Cirque du Soleil OVO: A Hit In Boston That's Headed To DC and Atlanta Next

The brilliant and creative minds behind Cirque du Soleil have done it again with it's latest touring production, called OVO. This incredible spectacle of sight and sound features amazing circus-style performances that have been re-envisioned into a totally new and original show.

Like other Cirque du Soleil shows, OVO features incredible music, colorful and imaginative costumes, unusual sets, and absolutely incredible talent. In fact, this is one of the best touring Cirque du Soleil shows ever! It's well worth the price of admission.

Every act blends together seamlessly to tell a story, and while each features extremely dangerous and incredibly difficult performances, the performers themselves make everything look absolutely effortless - like watching a perfectly choreographed ballet, for example.

Being a touring show, OVO is presented within a massive, custom-designed Grand Chapiteau (circus big top), which features a state-of-the-art sound and light system, and a circular stage that constantly transforms right before the audience's eyes.

The theme of OVO is insects, and when you attend a performance, you'll be transported into a three-dimensional, colorful and almost magical world that comes to life around you. But don't be fooled. This isn't a show designed for kids (although kids and teens will love it.)

Cirque du Soleil has multiple touring shows being presented concurrently throughout the world, plus a handful of resident shows in Las Vegas, as well as Orlando (plus in a few other cities abroad). Each show is totally different and extremely unique, as is OVO. So, even if you've seen other Cirque du Soleil shows, you can still plan on being utterly amazed and thoroughly entertained when you experience OVO.

In just a few words, OVO can best be described as imaginative, original and absolutely brilliant. OVO showcases incredible acrobats, gymnasts, contortionists, dancers, and other talented artists who have created original performances (circus acts), the likes of which you won't see anywhere else. This is anything but your run-of-the-mill circus, and it's a show that people of all ages will truly appreciate.

Over the past decade or so, I have had the privilege of seeing over a dozen Cirque du Soleil shows, including those which reside permanently in Las Vegas and Orlando, plus several of the touring shows. Every show I've seen, without exception, to has left me entertained and in awe of the incredible talent, the originality, and wonderful creativity behind each of them. Again, OVO is no exception. This show is truly breathtaking, and offers non-stop thrills and entertainment that's visually stunning.

According to the show's producers, "The cast of OVO comprises 54 performing artists from 16 different countries. OVO features many acrobatic acts, including a stunning flying trapeze act: six flyers sour 40 feet in the air, making this act the biggest of its kind ever presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines...The final act features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall."

OVO made its U.S. debut in San Francisco back in November 2009, and has been touring across America ever since, presenting shows to typically sold-out audiences.

Whether it's in Boston, Washington, DC or Atlanta, for example, a typical performance schedule throughout the week includes shows Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sundays as 1:00pm and 5:00pm. There are no performances on Mondays. On certain dates, however, performance times vary, so check the Cirque du Soleil website for details.

On Sunday, August 29th, OVO has its last performance in Boston, but continues its tour in Washington, DC on Thursday, September 9th, where it will remain until Sunday, October 24th, before heading to Atlanta.

Next year, OVO will be presented in several additional cities, including Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati and Seattle. So, if you happen to be in any of these cities during show dates, make a point to reserve tickets in advance and catch a performance!

Within the bright yellow and blue Grand Chapiteau, all of the seats offer an incredible view of everything. However, the Premium seats ($130.00 adults, $91.00 children, $117.00 seniors/students/military) put you front and center. Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 seats are also available at lower prices, starting at $55.00 (adults), $38.50 (children), $49.50 (seniors/students/military). These prices are for Washington, DC performances and may vary in other cities.

For ticket information, as well as show times and dates, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo or call (800) 450-1480.

During the past 26 years, Cirque du Soleil (which is based in Montreal, Canada) has entertained more than 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. It all started as a 20 person French circus troupe, and has since evolved into a worldwide phenomenon.

All photos in this article are (c)2010 by Cirque du Soleil.

North Shore Music Theatre Presents Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat

For this blog entry, I've stayed close to home, and for the first time, had the opportunity to check out the North Shore Music Theatre (www.nsmt.org) in Beverly, Massachusetts (located a short drive from Boston).

Now through August 22, 2010, North Shore Music Theatre is presenting one of my all-time favorite Broadway musicals, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Starring as "Joseph" is my friend from American Idol season 4, Anthony Fedorov.

While I knew Anthony has an amazing voice, and always thought he was perfect for this role, his performance the other night when I saw the show truly exceeded my expectations. It was exceptional! Plus, he is supported by an incredibly talented cast, including Jennifer Paz as the "Narrator." She too has an amazing voice and brings a lot of pizzazz to the overall show.

