Tuesday, December 05, 2006

"O" My God

Last week, we went to see the production of "O" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, performed by Cirque du Soleil.

The stage, the costumes, the precision, the music, the water; I don't think I've ever been as in awe of anything as I was of this show. The skill, grace and artistry involved was beyond anything I had imagined it would be. There is a trailer on the Cirque du Soleil website you can watch to get just a little glimpse.


I could not take my eyes off the stage the entire time. Performed in a 26 foot deep pool, containing 1.5 million gallons of water, the stage platforms appear and disappear with such stealth, that you can't tell what is water and what is solid ground until the act is complete.

The music for the show was provided by a live orchestra, accompanied by singers with haunting voices, contained in glass booths on either side of the stage. No dialogue was ever spoken by any of the performers, save for the incoherent mumbling of the clowns that entertained between acts.

The obvious athleticism required to be part of this troupe is clearly evident in the performers, who are either clothed in skintight costumes, showing every sinewy part of their body or displayed in the bare chested divers and acrobats; most of them eliciting gasps from the crowd. The strength needed for several of the feats performed was beyond comprehension and the flexibility of the contortionists put my very best bedroom acrobatics to utter shame!

This will be my most highly recommended "to do" from my past year of traveling. If you have a chance to see any of the Cirque du Soleil performances, I urge you to do so. They are well worth the money, no matter what the asking price.

Just stay away from the snack bar; that's where you'll get nailed for the ten dollar Diet Coke like I did.

2 comments:

Real Live Lesbian said...

I cannot tell you how utterly jealous I am. Totally Jealous. Big Hairy Green JEALOUS!

I've always wanted to see the Cirque du Soleil.

Guess I'll just have to keep watching it on the A&E channel.

I am glad that you got to go!!!

Katie McKenna said...

Wow! Sounds wondrously beautiful!