[NEohioPAL] Review of "Cirque Dreams Holidaze" at PlayhouseSquare

[Bob Abelman]

Holiday 'Cirque Dreams' show at PlayhouseSquare leaves you dazed

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald on 12/17/10

 

Seeing Cirque Dreams Holidaze, the dazzling, touring holiday circus spectacular currently on stage at PlayhouseSquare, is a déjà vu experience.

 

You've experienced it before if you've eaten bad shellfish or run a high fever. 

 

It will seem familiar if you've taken in a prefabricated entertainment on a cruise. Or at a corporate trade show.  Or at one of the lesser Vegas hotels, off the strip and out of peak season.  

 

Cirque Dreams is a poor man's Cirque du Soleil-a less creative, less original and less hallucinogenic international collection of circus clowns, contortionists, plate spinners, jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and tightrope walkers.  They perform to inane, repetitive music tied loosely to a vague and contrived storyline.

 

It is a multi-sensory, oversized kaleidoscope of a production; an ever-changing array of vivid colors, loud sounds and theatrical activities that constantly rotate, gyrate and pulsate with little rhyme or reason.  

 

The Cirque Dreams fantasy factory has several themed variations of the same over-the-top, big tent production in the works and on world-wide tour.  The one on stage at PlayhouseSquare is the holiday show-a Christmas-themed extravaganza, which means that circus performers dress as gingerbread cookies, tree ornaments, elves, drummer boys, toy soldiers, lollypops, snowflakes and penguins as segues to their specific routines. 

 

The storyline summary in the program simply states: "Once upon a dream, time awoke suddenly. he turned, smiled and gave a wink. then saw the ornaments no longer asleep."

 

Bad shellfish indeed.

 

The thing is, this is actually very entertaining stuff.  No, it is not soul-enriching, thought-inducing, provocative entertainment.  It is not fulfilling by any means.  This is of the titillating and awe-inspiring variety.   Seeing gravity and human physiology defied in so many ways, and ogling at a stage saturated with dramatic lights, a parade of bright costuming, oversized set pieces and perpetual motion, is loads of fun.  

 

It helps that these performers are very professional, enthusiastic and engaged, and that their antics-while familiar and extremely old-school-are really rather amazing.  Everything is a blend of athleticism, artistry and eye candy.  While nothing is death-defying, everything has risks and is performed flawlessly.

 

Three very talented featured singers-an angel (Cleveland's own Kelly Pekar), an Ice Queen (Emily Mattheson) and a Charles Dickens of sorts (Jared Trolio)-phase in and out of the production to move the storyline along, such that it is.  Most of what they sing is innocuous and vacant, but it is all performed dramatically and very well.  A few pop-rock Christmas tunes are worked into the mix.

 

One odd ingredient is the religiously themed "O Holy Night," which not only seems woefully out of place in this very secular and commercialized extravaganza, but it serves as odd accompaniment for a fairly sensual aerial act. 

 

The acid test for productions like this is whether children love it.  They certainly seemed to on opening night.  

 

Two very young, adorable and, according to their mom, mildly autistic children sat next to me during the performance.  While initially put off by the show's volume and its visual assault, they quickly adjusted and were at the edge of their seats for the full two hour entertainment.

 

Adolescents in the vicinity seemed a bit insulted by the prancing gingerbread but quickly got over themselves when the acrobats took to the stage. 

 

Several children at heart, who arrived via bus from their assisted living facility, noted that the show was just like watching the 1960's TV variety program "The Ed Sullivan Show," only in color.  They marveled at how young everyone still looked.  Déjà vu all over again.

 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze continues through December 19 at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre.  For tickets, which range from $10.00 to $65.00, call 216-241-6000 or visit www.playhousesquare.com.
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