Steadstyle Chicago
	June 2008 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Cirque Du Soleil Kooza Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** In 1984 a group of 20 street performers out of Quebec Canada put together a show which has evolved into "Cirque Du Soleil" with productions all over the world, some traveling and some permanent fixtures.  Through its creative process, the people of this organization are able to give us a circus with music and dance, a magical experience for young and old where at times you will be left breathless at what you see onstage.  The newest production, currently under the blue and yellow Big Top at The United Center Parking Lot K, "Kooza" goes back to the basics. Written by David Shiner (who also directed the production), "Kooza" tells the story of a clown seeking to find out who he is and how he connects with the rest of the world he encounters as he deals with good and evil, fear and laughter, power and ideals.  This production is a perfect blend of circus and music, many comic moments and some truly marvelous acts.  The contortionists (Julie Bergez, Natasha Patterson and Dasha Savik) do things with their bodies that seem unreal!  Danya Vintilova is the woman on the flying trapeze and you will not believe what Yuri Shavro and Diana Aleshchenko can do on a unicycle.  Act One ends with an amazing high wire act, four men (Angel Quiros Dominguez, Vicente Quiros Dominguez, Angel Villarejo Dominguez and Flouber Sanchez) who defy gravity as they ride bikes, jump ropes and each other. Act Two begins with an amazing circus feat, one that we have all witnessed at other circus performances called "The Wheel of Death".  In this tent at the United Center, the audience is very close to the stage and so this seems more intense as we are, in some cases, fifty feet away from these two circles that rotate as Carlos Enrique Marin Loaiza and Angelo Lyerzksky amaze us. There are times it appears that they will fly right off the circle, some fifty feet up with no wire, but these are two very powerful men. There are comic moments throughout the evening, clowns of course and a pickpocket (Michael Halvarson) that brings an audience member on stage to help with a magic trick but right before our very eyes, removes his watch, his wallet, his keys, cell phone, money and even his tie with such speed that even we can't notice it (and of course the "volunteer" has no idea of what is happening).  Being a circus atmosphere, of course we have a juggler (the amazing Anthony Gatto and his assistant Danielle Gatto) and the always popular Chinese Chairs beautifully done by Yao Deng Bo.  The show finishes up with some spectacular teeter-board action and a big musical finale where our hero "Innocent" (Stephan Landry) comes back to reality as the circus tent and all of its inhabitants disappear. The ensemble, musicians and singers were all Broadway musical quality and the clowns Trickster (Justin Sullivan), the King (Gordon White), Court Clowns (Christian Fitzharris and James Sloninia) were delightful.  The costumes created under the direction of Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt are striking and balanced so that they are in tune with the characters and the acts they perform.  Some are glitzy as they should be and others plain, but they all work.  The set by Stephane Roy captures the transformation from a public square into a circus, tent and all.  With the roundness of the stage, we as an audience feel very close to the action and at some points fearful that one mis-step could have a tightrope walker on our laps.  But fear not, these performers are the best, no errors, just perfection! "Kooza" has been extended through August 24, 2008 at The United Center.  Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m.  Tickets range in price from $55-$125 with special rates for children, students and seniors.  There are also special VIP packages at $215 adult and $150.50 children that allow for a visit to the suite (with refreshments) one hour prior to the show and during the 30 minute intermission (ample time to buy a $50 T-shirt).  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-678-5440 or online at www.cirquedusoleil.com.  If you have ever seen one of these productions, you will appreciate the "going back to basic" theme of combining acrobatic performance art and the art of clowing with just the right amount of music and dance and acts that will be remembered for years to come.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The EpochTimes.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.