Clowning around

I can't believe it was back in the summer of 2006 since the last time Cirque du Soleil pulled into town.

Two years ago, the troupe staged a popular run of "Corteo," Italian for the word "procession" and the combination of bittersweet memories, a kaleidoscope of colors and edge-of-the-seat circus antics -- all used to tell the story of a clown's funeral.

I have to admit, "Corteo" was the first time I had ever witnessed a Cirque du Soleil performance.

I have been to Las Vegas many times, a land where this Canadian clown troupe rules supreme for sold out shows in casino show rooms, but was never drawn to snag a seat to see what all the hype is about.

But after seeing Cirque du Soleil in action two years ago, I discovered these entertainment masters of mesmerizing amazement are deserving of all the hype and more.

And now, Cirque du Soleil and itstrademark blue and yellow big top tent, which in French, they refer to as the Grand Chapiteau, has returned to Chicago until Aug. 10, once again setting up shop in the parking lot of the United Center.

This newest show is called "Kooza," a term that means box or treasure chest and the means by which all of the magic starts as the lights dim and the show begins.

Heavy on Middle Eastern influences, including flowing draperies, mystic music and singing and a large towering bejeweled structure called the Bataclan, the story begins with an innocent boy and his kite and his dreams of a world of imagination and unexpected twists and turns.

(Hey, this is a feast for the eyes and a nonstop roller coaster ride of daring strung-together circus stunts guaranteed to get adrenaline flowing, so who needs a meaty story or plot?)

Then, illuminated center stage is the infamous "box," the portal to an alternative world where the only tour guide is an impish being wielding a magic wand, called the Trickster. (Ahem, lawyers for DC Comics might be interested in the fact that this character is a little too similar, in both costume and identity, to its own supervillian of the same name who battles the superhero Flash.)

For the next two and half hours, audiences are treated to a range of spine-tingling circus acts, each neatly woven around the thin storyline of the young boy following the Trickster's wily antics.

From contortionists and high-wire walkers to jugglers, acrobats, unicycles and more, there's no way to not be whisked away by fantasy and feats of amazement.

And of course, there's also plenty of clowns for fun and games that spill from the stage into the audience for escapes that keep audience members both young and old craning their necks to not miss a moment of all the action.

Of all the scenes, the most captivating standouts (and, it really is hard to pick just two) are the talents of two acrobats dressed as demons, Carlos Enrique Marin Loaiza and Angelo Lyerzkysky, who operate the larger-than-life dual pendulum called "the wheel of death."

I think I'm usually pretty shock-proof and I often feel like I've seen it all, but this contraption even had me gritting my teeth.

The other feast for the audiences' senses are the minutes just before the "wheel of death," which has the young boy and the Tricker visiting a raucous nightclub of dancing skeletons. The costumes and choreography are beyond compare.

Cirque du Soleil's "Kooza" continues until Aug. 10 at the United Center's Parking Lot K, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. The climate-controlled tent is very cool and comfortable. Tickets are $55, $80, $90, $125, $215 for adults; $38, $56, $63, $87.50, $150.50 for children; seniors 65 and older and students with ID (weekdays only), $49.50, $72, $81, $112.50; Free for children younger than 2. FYI: (800) 678-5440 or www.cirquedusoleil.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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