“The Wheel of Death” (Stock Press Image Provided by Cirque du Soleil)
Disclaimer: I was offered, and accepted, two free tickets just for having a website to attend Cirque du Soleil: Kooza in St Paul. Please take the following review with as much salt as you believe is necessary following this open admission.
—
My wife and I headed to St Paul for the 8 PM show on Wednesday night. I was notified that parking adjacent to the temporary big-top venue was $15 but after driving around in circles I found free parking a couple of blocks away and saw several others in the 5 to 10 dollar range about a block away. There were plenty of people flooding into the venue and even more lined up at the ticket booth waiting to purchase tickets or resolve issues. The line moved slowly and some of the discussions were heated. Thankfully our tickets were easily retrieved and we were on our way inside.
After walking under the tent you were greeted by a small and very expensive stand selling your standard show fare. $7.50 bottles of beer, $12 large boxes of popcorn, etc. As usual, the Budget Nazi did not allow for any expenditures (that’s why we had to park for free) and thus we ended up taking our seats after I utilized the portable and makeshift bathrooms created from cargo containers.
Our seats were pretty fucking good. We were about 10 to 15 rows back from the front/center of the stage and we were seated with what appeared to be a couple of other local bloggers–one of whom handed me her card which had her URL (read her review of the action here). The stage is round but most of the action was facing us. Even though there were probably some high price seats closer to the stage, I thought ours offered the best view in the house and later my wife mentioned that even though we were located where we were, we still had to crane our necks to see a lot of the high flying action so it’s possible that those seated all the way against the back wall might have a better advantage there.
Some clowning around and direct audience interaction was going on prior to the show and it reminded me of Tony and Tina’s Wedding when we saw it in Vegas back in 2006. Eventually things started to speed up and the show was set to begin. I watched everything carefully as I had absolutely no idea what was about to come as I didn’t read anything aside from a quick blurb which appeared in/on MinnPost. The theatrics, lights, and music were spectacular. I have to say that I was absolutely blown away by everything there. I’m not usually a fan of stage theater but this was definitely my thing and I decided right there and there that if/when they return to MSP (or if I ever return to Vegas), I’m going again for sure.
The many acts of comedy, clowning, theatrics, and music were between set changes for the main acts which included double-tightrope walking/biking, the Wheel of Death (pictured above), juggling (which the blogger whom I linked to above was far less impressed with than I was–although I did notice the lack of fire throughout the entire ordeal), incredible acts of physical strength and flexibility. While I will save the spoilers for each of the other acts to someone’s own imagination, I cannot pass up the opportunity to gush over the “Wheel of Death”. This large metal contraption was spinning with one performer walking on the outside and literally leaping through the air and floating down, sometimes while flailing his arms–I assume for show?–to meet the scary device as it spun before it sped away from his outstretched limbs. It not only had me on the edge of my seat but it literally had my heart in my throat and nearly caused me to close my eyes on several occasions. IN-FUCKING-CREDIBLE people and believe me, I normally don’t get excited for much but this, this was something you just have to see to believe.
Now, again, as I stated above, I received my tickets for free and while I implore you to attend this incredible event as they have recently added more shows through August 9th. If you’re interested you can get discounted tickets through this link (no, I don’t get any additional kickbacks) for as little as $42 for an adult, although I recommend sitting elsewhere to have an unobstructed view of the entire show. I’m not going to lie to you, this is an expensive event, especially if you want the good seats. I believe our seats may have been in the $125 range (each). If you have the disposable income, I do suggest you get out there and see it for yourself but please be aware that some of the clowning may not be suitable for young and impressionable children as some of it was a tad bit sexual and/or related to bodily function.
That all said, an absolutely amazing show and a wonderful experience and one I highly recommend you check out before this circus moves on to the next town!
Have you seen Cirque du Soleil’s show either here or elsewhere? Have you seen Kooza or any of their other performances? What did you think? How do they compare to other shows of this type? Whatever you think, go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
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July 10th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Glad you enjoyed it, it’s not something I would ever pay money to see.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Saw Mystere in Vegas and it totally blew my mind grapes. I loved it and would definitely go again. It’s just not currently in the budget.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I saw La Nouba in Orlando when I was on my honeymoon. I thought it was amazing and definately wish Kooza was in the budget. Happy to hear you had a good time!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:33 am
I saw La Nouba in Orlando as well, when I was there on business. I feel we had the same experience/reaction. I believe I called my wife after the show, at like 1am, and told her we were quitting our jobs and following Cirque from town to town. I wanted to be a roadie.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I saw Ka (I think that was the name at least) at MGM in Vegas a few years ago. I thought it was great. Fun and entertaining. I would recommend it to anyone.
