Cirque duSoleil...Behind the Scenes!!

Earlier this week  I got to do the coolest thing....I got an inside glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes at a Cirque du Soleil show.  In anticipation of "Crystal" (now in Portland, Maine) I was granted some insider access for the day and I was mind blown!


Janie Mallet met my daughter and I at the Cross Insurance Arena where Cirque will be until this coming Sunday.  Janie has been with Cirque du Soleil for 2 years and has been working on Crystal since June.  She is an expert on all things Cirque du Soleil and it was a pleasure listening to her experiences. 


Crystal has been touring for 2 years now and is the first Cirque du Soleil show on ice.  Portland is the last stop on the US tour before the group heads to Canada and then Mexico.  As we entered the Cross Insurance Arena we noticed many big trucks parked outside....

They actually arrived with 18 of these trucks filled with everything they need to set up the show plus pretty much set up a city wherever they go!  I am not exaggerating about this either. With over 100 people traveling together wherever the set up needs to meet the needs of the Cirque family.  We saw a big cafeteria, multiple washer and dryers, a medic room, sewing room...they have it all!  This particular show employs folks from over 20 countries and includes 29 skaters, 20 acrobats, 3 musicians and a comic.  I really felt overwhelmingly excited to be among so many talented people from around the globe (they were even ex Olympians!).

Before we watched some performers we got to hear about some of the unique challenges of a Cirque show on ice.  Many of the performers had never skated before so they had to learn a skill that many spend their whole lives focusing on.  Think about a juggler, for instance.  He has mastered his craft but then has to basically relearn it all because of the  height difference while on skates not to mention the added balance one must master while trying to juggle.  Don't even get me started on the trapeze artists!  Think about what that must be like.....being on a trapeze while on ICE SKATES!  These people are bold, brave and incredibly talented!


For some of the acrobats not wearing skates, Cirque developed these cool shoes with grips that help them not slip plus do not ruin the ice for the skaters.  Trust me when I say, Cirque du Soleil has it all figured out!

A favorite spot we got to check out (especially for my daughter, Ruby) was the wig and sewing room.  Here is where, between shows, repairs are made, hair is perfectly coiffed and shoes are shone.  It is a busy spot!

We also really enjoyed seeing the costumes. Row after row of fun, 50's inspired costumes all lined up and ready to go!

As we were walking through the backstage the cast where practicing.  We would just be walking by and would see things like this....

WOW!!!  We then got to watch some of the skaters practice.  It was SO exciting to watch the performers zoom around the ice. They had such skill and grace and it was a true gift to be able to see them in action.

It certainly got Ruby and I WAY excited about the show.  Can you tell how much we were looking forward to it by these big grins??

 

We also got to sit down for a few minute to talk with Mary who we would be seeing in the show later that evening.  Mary Siegel has been with Cirque du Soliel's Crystal since the very beginning and she loves being part of the show.  She plays the part  of the "Reflection" . 

Mary has been skating for 7 years professionally.  She had admired the work of Cirque du Soleil for years and when she heard about their first show on ice she knew it was perfect for her!  She is originally from Ohio but has really enjoyed all the of the traveling being a part of Cirque has allowed her to do.  She is gearing up for the warm temperatures of Mexico before the group travels to the cold weather of Russia later this year!

 

 

Mary has loved being a part of Cirque because her castmates have become like her family.  Living and working so closely with a tight knit group has really created a strong bond that she values.  When I spoke to her, she had only been in Maine for one day but had already enjoyed some lobster, the cobblestoned streets of the Old Port and the beauty of Fort Williams!  We hope she enjoys the rest of her time here and we LOVED seeing her in the show (more on that later).

Check back soon for my recap of the show (get ready for me to GUSH because it is that good!). Thanks so much to the kind and generous people of Cirque du Soleil for showing us the ropes (literally!) and sharing some of the magic with us!

If you don't have tickets yet...what are you waiting for???  Get them here!