Every creature is dancing in Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…

If there was ever a perfect, baked in opening line for a Cirque du Soleil show, it is Clement Clarke Moore’s “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” It begs for a mischievous night in motion – and that’s what it gets.

Cirque du Soleil has been making human-powered magic for audiences since 1984, performing on 6 continents and in 86 countries in the past 40 years. ‘Twas the Night Before… is the company’s first and only holiday show.

The classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, sparks Cirque’s story about a young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays and reconnects with her dad thanks to a fall into a magical, winter realm. But of course, the plot is incidental here. Really, it’s just a framework for an evening of the incredible acrobatics and larger-than-life staging that Cirque du Soleil is known for. Director James Hadley seamlessly brings together 26 artists from all over the world who dance, amaze and entertain to a soundtrack of many Christmas favorites re-invented with a Euro-pop beat by Cirque du Soleil.

The show has all of the classic acts you’d expect, clown, acrobats, dancers, etc. and, as you’d also expect, they are all excellent at what they do. This show in particular has a “Corps de Kpop” dance troupe that was as fun as it was of-the-moment. Another running theme of the night was the passage of small, bright lights – they were thrown, shared, and spread across the stage in several set pieces, creating a holiday appropriate festival of lights without taking away from the performances.

The audience is first ushered into the wintery realm by acrobats and dancers Arthur Morel Van Hyfte and Guillaume Paquin, as Snowflakes whirling and flying about the stage using straps. Their physical strength and grace were enough to make it feel as though we had left the real world.

Anastasiia Shlokhova took us completely out of the real world with her number, a “Hair Suspension” act, which was difficult to believe even as I watched it, and I was surprised to discover it is common enough to have a name. Shlokhova does as the name suggests – she dances, flying up and down and through the air, suspended by a strap connected only to her bun. You have to see it to believe it.

Another logic-defying act was a roller skate dance performed by Alina Suvorina and Jordan Smith, dressed like 1980s Barbie Dolls escaped from a box and living it up till caught. Suvorina came so close to the ground in several of the twists and spins she performed with Smith that the gasps from the audience became part of the soundtrack.

The Hoop Diving and Acro Table act was also wildly popular with the crowd, leaping and bounding across the stage as if gravity did not pertain to them.

What all these acts had in common, is that everyone on stage was not only at the pinnacle of their personal best physically and theatrically, they all worked together seamlessly and appeared to be having the absolute time of their lives – that is a heady mix of energy I would defy anyone to resist.

What is most fascinating, and most wonderful about Cirque du Soleil, is that the artists and production team are creating shows built on, and inspired by the work of circus arts that have been honed across many cultures for centuries, and yet, every performance feels new and exciting. This is in part because of the updated music or color, the youth of the performers or the theme, but because it is also based on the one thing that is most powerful through the ages – the miracle of what a human being, and human body can do. It simply never gets old.

This night is perfect for family and friends coming in from out of town, for a special family night out, or if you simply need to be reminded that there is magic in the world.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Alina C. Hevia

The Chicago Theatre is at 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601.

Tickets start at $39 in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at The Chicago Theatre and at $51 when purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups of nine or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at 212-465-6080 or Group.Sales@msg.com. Accessible and companion seats are available for these shows via the Accessibility Services Department.

For more information please visit www.msg.com/the-chicago-theatre/accessibility-services.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Holidazed and Amused is Nice and Naughty at the Second City

The annual Holiday comedy show at the iconic Second City is a light-hearted, musical mash up of all that Second City is known for: sketch and improv, with an emphasis on parody songs.

The cast this year is particularly musical, the opening number was sung in at least a five-part harmony and an improved musical version of a typical Hallmark Christmas movie was also catchier than it had any right to be. My personal favorite musical number had to be the story of a girl who comes from a “Musical Theater” family, which led to a mash up of several Broadway Classics – turning On My Own from Les Miserable into a parent’s joy at a moment of peace, and Chicago’s Cell Block Tango a celebration of Christmas Dinner.

Some of the shorter bits were also dance numbers, and given the season, very cathartic. Like they say, when you have feelings too big to talk about, you sing, and when they are too big for singing you DANCE.

This year’s cast is particularly physically talented, and what’s more, committed to the bit. Riley Woollen carried a Sasquatch role to the bitter end, but with such boyish good humor it was more sweet than bitter. Anna Bortnick plunges into myriad dance numbers with an irresistible ferociousness. Ross Taylor’s Android is at once robotic and so creepy I couldn’t help but wonder if he was, in fact, part machine, and his version of the “Irish Goodbye” may be one I have to adopt myself. Kennedy Baldwin moves with a confidence that carries her easily from creepy Christmas Tree agent to recalcitrant child, to man-eating “Vixen.” Deb Duncan takes a turn as a “pervert ghost” that is both unfortunately and hilariously rhythmic. Rich Alfonso has a collection of expressions, from incredulous, to grumpy to suspicious, that prove the necessity of a straight-man for the really big laughs. The whole cast works together like old friends, and dances together like the understudies for a boy band you never knew you wanted.

The show stays safe, topically speaking, as is appropriate for a holiday table – it’ll only annoy that one uncle a couple of times – and those times will be worth it. The modern holiday season is often a source of stress, this show’s irreverent sendups will provide a great release valve, while keeping things light enough to laugh it all off. The whole cast is having a blast, and they bring the audience along for the ride. It’s great for visiting family and friends, and at 90 minutes, doesn’t have to take over the night. If you’re looking for a few laughs and a break from talking to your family, bring them along, especially that one uncle.

Recommended

Reviewed by Alina C. Hevia

Holidazed and Confused runs November 26 – December 31 at 1616 N. Wells St. Chicago. Tickets start at $35 and show times are available at The Second City Box Office, by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.