There are few travelling performance acts which warrant “must-see” status time and time again. Again, Cirque du Soleil finds itself among those ranks. Having attended two Cirque shows already, previewing Ovo convinced me that one can never see too many Cirque shows.
Ovo, Portuguese for “egg,” is ‘A Bug’s Life’ through performance-theater. The plot is a love story among two different bug species, which becomes disrupted when the small community has an unknown egg dropped off at its doorstep. The plot develops further, but past viewers of Ovo will note a deeper take on the first part of the previous show; the show formerly ran in a “Big Top” environment, but when it became adapted for the arena setting (as it is for the Baton Rouge performances at the Baton Rouge River Center), the directors were able to delve deeper in the inner-workings of love-bug life.
The plot of this Cirque show is formidable, and viewers will certainly leave with a few unanswered questions about the story-line. Do not worry. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the reason you bought the ticket: to see amazing theatrical bits infused with gymnastic flair and performers at the peak of physical abilities “doing things you didn’t even know were possible.”
There will be a few times when you notice your jaw agape—I certainly did in the dress rehearsal run. This is normal. When the six ants come out on stage and balance the bits of corn and kiwi, all while L-basing, you’ll scratch your head a few times. The routine that follows, where instead of bits of food we have half of the performers being tossed about and balanced, will be a jaw dropping moment.
And let’s not forget the fleas. They’re funny, but they’re also strong and great at dancing. “Antonelli” the larger flea in the acro-trio troupe, helps perform the walking arabesque. I spoke with him offstage where he told me everyone exercises 4-5 hours per day in order to keep proper muscle tone. He said that after one day of not exercising, the performers can feel the difference in their routines.
The hard work the performers put in to making a great show certainly pays off. Not only is Ovo a great concept with a storybook like plot, the engagement with the audience, the lighting, the music, the costumes….all of it makes for an unforgettable night. Cirque du Soleil does it again with another great show. I highly recommend buying tickets before the tour leaves the city. Bravo, Ovo!

Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo runs at the Baton Rouge River Center April 16th and 17th.