Ten million people have already seen Quidam, so if your show schedule requires hipster street cred, you're about twenty-five years late. Cirque du Soleil hasn't been underground since it performed on the streets of Quebec in 1984. But if people flying through the air in various death-defying ways trump any big name disdain you may harbor, prepare to be amazed.
Like neglected small fries everywhere, young Zoe concocts an imaginary world to escape boredom and distant parents. But instead of purple unicorns or vampires in body glitter (or whatever standard 12-year-old fare happens to be this year), Zoe’s imaginary world features daredevil acrobats, suspiciously boneless contortionists, and catharsis for the soul.
Suspended from the ceiling by hoops and glorified silk scarves, the gravity-mocking aerial artists are impressive and rather scary, even as you realize they're probably really good at not falling. Also featured is the award-winning banquine act (an Italian acrobatic tradition from the Middle Ages) with agile acrobats flipping as one and forming human pyramids. Trapeze, Chinese yo-yos, German wheel, and even jump ropes make an appearance, all set to live music.
Join Zoe as she takes the journey we all long for and finds excitement, meaning, glorious rise from anonymity, and a nice clown or two. If, like Zoe, you’re looking to fill a void in your existence, Quidam is a much healthier option than bourbon.
Preview the show here.
April 6-17. Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City. Tickets are $40-115 at 866-448-7849 or cirquedusoleil.com/quidam.
