Fire-Knife Dance
Alegria, one of Cirque du Soleil's most iconic shows, returns to Miami celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new reimagined version of the original. Catherine Audy, one of the featured performers, describes the show as “A kingdom without a king. The man who takes power is not the best one for the position.”
While not a political statement, the new show has been labeled “a rallying anthem for change and hope” and reflects the cultural climate today. First presented in April 1994, Alegria's show of high energy acrobatics and beautiful music entertained more than 14 million fans in 255 cities worldwide, according to the company. With new costumes and set designs, a renewed group of acrobatic talent and new musical arrangements, the revival should still delight fans of the classic version as well as first-timers.
Cirque Aerialist Catherine Audy
Alegria, a Spanish word for elation, joy, and jubilation, features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 15 countries. Many of the acts are new to the production including Audy who performs with her partner Alexis Nicolas Trudel. miamiartzine.com was able to speak with Audy about her role in Alegria. Like many of the talented Cirque performers, Audy comes from a circus background. “I started at eleven years old and graduated from the Circus School of Quebec in 2012.” After school, she began her professional career as a performer. “I've been working since graduation in local shows and for the past five years with Cirque.” She performed in the company's show OVO at the Royal Albert Hall and now has joined the reimagined Alegria. Audy and Trudel perform high above the stage in Aerial Straps. Their characters, a Bronx and an Angel symbolizing the connection between earth and sky, are united in an exceptional dynamic aerial ballet with their bodies creating striking geometric patterns at more than twenty feet in the air. “Ours is a love story,” says Audy. “Bringing the two worlds together. It's very romantic demonstrating that love can bring you together.”
Nostalgic Old Birds
While every Cirque show has a theme, it's the acts that dazzle the audiences. Alegria's theme "A baroque ode to the energy, grace, and power of youth" is celebrated in each of the acts. Audience favorites include: Synchronized trapeze, Power track (acrobats perform flips and twists on an X-shaped power track), Flying man (A performer bounces and flies high above the stage with bungee cords), Russian bars, Aerial high bar (acrobats fly, twist and spin between the bars of a structure more than 40 feet above the stage), and Fire-Knife Dance (two agile performers bring to life the Mongolian art of contortion while manipulating flaming knives around their bodies). And of course, let's not forget the incredible costumed clowns who entertain and keep the show flowing.
Alegria Synchronized Trapeze
One of the highlights of the show is Fire-Knife Dancing, an act Audy admits she has never seen. “I would love to see the Fire Act but I'm performing every night and I have never actually seen an entire show.” Another signature act is the Snowstorm, where a clown bids farewell to his coat which ends in a dramatic blizzard. The musical score of Alegria, one of Cirque's most well-known soundtracks, mixes electronic and rock sounds with acoustic and orchestral elements. The song Alegria, nominated for Best Original Song at the 20th Genie Awards, will be performed in its entirety in the finale.
- The newly revamped version of Alegria launched in Montreal in April of this year and comes to Miami for an extended run from Dec. 13, 2019, to February 17, 2020, Under the Big Top, next to Hard Rock Stadium.
- Ticket prices start at $42.
- Call 305-943-8000 or visit www.hardrockstadium.com.
- Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens.
