Just wanted to put in a good word for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo production; I saw it last night and enjoyed myself. It was a bit simpler than some of their other shows I've seen; I don't mean that in a bad way, I think they were trying to make it more accessible to the audience. For instance, other Cirque productions I've seen used a made-up language for all spoken words, ostensibly so audiences in any country would have to rely on the acting to understand what was going on. I guess not everyone understood that; when I took my sister to see Varekai a couple of years ago, she didn't enjoy herself because she spent the entire time confused, trying to translate what she was hearing from French. An impossible task. :) This time, there wasn't much dialogue, but most of it was in English with some common Italian.
At one point rubber chicken paratroopers took over the stage, and a detail of broom-wielding clowns had to clean them up. :)

Thank you for the review. Am I correct that this is a show that will tour?

Yes, Corteo will be in New York until the end of June, then head to Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C. I know Cirque goes to Philadelphia and Pittsburg on tour, but I'm not sure if Corteo has been there already or not. Think it's a fairly new show :)

Corteo is one of the shows I haven't got to see live yet. I watched it the other day on DVD. It is quite different from the others. Not my favorite but not bad either Maybe I would like it more if I saw it live. Quidam is also touring and I'm hoping it will come to FL. Although I'm not above making a road trip. My sister and I drove to Georgia to see Allegria. Worth the drive!


GiGi :D

I'm looking forward to seeing Corteo when it gets to Chicago soon. I'm not looking forward to how much that ticket is probably going to cost me. lol

Are they playing in their own tent or at an indoor venue?

Saw it Tuesday night. Really nice show. (Well, the ending, which I won't give away, did seem a little cheesy - and I think the audience members, at least those of a certain age who got the obvious reference, agreed; judging by their response to the "clown's" initial entry doing this slightly beforehand). I'm usually not big on Cirque, but this was so filled with clowning and had an Italianesque old circus sensibility to it which just felt right.

Plus there were midgets! Who doesn't love midgets?

(They were really good, too!)

It is quite different from the others.

I think this is precisely why I liked it, actually. I've seen several Cirque's on video, at least. While I've been wowed at the level of skill and the way in which they connect with audiences through a form of theatrical artistry that I admire, on some level they most often didn't work for me. Nor did I typically grasp the supposed story lines of many. Or even understand what I guess might be better called a context or theme in which the circus takes place. Somehow, I sensed that perhaps the "wow" factor wasn't completely there in this show, at least for me. I think that the acts in some other shows were better, more astounding. But that didn't kill it in any way for me, as this presented an overall better circus, IMO. But, then, to me there needs to be a real variety and healthy dose of clowning for a circus - which is what FINALLY existed here in the pacing of their show. In fact, it was almost an overload of comic parts. I believe that they might have swung the pendulum slightly too far. But, that's ok, I'll take it! Really, the kind of stuff that they are doing with this show and what amounts to clowning bits is the kind of thing which I *WISH* Ringling could somehow do and/or get back to. The opening (precurtain rise) bit out in the audience, itself, was worth it's weight in the heavy cost of the ticket.

Seeing this show live did convince me that circuses really do belong under a big top.

I heard they are doing the halftime show for the superbowl this year?

I like their show, but ........c'mon!! for a superbowl show???!!!

I have seen quite a few of the Cirque du Soleil shows live and have them on DVD. I was very disappointed with the fact that they cut some of the best clown skits from the DVD's.

GiGi :D

I heard they are doing the halftime show for the superbowl this year?

I like their show, but ........c'mon!! for a superbowl show???!!!

Yeah, their costuming isn't anywhere near revealing enough for a Superbowl halftime show.

I have seen quite a few of the Cirque du Soleil shows live and have them on DVD. I was very disappointed with the fact that they cut some of the best clown skits from the DVD's.

GiGi :D

Really? See, maybe that is why I have always found tehm lacking in that regard. A circus needs it's clowns. They are an integral part of the show and what keeps the pace flowing properly. Done well, this makes things good. Cut out, though, you are just left with spectacle but no counterbalance of comedy.

:o So jealous....I want to see Corteo so badly! I'm on my third live Cirque du Soleil show coming up in about 2 weeks (Quidam), I can't wait! I've heard the clowning is brilliant, of course now that the amazing John Gilkey's no longer there, I'm not so sure.

I could have guessed it would have come out sooner or later here that I'm a complete Cirque du Soleil junkie, but you all still love me, right? :P

gadget,
im only about 2 or 3 hours from columbus. after you see it, could you please advise me if it is worth the trip?

I have to confess, I too am a Cirque junkie but now I'm the one who is jealous. I really want to see Quidam! Unfortunately, I'm not sure if it's coming here and alot of my favorite artists are no longer in the show. The German Wheel is no longer the same guy but lucky for me I was able to meet him (Chris Lashua) when he temporarilly replaced the twins in La Nouba.

GiGi :D

omgzzzz i saw corteo with my clown troupe!!! it was utterly amazing!! and last year we all saw varekai which was also very nice but corteo was far superior!!!! im in love with those wheely skates they used in corteo (if anyone knows what im talking about.....) if you know what they are or how i can get a hold of a pair please let me know im just dying to incorperate them into my act!!!!

So the big news is that Jeff Raz of Pickle Family Circus fame and the Clown Conservatory is going to take over as the main "clown" character in the show starting in Atlanta.

ooh, I'm seeing Corteo in two weeks!

Olé!