I dont know if I would have gone if my wife had not been so excited to see it, but I am really glad I did.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Absolutely. My first experience with Cirque du Soleil was Alegria here in Minneapolis. I also saw Mystere in Las Vegas and another which, for some reason, I’m forgetting the when and where. Gah….long week.
dawnmarie, I’m curious why you say you wouldn’t spend money to see it. Have you seen one and didn’t like it? I can’t imagine anyone going and not walking away amazed at at least a couple parts of it. Even my brother who absolutely detests anything theater/plays/sitting for long periods of time loves them.
I even think they’re fascinating on TV.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Sounds like a great and exciting show. We were thinking about getting tickets when I saw the tents being setup, but then I saw the price and said it just can’t be worth it. I might pay $25 a ticket, but not $40-50. Guess it’s all about priorities in spending habits. Sounds like they are not hurting for business in any regards.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
We sat in a row with a couple of other bloggers and I recognized a few others in the crowd seated elsewhere but even for a Wednesday night there were very few open seats and the ones that were happened to be in the most inexpensive sections.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I love Cirque du Soleil.
So far I have seen La Nouba, Saltimbanco, Corteo and Delirium. I’ve never been to Vegas but hopefully sometime I can get out there to see all the shows. That would be something.
I am not going to get a chance to see Kooza because it doesn’t fit into my schedule. I am bummed because it was originally supposed to premiere in St. Paul but due to the show being delayed it was changed back to Montreal.
I also have a lot of the DVDs and while they aren’t the same thing they are still fun. “The Fire Within” was a TV show on Bravo following some of the performers through the process of Varekai. (Auditions through tour starting.) I watched it on TV and wound up buying the DVD set as well.
My favorite aspect are the clowns in the preshow. At Corteo they ate my brothers popcorn as they sat down right next to us. At Saltimbanco we were so close that the clowns were all around us. It was a treat!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
MSPD, it’s too much money. I’m a poor, unemployed teacher. I’ve never been, but it’s never going to be a priority for me. If I have 40-50 bucks to spend on tickets to something, it’s going to be something I know is a guarantee for me. Something I *know* I’ll like. I’m too cheap to drop 100-non-refundable bucks on something I’m not sure of. More, after fees for buying the tickets. It’s not my risk.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Oh, and I don’t think they’re fascinating on TV. I think they’re creepy. Wigs me out…
July 10th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I caught La Nouba down in Orlando/Disney in spring of 2008 on a business trip, so I paid nothing. I thought it was pretty impressive, I did walk in half loaded so I didn’t need to buy more than one $7 beer, so that was a bonus. Cost aside, it’s a great show.
Now, more important, wtf didn’t I get tickets?
July 11th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Caught Between Fantasy and Reality
I’m truly torn between being positive or negative about Cirque du Soleil because I know too much. I’m warning you now that revealing what I know might make the experience of seeing a performance less enchanting. So if you don’t care to learn this, stop here.
It is hard to be brief. Cirque is a master at maneuvering the press so that you can’t believe anything you read or see in or on the media. Besides, given these tough economic times and puffed up ticket prices, they have been forced to spend money on advertising and lots of it in order to put butts in the bleachers. This taints the reviews and stories that you see, read and hear.
On one hand, I must applaud Cirque for thinking bigger than anyone before them and then having the luck or the blind fortitude to succeed. They can costume, light and stage traditional circus acts better than anyone, without a doubt. The problem is that the difference between a Shrine circus ticket and a Cirque du Soleil ticket is ostensibly the cost of paint and fabrics and make-up and lighting. The music –which is frequently touted as original is far from it. It is actually bits and pieces of several proven rhythms and melodies that have been altered and cut-up and pasted back together before having syllabic silly-bles reinserted under the guise of creativity. And the musicians in the traveling bands are frequently referred to as pounders, not players. It is also a way to get more French Canadians into the shows –in the music, lighting, make-up and costuming departments. This is because few, if any of them, have the skill, talent, strength of muscle and solitude of attitude to be an onstage performer –other than as a clown. Of the 50 top acts that have appeared from the beginning or are now performing in one of their dozen+ shows, NO MORE THAN 2 OR 3 OF THEM ARE FRENCH OR CANADIAN. So where did they get all the talent, you ask? From circuses all over the world. Some of the performers have appeared in the Twin Cities in Shrine and Ringling Shows over the years. The big, double wheel act that is in KOOZA has been around in multiple versions for years. Cirque just slapped on new costumes and make-up and lighting and music, onto the basic act and raised the price of admission 1000%. The juggler in KOOZA is Anthony Gatto and he is recognized as one of the world’s best. But he has been working in shows at Bally’s and MGM in LasVegas since he was 7-years old. What is it that you think Cirque du Soleil brought to his performance? The answer? Nothing except a stable, lengthy contract.
