Los Angeles Review: Cirque du Soleil's VOLTA "WOW'S" LA audiences
Jill Weinlein - West Coast Chief Theatre Critic
Champagne was flowing on opening night of Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA, as guests arrived to go inside a white tent with black stripes, located at Dodger Stadium.
As guests took their seats inside the Big Top, one member of the audience was selected to come up onstage to take direction from a cast member to perform a hula-hoop act. Mr. Wow of the MR. WOW SHOW kicks off the show, with a talent show encouraging the audience to judge each act and decide if they deserve a “WOW” or not, while waiting to see Mr. Wow’s approval.
The first contestant in The Wow Game Show is The Otako Double Dutchers. The 10 performers in white and gold costumes perform awe-inspiring moves using two long jump ropes. They nimbly move and jump swiftly with ease as colored laser beams add excitement to their act. Mr. Wow and the audience enthusiastically offer them a thumbs up.
Upstairs on the second level is a young boy rockin' the electric guitar enhancing the excitement of the show. The next contestant is China Song, performing a string and spool act. His act has the audience clapping along with Mr. Wow offering a thumbs up.
From Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nildo spins inside a life size hoop. The choreography is mind boggling, and everyone gives this performer a thumbs up.
Lastly, a Los Angeles native named WAZ, comes out on the game show a little self conscious as he tries to cover the blue feathers on his head. Searching for fame and validation, his acrobatics and dance moves bring him love and acceptance from others, yet he soon discovers fame is not the answer to happiness.
We watch WAZ throughout the show as he reconnect with the memories of his childhood, and discovers his true self and finally stands up to what makes him unique.
First, nine performers dressed in grey costumes hold lit cell phones and crowd around WAZ. They are glued to their technology and are out of sync with their true selves, just like he is in the beginning.
ELA, a beautiful Freespirit on roller-skates, tries to befriend WAZ and the "Grey's" rousing them out of their doldrums.
As this story continues to unfold, we watch different acts that include a performer who hangs, spins and soars while holding a red lamp shade hanging down from the ceiling.
One of my favorite acts involved trampolines. A small apartment style set is pushed out to the center with trampolines below. Ten performers hang out of the windows and then jump. They soar up to the rooftop and dive back down. The set rotates so the audience can see both sides. Audience members roar with adoration as the performers do handstands and then dive down and rise up.
Another extraordinary performer was a woman who dances with ease and soars with a cable attached to her hair. It looks so painful, yet the crowd went into a frenzy of applause.
Other exquisite female aerialists are featured in an act with four Aztec-dressed bare-chested male warriors flying through the air on rings hanging down.
The audience held their breath at times when two performers showcased their moves on a long ladder.
Cirque du Soleil VOLTA fans clapped throughout the tumblers act as these personable men flip and soar through hexagon shaped hoops. These personable and charismatic performers reminded me of the fans who adore the mega-popular boy band BTS.
Towards the end, the "Greys" discover freedom and become The Freespirits in a visually striking world. The BMX cyclists spin and soar with choreographed moves, that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
Driven by a stirring melodic score with a full band and two singers, the female singer in a flapper style string dress, also plays a violin that mesmerizes the audience with her melodic sounds.
VOLTA is one of Cirque du Soleil's finest. The performers infectious adventure and spirit fuels inspiration for WAZ to transform and become his true self. By fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power, he is liberated and discovers freedom and happiness.
Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they are also offering a 4:30 performance and on Sunday the performances are at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Friday at Tickets start at $42. Click on VOLTA to see availability. There is no show on Mondays.
VIP Tickets are available and include the best seats, complimentary parking, small bites and drinks before the show and sweet treats during intermission, VIP Suite, restrooms and special gift.
Cirque du Soleil VOLTA is located at 1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
