Cirque du Soleil productions never cease to amaze and the company always finds a way to astound its audiences, no matter how many productions one sees. A similarly-named company, “Cirque Productions,” creates competitive shows and does a good job with “Cirque Dreams Holidaze.”
For those of us spoiled by the big tent and large arena events of Cirque du Soleil (including both traveling and permanent shows), the question for a relatively smaller-scale indoor production limited by the stage size of even a large venue is, “How much dazzling can Cirque Productions do with heights limited to 40 feet and lengths limited to 100 feet?” — which is the case for the beautiful Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It turns out the production company can do a lot.
Relying on a constant stream of multiple levels of activity, “Holidaze” never stops — with one act seamlessly flowing into another. And, as expected, some of the feats performed by the cast are as extraordinary as even a seasoned Cirque audience expects them to be.
The physicality of Cirque Productions is ever-present in “Holidaze” but the show uses singing performances to tightly weave together its stories. There are ample interactions with the audience to make everyone feel they are as close to the production as one can be. And the individual “dreams,” themselves, can be riveting at times.
Though Cirque audience veterans expect extraordinary feats of physicality — and “Holidaze” delivers — some of the most entertaining moments are unexpected. One, in particular, does not involve typical Cirque out-of-this-world acrobatics; rather the audience is totally mesmerized when they watch a series of costume changes on stage which seem absolutely impossible to achieve in the seconds the performers are given. It is one of the most amazing feats seen on a stage.
“Cirque Dreams Holidaze” is a production which no one in the family should miss. If you see only one holiday production this year, “Holidaze” should be the only one on your list.
Tickets are available through Sunday, December 22nd, at www.DenverCenter.org or 303-893-4100. Get them before they all disappear just like Cirque magic
Aaron Harber "Unplugged" 