigued.
As a big fan of the franchise, I’ve seen multiple performances, some I’ve loved more than others. After a visit to Las Vegas last year, I experienced the first Cirque that did not appeal to me at all (Criss Angel Believe), and it dawned on me that not all of the Cirque experiences would actually appeal to me.
So I wondered what a Broadway version would be like. I was intrigued but not that all excited after my last experience with Criss Angel, however I invited my tween and her friends and we ventured into town a few nights ago. Both of my daughter’s friends are massively into the arts and theater, so I was extremely hopeful that Paramour would live up to all of our expectations. It was their first Cirque experience with the exception of my daughter.
Cirque du Soleil Paramour
As soon as the show started, I had a feeling I had made the right decision on not giving up on the brand. The show is very Broadway-esque. It’s a timeless love story with live musicians and professional actors in lead roles, but with the Cirque du Soleil aesthetic integrated, throughout the show: visionary production design on a grand scale and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination. The little boy in town was completely enraptured, leaning out of his seat the entire time. It’s the story of a beautiful young actress forced to choose between love and art in the glamorous world of Golden Age Hollywood, and it combines film as a medium to tell its dramatic story. If you thought there was a lot to watch and look for in a typical Cirque experience, you’ve seen nothing until you see Paramour.
The production features at least 15 different circus arts disciplines, many of which have never appeared on Broadway. The disciplines cover aerial strap artists, banquine, Chinese pole, contortion, cyr wheel, hand to hand, hand to trapeze, juggling, lyra, Russian bar, Spanish web, teeterboard, tumbling, trampoline, and trapeze. The result is breath-taking, and it certainly helps that the cast is superb. The leads Jeremy Kushnier as A.J., the director; Ruby Lewis as Indigo, the starlet, and Ryan Vona as Joey, the composer are fabulous singers and they really compliment the acrobats and performers.
Paramour Ticket Giveaway
To celebrate the opening of Paramour, I’m giving away FOUR tickets. The tickets must be used for a performance prior to November 13 subject to availability and black out dates.
To enter, answer this in the comments: Tell me about your first memory of seeing a circus, probably as a child, or what you remember most about it.
Winner will be selected randomly at 9am August 3rd. Winner will be posted here, on the Culture Mom Facebook page and via email and will have 24 hours to accept their prize.
For more information and the schedule on Paramour, visit www.ParamourOnBroadway.com.
Disclosure: I was provided with comp tickets to this performance, but as usual, all opinions are my own.
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I remember going to the see Ringling Bros circus and being in awe of the whole production. It is amazing how much goes into each perforamce
My first memory is the smell and excitement of tingling bros circus as a child.
My first memory was my grandfather took me to circus when I was about five, we were ear away up and I was standing up to be able to see.
First memory is going to Madison Square Garden and seeing the elephants
First memory is going to shriners circus and trying to watch all 3 rings at same time.
Won’t go to those anymore.
Congrats, Gigi!