There are several shows that the Cirque du Soleil brand has created not only for their residency in Las Vegas, but for their travel shows as well but there has never been a show like ‘Crystal.’ This very first ever ice meets acrobats experience will be at the Stockton Arena on April 3 through 7 with weekday evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, April 6 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
This is the 42nd original creation since the inception of Cirque du Soleil in 1984 in Las Vegas and Mexico along with the traveling show.
Julie DesMarais with Crystal explained that there are several people that bring the creation to realization including workshops for preparation since this show brings acrobatics onto the ice. There are world-class ice skaters and acrobats that explore this adventure on ice fusing circus arts with ice skating in this new production.
“We had skaters and acrobats, coaches that came for five workshops where they tried all sorts of different things to see how we could implement the acrobatics,” explained DesMarais. “Because the whole goal is to blend the two disciplines and then now we have been on tour for approximately a year and a half and we are a total of 90 people which includes 43 artists.”
The show is about Crystal, who is a bit of a misfit that is looking for her purpose. She ventures onto the pond and when the ice breaks the adventure begins. She meets her alter ego that lends her a pen and she discovers that she is creative and starts writing.
“There is a moment where she realizes that she has this strength to be who she wants to be within herself which is creative, and curious and confident,” said DesMarais. “There is a narrative that guides you through that world as well and then there is what is happening on the ice and in the air which is really incredible and it is a very unique.”
The show travels with about 17 trailers with their equipment and kitchen from city to city. With months of advanced preparations and a team of about 90 people, 34 technicians and 100 local stage hands the show will hit the stage on April 3 to take the audience on a unique journey.
The talent on the stage comes from all over the world including California, Australia, Canada, Russia, Italy, and Israel.
“It is a spectacle. It is a combination of ice skating and acrobatics in a way that have never been done before,” expressed DesMarais.