Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM Opens in Irvine, 11/21

Cirque du Soleil's trademark blue-and-yellow big top is now up at the Orange County Great Park Festival Site in Irvine, second Greater Los Angeles Area tour stop of the all-new awe-inspiring production TOTEM. The massive installation was raised earlier today by a team of more than 60 men and women, who worked for several hours to pound pegs, unfurl the canvas, and pushed more than 100 supporting poles to raise the roof of this exciting acrobatic production.

TOTEM, a fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind, opens in Irvine on November 21 for a limited engagement through Sunday December 29, before moving to its final Los Angeles tour stop, Santa Monica (from January 17, 2013). Tickets are now available online atwww.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

About the big top and the Cirque du Soleil village:

• The big top seats more than 2,600 people.
• The entire site set-up takes 8 days. This includes installation of entrance, hospitality and rehearsal tents, administrative offices and kitchen.
• The big top stands 66 feet high and is 167 feet in diameter.
• The 4 masts stand at 80 feet tall each.
• 550 pegs are required to hold the big top firmly to 48,500 square feet of asphalt.
• TOTEM travels via 64 trailers, carrying more than 1,200 tons of equipment.

About TOTEM
Since its World Premiere in 2010, more than 2 million people worldwide have been mesmerized by the intimacy and beauty of TOTEM, winner of the 2013 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience. Featuring a cast of 46 acrobats, actors, musicians and singers, TOTEM is an uplifting array of athleticism, comedy, heartfelt emotions and surprising visual effects.

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