Cirque du Soleil takes flight in ‘Varekai’

“Varekai,” the latest Cirque du Soleil tale traveling the United States, goes where no previous Cirque production has ever gone.

It tells a complete story.

“’Varekai is very, very special,” the show’s publicist Vanessa Napoli said. “It is a very visible story that audiences will be able to follow through from the beginning to the end.”

Unlike the more abstract prior productions, “Varekia” tells the story of Icarus after his fall.

After parachuting into a magical forest, Icarus sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. Along the way, he’ll encounter The Betrothed, The Guide and The Skywatcher.

Napoli said audiences can expect the usual breathtaking acrobatics, head-balancing, human juggling, dancing on crutches and, for comical relief, the clowns.

Cirque du Soleil’s cast hails from 18 countries, including Japan and Australia. The show’s 50 performers range in age from 17 to 49, Napoli said.

“All of them are at the top of the charts in terms of their skills,” she said. “It’s the natural progression (that they join Cirque) if they want to continue pursuing what they are doing after competition.”

The cast has all trained in acrobatics, gymnastics or attended circus school, she noted. “These are the best of the best.”

Icarus’s tale has a message audiences can relate to, Napoli said. “We see him fall and reconnect with himself. Along the way, he falls in love and discovers she is his strength and light.

“It’s a beautiful reminder of how we all fall down or go through hard times in life,” she explained. “We all rely on support systems to continue on.”

Icarus, the main character in Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai,” watches Russian Wings, one of many awe-inspiring acts in the magical tale, which arrives at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans Nov. 23. Tickets range from $30 to $140 and are available at Ticketmaster.

COURTESY | PATRICK BERNATH