12.09 Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria

By Tine Roycroft

Let’s face it ~ recession or no recession, the holidays are coming up and we all need to find the perfect gift for everyone on our list. Why not give the gift of culture – and by culture I mean something that leaves a little more impact than yet another Jennifer Anniston movie where she falls for a guy who can only be described as damaged goods. Grab that credit card and get yourself some culture with tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s traveling show, “Alegria,” showing at Worcester’s DCU Center from December 9-13th. Here’s how this extraordinary show works for everyone on Santa’s list:

For starters, “Alegria” is a pure celebration of joy, but also a close look at how power transforms and is passed from person to person. For those who have never seen a Cirque show ~ prepare to be rocked. The music is gorgeous and powerful, the costumes are breathtaking. There are acrobatic acts, comedic acts and pieces that might bring out that mushy part of your heart. This is not your typical theatrical performance, nor is it one for the faint of heart. Think of it as Extreme Theatre.

Mom and Dad: If you grab tix to “Alegria” for Mom and Dad, they’ll most likely be impressed. They might even stop worrying that they paid for your college education for nothing. Mom will love the White Singer and the Black Singer ~ the two lovely women are alter egos and have gorgeous soprano voices that will echo throughout the DCU. The two Singers tell the tales of all of the “Alegria” characters. Also, your mom will go nuts over their gorgeous costumes. Dad will love the Fire-Knife Dance Act ~ one young man rocks and rolls to the thumping beats of tribal rhythms and does so with baton-like fire knives. Don’t be surprised if you find dear old dad in the garage later on that weekend trying to make his own fire knives with the flatware and a can of Aqua Net.

Girlfriend: Your girlfriend will love the fact that you wanted to give her an experience rather than another Coach purse (or worse, a knock-off!). And if she really just wants another Coach purse, then dump her butt because she’s a gold-digger. She will fall in love with The Nymphs, a man/woman team of dancers and acrobats. They’re dressed in blues and purples and use wings as part of their costumes. Together they dance and fly on wires above the stage to a love ballad. And as your girl is falling for them, there’s a good chance she’ll be falling for you, too. Don’t be surprised when she asks you to wear wings later on, though.

Boyfriend: At first, your boyfriend might roll his eyes at tickets that are for something other than Dave Matthews. Ease the situation by telling him that because it’s in an arena, he does not need to wear khakis and that, a shirt and jeans will do. And once you’ve got him in his assigned seat, the struggle is over. Like your dad, the boyfriend might really dig the Fire-Knife Dance, but he will certainly like the Power Track Act. During this act, the stage itself becomes a trampoline in the shape of an “X” and fifteen amazing young men and women flip, twist and jump their ways up and down the trampoline to the beat of music. The act is just pure inspiration and you and your boyfriend might have discussions about how flexible the human body actually is – wink, wink, nudge, nudge.