Cirque du Soleil's AMALUNA Begins 9/6 in Toronto

Time is fast approaching forCirque du Soleil's big top return to Toronto with its latest production directed by Diane Paulus. Amaluna premieres on Thursday, September 6 for a limited engagement under the blue-and-yellow Big Top at Port Lands.

Amaluna is a fusion of the words ama, which refers to "mother" in many languages, and luna, which means "moon," a symbol of femininity that evokes both the mother-daughter relationship and the idea of goddess and protector of the planet. Amaluna is also the name of the mysterious island where the story unfolds.

Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honours femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next.

In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men lands on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera's daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.

For the first time at Cirque du Soleil, the cast of a show is 70% female and the band, 100%. "Amaluna is a tribute to the work and voice of women," explains Director of Creation Fernand Rainville. "The show is a reflection on balance from a woman's perspective, " he adds. Show Director Diane Paulus says: "Amaluna is less about feminism and more about reconnecting to our world in a different way."

Amaluna has a cast of 50 artists hailing from 15 different countries.