Kuriosly Amazing, Cirque du Soleil’s “KURIOS” is out of this world!

Date:

Photo Credit: cirquedusoleil.com
Photo Credit: CirqueDuSoleil.com

Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios” premiered in April 2014 in Montreal, and has since continued to regale audiences, and is doing so currently at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium. Its residency – in a gorgeously lavish tent in the parking lot of the Dodgers’ home – ends very soon, however, on Superbowl Sunday, February 7th.

Yet for nearly two months, dating back to December 10th, 2015,  the performers of Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios” show have managed to meld the world of fantasy with the realm of acrobatics and world-class singing. For individuals who love and support the arts, there are very few mediums of expression that combine the triumvirate of music, athleticism, and story-telling at the nearly unattainable, Olympic-like level that Cirque du Soleil manages to pull off from one show to the next.

Photo Credit: CirqueDuSoleil.com
Photo Credit: CirqueDuSoleil.com

“Kurios” is a wonderful achievement with what it aspires to attain, and actually does so in the bedazzled viewer. Its narrative, which is anchored around an inventor (“The Seeker”) who defies the temporal laws of physics, is joined by characters that represent the protagonist’s psychological underpinnings (“Mini Lili”), and ones like “Mr. Microcosmos,” who offer philosophical or political commentary on the advanced “technology” that drives the story. And of course, there is the eponymous “Kurios,” who are, in name, “The Seeker’s” assistants.

Photo Credit: cirquedusoleil.com
Photo Credit: CirqueDuSoleil.com

The innovation of this production from an athletic standpoint, moreover, is an absolute gift to the senses. There is a beguiling aerial bike trick, off-the-charts bodily contortion, incredible juggling, exceedingly flexible “Siamese twins” performing astounding aerial work, jaw-dropping tube-balancing, and, of course, the much-talked about act that features a man doing complicated hand-stands with a pair of canes.

The music, in addition, has the total effect of being an aural masterpiece. Raphaël Beau’s score (Guy Dubuc and Marc Lessard contributed, too) sounds like futuristic jazz music, the kind that probably is a representation of the natural evolution of the genre, which made its initial footprints n musical lore starting with seminal figures like Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The tracks in particular by Beau that highlight the effortless transmutation of the jazz genre include “Steampunk Telegram,” “Gravity Levitas,” “Fearsome Flight,” “Wat U No Wen,” and the finale, “You Must Be Joking.” It should also be said that vocalist Eirini Tornesaki has seamless pitch, vowel, and intonation in every note and phrase to the extent that even the foremost vocal professors would blush.

“Kurios” will continue its tour throughout the United States following its stay in Los Angeles. Next up is Atlanta, GA between March 3rd and May 8th, followed by Boston, MA (May 26th until July 10th), Washington, DC (July 21st until September 18th), and New York, NY (September 30th until November 27th).

Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios” receives the highest recommendation as it is a necessary viewing experience for everyone and anyone.

For more information, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios

Imaan Jalali
Imaan Jalali
Imaan has been the Arts & Culture Editor of LAexcites since the digital magazine went live in 2015.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

spot_imgspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Preview: Larissa FastHorse’s ‘Fake It Until You Make It’ to Take Charge at the Mark Taper Forum

Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse has become quite the...

Preview: Monster Jam To Rampage Through Angel Stadium on Jan. 18-19 & Feb. 15-16!

If you love giant-sized cars fueled with attitude, a...

Review: Long Beach Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ Is a Can’t-Miss Spectacle Even After 42 years

“Tradition” and “mainstay” often get thrown around facilely, but...