Cirque du Soleil on Broadway?- Page 3

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 3:11pm

Haven't seen it yet, unfortunately, but do have plans to soon. Viewers and reviewers that have seen the show have said that it's the best Cirque show yet to date, and I have heard that it beats O (which I never thought would ever happen). I guess the way the whole production is designed (the pre-show, the speakers in the seats, the break of the fourth wall experience like the snow falling in the theater and people over your heads, the technical aspects of it) makes it different and more unique than the other shows.
Updated On: 7/2/13 at 03:11 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 3:14pm

Somehow I can't believe that ONE is the best cirque show ever but we shall see. Personally I don't think any Cirque show can top MYSTERE.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 4:42pm

I just love the Pellicule scene, the music is perfect. The "safety message" at the very beginning is sung by Danny Elfman by the way











Updated On: 7/5/13 at 04:42 PM

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 5:26pm

Iris was such a good show, and such a good concept for a show. Sometimes, I felt like there was too much going on, and some sections dragged on (especially Act 2) but overall it was a great show. I think if they played around with more film genres than just the film noir/trampoline sequence, it could have been interesting. It's a shame that this show probably will not see the light of day again, but it could do well in other places: Radio City Music Hall might even be too large for it! It could go to Disney World or they could adapt to touring.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:51pm

Second Act: I really like the film and the music (especially where she's jogging up the stairs) at the very beginning, and how Act 2 is more focused around Scarlett. Although, the 10-minute clown skit is way too long, and it just seems like a filler for time.

@Brave Radio City Music Hall is probably too big for the set like you said, but it would play in there beautifully. Touring would be nice to theaters, but the set might be too big to fit in touring theaters, haha





Updated On: 7/5/13 at 06:51 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:55pm

It says i don't have permission to watch the video.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:56pm

Which act? First or second?

Is it working for everyone? Updated On: 7/2/13 at 06:56 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:58pm

I guarantee you, beyond any question in my mind, that Cirque shows or "Cirque-like" shows are the future of Broadway.

If the theatres don't currently exist that can accommodate them, they will be built or modified. And "the people will come, Ray. They most definitely will come."

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 6:59pm

I can't get get either act to work.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 7:04pm

Try it now. Is it working?

Updated On: 7/2/13 at 07:04 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 7:08pm

It works! Thanks

[Starship]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 7:39pm

Ahh! Thanks for putting the links up!

And I think it would be good for Cirque to take Iris to Broadway. In my opinion, moving Iris to Broadway might help Cirque with scaling some things down and removing some of the many many excess elements they seem to like to add to the show (making the show x10 more chaotic and EXPENSIVE). Updated On: 7/2/13 at 07:39 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 7:46pm

Both acts work fine for me!

Also, this score is the single most Danny Elfman thing that has ever been composed- he's put every single one of his distinct styles into this score in different movements. During the Aerial Straps act (the song is called "The Twins"), I could all but hear Johnny Depp narrating.

[Starship]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 8:08pm

Danny Elfman is GENIUS and "Iris" is by far my favorite piece of music period. No orchestral or singing group (in my opinion) beats what Elfman did in Iris. The "Finale and Bows" piece gives me chills.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 8:43pm

Share your thoughts if you think it would work and do well transferring to Broadway based off the videos of the full show. @Starship Yes! Danny Elfman is a genius, his work in this show is incredible, and I'd hate to see that it won't be played live anymore. Finale and Bows is one of my favorite pieces in the show. Updated On: 7/2/13 at 08:43 PM

[Starship]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 8:52pm

@justincharacter - Yes, I definitely agree! And I think it could transfer...but I feel Cirque would feel pressured to add some Broadway elements (singing, etc.) and a storyline to make it work, which I feel would ruin the show.

But, if I were Cirque and I were in charge of bringing Iris to Broadway, I would DEFINITELY:

- Create a better storyline for Buster and Scarlett. The storyline of the two characters had a lot of potential, but they didn't really keep the story going throughout the show.

- Completely redo the clown acts and replace them with something much more entertaining and far less inappropriate. One section of the older version of the show had an unnecessarily inappropriate clown act in it.

- Tighten the transitions between acts and the large group numbers (which I felt were most of the time useless, chaotic, and crowded).

- Cut down the # of performers. Iris had 72 performers and not even half actually performed acrobatic numbers in the show (which is the case in most of Cirque's larger shows). Many actors/dancers were hired in the show to perform minimal an extraordinarily useless/unnoticeable roles. The only character I would keep is Violet (the mime who wore the praxniscope dress). That performer is definitely one of the best I've seen in my extensive circus career.