And they didn’t invent duo-colored tents or air-conditioning either. I snicker at people talking about how “brilliant” they are. Did you know that the first show to visit the United States during the Los Angeles Olympics was made up of 95% foreigners (as is every circus in the world) and few were from Canada or France? They pulled together several of the top acts in the world for that engagement and it launched them into the multi-billion $$$ stratosphere in which they now travel. But where does the REAL talent lie? One of the stars was a guy from Moscow Circus named Vassilli and he climbed a pile of chairs and did a handstand while carrying a lit birthday cake. But he was doing that the day before he joined Cirque du Soleil and he is still doing it after he left them. The greatest hand-to-hand balancers were from Portugal and were circus stars throughout Europe and had worked for Ringling in the past. They were seen by Cirque founders at the annual International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo and were quickly signed on, costumed, make-up applied, new music, fancy lighting and off they went to Los Angeles followed by Las Vegas.
Cirque is a formula. In every city they visit, they make a big deal about not using animals. Once you are finished reading the tell-all book that is soon coming out about Guy Laliberté, one of the founders, you’ll realize that HE is the true animal.
So if you enjoy paying for tickets that exceed an average of $75 dollars and then getting bombarded with add-ons and come-ons —merchandising that would make Irwin Feld proud, I urge you to ask yourself, what am I really paying for? Here is the decision I’ve made for myself. If I want to see circus acts for a fair price, I’d rather see my money going to help Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, than into the pockets of talentless French Canadians who happened to think big and then used and continue to use the talents of others to reach their current status as “geniuses”. With the money I save, I can buy lots of make-up and glittery fabric and colored lights and CD’s of nonsensical new-age music.
And as for the implied “savior” service they are performing for the animal acts of the world, consider this. An elephant hasn’t been brought from Africa to the United States in over 50 years. Every elephant that you see in America whether it is in a zoo or in a circus, has been born here. Do you want to pay to feed and house and transport and provide care for them? Or should we send them back to Africa where they will be slaughtered for their tusks and skin. The American circus industry has single-handedly saved the elephant for your grandchildren to see and enjoy and yes, maybe even to RIDE. What has Cirque du Soleil done with their billions of dollars to help preserve the elephant and exotic cat species? I’ll tell you what they did; they hired a big public relations firm to put their anti-animal spin in the ear of local columnists and transversely into your mind as well. I urge you to think about it. The Mexicans featured on the double wheel were performing at the Carson & Barnes Shrine Circus in Target Center several years ago for less than half of what they make now. Where were you then?
It is all about packaging People; not about talent or inventiveness. It is just like the recording industry. Fat girls don’t get record deals. Do you think that there are no fat girls who can sing better than Brittany Spears? Now apply the same logic to Cirque du Soleil. The featured performers developed and mastered their acts outside the realm and influence of Cirque du Soleil. They sweat and bled on their own time and their own nickel. Then the opportunists rolled in to paint, cloth and light them. All with an eye on the main goal . . . to grab you by the ankles, while tipping you upside down and shaking the last coins from your pocket. Sure they have clowns, but who is laughing now?
July 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I missed the notation on my Hallmark occasion calendar that said today is Burst Someone’s Bubble Day”, but yep, there it is. So here’s another one: you know those baked goods that say that they are “ho-made”, well, lest you think that you are assisting women with poor self esteem by purchasing these items, and keeping them on the path of moral righteousness with your hard-earned money, you’re not. A “ho” did not bake those cookies, no sir. There is not a legion of “hos” being assisted by the overpricing of those cookies or banana bread that you see at the local bake sale or farmers market. Its extremely possibly likely that a “ho” did not bake nor place those items in that ziploc bag with the little sticker price tag. Just thought you’d want to know. Those church ladies at the bake sale put those “ho-made” labels on, knowing they are going to lure you by appealing to your charitable nature. But all the while, they are laughing at you. Snickering behind their wrinkled hands at each other, that you have fallen for it. Then they run off to bingo at the church hall with your money. Sure they look like jolly old ladies, all innocent and such, but its all a scam. Don’t believe me? Next time you buy a paper plate encased in a plastic bag containing those “ho-made snickerdoodle” cookies for $3.00 a pop, look around. Yep, their laughing at YOU. Sure those old ladies are wearing aprons with cute patterns and rick-rack on them, but who is laughing now?
