KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities by Cirque du Soleil

The familiar blue and yellow, Le Grand Chapiteau is set in the Pepsi Center parking lot until July 26th for Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. We will not be seeing the show until June 28th, so you can expect a review then, but we were granted a backstage tour while members of the company rehearsed with one of their PR reps. If you are any kind of Cirque fan I hope you can appreciate what kind of honor this was to take this invitation.

cirque kurios

Kurios is Cirque du Soleil’s show with the most amount of props of the 35 shows. Beyond outright Cirque fans this show will appeal to Steampunk aficionados, those in the Maker movement, and folks that just like to tinker or watch exceptionally cool feats. The storyline involves a Seeker with a Curiocabinet who in Cirque fashion allows his imagination to run wild with what all it could contain. Part of the Cirque du Soleil mission is, “to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world.” Well here is a shot of what we walked onto when we merely showed up for rehearsal.

Cirque du Soleil Kurios Acro Net rehearsal
Cirque du Soleil Kurios Acro Net rehearsal

We had a chance to see Acro Net rehearsals and then hang with Banquine, a 13-artist acrobatic ensemble, as they reviewed performance tape then prepped for rehearsal. There is only one word for the artists associated with these shows, inspiring. From their amazing physical capabilities to the fact that they all do their own make up for the performances. The people in the show allow their personalities to shine in all Cirque productions.

Banquine warming up
Banquine warming up

The self-contained city was a delight to tour. Cirque moves in and sets up shop complete with their technical workspace, gym, physical therapy, kitchen, performance tent, school, commuter bikes, and all the creature comforts for what they will need since this is their traveling home. Returning to the people, the crew gathers on Sundays for a potluck brunch with all the Cirque families including kids who speak a multitude of languages but have a great time with each other.

technical workshop
technical workshop
Cirque Du Soleil Kurios
prop bikes
stage drums
stage drums

Cirque du Soleil has a founding principle around promoting the potential of youth. In towns they establish themselves in like Denver they reach out with their Cirque du Monde program to bring their positive and inspiring entertainment to those that cannot afford the price of admission. The dress rehearsals for Kurios were packed with 1300 people associated with established organizations in our area as part of Cirque du Monde.

mechanical hand kinetic scuplture
mechanical hand kinetic sculpture
fish tail costumes
fish tail costumes

As far as age appropriateness we plan to take our 5 year-old and leave our 2 year-old at home only because as a huge Cirque fan and I do not want to risk having to leave the performance if the toddler gets fussy. The kiddo had a great time watching the performers and hanging out with the crew.

testing out props
testing out props
Checking out the school that like everything with this production collapses for efficient travel.
Checking out the school that like everything with this production collapses for efficient travel.
a delightful afternoon at Cirque du Soleil
a delightful afternoon at Cirque du Soleil

Be sure to check out this show. I have heard friends say really great things about the performance and when I bought our tickets more than a week out we did not have many seating options left. This is becoming a hot ticket in town, a must see for the summer. Purchase your Kurios tickets as soon as possible before performances are all sold out. We also discovered tickets are discounted for children when you select them.

Kia Ruiz is a mom, wellness advocate, and yoga instructor.  You can find her at Bodhi Bear.

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