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Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Corteo’ takes the audience under the big top at U.S. Bank Arena this weekend


By Hannah Carver
NKyTribune reporter

A mesmerizing arena show that brings you under the big tent, Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo” transports the audience to an otherworldly dimension in a synchronized masterpiece at U.S. Bank Arena this weekend.

The teeterboard act tells the story of a fight between the rich and poor that eventually ends when the two groups come to find mutual respect for one another. (Photo provided)

The word “corteo” means “cortege” in Italian or a joyous procession, and in this case, it’s a festive parade imagined by a clown. It’s engaging, hypnotic, humorous, and lonely, and it brings truth to the phrase, “In your wildest dreams.”

The performance has a history dating back to 2005. Now, after 10 years of touring as a big tent production, “Corteo” is back in business, adapted for the arena, less than three years after its last performance.

From dangling chandeliers to giant bouncing beds, a frenzy of hula-hoops and more, the performance pairs together theater and acrobatics. Set to live music, “Corteo’s” 16 acts bring together more than 50 performers of 18 different nationalities, tour publicist Max Batista said. Altogether, more than 100 people travel as a part of the crew.

Acrobat Harvey Donnelly is in the teeterboard act and has been a part of the circus for seven years. This is the fifth Cirque du Soleil show for the British native, who’s been practicing for “Corteo” since September.

“It’s a challenge, and a responsibility too, with this show, there’s a lot of history,” Donnelly said.

About 50 percent of the cast is made up of original performers, dating back to the show’s big top days, while the other half is brand new, like Donnelly.

Costume designers for “Corteo” take about 300 measurements of each performer to get each piece of clothing just right. (photo by Hannah Carver)

“We have more weight on our shoulders than a brand new show because we are trying to do proud the show, and we are trying to keep up the standard and make sure it’s at the high level that’s expected.”

Donnelly first saw the show five years ago and details being blown away by the beauty of the set. Bringing that unique view from the big top to the arena is something that many said wouldn’t work.

“Now, a lot of the same people who said that have said it’s one of the most beautiful arena tours,” Donnelly said.

The set-up is distinctive in that the audience sits on both sides of the stage.

“The creator of the show, he wanted to give the audience the perspective of the actor,” Batista said. “How does it feel to be on stage and to see the reaction of the audience?”

That presents a challenge for the artists.

“They need to remember they have people watching them from everywhere,” Batista said.

For Donnelly, a large part of that job comes in the last part of the show’s first half. To add to the challenge, he doesn’t even play the same character from night to night in his act. He and the other acrobats rotate through, playing different parts on the teeterboard.

“That one really keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Donnelly said. “Even the cast sits on the edge of their seats on that one.”

When Donnelly isn’t on stage performing, he’s either practicing or making sure other acts go off without a hitch, helping as a stagehand to take down and put up set pieces.

As he describes, the cast’s work going into last act of the show truly is a grand finale.

“Other than the guys performing who have to be ready, it takes the whole cast to set up, and we set it up in just under 30 seconds,” Donnelly said. “That is the definition of many hands make light work.”

Flags representing the cast members’ 18 different nationalities fly backstage. (photo by Hannah Carver)

While it takes an entire day for the show to set up in the arena, the crew will disassemble it in a matter of four hours on Sunday. Their next stop is Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Corteo” has been on the road since March, coming most recently from Lexington. The show premiered Thursday night at U.S. Bank Arena, but there are five performances remaining in the Cincinnati engagement.

  • Friday’s is set for 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday’s are at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday’s are at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

For additional information, or to purchase tickets, click here.

It will be back in the area in August when the tour heads to Louisville.

Contact the Northern Kentucky Tribune at news@nkytrib.com


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