July 11th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Larry, every post you make makes me want to do the opposite of whatever you would do. I think I need a “What would Larry do?” bracelet.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Geez, Whit! Can you enlighten me about Hostess “Ho Hos?”
Signed,
Confused in the South Metro
July 12th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I have deleted a post due a TOS violation.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I’m sorry Bill. I boycott any circus shows that do not include caged, trained animals. Same for products NOT tested on animals. Support your local zoos and farms.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Larry, your post, while very informative, left me asking………….so what?
Everything we do comes with an inflated price. Does a Harley really cost 2x what a Honda costs? Does a Porsche really cost 2x what a corvette costs? Does the anchor on the nightly news really deserve to be paid millions to read a teleprompter?
Anyway, thanks for the info. I enjoyed Ka at MGM. I did not see a show that resembled a circus in any way. I saw a display of nearly unmatchable physical performances. An incredible display of strength, endurance, and agility, and I enjoyed it. All the music, physical stunts, and costumes were tied together to present a play over the course of the show.
Anyway, people may get more out of a Circus or from Cirque, or from staying home and saving thier money, but pointing out that these acts are just an evolution of lesser shows really is not groundbreaking news is it?
July 13th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Chad, I agree with you except for the part about Larry’s post being informative.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Chad (and others),
I too understand what you are saying. At the core of my complaint is the issue of plagarism and giving credit where credit is due. I could be accused of having a very simplistic view of how this SHOULD work, but at the same time, I know full well that in the real world it does NOT always work this way and probably never will. I greatly admire creativity and originality. When I see someone who is truly at the top of their field, I am humbled in their presence. At the same time, I am greatly irritated when I see false and camoflaged efforts to evoke the same kinds of feelings from people. I feel a need to expose them to the truth in hopes that they will be more selective about using terms like “genius” and “brilliant” and “one-of-a-kind”. Even you Chad, used the word “unmatchable” and I can guarentee that you are wrong, but you probably didn’t know better.
Cirque has succeeded on many levels and way beyond anyone’s predictions. But they have done this under somewhat false pretenses and I thought it would be interesting to bring it out in the open for some discussion. I was very careful to warn readers that if they did not want to learn some of the things I said, that they should not read it. On one hand, I don’t fault the performers for taking their act and their skill to Cirque or vice versa because I know that it will bring them more money and stability in their career and in their family. But if the core belief is that Cirque taught and nutured and developed their skills over the many years that it takes to reach the level they are now at, THEN THIS IS A FALSE BELIEF and deserves correction. Cirque does nothing to dispel the “WE CREATED THIS” feeling and in fact puts make-up and masks on the performers on purpose to hide their genetic characteristics and in effect, “neutralize” them. Their names are stripped from them –except in the $10 full-color program. Their native performance music is removed and replaced by utilitarian shopping center drool. Chad, this is by design, not by chance. IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE REPACKAGING THE SKILLS OF TALENT AND ORIGINALITY INTO THEIR OWN PROVEN FORMAT. If Coke merely opened cans of Roundy’s Brand cola and repackaged it in shiny bright red cans, would you still admire them for developing the world’s greatest cola formula?
There are two things that bother me the most about Cirque over the years as I have observed them from the beginning. The first is that they have succeeded in convincing the uneducated public that they (as French Canadians) have a monopoly on live performance creativity. As I think I’ve pointed out, they do NOT. And the most annoying trait is the way they have avoided using animals and put a spin on this; that it is a GOOD thing. First of all, it was done to save money and second they get the local press in every city they visit to use the anti-animal spin as a lead in one or more stories. They position themselves as if they are the good guys in this debate when in fact, they don’t contribute to the saving or care of elephants and exotic cats at all. As you know, both are endangered species. They actually benefit by flaunting their non-involvement and I happen to think this is very wrong and DEVIOUS.
I think Jersey Boys is moderately entertaining, but if you ever get to see Frankie Valli in-person, THEN you will be watching a true genious. I think Joe Mauer is having a great year and I enjoy watching him every time he comes to the plate. But Alex Rodriguez makes $35 million this season and he took steroids at one point in his career. So I realize that the top performers are not always rewarded with the most money. But can’t we at least know in our hearts that they are the best at what they do and therefore they should have our respect and the admiration of our children?
