A fantastic tented structure, The Grand Chapiteau, has landed at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center housing Amaluna until August 25th.
You may ask, “Say what?” By now, most people have either seen a Cirque du Soleil performance live, on television, or on YouTube. Amaluna is their newest production in a splendid striped tented structure which has magically appeared in a parking lot at the Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
The story loosely follows the plot of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. According to the notes provided, Queen Prospera is readying her daughter Miranda for her coming-of-age festival. Meanwhile, the sassy Miranda is too busy frolicking with an adorable lizard boy with a magnificent, big … tail. Clearly, he replaces the grotesque Caliban. A storm washes up a crew of shipwrecked sailors wearing clothes resembling those of Shakespeare’s time. As a matter of fact, one of the crew looks a bit like the Bard. He whistles, squeaks, and seduces the queen who also traipses about spouting doggerel to comic relief to offset the astounding feats occurring all around the big top. There are Amazon warrior gymnasts who happen to have small tails spurting from their coccyx, who want nothing to do with the shipwrecked sailors; except, perhaps, to eat them. Offsetting these strong women are the rather fey, decorative shipwrecked sailors. They later acquit themselves by performing daredevil leaps forty feet into the air. Other, sturdier lads perform somersaults into the air, landing on shoulders, etc., late in the show. Women spin and do incomparable things in the air, while other aerialists do a variety of thrilling feats. Yes, and there are amazing costumes and effects. The Prince, love interest to Miranda, often tore off his jacket to wild, squealing acclaim from young female members of the audience. His scenes climaxed with a pole dance to the Nth degree.
One doesn’t go to a Cirque du Soleil extravaganza for plot; rather, one attends a spectacle, a kaleidoscope of thrills and chills interspersed with striking visual tableaux. This is true of Amaluna. In this intimate setting, one isn’t very far from the stage anywhere one may sit. Parking is free and plentiful. There are concession stands for snacks and beverages as well as a gift shop. For a smashing good time, Amaluna will not disappoint.
Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna will be at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA, until August 25th. For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com .