Cirque du Soleil LUZIA - Playing at Atlantic Station Through Nov. 19

I was first introduced to Cirque du Soleil back in 2005 during a trip to Las Vegas. There I experienced the breathtaking "O," which still plays at the Bellagio to sold-out audiences. "O" is aptly billed as an aquatic masterpiece - mixing Cirque's unmatched acrobatics with diving, synchronized swimming, fire and more magnificence than I can possibly describe in a paragraph. Well, actually it's pretty indescribable.

Since then, I've been lucky enough to see nearly every Cirque du Soleil show that has passed through Atlanta, delighting audiences of all ages in the signature blue and yellow Big Top tent (Chapiteau) based at Atlantic Station. From OVO, to Totem, Amaluna and KURIOS– Cabinet of Curiosities, each show offers something unique. All have amazing acrobatics, costumes, music and set design/ scenery. Some have storylines that don't make much sense (KURIOS in particular) - though really, who cares?  There are jaw-dropping circus acts that will delight audiences of any age, and others that are just stunningly beautiful (occasionally a little risqué).

Cirque du Soleil is not the circus you grew up with. However, it's absolutely one you can share with your family - although you might want to take kids over age seven (in my personal opinion - and all Cirque shows are not the same).

This brings me to LUZIA, the latest Cirque du Soleil show to travel to Atlanta, now playing at the Big Top through November 19, 2017.

The concept: LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul. LUZIA is a stunningly beautiful show.  It enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production, and with a nod to "O", likely why I was so enthralled. LUZIA premiered in April 2016 and is Cirque du Soleil’s 38th original production since 1984.

LUZIA brings traditional and contemporary circus disciplines to a whole new level. Cyr Wheel artists perform the unprecedented feat of rolling and spinning under the rain, while an aerialist suspended from a Trapeze flies and twirls through pouring showers.

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Hoop Diving is taken onto gigantic treadmills, expanding exponentially the speed and amount of daring leaps executed. Jaw-dropping highlights include a Guinness World Record holder juggling seven pins at breakneck speeds, a male contortionist skillfully twisting his body in the world’s most unimaginable positions, a powerful Aerial Straps specialist defying the laws of gravity at the center of cenote (natural sinkhole), and two football (soccer) freestylers deftly mixing street dance with mind-blowing ball manipulations.

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FOR FAMILIES:
My favorite Cirque show for families is still "OVO" - where creatures range rom flexible fleas to silky spiders and the off the wall (literally) crazy crickets. However, LUZIA offers plenty of visual treats for kids as well. The larger than life puppets - a metallic horse in "Running Woman" and an immense jaguar in the "Aerial Straps" scene are both feasts for the eyes!

Unlike in some Cirque shows, there are no scary characters or creepy clowns in LUZIA - in fact the use of "clowns" is minimal. You are introduced to Luzia by a "traveler / passenger" - he has a presence throughout the show, but is a character your family will likely find delightful.

So, it's up to you! Make it a family outing, or enjoy a date night/ GNO. Either way, you won't be disappointed. For more photos and even video clips, be sure to visit the website HERE.

PERFORMANCES AND LOCATION
Dates: Now through November 19, 2017 
Admission: Tickets start at $35. Family Pack: Enjoy this production with the whole family and save 20% on tickets!
Performance times: LUZIA is performed nightly Tuesday – Saturday at 8:00PM. Friday and Saturday also include matinees at 4:30PM, Sundays at 1:30 and 5:00PM. The show is dark on Mondays and select Tuesdays.

GET SOCIAL
Facebook: @LUZIAbyCirqueduSoleil
Twitter: @cirque
Instagram: @cirquedusoleil
Website: www.cirquedusoleil.com/luzia

*I received complimentary tickets to this show in exchange for this write-up. Opinions, however, are entirely my own.

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