Who should become a saint? Jonas Salk or the guy that invented Botax.
In a nutshell, that is my point RE: Cirque du Soleil.
Now, Chad, if you want to know the true story behind KA, I will tell you. But only if you ask and I’ll warn you in advance, you may not like it.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Geez, Larry! If it is a plagiarism debate you’re after, you’re on the wrong thread! Try the “ThisWeek” post, you won’t be disappointed!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Jesus Christ Larry.
It’s a fucking show where people do cool stunts and funny stuff with neat music and costumes.
Nobody cares about all of that other crap. If there were 1,000 other similar shows like this, I wouldn’t pay as much to see them. I only know of one, I think it’s neat and so I go.
It’s a friggen circus, not world peace or some ticket to sainthood.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Chad, Chad, Chad,
You’re glib! Don’t you know it was all smoke and mirrors?! (or ‘paint and fabrics and make-up and lighting’) None of that was real! It was all just a bunch of no talent, French Canadians running around to mix tapes! Oh la la!
July 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Well, at least Mike O. should know where to go if he’s looking to host an amateur open mic night!
July 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
WOAH WOAH WOAH, WAIT A MINUTE! You don’t make jokes about the Coca Cola. Uncalled for and unnecessary.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Mrs M, the next thing he was going to do to prove his point was to kick your cat.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
So MSPD votes for the founder of Botox, Alex Rodriguez and Jersey Boys.
“It’s not art! It’s packaging!”
July 13th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Larry, I wasn’t answering your question, rather, was pointing out that your analogies make no sense whatsoever, as well as highlighting the freakishly overzealous and off-topic screeds in reaction to people simply saying they enjoy Cirque du Soleil.
You don’t know me, nor do you know the impetus behind my opinions. Don’t pretend to understand me and project your comments on my opinions.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I’m so sorry that I know too much.
Like everything else, ideas start and develop somewhere. Originality is under-appreciated in the modern world. Mostly the underappreciation is from people who are void of original ideas and not capable of understanding the process. If all you had to offer is idea, you would be much more sensitive of how it is both used and misused. I simply maintain that people who mis-use originality and the talent of others, should not be rewarded and in fact, they should be both exposed and punished. But I understand that my thoughts might not be in the majority. Consumers rarely care about where and how the product came about, they merely want to consume it.
Sad.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
For the record.
1. I had no idea that Cirque De Soleil was French Canadian.
2. I had no idea that they made any sort of claim to fame for not using animals.
3. I really had no idea it was a circus, I would have said it was a play or musical actually. I guess thats cause I saw Ka in a building and not a tent?
4. None of the above actually matters to me. I went to the show cause my wife wanted to, and we were in Vegas.
5. Larry, do you go to movies that were originally books? Cause I bet those REALLY drive you nuts.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I’m still not going, because it’s not my thing.
Someone founded Alex Rodriguez?
July 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Larry,
If you had just posted that in the first place, without the confusing and irrelevant rhetoric, your message probably would have achieved more impact.
I still disagree and think you’re condescending, but your last post made sense.
Good luck in your mission to….uh….whatever it is. Stop people from enjoying Cirque?
July 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
From Cirque website . . .
“Guy Laliberte, the founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, has found the perfect marriage of talent, imagination, and financial success with the MGM-Mirage. The Montreal – based Cirque draws from its Canadian talent pool while maintaining a home base there. In KA there are 75 performers, eight musicians, and 158 technicians that are responsible for supplying a seamless 1½ hour show ten times each week.”
JUST WAIT UNTIL THE BOOK COMES OUT! Canadian talent pool! Then why did they buy a Chinese Circus?
And Chad as for books becoming movies . . .
1. Permission must be granted by the book author.
2. A script must be presented to and approved by the author of the book.
3. Sometimes the author of the book is asked to write the screenplay.
4. The author of the book must be given full credit in the movie and this is also part of the negotiations.
AND FINALLY,
5. The movie rights are purchased from the author and publisher, not stolen, copied and ripped off. This is why we have copyright lawyers in America.
And let me make one thing clear. I’m not trying to tell you what to do with your freetime and your money. I would never attempt to tell someone how to live their life. I’m telling you what I have decided to do. I just wanted to show some of the truths about the world of circus and especially the issue of animals in live performances. Do you know what it costs to house, feed and care for an elephant? No? You say you don’t know and you don’t care? Well, neither does Cirque du Soleil. But they want you to think they are the good guys (see StarTribune article above) and they want you to spend $150 with them and not with the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I guess links to StarTrib articles don’t come through here. You’ll have to search for an article by Rohan Preston about Cirque and how they “jettisoned the animal acts” from traditional circus.
