Photo Flash: Cirque Du Soleil's OVO Opens in Los Angeles

Cirque du Soleil returned to the Santa Monica Pier with its critically-acclaimed and family-friendly big top touring show OVO opening Friday, January 20, 2012 for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top). Since its world-premiere in Montreal in 2009, OVO has charmed well-over 2 million spectators in more than 15 different cities in North America. Santa Monica will be the only Southern California stop for a Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) production in 2012.

Check out photos from the Los Angeles opening below!

OVO, meaning "egg" in Portuguese, 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.

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 is 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.

The cast of OVO is comprised of 55 performing artists from 14 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning flying trapeze act, in which six flyers soar 40 feet in the air, making this the biggest act of its kind to ever be presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines, including banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair. The finale features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

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

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

Photo Credit: Everett Collection / Rex USA