Cirque shows a little more of Banana Shpeel, from AGT

[joe5]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 10:11am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_thwsDOUaU&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=8A2E95D6A7FC0A17

[tgrabon2]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 10:28am

As a huge Cirque du Soleil fan I was excited that their new show was premiering in Chicago. The number on AGT left me completely under whelmed. I'm going to wait for reviews before buying tickets.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 1:17pm

As a huge fan of Cirque as well, I pose the question: what was your expectation? For a heightened performance (due to the screaming audience/huge lights/projections rather than the sets and lighting they're meant to be seen in) I found it to be more than intriguing.

My personal expectation was an update of the vaudeville tradition intertwined with a backstage story envisioned & projected through the eyes and aesthetic of Cirque du Soleil (i.e. styling, costumes, makeup & clowning) and that was the sampling we were given. It looked like the cast was having a raucous good time which exacerbated my enjoyment of the performance. The choreography was exciting and original while still staying rooted in jazz and tap and it executed with a great amount of precision. Longoria and Ashford were in great voice, so I have 0 complaints.

Updated On: 9/17/09 at 01:17 PM

[winston89]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 2:33pm

Personally this clip made me realize that I can't wait for February when it comes to The
Beacon.

[SakeDad]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 2:52pm

I liked it...but it reminded me of WILD PARTY being done by Cirque. Can't wait to see more of it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 2:58pm

I've never been more impressed by Michael Longoria's voice. Nice job!

As a fading Cirque fan, I'm not sure if this is up my alley... but it looks good.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 3:09pm

Yea, I'm in the same boat Lizzie.

As many of their latest projects have left a lot to be desired, and a yearning for the quality shows of the days under the direction of Franco Dragone increases I find fewer and fewer reasons to be excited for their new pieces but see a glimmer of hope with Banana Shpeel.

I think they are being smart by being very careful with their wording surrounding the production. By keeping it in an undefined but "inspired by" category, it won't be held to the standards of past Cirque acrobatic shows and may very well breathe life into the vaudeville genre again.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 3:16pm

I've seen every Cirque tour that's come through San Francisco and have generally been less impressed each time. Kooza was so bland. It'll take a hell of a lot of good marketing to get me to see the next one.

However, they may not really care too much about keeping fans if they're still getting new ones -- my brother-in-law had never sen a Cirque show before and LOVED Kooza. I'm sure anyone's first Cirque experience is a good one. But when you pull back, it's definitely noticeable how much they seem to just be riding on their name.

Updated On: 9/17/09 at 03:16 PM

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:21pm

Kooza was good in that it fulfilled what Cirque wanted it to do: return to its roots of high art acrobatics with a strong theme but more based in the "death-defying" factor. Unfortunately, they failed to fulfill some of the other working components of a Cirque show, namely a stronger storyline, great music and strong character development/character-acting.

It of course pales in comparison if you've seen Saltimbanco (either in its original run 15 years ago or its re-imagined arena tour) or Alegria (in its original run, as the arena tour is a bit of a hot mess).

The trajectory of Cirque du Soleil quality can be directly correlated to the departure of Franco Dragone.

I do think that David Shiner is a man of vision, that being one of the few reasons Kooza worked on some levels, and I therefore hold out hope for Banana Shpeel. I also think this may actually the proper vehicle for his talent, having been a former clown, rather than a full-scale acrobatic Cirque show.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:28pm

I will admit, that the first Cirque show that I saw was Kooza during its recent NY run. I fell in love with Cirque right then and there and am looking forward to seeing their other three shows (Banana Shpeel, Wintuk and Ovo) during their upcoming New York runs. Due to the fact that I haven't been a fan for a long time, I can't really comment on what they used to be vs what they are now.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:28pm

Lizzie Curry, I have to agree with you about Michael Longoria's voice! I have been a fan of him since I saw him in Jersey Boys. I would love to buy his album, but do not know where to buy it. If anyone knows where I can get it, I'd really appreciate it.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:29pm

On an unrelated note, Nick Cannon is the worst host in television history.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:30pm

It of course pales in comparison if you've seen Saltimbanco (either in its original run 15 years ago or its re-imagined arena tour) or Alegria (in its original run, as the arena tour is a bit of a hot mess).

