Hailing from Old Montréal, the company of Cirque Éloize will soon bring its brilliant mix of circus arts and urban dance to Starlight Theatre’s Cohen Community Stage. Closing Starlight’s 65th Broadway summer season Sept. 8-13 is Cirque Éloize iD, a live performance that brims with daring feats and modern twists.
Cirque Éloize iD is directed by Jeannot Painchaud, who cofounded Cirque Éloize in Montreal in 1993. The eighth original creation from the company, iD has delighted audiences in more than 85 cities in 25 countries since it debuted in 2009. The touring show, however, is making its first stops in the United States in 2015.
An astonishing modern circus with dance, rock music, video projections and performers who have perfected the many disciplines of circus entertainment, iD transports audiences to a vibrant urban streetscape in the heart of a city. It’s a public space where people seek refuge, shed their anonymity, forge an identity and express individuality. Acrobats, break dancers and contortionists perform against a kaleidoscope of eye-popping video projections as the show builds to a stunning finale on its one-of-a-kind video trampowall.
Fifteen artists from six countries perform 12 circus disciplines and dance to create iD’s urban universe; the diverse mix is in keeping with Cirque Éloize’s tradition of using multidisciplinary performers of many nationalities.
“Cirque Éloize iD is one of those shows that truly captivates audiences,” said Rich Baker, Starlight president and CEO Rich Baker. “Although it’s different than most of the theatrical shows we bring to Starlight, I know audience members will be immediately caught up in the energy, artistry and talent of this production.”
The show’s creative team, led by director Painchaud, includes executive producer Jonathan St-Onge; set designer, illustrator and video images co-designer Robert Massicotte; show acrobatic designer and head trainer, Krzysztof Soroczynski; artistic contributor Mourad Merzouki; Jean-Phi Goncalves and Alex McMahon, co-composers; Linda Brunelle, costume designer; Nicolas Descôteaux, lighting designer; Alexis Laurence, video images co-designer; and Suzanne Trépanier, makeup designer.
Cirque Éloize has performed live theatrical shows for audiences in more than 440 cities worldwide during the past 20-plus years. It counts 10 original creations in its portfolio of productions.
Tickets for Cirque Éloize iD at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $13 to $91. Tickets are available online at www.kcstarlight.com, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. All performances begin at 8 p.m.
Discount prices for groups of 15 or more are available by contacting group sales coordinator Staci Shute at 816.997.1137 or staci.shute@kcstarlight.com.
About Starlight Theatre Starlight Theatre, winner of the 2013 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), is the largest and oldest performing arts organization in Kansas City and the second-largest outdoor producing theatre in the country. Opened as a theater in 1950 and as a not-for- profit organization in 1951, Starlight presents and produces Broadway musicals and concerts. It also offers extensive community outreach and educational programming, including classes, scholarships and Starlight’s Blue Star Awards, one of the largest high school musical theatre award programs in the nation.
Located on 16 acres in Swope Park, Starlight’s venue includes rehearsal halls, gift store, club area for dining, concessions, gardens, fountains and a 10-story, climate-controlled stage.
For more information, visit www.kcstarlight.com.