“A Magical Cirque Christmas” – AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO

[rating=3] Over the years, we have watched many a “Cirque” performance. They are in reality not plays, but circus performers put into a story that is told using their talents. I believe the French were the ones that came up with the concept and over the years, it has been done by everyone. The original productions were done in tents with high rooflines to allow for trapeze and other high wire acts. For many years, Chicago’s Navy Pier enjoyed a Cirque Shanghai show every Summer.

For the most part the regular theaters are not as easy to use for this type of production, but Magic Space Entertainment has put together a holiday “Cirque” on the stage of the CBIC Theatre that works! It deals with Christmas and the story being told involves a clock enclosed in a glass case. They must open the clock to reset it as it keeps moving forward and backward to different years, and as it does so, the music is that of the period as is the clothing and styles.

The show is roughly 100 minutes long and has an intermission ( after all, they sell drinks and snacks, don’t they?). I for one would have preferred they cut some of the story and the intermission and give us 90 minutes of pure artistry. The acts were terrific! The singer (Audri Bartholowmew) dynamite! The hostess/mistress of Ceremony and magician ( Carisa Hendrix, who many know as Lucy Darling) is great at the magic she performs and did some clever things with the audience, but the entire story about the key was overplayed, time consuming and not really interesting. She has a great wardrobe ( with lots of changes).

I was quite impressed with Johnathan Rinny and his cycling as well as his ability to do balance on very scary set-ups. Aryn Shelander is quite the contortionist and her ability in archery is amazing! People like Christopher Stoinev (juggler), David Locke ( Cyr Wheel), Nicky Faubert & Olivier Belzile ( Duo Straps and others) and Itzel Salvatierra & Scott Duo ( hand to hand) and Kevin DeMaro ( hula hoops, flying pole) are all solid performers with the right touch to do their thing.

I guess one of the key players who should get his rewards is Vlada Romanova who is the winch operator( and supporting cast member). The winch is an integral part of the performance art they do in “Cirque”.

The show is directed by its creator Louanne Madorma and the co-creators are Jim Millan and Carisa Hendrix. I am sure these are circus people as are those members of this company. They are skilled performers who delight an audience and for those of us older, the music of the different eras is truly heartwarming. As I said, the show is strong on talent and would be stronger if the story was eliminated and just let the audience enjoy the great performers and their talent.