CIRQUE DU SOLEIL OVO Comes To NYC, Tickets Available 1/31

Cirque du Soleil is proud to return to New York this spring with its latest big top touring production OVO. Proudly presented by iShares®, OVO will premiere on Friday, April 9, 2010 under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) for a limited engagement at Randall's Island Park. Tickets to the general public will be available beginning Sunday, January 31 at 9am at www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo or at 1-800-450-1480.

The name
The name OVO means "egg" in Portuguese. This timeless symbol of the life cycle and birth of numerous insects represents the underlying thread of the show. Graphically, OVO hides an insect in its name: The two letter "Os" represent the eyes while the letter "V" forms the nose.

About OVO
OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects' home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It's love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye - and the feeling is mutual.

OVO is overflowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret world at our feet is revealed as tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And as the sun rises on a bright new day the vibrant cycle of insect life begins anew.

Cast and acts
The cast of OVO comprises 54 performing artists from 13 countries and director Deborah Colker, a renowned choreographer, has integrated dance movements into many of the acts in the show. Colker is the first female Director at Cirque du Soleil.

OVO features many acrobatic acts including a stunning flying trapeze act: Six flyers soar 40 feet in the air, making this act the biggest of its kind ever presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines: banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair. The finale features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

The Creative Team
Guy Laliberté Artistic Guide
Gilles Ste-Croix Artistic Guide
Deborah Colker Writer, Director and Choreographer
Chantal Tremblay Director of Creation
Gringo Cardia Set and props Designer
Liz Vandal Costume Designer
Berna Ceppas Composer and Musical Director
Éric Champoux Lighting Designer
Jonathan Deans Sound Designerhting Designer éclairagesa creative team for the first time at Cirque du Soleilerms of distance between stations.
Fred Gérard Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
Philippe Aubertin Acrobatic Performance Designer
Julie Bégin Makeup Designer

Sponsors and Partners
iShares is the presenting sponsor of the 2010 U.S. tour of OVO. Sun Life Financial, CGI, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and American Express are the official sponsors.

Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebéc-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,200 artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 100 million spectators in 300 cities on five continents. In 2010, Cirque du Soleil, will present 21 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d'Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.