Cirque du Soleil, in the City right now with their new show "Ovo," made a public appearance in Union Square this afternoon. Since I work two blocks away, I took my lunch break at the right time to dash down there and catch them in the action. "Ovo" is insect-themed and the performers were acting very insect-like, copying the mannerisms of ants, praying mantises, etc. It was a fun sight to behold. Suddenly, without warning, they fled en masse to their tour bus (Bus du Soleil?) and drove away, waving from the top of the double-decker! A fun way to spend a lunch break.
I fell under the potent spell of Cirque when I ushered for their show "Corteo" in Portland early last year, before I went to work in Glacier National Park. As an usher - unlike the poor kids in concessions who had to spend their whole work shift in the outer tents hawking popcorn and hot dogs during intermission - I got to watch the show every night inside the Grand Chapiteau, which is truly grand. I never lost my sense of awe at the vast size of that huge tent, especially when we met before showtime for a pre-performance huddle before any audience members entered to fill the vastness of the space. The show was beautiful, something I'll never forget. Even after seeing it a dozen times, my heart always picked up the pace when the first act after intermission ("Paradise," the trapeze act) started. The amazing soundtrack, the dramatic lighting, and the perfectly timed buildup to the act's climactic moment, which always made the audience gasp. I didn't gasp, but I marveled, and felt proud of the performers, of how good they were, and happy to be part of something so magnificent, even in my humble capacity.
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