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Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai Coming to Portland September 3-7

Tickets are on Sale Now

July 24, 2014

Purchase Tickets Now!

Southern Maine audiences are in for a treat this fall as Cirque du Soleil bring its critically-acclaimed production of Varekai to the newly renovated and expanded Cumberland Country Civic Center. Varekai has wowed more than 8 million people worldwide since it first premiered in Montreal in 2002. Since then, it has visited more than 72 cities in 20 different countries around the world.
 

Varekai features an international cast of 50 performers and musicians from 18 different countries. The word Varekai (pronounced ver·ay·’kie) means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies—the universal wanderers. Written and directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the “nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.” 

In more plain language, your kids will love the acrobatics, the brilliant colors, the music, and all the spectacle that is the hallmark of a Cirque du Soleil production. 

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in1984, Cirque du Soleil is  now based in Montreal, in the Province of Québec providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. The mission of Cirque du Soleil is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world. The Portland performances of Varekai will not disappoint. 

Any child familiar with fairy tails will identify with the story of an enchanted forest. Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world where anything is possible. This world is called Varekai. 

A solitary young man falls from the sky and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, filled with fantastical creatures, a young man takes flight in an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of possibility, begins a journey of wonder in the mysteries of the world and the mind. 

The impossible becomes possible in stunning displays of skill and power set against innovative music and otherworldly sets, interwoven with vivid choreography that speaks to all in the universal language of movement. 

The Costumes

The design of Varekai’s costumes involved finding technical solutions to ensure comfort and safety. The highly skilled costume makers fashioned the most original creations—after no less than 33,000 hours of hard work! The show has over 600 costumes, shoes, wigs, hats and accessories. 

The Music

The music evokes a meeting or juxtaposition of different cultures, which are not always identifiable. You’ll hear the sounds of Hawaiian rituals, the songs of 11th-century troubadours from the south of France, traditional Armenian melodies and gospel music with contemporary arrangements to conjure up the unique musical universe of Varekai. 

The Forest

A fabulous and mysterious hideaway where the Varekai characters have made their home., consisting of over 300“trees” and  interspersed with twenty-odd “acrobatic trees” that its inhabitants can climb up to see what’s going on.

The Stage

Extending out of the golden forest, this is the terrain on which the characters move about. It’s a golden clearing  specially designed for the show’s aesthetic and acrobatic needs. 

The Catwalk

Reminiscent of the spine of an immense bird, the catwalk is the invention of the forest’s inhabitants. It allows them to step outside, collect bits and pieces and climb high in their quest to touch the sky. Used by artists to travel over the stage from one end to the other, this staircase is key to their survival.

The Lookout

At the end of the catwalk, just above the audience, is the lookout—the centerpiece of the set. It is a link to the outside world, a lookout point to see what lies ahead. 

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. This Portland’s chance to enjoy a truly, unique experience. 

Varekai runs from September 3rd – 7th. Tickets are on sale now and are available at the newly renovated Cumberland County Civic Center’s box office. You can also buy them online by clicking here.