KOOZA Cirque du Soleil at the Santa Monica Pier premiers October 16, 09 (Info/Tickets)
For immediate release
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
RETURNS TO SANTA MONICA WITH ITS
BIG TOP PRODUCTION KOOZA
Premieres Friday, October 16, 2009
for a limited engagement at the Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, September 16, 2009 – Cirque du Soleil is proud to return to Santa Monica with its critically acclaimed big top production KOOZA. Proudly presented by iShares, KOOZA will premiere on October 16, for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier. Tickets are now available online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza or by phone at 1 800 450-1480.
Following the Santa Monica run, KOOZA will perform in Orange County starting January 8, 2010 at a new location, Orange County Great Park in Irvine.
The Name
The name KOOZA is inspired by the Sanskrit word “koza,” which means “box,” “chest” or “treasure,” and was chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a “circus in a box.”
About KOOZA
KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.
“KOOZA is about human connection and the world of duality, good and bad,” says the show’s writer and director David Shiner. “The tone is fun and funny, light and open. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’s very much about ideas, too. As it evolves we are exploring concepts such as fear, identity, recognition and power.”
The show starts with The Trickster bursting onto the scene like a jack-in-a-box right in front of The Innocent, and that is just the first of many surprises to follow. The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Heimloss, the Pickpocket, the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.
Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.
Cast and acts
Several of the 53 performing artists in the show have received awards from important circus arts competitions, notably in juggling and trapeze.
The show presents an unprecedented approach to the High Wire and a breathtaking Wheel of Death – an act that Cirque du Soleil has never before presented under the big top.
The Creators
The show brings together the following team of 13 Creators, several of whom are working with Cirque for the first time.
David Shiner Writer and Director
Serge Roy Director of Creation
Stéphane Roy Set Designer
Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt Costume Designer
Jean-François Côté Composer
Clarence Ford Choreographer
Martin Labrecque Lighting Designer
Jonathan Deans Co-Sound Designer
Leon Rothenberg Co-Sound Designer
Rogé Francoeur Props Designer
Danny Zen Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
André Simard Acrobatic Performance Designer
Florence Cornet Makeup Designer
Sponsors
iShares is the presenting sponsor of the U.S. tour of KOOZA. CGI, American Express, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Sun Life Financials are the official sponsors.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists.
Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.
Pressroom
For downloadable images and additional information, please visit the Cirque du Soleil on-line Press Room at www.cirquedusoleil.com. Scroll down and click on “Press Room” and then click on “KOOZA.”
Media Contact: Tim Choy
Davidson & Choy Publicity
Phone: 323/954-7510
KOOZA IN SANTA MONICA
Premieres October 16, 2009 for a Limited Engagement
Under the Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier
TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online at www.cirquedusoleil.com
By calling 1-800-450-1480
Performance Schedule
· Tuesdays thru Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.
· Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
· Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
· No performances on Mondays
Non-Peak Ticket Prices Peak Ticket Prices
(Weekdays; Tuesday thru Friday 4pm) (Weekends; Friday 8pm thru Sunday)
· Adults: $60 to $125 Adults: $65 to $135
· Children (ages 2-12): $42 to $87.50 Children (ages 2-12): $45.50 to $94.50
· Students and Seniors: $54 to $112.50
VIP Tapis Rouge: A VIP Tapis Rouge™ package includes one of the best seats in the house, and access to the VIP Suite one hour before the show and during intermission.
Adults are $250 each and children (ages 2-12) are $175 each. Taxes included.
GROUP RESERVATIONS
For reservations for groups of 20 adults and more,
please contact the Cirque du Soleil box office at
1 866 6-CIRQUE or www.cirquedusoleil.com/groups.