I think, with a scaled back set (obviously), Iris would be the PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT show for Broadway and it would feel very intimate indeed in a Broadway house and not a mansion 3,000 seat theatre. But, they would need someone to come into the production team and help eliminate some of the many useless aspects that were making the show too expensive to run each week.

Crossing my fingers that Cirque decides to do this!


Updated On: 7/2/13 at 08:52 PM

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 9:16pm

@Starship I completely agree with you!

"- Create a better storyline for Buster and Scarlett. The storyline of the two characters had a lot of potential, but they didn't really keep the story going throughout the show."

The story line does need more depth, it does have a lot of potential. I was confused during Scarlett's balancing act, did Buster get shot? He fell to the ground but then got up and rushed around while Scarlett was performing...very odd.


"- Completely redo the clown acts and replace them with something much more entertaining and far less inappropriate. One section of the older version of the show had an unnecessarily inappropriate clown act in it."

Yes, yes, and YES! Scenes about Scarlet's dream of being a movie star and the relationship between her and Buster could replace these skits. It will give us a little bit more depth about the two characters.

"- Tighten the transitions between acts and the large group numbers (which I felt were most of the time useless, chaotic, and crowded). "

I couldn't stand the large group numbers, especially where they all dance during the Movie Studio scene in Act 2. I like how they tried to express the chaos of filming in a movie studio with the hidden acrobatics, which personally, I think they should keep if they decide to transfer. But the scene could be way better choreographed and written. I did like the Noir group scene and the Pellicule (Film Strip) group scene.

"- Cut down the # of performers. Iris had 72 performers and not even half actually performed acrobatic numbers in the show (which is the case in most of Cirque's larger shows). Many actors/dancers were hired in the show to perform minimal an extraordinarily useless/unnoticeable roles. The only character I would keep is Violet (the mime who wore the praxniscope dress). That performer is definitely one of the best I've seen in my extensive circus career"

As for the frequently seen characters, I would keep Violet, and the male character who has the whip on his head (don't know his character's name). He is the one who breaks Buster and Scarlett up in the first place, and seems like a antagonist for the story for me personally, but wasn't given much back story and attention.

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 9:27pm

Some of the things you'd suggest changing are things that are, if not integral, at least well-ingrained in the Cirque theatre/performance art style: chaotic and non-unified dance and staging sequences; pre-recorded music beyond the capacity of the show augmented with live instrumentation to create an organic whole; vulgar and unpleasant clowns to offset the high-minded, artsy feel of the rest of the material.

Do they work theatrically? Depends on if you want a Cirque show that plays by Broadway rules, a Broadway show that plays by Cirque rules, or something between.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 9:33pm

I am a bit confused, What version of IRIS is this? I am 20 minutes into the show and I have yet to see any storyline whatsoever. So far its dance sequences then a circus act then a a dance sequence then a circus act etc etc. It's a bit strange they the characters of the show don't show up until almost a half hour into the show.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/2/13 at 9:40pm

@Broadwayguy Watch the whole show, then come back and discuss :). @darquegk I have been a Cirque fan for a long time, I know every current and past show, and everything about them. IRIS has been the most theatrical and the most different show that Cirque has ever put on. I adore how they tried to fit in SPEAKING stage acting, as I know that all Cirque shows have acting in them but no words, more like physical acting. They nailed the speaking stage acting with Scarlett and the managers (the scene at the very top of Act 2), I have never seen Cirque do that.





One more thing @broadwayguy Every single time you see a girl with a blue dress on, beach blonde hair, and is always twirling a ribbon, that's Scarlett. Buster and her make close contact at the very beginning of the show, but get parted by the character who has the whip on his head. Buster is the pianist... Updated On: 7/2/13 at 09:40 PM

[gchris11]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 7:43am

What was the circus like thing at the Broadway theater a few years ago (Before Zarkana)? It only played for like 2 months in limited run. Wasn't that a Cirque project?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 8:03am

I know what you are referring to, Cirque Dreams, I believe was the name of it. It was not a Cirque de Soleil show....but I'm sure many people assumed it was. It was pretty lacking, a real disappointment.


I don't understand the need/desire to have a Cirque show play b'way. They have play NY, they play Vegas (I can only assume they play other venues as well), I can't see what the advantage is for them (or b'way) would be.

[gchris11]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 8:18am

I don't see the need. Their shows are so sight specific (ie, they have their own tents and theaters in Vagas designed for them.) Why ruin/ tie up a Broadway house for a show that they could just as easily do in the parking lot of Yankee Stadium.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 9:06am

So I heard from the rumor mill that Alegria is closing in December.

Updated On: 7/3/13 at 09:06 AM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/3/13 at 10:26am

Algeria is closing in December.

Damn Morocco and its ticket sales. Is Libya next?