“Cirque Du Soleil VOLTA”

 Recommended *** Growing up, I recall all of the years that “The circus is in town” was a special phrase to me. I loved the circus, the clowns, the lions and tigers and stuff, oh my! Then the Cirque was born and we all saw a different, more sophisticated type of circus, less the animals ( making the animal rights people happy), No longer do we have the choices. It is Cirque or nothing. While attending these shows is an experience, as time goes by we see the same things over and over. Different folks from different parts of the world, each with a specialty, bringing us a Cirque, and as always “with a story”.

Last night we were introduced to Volta ( Find Your Free) in the  Signature Big Top ( but at Soldier Field’s parking lot rather than The United Center parking lot). The tent is set up so that after you enter the area, you have no choice but to walk through the area where the food is as well as the highly priced souvenirs. This is an expensive evening for sure. Hard to believe, but this is the 30th year we have been entertained by a Cirque Du Soleil.

Cirque productions are geared to offer us  acrobatics of all sorts as well as a clown ,tumbling and aerial feats. This version has some new ways to gather us in. A hair suspension number will astound you, as a woman flies thru the hair with her hair being the only thing holding on to the wire. The trampoline act called “Trampowall” is powerful as we see a group of acrobats fly from level to level. The bike (BMX must be a sponsor) numbers are terrific and spellbinding and the Swiss Rings and Bungee number is fairly new and somewhat exciting.

Our story involves a boy and his mother. The boy is the center of the story seeking his own identity. He has blue hair and if you watch closely, many of the others will at one time also have his hairdo. They will represent him and his transformation. We witness him coming out of his shell and doing “his thing”!

The music is powerful and drives the features making them even more exciting than expected. As always there is a story involved. This one is about transformation. It is about being true to oneself and reaching one’s potential. We all have our own powers within us and Volta is telling us that once we learn to unleash our own power and find our true inner self, we can then show the world who we are. The costumes in this production are as always stunning and the lighting and music are a major part of the overall picture that they are painting.

This is an explosive team of acrobats and sitting in row B we were able to see them up close and personal. They appeared to be enjoying performing for us, making this so-so story-line much more entertaining. This is certainly not one of the greatest of the Cirque shows, but is indeed a fine production and one that will keep you involved, waiting to see what comes next. I will say that the seats are laid out for great sight lines no matter where you sit, but they are very close and you will get to know your neighbors very quickly. The time of the evening is 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 25 minute intermission ( they need time to sell food and souvenirs, don’t they?)

Cirque Du Soleil VOLTA” will be here through July 6th

Performance info:

Show Type: Family

www.cirquedusoleil.com/volta

Tickets range from $49.00 and they have entirely to many upgrades

For $10 you can get closer to the show. For more, you can buy the Hennessy VIP Experience ( a special area for snacks and drinks)

or just the Nicolas Feuillatte Lounge

complimentary champagne, wine and beer as well as snacks and popcorn.

for tickets call 1-877-924-7783

or visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/usa/chicago/volta/buy-tickets

Parking is $25

This is a new location for the Cirque tent- Soldier Field South Lot which is easy to get to, but not fun getting out of after the show.

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“Cirque Du Soleil VOLTA”