It was probably the first quote he was handed in his copy of the show’s advance PR package and surprise, surprise! It made it into his article. Same happened in St. Paul Pioneer Press and virtually every city they visit. It is a marketing formula.
They’ve made so much money by knocking animal acts, maybe they should give a few million to a wildlife refuges or to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals to make up for all the money they’ve persuaded their audiences to spend funding sex and drugs in Canada instead. (Wait for the book; or Google it now.)
July 13th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Was the book written by a guy named Scott, by chance?
July 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Larry, now you are getting somewhere. Sex and Drugs in Canada! Catchy title.
One thought on books into movies. The movie is never as good as the book, so I assumed that would anger you, but it seems you just dont like the rip off aspect of it?
Here is the thing. Everything we do came from somewhere else. I have never sat down for pizza and been given a card crediting the original inventor. I have never bought a car and been told “Well, we stole this concept from someone, but we think ours is better.” For that matter, sometimes I eat Fajitas at Chillis, and I know they did not invent Fajitas.
On a more serious note, I do love animals, and if they are making thier money by somehow putting the Shrine Circus out of business, I agree that might be a bit vexing. It took about 27 paragraphs of anger from you before I got to that point though. I really dont think of it as a circus. I dont care if they are canadian or chinese or Iranian. I enjoyed the show. If they are putting on a better show than what you get at the circus, they deserve the money. Kinda like some restaraunts stay in business, and some go out of business. There is no right to run a circus written into the constitution.
That leaves a couple things. First if it was as easy as you seem to think it is for Cirque to do this, then the Shriners, or you, or for that matter anyone else, should be able to rip off what they are doing and start your own Cirque de Larry. After all its just fancy marketing and stolen ideas.
Sorry, I cant help myself sometimes. It seems like you have an actual cause buried somewhere in the anger, and if its saving circus animals, thats probably noble.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I just plain don’t understand the whole French Canadian thing. I mean, I have never met a French Canadian that I liked but that doesn’t mean that I should ignore Cirque du Soleil because of it.
To be perfectly honest, I kinda find “Larry’s” statements about that quite racist.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Larry,
Trying to pursuade people to support your organization by denigrating another is just as questionable a marketing tactic as those that you abhor from Cirque.
You really should disclose that you have a vested interest in a competing circus/entertainment entity. Your lack of ethics is bothersome.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Here are the details for the book entitled The Fabulous Story of the Creator of the Cirque du Soleil by author Ian Halperin.
Published in England and now held up for further distribution by lawsuits.
Google it.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I liked the words vexing and vested in the previous comments. Good use of the language.
I AM vexed by these talentless copycats getting all the credit and all the money on the backs of others combined with their supposed “savior” approach to animal acts. I happen to appreciate people with real talent and I also love elephants and will be sad when they die off because they could have been saved FOREVER.
And I’m more than irritated to hear words like “brilliant” and “genius” and “one-of-a-kind” and “unmatchable” applied to this “new-age circus from Montreal” because I know better. I’m attempting to enlighten the knowledge of the Scandanavian Lutheran dolts that open their wallets and take their kids. There are consequences to EVERY decision that we make and I hope to make you aware of some of them when you decide to forego the house payment and take the family to the French Canadian circus.
And let me assure you that I have no vested interest in another form of entertainment or in the Shrine Circus. If anyone attempts to start a modern circus, they will encounter legions of lawyers just like the guy who wrote the current book. When you have money you can do many things. I don’t have money. I’m trying to live with principles along. Go ahead, call me a fool.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I dont think you are a fool. Some of your posts have bordered on Foolish. The last posts were shorter and more direct attacks on specific issues, which makes it seem like you are passionate about it. This is a big improvement over the earlier posts where it seemed like you were just trying to prove that you know more than the rest of us.
I think I was the one who used the word unmatchable. Looking back, I actually said “nearly unmatchable physical performance.” I will stick by that. I would guess that the number of performers in the world who can put on this type of show is fairly small. From your posts alone I am able to arrive at the conclusion that the people hired by Cirque are among the best in the world at what they do. I think its safe to say the number of people with the physical strenght, agility, flexibility, and endurance to do some of these stunts is fairly small. I have not bothered to look, but I would guess at least some of the casts for the various shows are Olympic caliber/trained gymnasts and/or martial artists.
