Corteo by Cirque du Soleil
- By AC Remler
- Photos Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is back in Los Angeles with its enchanting, high-acrobatic production of Corteo. The world-renowned theatrical entertainment company will perform 42 shows at the Microsoft Theater from March 23 through April 30, 2023.
Originally premiering in Montreal in 2005, Corteo has been presented to over 10 million spectators in more than 20 countries on four continents – first as a Big Top show—and then transforming into an arena show in 2016.
Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo seems especially well-suited for the “City of Angels” with its premise of Mauro, a Dreamer Clown, watching his own funeral take place as caring angels quietly watch over him. The Felliniesque procession—a festive parade imagined by a dead clown–juxtaposes light with dark. The ridiculous with the tragic. It’s an intimate moment marked by a big celebration designed to inspire audiences to find the wonder of life in the midst of sorrow.
Corteo is poetically grounded in the reality of our imminent departure from life, while allowing us to experience a “mysterious space between heaven and earth” that’s joyous, funny and fantastical—and at the same time incredibly human. We come to see that Mauro’s wisdom and generosity, and his strength and vulnerability, represent the humanity that exists in each of us.
With 51 acrobats, and musicians, singers, and actors from around the world, Corteo pays homage to the traditional circus aesthetic replete with jugglers, gymnasts, and dancers, performing gravity-defying feats. As with all Cirque du Soleil productions, audiences will be dazzled by jaw-dropping visuals, including beautiful costumes inspired by European styles between 1890 and 1930, set curtains inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and hand-painted central curtains that add to the grandeur and opulence of the experience.
Now nearly 40, Cirque du Soleil began in 1984, originally composed of 20 street performers. The troupe is the first touring circus company not to feature animals and has reportedly performed to over 180 million people across the globe. Mystère is its longest active production running since 1993 in Las Vegas. KÀ is the most expensive.
The company’s magical experiences show the world that anything is possible capturing the essence of life, and some of the larger-than-life influences on our culture (The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Elvis). With clowns, acrobats, floating angels and magnificent performers, Corteo is no exception. Your imagination will soar as high as the acrobats, or even higher if you let it.
For tickets and more, click here.
