“‘Twas the Night Before…” is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil could imagine. This festive show about the wonders of sharing and friendship promises to spark lasting memories in the hearts of families this holiday season.
The story of Isabella’s father making a great attempt to rekindle the fond memories they had together, sharing the traditional reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is the foundation of Cirque du Soleil’s first attempt at a Christmas-themed acrobatic production. Based on the poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, longtime artistic director James Hadley has woven an intricate, coming-of-age story about a girl who no longer feels she can relate to the message of the story because she has grown away from the allure and has too many other interests in life. Her father, who is deeply burdened by the loss of interest, attempts to retell the story with the allure of magic. With the assistance of Santa, his helpers, and several talented reindeer, Isabella’s father slowly reconnects his daughter to the magic of the story, and Isabella finds a way to continue to preserve the memories so that she will never again lose interest in the true meaning behind it.
As is true with many Cirque du Soleil productions, the nuance of incredible acrobats is what makes it so appealing. In this particular production, which is being played simultaneously in a different city on two separate runs, the acrobats present engaging pieces which include themes such as Hair Suspension, Hoop Diving, Roller Skates, and Snowball Fights; however, the nonverbal storyline never carries over into an easy-to-follow script. While the storyline does fall short, some inalienable characteristics of the Cirque productions that still stand out in this production should be noted. This includes beautiful handmade costumes (800 man-hours on just one) and the intricate details of the Hair Suspension act, which displays the frequency and number of turns that help sustain its trajectory and ensure its strength.
While the entire story loses its steam due to its overall cheesy nature, perhaps its only saving grace is the childhood innocence of young fans who can appreciate the beauty of low-flying synchronized reindeer and a bicycle-riding Santa who is a juggler for the sheer form of entertainment that it is meant to be.
Now playing at the Texas C. U. Theater thru Sunday, December 11th
