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Cirque du Soleil: Corteo on Tour
Like the deceased clown whose festive fantasy funeral it portrays, Corteo has risen again to assume its joyful place in the Cirque du Soleil solar system.
One of some 20 active Cirque du Soleil shows, Corteo closed its "Grand Chapiteau" – or "big tent" – run in Quito, Ecuador, in December 2015 after more than 3,500 performances seen by more than 5 million people since its Montreal premiere a decade earlier. In 2018, Corteo reopened in New Orleans as an even bigger and better arena experience slated for a two-year tour.
If you love clowns, Corteo is the show for you. Taking its title from the Italian word for "cortège," or procession, Corteo offers a parade of brilliant entertainments in a carnivalesque atmosphere. It was inspired originally by "The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown," a 2004 exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.
That exhibition's vast array of circus life, from 18th-century fairgrounds to Picasso's harlequins, was transformed into an in-the-round big-top experience by director Daniele Finzi Pasca. Pasca founded the Swiss clown troupe Teatro Sunil and directed several other Cirque du Soleil spectacles.
While all of the show's principal characters are clowns – including the Dead Clown, Clowness, Giant Clown, and Little Clown – the 62-member cast, from more than a dozen countries, also features aerialists, acrobats, musicians, jugglers, contortionists, hoopers, and gymnasts in addition to its many jubilant jesters.
Costume designer Dominique Lemieux was inspired by "raw and luxurious" European fabrics from the early 20th century and commedia dell'arte characters from the 16th to the 18th centuries. A labyrinth matching one on the floor of France's famed Chartres Cathedral graces the stage. And French painter Adolphe Willette's fantasy Parisian bohemian scene Parc Domine (1885) inspired the show's elaborate water-colored curtains. Those curtains hide "Patience," an imposing overhead structure holding up the rails traversed by four platform carts.
Its stunning mixture of acrobatics and character-driven acting has been Cirque du Soleil's calling card since 1984, when what is now the world's largest theatrical production was founded in Montreal by street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix. With Corteo, Cirque du Soleil has outdone itself with an epic tribute to the circus world's comical essence: the clown.
Unbelievable show! Great for a date night. The show was sexy, funny at times, sad at times and on the edge of your seat exciting. The skills of these performers was a treat to see. We really enjoyed it!
Cirque never ceases to amaze. Beautiful costumes, colors and personalities. Our family of 4 loved it! The performers kept you on the edge of your seat and were wonderful!!! Only negative experience was going through security for venue. Traveling 2.5 hours to a venue we’ve been to was no problem but I did not know I couldn’t take my Louis Vuitton purse in due to its size.
Fantastic performance Always something new with Cirque Du Soleil. Balloon Lady was awesome. (Clowness)
I would totally recommend this show forr the whole family. Worth the trip, very entertaining!
As well done as a Vegas show. The company was so "happy" it made you wish you could join in.
This is my fourth cirque event and first for my kids (14 & 16). The music, artistry, athleticism, is all impressive. I had to pry my son off the couch to come, and half way through the performance he leaned over and said he was really happy he came.
Over all rushed through, the singing was horrible and the acts felt rushed.
It was an awesome show, lots of acrobatics, music and songs, awesome talent. All I was expecting to see and more!
I really enjoyed Corteo. It was funny and quite amazing.
Corteo was my first Cirque du Soleil show, and it was magical! The acrobatics were obviously incredible, but everything combined made the show amazing! The costumes, set, live music, lights, props, and charming characters all came together in perfect harmony. I can see why my friends travel all over the country to try to see every show!
Look up - angels! Look across - so much to see. Had front row seats. Watch out for the woman with the huge balloons! She's heavier than she looks (and wants help getting back on stage). Have seen 14 Cirque shows, this was a great show.
This was my 4th Cirque Du Soleil and am always amazed with the production and pageantry. My goal is to see all of them. I’ve seen “KA”, “The Beatles Love”, “Zumanity” and now “Cortio”. My next one is going to be “Michael Jackson One” and “The Beatles Love” again.
Corteo was incredible. My husband and I took out young adult children and they put their phones down and marveled at the the talent (and the physiques). The cost of the tickets is worth the experience.
We left the venue at the intermission point as we found the music to be deafeningly loud. To be honest, we’ve been to several Cirque events and we thought this one was somewhat boring. The entire premise of the death of the main character was kind of silly and the “angels” just floating back and forth across the stage was just an unnecessary added touch.
From the set to the costumes, the music and especially performances everything was fantastic. With the exposure we have today to almost have seen everything, this show had many next level performances. Also the less expensive seats were great
They've done it again. Went to see Corteo and was not disappointed. First time with stage visible from both sides. Performers were fabulous! Would definitely recommend this to anyone even if you've never seen a Cirque show.
Everything was quick and smooth in getting there, and I parking and getting to our seats. The show was absolutely incredible!
The show was fabulous! Very professional. A very talented cast.
This Cirque had an unusual set-up which I really enjoyed
It was my first Cirque Du Soleil show. You really have to experience all the music, the spectacle, and the performances to really appreciate it. We were talking about all the little things we noticed during the show for days. It had something for everyone. It is like a dream come to life!