Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Varekai’ premières tonight at RFK Stadium.
By LISA CHINN

Fredericksburg.com

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Varekai’ premières

Date published: 9/16/2004

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

pART CIRCUS, part theater, but mostly mystery and mag- ic, Cirque du
Soleil pushes the athleticism of its performers and the imaginations
of its viewers to the limit.

Formed by a group of street performers in 1984, the company’s
presentations are known for their amazing midair acrobatic silhouettes,
human juggling and contortionist acts, and a myriad of incredible
feats.

Cirque du Soleil is “a theatrical blend of circus arts played
out against fairyland sets, awash in magical effects and set to
spellbinding music.”

This, according to a press release touting one of the company’s
nine shows currently being presented on two continents. “Varekai,”
now touring North America, opens tonight at 8 p.m. on the grounds of
RFK stadium in Washington.

The show promises to weave incredible choreography with the strength,
grace and agility of more than 50 acrobats, jugglers, gymnasts and
others from across the globe. Performers hail from 14 countries,
including China, Mexico, Russia and Spain, as well as the United
States.

The story of “Varekai,” which means “wherever” in the Romany language
of the gypsies, is a nomadic tale that takes place deep in a forest–in
a place where anything is possible.

The show’s costume crew spent 33,000 hours creating a collection
of 130-plus outrageous outfits, which are fashioned from Lycra and
special materials, including flexible titanium rods, sponge nylon
and fire-resistant fabrics.

Composer Violaine Corradi concocted a unique blend of sounds from
Hawaii, France and Armenia, as well as some gospel, to create the
unusual effect needed to complement the otherworldly aura of “Varekai.”

A host of fantastical creatures will perform on a set consisting
of more than 300 trees that stretch as high as 35 feet. Audiences
will witness these extraordinary entertainers teetering on canes,
catapulting and catching one another, and soaring through the air
via trapeze, hoops, swings and straps.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai” takes place beneath the company’s
trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau at RFK stadium. The show
will remain in Washington for a limited engagement through Sunday,
Oct. 24, before moving on to Dallas.

To reach LISA CHINN: 540/374-5412 lchinn@freelancestar.com

Date published: 9/16/2004