I had an absolutely wonderful evening and really enjoyed the show. I strongly recommend it for people who enjoy musical theatre, as well as for families with kids.

This production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is well worth experiencing, and is as professional of a production as anything you'd experience in Boston, or even on Broadway, so if you're looking for an evening's worth of top-notch, upbeat musical entertainment, take a drive out to Beverly and prepare yourself for a fun and memorable evening.

If you're not familiar with Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, it's a wonderfully entertaining musical featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It's a musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his father, his jealous brothers, and an incredible series of adventures.

Ticket prices range between $35.00 and $65.00, however, North Shore Music Theatre offers an intimate, theatre in the round setting, with only 1,500 seats, so every seat is excellent. Performances take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm; and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm. There are also matinee performances at 2:00pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Discounts are offered to season ticket holders.

For ticket information, call the box office at (978) 232-7200, or visit www.nsmt.org.

Starting this year, North Shore Music Theatre is being operated by its new owner, Bill Hanney. Throughout its first year under new management, Hanney is presenting a handful of Broadway shows. After Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoast, you can catch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (September 21st through October 10th), followed by A Chorus Line (November 2nd through 21st) and A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story (December 3rd through 23rd). There's also a nice line-up of children's shows running between now and late-December.

Now that I know North Shore Music Theatre is offering an ongoing line-up of high caliber shows so close to my home, you can bet I'll be a regular patron here. If you live in the Boston area (or you're just visiting), seriously consider taking in a show at North Shore Music Theatre.

Starting in November, Anthony Fedorov will be reprising the role of "Joseph" in another production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, this time in Minneapolis, MN.

Boston's Amazing Nightlife...Experience It Firsthand

Check out my article about Boston's nightlife on Virgin Atlantic's vTravelled.com website - Click here. Learn about all there is to see and do in Boston once the sun sets.

Kooza: Cirque du Soleil Visits Boston & DC

Now a worldwide phenomenon, Cirque du Soleil has been experienced by more than 80 million spectators to date. This year, the Quebec-based organization is simultaneously producing 17 extremely unique shows, including several resident shows in Las Vegas, one in Orlando, plus multiple touring shows that are currently visiting U.S. cities (as well as cities abroad).

During your next visit to Las Vegas, treat yourself to at least one incredible night of entertainment by experiencing KA, Love, Zumanity, "O," Mystere or Criss Angel Believe. These shows are all performed in theaters that were custom-built to house the multi-million dollar productions, all of which are truly breathtaking. When visiting The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, don't miss La Nouba (the Cirque du Soliel resident show presented within a custom-built theater in the Downtown Disney area.)

One thing to understand about Cirque du Soleil is that while many of the shows are family-friendly and feature incredibly entertaining and often extremely unusual circus-like acts, these shows are designed to appeal to adults. Each resident and touring show is extremely unique and offers a vastly different entertainment experience.

Currently in Boston (its next stop is Washington, DC, starting on October 30th), Cirque du Soleil Kooza is a touring show that's presented within a massive circus tent. 

This show returns Cirque du Soleil to its roots. It expertly combines state of the art lighting and sound effects with original music (performed live), spectacular sets (which become part of the show), unusual and colorful costumes, plus breathtaking acrobatic performances, classic clowning, juggling and plenty of non-stop thrills as nine unique acts are presented.

When you think of a circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus or The Big Apple Circus might come to mind. These are wonderful shows for kids, teens and adults, but Cirque du Soleil's Kooza can best be described a collection of traditional circus acts on steroids...In other words, you've probably never seen anything like the amazing acts that are presented, even if you've seen many of the other Cirque du Soleil shows. The performers are world class and what transpires before your eyes will keep you on the edge of your seat. Yes, it's that amazing!

Tickets for Kooza range in price from $55.00 to $125.00, plus special VIP seating is available for $215.00. Discounted children's tickets (for kids, ages 2 to 12), as well as student and senior citizen tickets are available. However, in my opinion, Kooza is not suitable for kids under the age of 10.

If you're looking for an amazing and memorable night of entertainment to celebrate a special occasion, to impress an important business client, or to spend quality time with your loved ones, reserve your Kooza tickets online or call (800) 678-5440. The show's length is two hours and 40-minutes (including a 30 minute intermission).

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to see most of the different Cirque du Soleil shows, including those in Las Vegas and Orlando, and several different touring shows in various U.S. cities. I must admit that Kooza is as spectacular as all of the other Cirque du Soleil shows, but this one has a more traditional (albeit extremely incredible) circus feel that I strongly recommend seeing firsthand - not on DVD. 

If you've never experienced a Cirque du Soleil show in-person, and you happen to be in Boston or Washington, DC, check out Kooza...You won't be disappointed!!!