Large silver horse is manned by three performers during the show
The yard outside the circus tents at Tysons Galleria is scattered with small construction vehicles with workers and visitors wearing yellow safety vests as the show prepares to open in a few days. But inside is a different world. The “big blue” tent buzzes with activity, and excitement is in the air two days before the opening of Cirque du Soleil’s “Luzia” on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Today is Thursday, Sept. 4 which is focused on validation, and tomorrow they will run the acts. Charlie
Wagner, publicist for “Luzia” says, “Today is to be sure everything is set up in the same way as the last show. Are the lights in the eyes of the performers? Are the seats installed in the right order? We have to look at every one of the 2,500 seats to be sure it is in the right place so someone doesn’t come in with a ticket and can’t find their seat.”
Just inside the first tent is an old fashioned ironing board with a rooster-patterned costume having the wrinkles removed by a local hired for this show. Wagner says in Mexico you see this pattern everywhere you go. A row of costumes with the bright designs associated with Mexico hangs high along the wall.
Across the room a performer is standing on his head, while partners nearby practice a double decker gymnastic routine with harness attached. A couple relaxes on a floor mat taking a break from their routine, and a ceiling high silver horse stands against the wall.
“Since we don’t have live animals in our circus the question is how to include animals. This horse is in the opening act. It takes three people to operate from inside.”
As you walk from the light of the practice space into the darkness of the big blue tent, you pass by a wall of props including a rack of wide brimmed hats and stacked rows of different sizes of candles.
Along the way, small cubicles are arranged for the musical performers with the first including a number of drums and cymbals. The music for the show is performed live by seven musicians including the singer.
“Luzia” is a surrealist play that is described as a “critically acclaimed spectacle that immerses the audience in a dreamlike, surreal world inspired by Mexico's rich culture and landscapes, noted for its impressive water effects, breathtaking acrobatics, masterful puppetry, vibrant costumes, and live music.”
Cirque du Soleil has a number of different shows in production at the same time all over the world. Wagner says they currently have five in Las Vegas, one in Florida, one in Mexico, one in Hawaii and one about to begin in Berlin. Each one is unique.
“Luzia” has just come from Montreal and will be headed from Tysons to Atlanta. Luzia began in 2016, and Wagner estimates that 15 members of the cast of 47 have been with the show since the beginning.
Wagner says the audiences in different countries react differently to the shows, with audiences in Montreal giving a standing ovation every night; audiences in Spain stamping their feet on the ground; audiences in Korea very vocal all through the show. But she adds there are certain moments that get a reaction wherever they are performing.
Wagner says, “Transportation is the best and worst thing for me about this job. I have been to North America, Europe, Asia but on the other side you are never home for the big occasions.”
Inside the big blue tent a large metal disk hangs high over the side of the stage. It represents the Aztec calendar and when it is turned around represents the sun or moon. The crew is busy setting up massive treadmills on the stage so that the audience can see from different angles.
“It’s super cool. It doesn’t matter where you’re sitting in the big top. You get a good view.”
The hoops team is practicing their acrobatics along the treadmill to warm up their bodies. Wagner explains, “They haven’t been performing for the last ten days since the last show closed so they need to get back in shape.”
After a few practice runs to warm up, two hoops are placed on top of each other over the treadmill. As the performers work their way into the routine, two more hoops will be added on top. The performers, each with their own signature flourish, take a jump and flip dive through the hoops with a final ring of a bell. Wagner explains, “Most of the performers have been training for all of their lives. A couple of them were born into circus families, and some went to circus school.”
In this Cirque du Soleil show, it is the first time ever in any show to include water as part of the performance, when rain sprinkles down from a hoop in the ceiling, falling on three sisters stranded in the desert. On the stage one of the extras is pushing a machine across the stage back and forth to dry the stage from any accumulated water so that it is safe for the performers.
Wagner says there are 94,000 little holes in the floor of the stage that drain the water into a tunnel forming a pool. It is pumped outside to a large receptacle to disinfect the water and warm it up. “It is super important the water is always circulating, and warmed. Cool water doesn’t go well with the muscles of the acrobats.”
Today is validation to be sure everything is ready, working and in its place; Friday is dress rehearsal and Saturday is opening day in the Big Blue Tent. Cirque du Soleil is playing at Tysons II from Sept. 6-Oct. 19.