Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría On Sale Starting December 5th For Chicago Shows June 5-28, 2020 at Soldier Field

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Fall in Love Again with Timeless 

Alegría

Cirque du Soleil’s most iconic production returns to Chicago for three weeks only

June 5-28, 2020, at Soldier Field South Lot

 Public tickets available beginning December 5

Alegria2019_M-ALemire

Credit for all Photos: Marie-Andrée Lemire / Costumes Dominique Lemieux / Cirque du Soleil 2019 

Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to be returning to Chicago with the revival of Alegría, its most iconic production. For three weeks only, from June 5-28, 2020, audiences are invited under the Big Top at Soldier Field South Lot (1410 Museum Campus Drive) to fall in love again with timeless Alegría; a true Cirque du Soleil classic reinterpreted through today’s creative lens.



A production destined to change its history, Cirque du Soleil first presented Alegría in April 1994, launching an emblematic show that was to win over more than 14 million spectators in 255 cities in over 19 years of touring and earn a Grammy Award nomination for its title song. To mark the show’s 25th anniversary, Cirque du Soleil is now revisiting its iconic Alegría through today’s lens—including refreshed costumes and set design, a renewed acrobatic vocabulary, and modernized musical arrangements —to touch new generations of spectators.



With its signature songs, stunning acrobatics, memorable characters and enchanting artistry that have helped define the Cirque du Soleil aesthetic, Alegría is the reincarnation of a classic, reinterpreted for the age, and rekindled to inspire fans—old and new alike.



More about Alegría:
Alegría (‘joy’ in Spanish) takes audiences at the heart of a once glorious kingdom now in decay led by the king’s fool and a dusty aristocracy. Carried by an intangible wind of change, an emerging movement from the streets strives to shake this established order, instilling hope and renewal to bring light and harmony to their world. With its joyful spirit, Alegría is a vital, energizing force driven by a thirst for a brighter tomorrow.

In true Cirque du Soleil fashion, Alegría unfolds soul-touching clown antics and remarkable acrobatic performances in a whimsical and immersive visual universe. Perched at the top of the Big Top, gymnasts fly from one High Bar to the next, and leap into the void to reach the hands of mighty catchers suspended on a cradle swing.  Using all her limbs, an artist dazzles with her ability to spin and twirl a multitude of hoops while contorting her body with otherworldly ease. Other Jaw-dropping highlights include a daredevil Fire Knife Dancer eating, breathing, touching and juggling with flames; a sublime couple on Aerial Straps soaring through a delicate snowstorm; and fourteen tumblers bouncing off a Powertrack (trampoline tracks) embedded into the stage to perform criss-crossing series of daring somersaults.

For more information about Alegría, visit cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.
Follow #Alegria and #cirquedusoleil on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

To watch a preview video of Alegría, visit cirk.me/alegriatrailer.



Ticket Information:
Tickets for Alegría in Chicago are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members starting today, with our 40% off Black Friday offer. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. To join, visit cirqueclub.com. Public tickets for Chicago performances of Alegría will be available beginning Thursday, Dec. 5, at cirquedusoleil.com/alegria. Tickets start at $49. Plus, to live the Cirque Experience to the fullest, VIP and Behind the Scenes packages are available; find more information at cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.

Partners:
Cirque du Soleil would also like to thank its official Official Partners, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Villa Maria Wines.



About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,500 employees, including 1,400 artists from 70 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil, a division of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, has brought wonder and delight to more than 200 million spectators in more than 450 cities in over 60 countries on six continents. The revival of Alegría is Cirque du Soleil’s 44th original production since 1984, and its 19th presented under the Big Top. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

EXTENDED: Cirque du Soleil's VOLTA Chicago Engagement Now Extended Two Weeks May 18 – July 6, 2019

The iconic Big Top will be raised for the first time at brand new location: Soldier Field!

The name VOLTA refers to a sudden about-face, a change in emotion or idea often used in poetry. It also speaks to the jolt of energy delivered through the show.

Cirque du Soleil is excited to add two weeks of performances of VOLTA’s Chicago engagement this spring. The show will be presented under its signature Big Top at the Soldier Field South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, May 18 – July 6, 2019. Tickets, starting at $49, are available for purchase by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

ChiIL Mama will be ChiILin' in Chi, IL with Cirque du Soleil's VOLTA at the press opening, May 21st. Check back soon for my photo filled recap and review.

The show
Energetic, urban and contemporary, VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgment of others.

BMX & Street Sports
The creators of VOLTA drew inspiration from the spirit of adventure that pervades the world of BMX, street sports and acrobatics. Whether they are on a bike, hopping from rooftop to rooftop, or double dutch rope skipping, urban sports enthusiasts constantly challenge themselves and defy convention.

 

BMX act/ Costumes: Zaldy/ Photo: Matt Beard

Sure to be a Chicago crowd pleaser, VOLTA features a full-blown BMX park mounted on stage in front of the audience’s very eyes for the breathtaking BMX finale as riders invade the stage to deliver a jaw-dropping, fast and furious performance of nonstop acrobatics on wheels. The riders go up the jump boxes and perform air tricks before landing and leaping off the ramps again, crisscrossing and spinning their bikes in midair in a spirit of brotherhood.

