It is amazing what the human body can do. From a simple dance solo with a steady beating drum, those with super flexible legs and backs tumbling across the floor and the dazzling flyers that soar through the air on wires is just a tiny portion of the journey that Cirque du Soleil takes its audience on.
Totem, one of Cirque du Soleil’s current productions, is now showing at Atlantic Station through Dec. 30.
A story about the evolution of man, Totem begins with a man slowly descending from the center of the ceiling, dressed in a silver, glittering costume that covered him from head to toe, including his face; Just a simple spark that started life on earth.
He swung from a single wire, dancing in mid-air to slow, soft music that hung a mysterious vibe in the atmosphere. He twirled like a disco ball as light flickered off his costume, reflecting onto the tent walls.
Transitioning to a solo Native American dance, one man, one drum and five hoops that were a part of his routine depicted how humans relate to nature. Eric Hernandez, the hoop dancer, is of the Native American Lumbee Tribe. His skill with the hoops, as well as his talent with his dance steps, were fascinating as he told the story of the evolution of human civilization.
Women on what seemed to be five foot tall unicycles, tossing bowls with their feet to land on each other’s heads; Men balancing on their heads on nearly 10 foot tall poles; A couple in love dancing in the air across a suspended bar- all illustrated man’s desire to fly. Each act progressively incorporated height into their routines.
Leaving planet Earth, the show took us to outer space, coming closer to man’s goal to soar through the air. Nine “Martian” men, dressed in colorful costumes with ancient Latin American designs, glowed in the dark under black light as they bounced and balanced on Russian bars.
If this is someone’s first Cirque du Soleil show, the awesome performance will make him or her want to instantly find out what the theme is for the next show. After its finale, which ended with a standing ovation, the audience left the tent and quickly migrated to the Cirque du Soleil tour buses to take photos. The images of the characters-colorful and vivid- stretched across the sides of the buses.
Cirque du Soleil is a show that leaves its audience in a “feel-good” mood and wanting more. Tickets start at $40 with student I.D to $153.50 in premium seating.
For additional information, visit https://tickets.cirquedusoleil.com/
Cirque’s unicycles and bowls performance was both suspenseful and dazzling.
This character’s name was ‘The Tracker.’
One of the two foot-juggling ‘Crystal Ladies.’
Every character on stage performing the finale number with high energy. Their costumes and make-up all at once was spectacular.
Monkeys, cavemen and modern man play out the famous image of the evolution of mankind.
Depicting man’s modern day rituals of rivalry and jealousy on the beach.
