Talking Story

Starting new conversations in the workplace!

  • Rosa’s Books
  • ManagingWithAloha.com
  • RosaSay.com

The wonder of human artistry

March 24, 2007 by Rosa Say

When I know I will be in Las Vegas, one of the things I always plan in advance for is an evening at a Cirque du Soleil show. These theatrical productions are amazing to me in their artistic celebration of human talent; I am always awestruck, and think to myself, someone had to create this, and they did!

This time, I gladly shelled out the $165 per ticket for four of us to see “O” on my last night there, and it was a terrific impression to leave “Sin City” with. From their official website:

O_3
Cirque du Soleil weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance in the timeless production, “O.”  Inspired by the concept of infinity and the elegance of water’s pure form, “O” pays tribute to the beauty of the theatre – from the simplest street performance to the most lavish of operas – where anything is possible and where the drama of life plays itself out before our very eyes. World-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters perform in, on, and above water to create a breathtaking experience. Only at Bellagio, Las Vegas.

Watch a trailer here
.

O3
It’s my understanding that each Cirque show tells a story, and I’ve yet to understand what the story is actually about when I see each production for the first time; I’ll admit that I didn’t “get it” this time either. As I usually do, I get lost in all that happens on stage at one time, for the scenes are not singular, and like KÀ, in which a massive stage tilts, lifts, and goes completely vertical (and as tons of sand slide off it), “O” completely reinvents how we normally think of a ‘stage.’  Water covers it in part and then completely, and then to unimaginable depths as actors plunge into it from dizzying heights. And how in the world does that makeup and costuming stay on in all that water?

As a mom, I’m also very appreciative of how Cirque du Soleil contributes great family value to the Las Vegas experience; the older my own kids get, the harder it is to amaze and entrance them, and “O” did just that. Priceless, and worth every cent of those tickets.

Filed Under: MWA Key 8: Sense of Place

Comments

  1. David Zinger says

    March 24, 2007 at 11:20 am

    Hi Rosa,
    I love Cirque du Soleil. The music, the movement, the artistry. I never really try to figure out the story, I just sit there and soak it in with little understanding yet full appreciation.
    David

  2. Rosa Say says

    March 24, 2007 at 11:29 am

    Aloha David, we are of a like mind on this! There is so very much to appreciate, and within the gratitude for what we are seeing I would say that we end up understanding quite a bit more.

  3. Lisa Haneberg says

    March 24, 2007 at 6:18 pm

    Rosa – I, too, am a Cirque fan. I have always thought that it would be great for a senior team to go to a show the day before a strategic planning meeting. I have never been able to test this theory, but I bet it would make for better and richer imagination.

  4. Rosa Say says

    March 24, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    What a terrific idea Lisa! Each Cirque show is available on video, however I’m not sure you can get the same effect unless you have a mega-sized screen with surround sound … and perhaps a CEO willing to provide those costume and set-changing breaks that the Cirque clowns normally do!
    I did a SP retreat for a hotel group in Las Vegas last June, and we DID see a Cirque show then (that was when I saw KÀ) – but it was the final night event as a thank you from the CEO for everyone’s hard work and focus; we never thought of doing it first!
    Let’s invoke the “Law of Attraction” here and get this chance to happen for one of us – or both, and together!

  5. Steve Sherlock says

    March 25, 2007 at 6:58 am

    I too am enchanted by Cirque in almost equal parts the show itself and how they do it.
    I endorse the idea of a joint viewing; sharing the experience is a wonderful thing. You can always come back to something specific that occured with someone from the group and they will be able to make the connection! These connections help to make the learning last as it will have tied play (the show), love (your sharing) and work (the connection) together.
    Yes, I am enthralled with the Power Of Play by David Elkind which I just completed a review of the book.
    Thanks for sharing Rosa! I want to go! I want to go now!

Search Talking Story your way

RSS Current Articles at Managing with Aloha:

  • Do it—Experiment!
  • Hō‘imi to Curate Your Life’s Experience
  • Kaʻana i kāu aloha: Share your Aloha
  • Managing Basics: The Good Receiver
  • What do executives do, anyway? They do values.
  • Managing Basics: On Finishing Well
  • Wellness—the kind that actually works

Search Talking Story by Category

Talking Story Article Archives

  • July 2016 (1)
  • April 2012 (1)
  • March 2012 (6)
  • February 2012 (6)
  • January 2012 (10)
  • December 2011 (1)
  • November 2011 (4)
  • October 2011 (17)
  • September 2011 (8)
  • August 2011 (6)
  • July 2011 (2)
  • June 2011 (2)
  • May 2011 (4)
  • April 2011 (12)
  • March 2011 (16)
  • February 2011 (16)
  • January 2011 (23)
  • December 2010 (4)
  • November 2010 (1)
  • October 2010 (1)
  • September 2010 (4)
  • August 2010 (1)
  • July 2010 (4)
  • June 2010 (13)
  • May 2010 (17)
  • April 2010 (18)
  • March 2010 (13)
  • February 2010 (18)
  • January 2010 (16)
  • December 2009 (12)
  • November 2009 (15)
  • October 2009 (20)
  • September 2009 (20)
  • August 2009 (17)
  • July 2009 (16)
  • June 2009 (13)
  • May 2009 (3)
  • April 2009 (19)
  • March 2009 (18)
  • February 2009 (21)
  • January 2009 (26)
  • December 2008 (31)
  • November 2008 (19)
  • October 2008 (8)
  • September 2008 (11)
  • August 2008 (11)
  • July 2008 (10)
  • June 2008 (16)
  • May 2008 (1)
  • March 2008 (17)
  • February 2008 (24)
  • January 2008 (13)
  • December 2007 (10)
  • November 2007 (6)
  • July 2007 (27)
  • June 2007 (23)
  • May 2007 (13)
  • April 2007 (19)
  • March 2007 (17)
  • February 2007 (14)
  • January 2007 (15)
  • December 2006 (14)
  • November 2006 (16)
  • October 2006 (13)
  • September 2006 (29)
  • August 2006 (14)
  • July 2006 (19)
  • June 2006 (19)
  • May 2006 (12)
  • April 2006 (11)
  • March 2006 (14)
  • February 2006 (14)
  • January 2006 (7)
  • December 2005 (15)
  • November 2005 (27)
  • October 2005 (22)
  • September 2005 (38)
  • August 2005 (31)
  • July 2005 (34)
  • June 2005 (32)
  • May 2005 (27)
  • April 2005 (28)
  • March 2005 (36)
  • February 2005 (33)
  • January 2005 (35)
  • December 2004 (13)
  • November 2004 (24)
  • October 2004 (22)
  • September 2004 (28)
  • August 2004 (8)

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in