Mr Wow/ Costumes: Zaldy/ Photo: Matt Beard

The Costumes
The stunning costumes of VOLTA have been designed by Zaldy Goco, famous for his work with Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefany and for TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Shapes Diving/ Costumes: Zaldy/ Photo: Matt Beard

Chicago Connections
Here at ChiIL Mama & ChiIL Live Shows we LOVE our local circus scene. My teens have studied and performed circus arts since age 7 with Actors Gymnasium, Aloft, MSA, and CircEsteem. We've also publicized, enjoyed and shot stills at Midnight Circus shows for years. We're super excited two of Volta's performers are from Chicago and are Midnight Circus alums! Kevin Beverley and Kia Eastman are coming to Chicago as part of Cirque du Soleil’s show VOLTA!

Kevin Beverley in Midnight Circus in Chicago

Kia Eastman in Midnight Circus in Chicago

Ticket Information
VOLTA will be presented under the Big Top at the Soldier Field South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, starting May 18. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/volta. Discover our VIP package – a cocktail reception with open bar and hors d’ oeuvres inspired by the show, access to the best seats for greater comfort, complimentary parking and more!

VOLTA gratefully acknowledges its Official Partners, Hennessy Black, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, and Sirius.

Get Social:
Facebook.com/VOLTA
Twitter: @Cirque #VOLTA  
Instagram: cirquedusoleil #VOLTA

Acro Lamp/ Costumes: Zaldy/ Photo: Matt Beard

Cirque du Soleil
VOLTA is Cirque du Soleil’s 41st original production since 1984, and its 18th show presented under the Big Top. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 190 million spectators in more than 450 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,400 performing artists from close to 60 different countries.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

Cavalia Horses Arrive Via "Air Horse One" For Holiday Before Entertaining Chicago Audiences April 1

ODYSSEO’S 65 HORSES ARRIVE 

AT O’HARE

BEFORE VACATIONING AT MIDWEST FARM

EQUESTRIAN STARS TAKE BREAK BEFORE PERFORMANCES OF 

ODYSSEO BY CAVALIA

START UNDER WHITE BIG TOP AT SOLDIER FIELD SOUTH LOT, APRIL 1

Special 727 nicknamed "Air Horse One," operated by Kalitta Charters
All photos by Travis Schoening

If you think only humans like horsing around, check out these equestrian super stars and world travelers. They arrived this week at Chicago's O'Hare airport and are taking a break from show biz to enjoy southern Wisconsin hospitality. Here at ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama, we're so excited to catch this big top extravaganza. I'll be there with the whole family, to review on opening night. Book your tickets now, for best availability! 

As the logistical and technical teams work on completing the Odysseo Village at Soldier Field South Lot for the highly-anticipated Midwest debut of Odysseo by Cavalia on April 1, its 65 magnificent horses have arrived in Chicago and are enjoying a relaxing 14-day stay at a nearby farm.

Following sold-out performances in Vancouver, BC, the four-legged stars flew into Chicago O’Hare International airport aboard a chartered 747 aircraft equipped with air stalls. They were then transported to a lavish and spacious farm in Bristol, Wisconsin, in specially equipped trailers alongside Odysseo’s equine specialists. The Odysseo herd, consisting of nine breeds including Appaloosa, Arabian, Quarter Horse, Holsteiner, Lusitano, Paint Horse, Percheron Hanoverian Cross, Selle Français and Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.), is under the care of a 20-person team. 

My husband, Dug Mara, a location sound engineer, frequently works with a crew from ESPN, and some of the guys have flown along on "Air Horse One" with other equestrians during a TV shoot. How cool would that be?!

At their Wisconsin retreat, expansive paddocks welcome the four-legged stars of Odysseo where they are able to play, bathe in the sun or roll in the snow. This interlude between shows is part of Cavalia’s horse care and training philosophy, which is based on understanding the needs, preferences, and emotions of the animals, and on mutual respect, kindness, patience, and trust.

The world’s largest touring show, Odysseo is a show unlike any other on the planet, an immersive theatrical experience in which horses are front and center. Imagined by Normand Latourelle - creator of Cavalia and renowned for combining different forms of artistic expression and reinventing the scenic space - Odysseo is a veritable revolution in live performance that makes hearts race. Audiences of all ages will be transported on an epic journey to some of nature’s greatest wonders by this breathtaking production that features the 65 horses plus 48 talented riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians. 

TICKETS – Adult tickets are priced from $34.50 to $144.50 (no service charge). Special pricing and packages also available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+). For an extra special outing, the Rendez-Vous VIP package offers the best seats in the house, full meal buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit to the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous VIP package prices range from $144.50 to $269.50 (no service charge).

ABOUT CAVALIA INC. 

Cavalia Inc. is an entertainment company that specializes in the creation, production and touring of innovative shows. Founded by Normand Latourelle, the company reimagines the equestrian and theatrical arts. With its headquarters in Montreal, Cavalia Inc. is an integral part of Canada’s cultural heritage, and the largest Canadian-owned cultural enterprise. Its expertise in high technology, multimedia and special effects creates magical, unique, never-before-seen experiences. Its first show, Cavalia, has been seen by more than 4 million people across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia since its 2003 debut. Odysseo, the company’s second show, has toured to rave reviews and public acclaim since its 2011 premiere. 

Follow Cavalia’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia. #OdysseoCHI