Review: CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE, Kimmel Cultural Campus - US Tour
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is one of Cirque Du Soleil’s most festive and fun spectaculars to date. This Broadway-styled show is performed annually in cities around the greater United States and incorporates an infusion of contemporary circus arts with traditional and modern Christmas music.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze features an international cast of over 30 performers who provide the singing and circus arts for the performance. The circus acts include static trapeze, duo cyr wheel, hooping, aerial hooping, stilt jumping and tumbling, acro skipping, hand balance, corde lisse, handbell choir, sway pole, hair hang, contortion, duo skills, rolla bolla, dance trapeze and thrill roller skate duo - phew! While every performance is simply spectacular, some literally have the audience holding their breath whilst on the edge of their seats, including Jordan McKnight with Contortion, Samuale Sentayehu with Rolla Bolla, and Anna Tsarova & Rolando Rivas with the Thrill Roller Skate Duo. The technical skill and intensity that each give their acts creates an incredibly high energy collision of music, dance and performance art that is not often seen on a Broadway stage.
Along with the performances, other impressive parts of the show are the costumes and sets. Angela Millwood and T-Jay Wojciechowski have created the set designs, inspired by both Broadway glamour and the dreams that children have of Christmas. Barbi Miller has created the incredible costumes that often become part of the act as the performers become immersed into the dreamscape. The rest of the creative team includes show director Kevin Wilson, lighting designer Dmitri Kriouttchenko, choreographers Kevin and Marcel Wilson, sound designer Jason DeWald, graphic designers Samantha Berg and Brittany Ottum, video producer and editor Jonas Lader, talent and casting director Rebecca Shubart, and production assistant Oscar Gutierrez. The creative team certainly had their hands full coordinating and showcasing so many diverse talents and performers.
Playful and energetic.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Cirque Dreams Holidaze plays in Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Miller Theater until 31 December, with further information here.