6 REVIEW February 12, 2019 Ladies and gentlemen ... the circus is back in town No circus like Cirque du Soleil to hold its breath while watching one of the Cirque du Soleil, in its big blue and yellow goddesses as she balanced 13 palm leaf ribs. tent, opened a five-week run at Lone Star Park There is no music playing. The only sound in Grand Prairie. This time the circus presents is the heavy breathing of the artist as she the tale “Amaluna,” based on Shakespeare’s concentrates. “The Tempest.” The show opened Jan. 23 and One of the most touching acts involves a runs through March 3. scene between Miranda and her lover. Romeo “Amaluna” is the story of a magical island watched Miranda enjoy herself in choreogra- ruled by goddesses. Miranda, the daughter of phy that moved between playing in the water the Queen and shaman Prospera, is a happy bowl and displaying her strength skills in a dreamer and a romantic young girl who is difficult hand-balancing routine. The artists about to reach womanhood. also excel in their acting as the audience The queen creates a big storm that brings a watches the couple share a first kiss. group of young men to the island. The leader, “Amaluna” combines the theatrical story Prince Romeo and his men are trapped. with remarkable acrobatic acts. Watching the The show evolves into a love story between show likely gives viewers hope that dreams Romeo and Miranda. can come true. The couple confronts challenges to be The spectacle is one of more than 23 shows together, including dealing with the jealousy of by Cirque du Soleil. It debuted in 2012 and Cali, Miranda’s half-lizard and half-human pet. toured Canada, Europe, South America and “Amaluna” is unique for many reasons, one the United States. of which is the feminist element. The original The magic of the spectacle would not be soundtrack is performed by female musicians. complete without the music, lights, choreog- With cello, bass, keyboard, drums and guitar, raphy, makeup and 130 beautiful costumes the music brings the tale to life. made up of some 1,000 different items. Created to enchant and amaze audiences, The circus travels via 85 shipping contain- “Amaluna” gives spectators dozens of “wows” ers and trucks. “Amaluna” features 115 tour- throughout the show. ing cast members, primarily women, from 22 As with many other circuses, there are countries including Brazil, Russia, Germany, clowns. In this case, there are two: Papulya, South Africa, Ukraine and the United States. Romeo’s manservant and Maïnha, Miranda’s There is much more that can be said about childhood nurse. They entertain the audience this striking show, but some must be kept as a throughout the show. The pair draws laughs surprise for viewers. as viewers follow the clowns’ own love story. Don’t let the pricey tickets (starting at $56) They distract the audience as the stage is set scare you. “Amaluna” is an out-of-this-world up for the next scene. experience that you will never forget. Cirque du Soleil performers seem to chal- Meet Cali, the jack of all trades Miranda, in the water bowl, and Romeo are the centerpiece of the love story in “Amaluna.” lenge gravity with their impressive acts. The The half-lizard, half-human creation known Cali opens the show playing with the audi- but I can’t give away too much,” said Vladimir show starts with artists flying above the audi- as Cali is one of the main characters in Cirque ence while giving Maïnha a hard time. He Pestov, who plays Cali. ence on aerial straps. du Soleil’s “Amaluna.” Cali is best friends appears throughout the show, but his special The juggler, dancer and actor is only 24 and Later, the Moon Goddess does a majes- with Miranda, daughter of Queen Prospera. moment is his juggling act. he already has a long history with Cirque du tic act in a cerceau, or hoop. It’s incredible Miranda views him as her pet, but Cali is Cali juggles seven balls and dances simulta- Soleil. Originally from Russia, Pestov refers to to watch the performers. Their moves are so secretly in love with Miranda. As he watches neously with intricate movements that bend himself as a “circus baby.” His parents were smooth they give the audience the impression Miranda fall in love with the island visitor and twist his body to the amazement of the acrobats for Cirque du Soleil for 20 years and it is easy. Their skills go well beyond physi- Romeo, Cali becomes jealous and tries his best audience. “I am the one that actually makes Pestov has been involved with the circus since cal strength. The suspense causes the audience to separate them. the whole show turn around in the second act, he was very young. He studied at the National RichlandStudentMedia.com Queen and shaman Prospera plays cello. Cali juggles balls during his act. An breath-taking balancing act by the Balance Goddess with palm leaf ribs. February 12, 2019 ENTERTAINMENT 7 Ladies and gentlemen ... the circus is back in town “If you have a talent in something and you have this passion for one thing, stick to it and don’t do different skills. Try to stick to this one and become the best at it.” Before every show, Pestov prepares for two hours, fine-tuning his mind and body so he can excel onstage. He goes through a strin- gent routine of stretching, flexibility work and isolation dancing. Pestov does his own body and face makeup before every show. When he first joined “Amaluna,” it took him five hours to get into costume. Now it only takes about 40 minutes. Pestov has traveled around the world, but said, “There is no place like home.” “I am one of the really lucky ones that got to do what they like to do. And I didn’t have to go to a university to study it. I have this passion and I just went for it. But listening to other people – you kind of have this gratitude towards whatever life brings,” he added. Pestov said “Amaluna” is a one-of-a-kind show and that his character is intriguing to the audience. “You will see something that maybe you will never see before or never again in your life and maybe you will get inspired,” Pestov said. “I will be funny. You will hate me. You will love me. But at the same time, the ending is kind of rewarding for all of you [the audi- ence].” – See more photos of the show and back- stage at www.richlandstudentmedia.com Miranda, in the water bowl, and Romeo are the centerpiece of the love story in “Amaluna.” Circus School École Nationale de Cirque in and learned how to juggle by watching others. “There are a lot of people who juggle Quebec, Canada. He practiced dance for six years in front of better than me, but I combine movement and Pestov began his professional career with a mirror before taking his first dance class. juggling at the same time, so that’s why it’s not Cirque du Soleil at 17 in the show “Dral- When he received his first contract with very classical juggling,” he said. ion.” He was also in the show “Varekai” that Cirque du Soleil, he went to circus school and He believes that there’s no exact age to start followed. He has now been with “Amaluna” learned the proper techniques. juggling if you have passion for the craft.“If for about three years. Pestov jokes about the things he can juggle: you want to start at 25 or if you are 40 and A late bloomer by conventional standards, eggs, knives, pennies, toothpicks, olives, still want to juggle, there [are] a lot of different Pestov began juggling at 12. He is self-taught grapes and oranges. ways that you can get to the top,” he said. Moon Goddess and Miranda during the dance act in the water bowl. Story Aly Rodrigues Photos Muyideen Ogunbunmi RichlandStudentMedia.com An breath-taking balancing act by the Balance Goddess with palm leaf ribs. Maïnha and Papulya entertain the audience during stage changes. .