Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Bryan Rourke
Journal staff writer

Cirque du Soleil, the artful, acrobatic and theatric circus-like production, will be making its first visit to Rhode Island in July. And it will be starting its 25th anniversary tour in Providence.

"We are really pleased to get them," said Larry Lepore, general manager of the Dunkin' Donuts Center. "This gives the public an opportunity to get some quality entertainment without having to go too far."

The Dunkin' Donuts Center announced that Cirque du Soleil will be putting on seven shows, July 2-5. The title of this year's show is Alegria, which is Spanish for happiness.

Alegria will involve 55 musicians and performers, most notably aerialists working bars, a trapeze and a trampoline. The performers are characters: minstrels and beggars, clowns and nobles. The show, its producers say, is "an operatic introspection of the struggle for power and the invigorating energy of youth. Alegria relates the tale of power versus weakness, the king versus his jesters, and age against youth."

In recent years Cirque has performed in Boston and in large cities across the country. But this year, because of the economy, Lepore said, Cirque is branching out to smaller markets.

"They realize the economy is such that they have to bring the show to the public rather than have the public go to the show."

Summer isn't generally a popular time for people to go indoors to see performances. But Lepore said he expects the Cirque show in Providence to be popular because there's little to compete with it, and because the show is very good.

"This is a big deal for us. What I'm most excited about is that if it does well, and I expect it will, that it will return. And Cirque has a number of different productions. They reinvent themselves every time. Every show is something different."

The shows are: July 2 at 7:30 p.m.; July 3-4 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and July 5 at 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $95 for adults, $32 to $76 for children younger than 12. For more, visit dunkindonutscenter.com.

(This entry was first posted at 11:28 a.m.)

 Tags  Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence RI

Comments

Elizabeth said:

It's great that Cirque is coming to RI, but take a look at those ticket prices. On the same day as a survey showing the depth of the recession here and the effect of widespread unemployment, Cirque has announced that ticket prices at their Dunk shows are $32 to $95. How are you going to take a family with kids to the circus, with prices like that? It's very sad.

Link | May 28, 2009 12:17 PM
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Kate said:

I thought the same thing about the prices. That's one expensive night for a family, or even a couple. Not in this economy. Not in this state!

Link | May 28, 2009 12:54 PM
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Jen said:

Have you ever seen the show? It's absolutely amazing and definitely worth the price. Although I am surprised the prices are that high on a traveling show.

Link | May 28, 2009 4:05 PM
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Melanie said:

Elizabeth, Cirque de Soleil is not "The Circus"- there are plenty of those around. Cirque de Soleil is an incredible event that far surpasses a regular tent-style circus. These prices are VERY reasonable for the magnitude and quality of the performances.

If you want a cheap circus, check out the Big Apple Circus that comes to South County every year. They even send vouchers to regional libraries.

Link | May 28, 2009 6:01 PM
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