Again, I can agree with you that it is unethical and sad that they sell tickets at the expense of “traditional” circus acts, esp if this leads at some point to the extinction of certain animals that people claim the circus has protected. (There are plenty of articles about the horrible treatment of circus animals as well…google it).
Last point. I dont really think any of the people crowded into KA at the MGM were among the target audience for the Shrine Circus. I dont remember seeing children in the crowd, and am honestly unsure if children were even allowed?? So, at least in terms of the various Cirque shows in Vegas, I think your vitriol may be misdirected.
I am going to google that owner dude you talked about though. Its so rare to read a story about someone getting rich and then blowing money on sex and drugs.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Paragraph #1 – It is so nice to know I am improving in your eyes. This means alot to me.
Paragraph #2 – The original show to visit America did have the very best international performers. But over the years as the stupid reviewers spent far more ink writing about the costumes and the make-up and the lights and the clowns and the tents and the air-conditioning, INSTEAD OF EVALUATING THE TALENT OF THE PERFORMERS, Cirque found it unnecessary to retain more than one or two top level acts per show and then fill in the company with out-of-work, low-level gymnasts and talentless French Canadians. Or they could buy an existing Chinese circus from the government of China, bring them to Montreal for 3 months where they are painted, glittered, costumed, lit and stripped of their annoying native music. Then masks and make-up are applied so that the audience doesn’t figure out that it is a Chinese circus, and they are installed at a casino in Las Vegas.
Paragraph #3 – What if the cure for cancer is hidden in an elephant? And yes, there are some animals that have been mistreated in circuses. That is terrible and people found guilty of this should be prosecuted and punished. But there are just as many animals who have been bred in circuses; doctored in circuses; and given millions of rides to children who will remember this experience for their entire lifetime thanks to circuses. Again, the place where elephants will be saved is in America, not in Asian or Africa. People like Ringling and Hawthorne are the saviors, not Cirque du Soleil because they brainwash the local media to help sell tickets.
Paragraph #4 – I don’t understand? Why would people fooled into attending KA not enjoy the local version of the Shrine circus? And you’re right, there aren’t many children in the casinos in LasVegas. I think this is a good thing. Believe me, all the people working in KOOZA are hoping they can work or kiss their way up to getting a spot in one of the LasVegas shows. Read the book.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Larry, one more negative mention about French Canadians and your comments will be removed. I’m tired of it.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Didn’t you get free tickets from them? Of course you will attempt to censor any negative FACTS about them. This is how they work. You’ve been sucked into their trap. How does it feel?
July 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
What if the cure for cancer is hidden in the dead horse you are beating so mercilessly?
July 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
They have billion$. I have only words. But I did laugh at your comment and laughter is good. Thanks.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
A few thoughts.
Your comparisons to Elephants at the circus brings to mind Puppy Mills.
“But there are just as many animals who have been bred in circuses; doctored in circuses; and given millions of rides to children who will remember this experience for their entire lifetime thanks to circuses. ”
Could just as easily read “But there are just as many healthy puppys who have been bread in puppy mills, doctored in puppy mills and given millions of smiles to children who will remember this experience for their entire lifetime thanks to circuses.
The end does not justify the means.
On to the book. I have not read it, but I did in fact google it. It appears the writer was actually a biographer who initially wrote the book with the permission of the subject, then the subject got upset about the graphic information about him getting rich and throwing huge parties with lots of drugs and hookers. I am not sure what your point is really. You keep saying read the book. All of this is quite recent. As in the lawsuit was just filed in June. I fail to see why this would make me not want to attend the shows? I still went to Iron Man, I still watch Baseball games, and I still like Brett Favre. This guy being addicted to sex or drugs would not lessen what I thought of the people who performed at the MGM.
Weird arguments you have going on Larry. Here is what I get. You dont like French Canadians. You dont like any type of copycat and/or idea stealing. You do like Elephants. A Lot. You dont like Sex or Drugs, and possibly you dont like Parties. And you really dont like chinese people dressed up as characters in a play/circus who are actually pretending to be French Canadians.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Larry,
I’m tired of your bullshit. Trying to link my receiving free tickets to your being racist is not only asinine, it’s fucking insulting. Stop it now or you won’t be posting here again. I will not warn you again.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
“Larry,
I’m tired of your bullshit. Trying to link my receiving free tickets to your being racist is not only asinine, it’s fucking insulting. Stop it now or you won’t be posting here again. I will not warn you again.”
