Mystere

 NOVELLE EXPERIENCE was the first Cirque Du Soleil extravaganza to play Las Vegas. Since then it has spawned five very successful shows, MYSTERE, O, ZUMANITY; THE SENSUAL SIDE OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, KA, LOVE (about the Beatles), and has a show with the remarkable magician Chris Angel, opening at the Luxor in 2008.  I recently had the pleasure of seeing MYSTERE again after many years and it hasn’t lost any of its excitement or thrills.

      MYSTERE is a classic Cirque Du Soleil show and features a cast of outstanding athletes performing feats, which challenge our imaginations, and makes us reexamine the mystery of what it means to be alive. The show is a thrilling mixture of athleticism, humor, wisdom, beautiful music and lights, and, well, mystery. The acts include Chinese Poles, Hand Balancing, Aerial High Bar, and Bungee. The cast has 75 international artists and has been performed for 8.5 million spectators and had more than 600 performances.

     Mystere contains two of my favorite Cirque acts of all time.  First there is the hilarious baby whose antics delight us all during the 90-minute performance. He (or she) becomes our alter-self as he (she) experiences the dangers and wonders of living through the eyes of a precocious child. When you watch a Cirque show you are often transported to a time in our collective childhood. You can’t help feeling the profound joy of discovery.

     The other act that almost defies description is, for me, the best act I have seen in any Cirque show. The act is a brother act and is called Hand To Hand. There are no trapezes, no bungee, no poles just two guys doing feats of strength and balance using each other as sole support. They are the brothers Marco and Paulo Lorador from Portugal. They are not only physically beautiful but their acts of strength, requiring enormous trust, stamina, and balance, are a powerful expression of the male bond between brothers.

     The production was masterfully directed and written by the now legendary Franco Dragon, The amazing sets which are a perfect example of engineering and beauty are by Michel Crete, The dazzling, outlandish, imaginative, colorful costumes were designed the one and only Dominiqe Lemieux. Rene Dupree who is a master of hybrid musical styles composed the music, and Benoit Judras, The emotional and expressive choreography was by Debra Brown. Ms. Brown mixes dance, gymnastics, aerial dance, and contortionism to create a kaleidoscope of movement to wow the senses.

     You may have seen MYSTERE before but it is worth numerous viewings. MYSTERE is a perfect show to introduce your family to the wonders of the Cirque Experience. MYSTERE is performed twice daily with no performances on Thursday or Friday. At the MYSTERE THEATRE in TREASURE ISLAND CASINO AND RESORT.

Call 800 392 1999 or 702 796 999 for tickets. For more information go to www.cirquedusoleil.com