Celebrities and international media filled the red carpet at the International Gala Premiere of Zumanity, the provocative new production from Another Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York Hotel and Casino.
Orlando Bloom, Darryl Hannah, Hugh Hefner, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Brooke Burke, Michael Schumacher, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris and others joined Cirque du Soleil Founder and CEO Guy Laliberte for the performance and nightlong celebration.
Zumanity bears all the characteristics of a classic Cirque du Soleil production -- movement, music, color, acrobatics, dance -- but is Cirque's first production to deal with human intimacy. Zumanity's exploration of love in all its forms and from all perspectives is ultimately a tale of humanity, emotion, the nature of beauty and the acceptance of differences.
More theatrical than circus spectacle, the creators of Zumanity have moved away from the world of the circus and put a new twist on the intimacy of the European cabaret tradition.
Zumanity emphasizes a multicultural approach to the disciplines of dance, movement, acrobatic techniques, costumes and music. In Zumanity, contortion, driving salsa music, fire-eating, uninhibited African dance, tango, waltz and passionate flamenco all speak the same language of excitement and desire.
Cirque du Soleil's performers have always been known for taking physical risks, but the risk-taking in Zumanity is also operating on artistic and emotional levels.
The 50 members of the cast of Zumanity are more identifiable as individuals than in any previous Cirque du Soleil production. And they are not acting parts written for them, they are playing extensions of themselves -- the people they really are. The people who inhabit this human zoo come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and conditions, all colors and varieties -- and Zumanity rejoices in the infinite variety of ways in which they express their desire for each other.
This world unfolds in the 1,259-seat Zumanity Theatre, a warm, intimate, organically welcoming space, custom-fitted to Cirque's own innovative design to meet the unique demands of the show. It's an environment that allows the audience to view this mesmerizing adventure from a seat of their choosing: a romantic love seat for two, a solitary cabaret stool, or traditional theatre seating.
Underlying all that is Zumanity is an insistent, seductive score performed by nine musicians and two singers. Intriguing lighting and projection effects, and a stage set in a state of continual transformation all work together to bring Zumanity to life.
Zumanity is the combined vision of a team of creators, some working with Cirque for the first time. The show is written and directed by Dominic Champagne and Rene Richard Cyr, two accomplished theatre directors from Quebec.
The rest of the team includes Andrew Watson, Director of Creation; Thierry Mugler, Creator and Costume Designer; Stephane Roy, Set Designer; Simon Carpentier, Composer; Debra Brown, Choreographer; Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks, Choreographer; Luc Lafortune, Lighting Designer; Jonathan Deans, Sound Designer; Cal McCrystal, Director of Comedy; Natacha Merritt, Photographer and Projection Designer; Nathalie Gagne, Make-up Designer; Jaque Paquin, Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer; Normand Blais, Prop Designer. Anna Liani has provided additional music and lyrics.
Since the company was founded in 1984 more than 60 creators from every corner of the world have contributed their talents to Cirque du Soleil shows, bringing wonder and delight to more than 37 million spectators.
Zumanity is Cirque du Soleil's 15th production and its third permanent Las Vegas production, with Mystere at Treasure Island and "O" at Bellagio. This creation starts a new chapter in Cirque du Soleil's history, in which the exploration of new show genres will bring to light Another Side of Cirque du Soleil.