Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil revolutionized the circus arts, transcending the traditional big-top approach of the past to spotlight elaborate sets, lavish costume, and original music. Founded in Quebec in 1984 by Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier, the original group comprised local street performers; shunning animal acts to focus exclusively on human spectacles -- stilt-walkers, jugglers, fire-eaters, and the like -- the troupe quickly earned a following throughout Canada, eventually spreading across North America. Where the original group of traveling performers numbered only a scant few, by the late '90s, the Cirque du Soleil organization counted over 1,500 employees internationally; in 1993, their production Mystère became a permanent attraction at the Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas, with other productions circling the globe during the years to follow including Alegría, Quidam, Saltimbanco, Dralion, and La Nouba. All produced accompanying soundtrack recordings as well. The company continued to produce popular shows throughout the 2000s, with Varekai, Kà, and seasonal show Wintuk performed across the globe. During 2006, Love was premiered, a show that combined re-produced music from the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil's renowned interpretive, circus-based performance. The joint venture with Apple Corps was the first of its kind and featured the Grammy Award winning soundtrack of remastered and re-imagined songs by original Beatles producer Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin. In 2009, the Brazilian-themed production Ovo marked the first Cirque show to be created by a woman, Deborah Colker, and was heavily influenced by the insect world and dance performances. In the same year, Viva Elvis was conceived and was due to open on his 75th Birthday at the purpose-built theater in the Aria Resort, Las Vegas. The show used music and the likeness of Elvis throughout and was created in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises. In 2011, Michael Jackson was the third high-profile pop star to be given a Cirque de Soleil make-over. Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour used the music of Jackson among acrobatics from the Cirque du Soleil cast to re-create an energetic live concert experience. The tour premiered during 2011 in the entertainment company’s hometown of Montreal before it set off on a world tour. ~ Scott Kerr & Jason Ankeny, Rovi