The circus concept has come a long way in the last couple of decades. Gone are the captive animals forced to entertain, while more present are the acrobats and trapeze artists happy to do so. With more and more states restricting animal acts, the trend has been toward highly skilled human performers, and as a result the circus environment has become kinder, gentler and in some ways, far more physically taxing. A great example of this evolution is Cirque Italia, which sets up its giant blue and white tent in the parking lot at Mesilla Valley Mall, November 21-24.
Stating emphatically in its promotional materials, “Cirque italia continues to contribute to the modernization of the performing arts and the circus industry by abiding by a strict animal-free policy,” the emphasis is on the type of physical endurance usually reserved for specialty sporting events, like the Olympics. In this new environment, performers dance, dangle and ride motorcycles high above the audience, while walls of water and laser lights gambol and sweep around them. The emphasis is on spectacle and storytelling.
In this, their latest production, Cirque Italia tells the story of Rafael, a farm boy swept away by a tornado, who lands in the heart of a chaotic city. Oh, and did we mention that Rafael is a clown? In true circus style, Rafael the Clown sets out to navigate the city, where he encounters different personalities, each reflecting a diverse facet of urban life, played by the performers who celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience.
Among those experiences is the trampoline wall, a new act adorned in graffiti that pays homage to the vibrant street culture of the city. The straps act showcases the intellectual prowess of nerds; the rolls bolla, a sophisticated display reflecting the city’s elite high society; and the fire act, shedding light on the challenges faced by the homeless. The quick change introduces a myriad of characters with seamless transformations, adding a touch of formality and funk to the spectacle.
Oh, but there’s more! The free-swinging rope act embraces the free-spirited essence of hippie culture, while the juggling act injects a punk-rock flair into the proceedings. The hand-to-hand act unfolds a love story amid the hustle and bustle of city life, while the skates act captures the high energy spirit of athletic competition in a cheerleader and jock extravaganza.
Even senior citizens get a nod in the swing act, which brings together all of the characters into an epic country line dance. According to the promotional materials, “this unique blend of acts reinforces the show’s central theme – a celebration of diversity, unity, and inclusivity, echoing the timeless ideals of the American circus.”
Placing the action beneath a real circus tent, rather than a coliseum or arena, keeps the focus on the ‘big top’ aspect. The aim, said the organizers, “is to produce a luxurious atmosphere where water, technology, and performing arts are mixed to create a one-of-a-kind show.” The result promises a night of laughter, pageantry, thrills and a celebration of the human condition for the entire family.
Cirque Italia brings the big top to Las Cruces, 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Nov. 21-22; 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23; and 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, in the Mesilla Valley Mall parking lot, 700 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces. Tickets are available through CirqueItalia.com/tickets, or 941-704-8572. Info: CirqueItalia.com