Oooh! I’m scared, I’m really scared. Will you put me on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION? And what about the Scandanavian Lutheran dolts? They are OK, but French Canadians are protected?
Look Bill –”The Rightgeous Source of Objective South Metro News –with a filthy mouth and limited vocalulary”– I didn’t set out to pick on you, but you’ve baited me so that you can justify removing my posts because you’ve accepted $150 of free tickets from the French Canadians and you feel obligated to insure that only good things and happy news is printed about them. You kinda got caught didn’t you?
Anyone who reads this bag of gas blog understands that you write most of the postings in order to keep it alive. But when an outsider slides in and questions YOUR ETHICS when you attempt to paint yourself as the most ethical person South of the River, you start to sweat don’t you?
I really don’t care if you remove me or not. It is just the fun of the debate. I enjoy picking on those with inflated egos. Sorry you got caught in the trap. Maybe you’ll think twice about accepting free tickets and then claiming to be above it all. And swearing at your users when your caught is also not too smart. Lesson learned.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Larry, why don’t you take it back to the Pioneer Press comments section.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
MSPD,
What are you trying to do? Precious Coca Cola almost came out of my nose when I read that.
P.S. what if the cure for cancer was in that lamb’s ankle from Ansari’s?
July 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
That piece of bone looked like it came from an emaciated lamb with cancer!
July 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
It’s more likely cancer was in that lamb’s ankle from Ansari’s.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I’ve stayed out of this particular thread until now and just read the posts, because I’ve never seen a Cirque show. Larry, I encourage you to read the first two sentences of the article. Bill posted a disclaimer. Enough said. The remainder of his personal posts, aside from one to provide additional factual information about his experience, or to monitor the debate, are from regular contributors to this site, who have patiently, to a point, debated your points. To Bill’s credit, he even posted your last comment (#50) on this thread, despite its content. I may be speaking out of turn here, because, after all its Bill’s blog, but it seems to me that Bill’s actions by continuing to publish your posts, is far from censoring your opinion until you pushed too far, and even then he continued to allow you to post.
While you “enjoy picking on those with inflated egos”, I believe it was you who said (twice) “I’m sorry I know too much.” That’s not inflated?
If you read the other posts from this blog, you will read that people have presented opposing viewpoints, and have done so in a respectful manner, and have been respected for it. However, when opposition crosses the line, the snark comes out, and rightfully so. Responding with personal attacks demonstrates the weakness of the argument.
To clarify:
1. I am not Bill.
2. I am not Scandinavian.
3. I am not Lutheran.
4. I don’t think I’m a dolt, however this may be up to debate. But I do know how to spell “vocabulary.”
5. I’m more apt to apologize that I don’t know enough about a particular topic (but am willing to learn more), than to apologize for knowing everything.
6. This is about the mildest post that is being drafted in response to your post #50, because I guarantee you that right now, MSPD is typing away, ready to unleash the slam of all slams. With that, I bid you good luck in your attempt to match wits with MSPD or the other posters here.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Chad,
Mmmmmmmm, Chili’s might not have invented the Fajita but they sure do make the tastiest Fajitas!
Signed,
Not Scandinavian or Lutheran…
July 14th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Mrs Marcos, while I am not a Chilis fan, and have never stepped in to support your Chilis love, I have to agree that they do make pretty good Fajitas.
The Mushroom Jack Fajitas, and the Buffalo Chicken Fajitas are both worthy of dinner at my house. Actually its about the only thing I eat there, but that not really the point.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I’ve stayed away from weighing in on Larry’s blah, blah, blah because unlike a Cirque performance, my eyes know where to look when I see a post from Larry – to the next post.
I’ve seen La Nouba in Orlando and Corteo in Minneapolis and LOVED every minute – so much really cool stuff was happening simultaneously that my eyes didn’t know where to look. I enjoy the original, live music and watching humans contort and perform in ways that seem effortless.
I don’t care about the back stories of anyone involved in the show, which is why I also don’t care that Kiefer Sutherlund is an alkie and he head butted some guy. His back story doesn’t prevent me from enjoying 24’s awesomeness either.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I alternate between finding Larry’s posts offensive and amusing.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Larry’s rants boil down to “Steven Spielberg didn’t invent feature films, D. W. Griffith did, so Spielberg’s movies are worthless” or “A Ferrari is just plagiarism (yeh, Larry, 2 ‘i’s in plagiarism) of a Model T Ford”. It is so palpably ridiculous I wonder why anybody bothers to reply.
[Post edited by Bill to remove irrelevant information and a light personal attack]