Arts Agenda - Magical big top is back

The subtle opening of Varekai, featuring alien lizards the color of tropical coral reef slowly sliding across the jungle floor to amass center stage, quickly ramps up into a stimulating visual assault.

Varekai, like all Cirque du Soleil shows, is a mixture of absurdist theater, artful dance, powerful music, mythical costumes and scenery, and jaw-dropping athletic ability. The result is eye candy that thrills. And unlike Dralion two years ago, Varekai doesn’t disappoint.

Cirque du Soleil’s performers do physical feats most circuses wouldn’t dare attempt, and they do them masterfully and without a net. Cast members (there are more than 50 performers from 13 countries) fly over the audience by hanging from ropes barehanded, dangling from slings 20 feet in the air and launching into 40-foot arcs from swinging boards.

The storyline of Varekai has something to do with Icarus falling to Earth and then falling in love with a flying iguana-lady. Other characters, from goofy forest creatures to gypsy dancers dressed in red-leather Zorro outfits, swoop in to do their routines and rush offstage again as soon as they’re finished. The abrupt entrances, exits and ever-changing cast of characters make for a disjointed plot. And the clownish comic relief for the kiddies can be annoying for adults who just want to see the athletes fly through the air or juggle an impossible number of hats.

No matter. The alleged storyline is secondary; its purpose is to bridge the troupe’s signature acrobatics, which are truly breathtaking.

It’s true that some of opening night’s intown audience gathered near porta-potties during intermission to complain about the OTP location, but the show made the drive worthwhile. And there’s enough going on visually in Varekai to warrant — maybe even demand — a return trip.



Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai runs through April 13 at Cumberland Galleria, I-75 at Cumberland Boulevard. $31.50-$65. Tues.-Wed. 8 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri. 5 and 9 p.m.; Sat. 4 and 8 p.m.; Sun. 1 and 5 p.m. 800-678-5440. www.cirquedusoleil.com.