innerSpaceman
11-20-2007, 03:50 PM
Starting in 2010, Cirque du Soleil will take up permanent residence at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, with a new production guaranteed to run for at least 10 years. (If the Vegas shows are any guide, it will likely limp along long after that).
The Kodak has been struggling to book shows and concerts outside of its annual gig hosting the Oscars. The new Nokia Theater downtown has put the nail in the Kodak's coffin of trying, unsuccessfully even before the Nokia, to get some successful shows and concerts into the tech saavy but artistically-challenged venue. (Accoustics and sightlines reportedly suck. I've never set foot inside the theater myself, so I can't comment.)
The Cirque show will be themed to the movies, and will be directed by the guy who produced the Opening Ceremonies for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. I recall those being my among my favorite opening ceremonies, ironically because they reminded me so strongly of Cirque du Soleil. Therefore, voila - a perfect match, imo!
Cirque will vacate the premises for a month each year to allow the Oscar telecast to happen. They will retain the proscenium arch of the theater precisely for that reason, but will otherwise spend $60 million on upgrades to the venue. A proscenium show does not work best for Cirque du Soleil ... but after their last 3 shows, I'll be glad for the guarantee that it won't be theater-in-the-round.
For the other 11 months, there will be eight shows a week. And, assuming I'll like the show, I'll be glad for the easy opportunity to see it any time I want (and any time I can afford to shell out a hundred bucks for a seat).
As a Cirque du Soleil junkie ... this news makes very, very happy. :D
The Kodak has been struggling to book shows and concerts outside of its annual gig hosting the Oscars. The new Nokia Theater downtown has put the nail in the Kodak's coffin of trying, unsuccessfully even before the Nokia, to get some successful shows and concerts into the tech saavy but artistically-challenged venue. (Accoustics and sightlines reportedly suck. I've never set foot inside the theater myself, so I can't comment.)
The Cirque show will be themed to the movies, and will be directed by the guy who produced the Opening Ceremonies for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. I recall those being my among my favorite opening ceremonies, ironically because they reminded me so strongly of Cirque du Soleil. Therefore, voila - a perfect match, imo!
Cirque will vacate the premises for a month each year to allow the Oscar telecast to happen. They will retain the proscenium arch of the theater precisely for that reason, but will otherwise spend $60 million on upgrades to the venue. A proscenium show does not work best for Cirque du Soleil ... but after their last 3 shows, I'll be glad for the guarantee that it won't be theater-in-the-round.
For the other 11 months, there will be eight shows a week. And, assuming I'll like the show, I'll be glad for the easy opportunity to see it any time I want (and any time I can afford to shell out a hundred bucks for a seat).
As a Cirque du Soleil junkie ... this news makes very, very happy. :D