Yep, I saw both of those and loved Saltimbanco. I was less hot on Alegria. Kooza just felt cheap.

Lizzie Curry, I have to agree with you about Michael Longoria's voice! I have been a fan of him since I saw him in Jersey Boys.

I actually only saw him as Joey. :) But I didn't really love what I saw on YouTube of his Frankie stuff.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:33pm

I saw him as Frankie Valli and was amazed with his performance. I remember seeing one YouTube performance of his that was horrible - the one where they were at the US Open. The other videos on YouTube aren't great. He sounds better live, in my opinion.

In regards to Banana Shpeel, I am looking forward to this. I enjoyed the America's Got Talent performance.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:34pm

Did you see Alegria in NYC 2005? Or the recent Arena tour stop?

Alegria is a fantastic show, but they completely butchered it while turning it into an arena tour. Saltimbanco, on the other hand, received a whole new life.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:36pm

Well I loathe all things Cirque and thought that was pretty fantastic.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:40pm

threadjack -

The only Cirque show I have seen was Varekai. I was recently in Vegas and would've loved to see some of the Cirque shows there, but was limited on funds and didn't plan far enough in advance. I was particularly interested in LOVE and O, and a cop recommended Mystere. I have no clue when I'll return to Vegas, but if anyone wants to PM me any recommendations if I ever go in the future, I'd appreciate that as well!

- end threadjack

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 4:54pm

Did you see Alegria in NYC 2005? Or the recent Arena tour stop?

I suppose it was the Arena tour stop, since I've never seen a Cirque show outside San Francisco, but it was in the late '90s -- so not that "recent."

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 5:12pm

Lizzie: Oh, brainfart... Forgot you said you saw their shows in SF. That was still their regular Grand Chapiteau tour then...

millie: (I don't really feel it has to be PMed or this is a threadjack because Banana Shpeel is one of the few times we can all discuss Cirque):

"O" is the pinnacle of what Cirque can achieve and also has strong routes in theater imagery and acting. Its absolutely breathtaking and worth every single (large amount of) penny.

Mystere is a very close second and comes from the same "class" of shows that Saltimbanco and Alegria come from which really shaped the Cirque image. If you can see both, I'd suggest you do. If you can see only one, by a nose, I'd say go with "O".

As for LOVE, the [title of show] quote about "recognizable commodities" is certainly something at play here. I have not seen it personally but have read many varied reviews on it as well as seen press footage. It is a Cirque du Soleil show leaning more toward dance than acrobatics and, rather than an original score and live singers, uses a state-of-the-art sound system and remastered soundtrack to bring the Beatles catalogue to life on stage. The themes of the show are therefore informed and infused by the Beatles and their image rather than creating it's own "cultural mash-up" and identity like Cirque's other productions.

Posted: 9/17/09 at 6:07pm

I have never seen America's Got Talent. Is it always hosted by someone doing an impression of Eddie Murphy as Buh-wheat?

And this show is what- two months away from first preview?

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/18/09 at 10:42am

Huh?

The premier in Chicago is exactly one month away. Tickets are on sale and this was a perfect advertising opportunity for the show.

It is there until January 3rd then comes to New York in February.

[broadway122]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:39pm

Are there any discount codes for this show anywhere?

Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:56pm

No Logan, the first preview is NOW one month away. When I posted (on September 17th) the first preview was exactly TWO MONTHS away as I said.

Incidentally, the cast just arrived in town this week to begin rehearsals at the Chicago Theater.

[hubee]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 3:07pm

LizzieCurry, I get what you're saying about Kooza but Cirque decided to simplify that show to go back to the roots in response to the increasingly gimmicky shows (esp in Vegas) that they were doing, so while it has less razzle dazzle wow factor, it's more traditional circus like a throwback. But with people expecting normal Cirque, I can see why some are disappointed.

Of course, I haven't seen Saltimbanco tho and heard it's still the best one.

I just saw OVO though and LOVED IT. in fact. of the ones I've seen (Kooza, Verekai, Wintuk), it's my favorite so far. It's the first one directed by a female and first one directed by a choreographer and it shows.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:59pm

Uh oh.

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2009/10/banana-slips-on-its-shpeel.html