Susan Granger’s review of “Luzia” (Cirque du Soliel at Citi Field)
It must be springtime because Canada’s celebrated Cirque du Soliel has returned to Citi Field with a dazzling new production, “Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico,” a veritable fiesta of fantasy.
After entering the Grand Chapiteau, audiences are greeted by the traditional clown traveler (Fool Koller), who parachutes down into a field of marigolds, where he discovers a gigantic key, as a graceful monarch butterfly guides him through different facets of Mexico’s rich culture and traditions.
“Luzia” combines the sound of ‘luz’ (Spanish for ‘light’) with ‘illuvia’ (Spanish for ‘rain’). Technically, it’s amazing, from the immense waterfall that shimmers with images of birds, fish, and flowers, seemingly drenching performers/gymnasts engaged in impressive athletic feats.
Early on, there are two giant treadmills as a running woman-dressed-as-a-butterfly (Shelli Epstein) flits from one to another, followed by a troupe of hoop divers, clad as hummingbirds. Then there’s a tribute to Mexico’s obsession with soccer with Abou Traore and Laura Biondo manipulating a ball.
Cyr wheel performers Rosa Tyyska and Nora Zoller spin through a curtain of rain, while Enya White gracefully twirls above them on a trapeze.
Aerial strap acrobat Stephen Brine twists and turns over a pool of water, representing a sinkhole or cenote; Cylios Pytak dazzles with his juggling act; and Aleksei Goloborodko is an awesome contortionist.
Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, who co-authored the concept with his late wife Julie Hamelin Finzi, the performance, staged on dual turntables, features 44 artists from 15 countries with live music, elegant set design, sumptuous costumes, and inventive puppetry, including a galloping metallic horse, a hulking cougar, a slithering snake, a lurking cockroach and a wary armadillo.
“Luzia” will remain at Citi Field until Sunday, June 9th. Tickets start at $54 and can be up-graded to $275. And it’s wise to purchase the full-color program that identifies the performers and explains the inspiration behind each act.