The After: Cirque du Soleil

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated
Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

You guys.

Last weekend, we had the chance to go see the latest installment of Cirque du Soleil, TOTEM. I had never seen a Cirque show before, but now, I can't wait to see their next installment.

It was SO GOOD. 

We were first wowed by the size of the signature Big Top tent once we got inside. You would never know once inside that you are sitting in stands on top of a blacktop parking lot like the one at Atlantic Station. The Big Top encompasses a huge area and includes multiple full-service bars, concessions stands and vendors selling TOTEM merchandise. The vibe was that of an upscale traveling show -- but one where you can relax with a glass of wine while watching the act. My kind of entertainment, indeed!

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

Hands down, our favorite act were the girls on the unicycles. They pedaled out one by one, ten feet plus in the air, which at first I thought was the main feat. Nope! They then took what had appeared to be a "hat" off their heads, revealing a stack of bowls.

Pouya Dianat/Allied Integrated Marketing/Cirque du Soleil

The girls continued to pedal around, and then stopped and flipped the bowls from one foot to their head, or the head of the ringleader or their neighbor, all while balancing on their unicycles. The crowd ate it up -- it was just amazing!

After the show, we also were invited to attend a special backstage tour. Some of the actors were stretching out on huge gymnastics mats while others rushed to change clothes and head off to their hotel in Midtown to relax for the rest of the night. Our tour guide told us that every show is recorded and sent back to HQ for review -- the costumes and acts are watched from every angle just in case anything needs to be tweaked before the next show. Their attention to detail makes a difference; the show's costumes and decor was flawless that night.

All in all, I absolutely loved Cirque du Soleil. Our tour guide said that usually people love the first show they attend the most, and I am up to the challenge to see if that is true -- I can't wait to go to another one! It's neat to think about how each show is completely custom and brand-new; no Cirque du Soleil production is the same as the next.

So tell me: Have you gone to see TOTEM yet? The show will be in town until Sunday, December 30, 2012. Grab your tickets, if you haven't already, and let me know what you think about the show!

About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Disclaimer: I was provided a pair of press tickets for the show, however, all opinions are my own.