Crystal is an arena-touring Cirque du Soleil production directed by Shana Carroll and Sébastien Soldevila. It is a collaborative project between Events + Experiences and it's parent company Cirque du Soleil. It is also the 42nd original production from Cirque du Soleil since 1984. Crystal had a preview showing in Lafayette, LA on October 5, 2017. The official premiere was on December 13, 2017 in Montreal QC.
Crystal is the first Cirque du Soleil show to be done on an ice rink and blends several circus acts with high-level ice skating. It is also the first show to contain cover versions of well-known pop songs at the time of the production that are not center to the show's theme.[1]
Plot[]
Crystal is the story of a young woman named Crystal, an avid writer, who feels misunderstood in life and out of sync with herself. To escape her reality, she decides to skates out her frustrations at a frozen pond. As she is skating, the ice breaks underneath her and she begins to submerge underwater. As she falls through the ice, Crystal escapes into her own mind and sees a doppelgänger of herself; Crystal's Reflection.
This reflection guides Crystal through her own subconscious, helping her through her own personal struggles, and finding her own inner creativity in writing. With her newly found power, she finds courage in herself and breaks through the ice and journeys back into reality.[2]
Set and Technical Information[]
Unlike previous Cirque du Soleil productions which contain a built circus ring with platforms, Crystal's stage uses a ice rink as its main performance area. The ice rink at the beginning of the show is decorated as a town square next to a frozen lake containing prop trees and park benches.
The back of the stage contains a large quartz-like wall containing a city backdrop with a miniature moving train. The wall has several doors that open to show small rooms where actors and musicians perform. Connected to the wall is a staircase leading to one of the rooms and three moveable iced-ramps.
The quartz-like wall is also used as a projection screen throughout the show.[2]
Costume Design[]
All performers of the show wear three to four costumes throughout the show. The costumes are equipped with full length zippers along the inside seam. This allows the performer to change quickly without removing their ice skates. Magnets are also used on the costumes to allow the performers to change quickly between scenes. Each of the costumes for Crystal are made to withstand the rigours of the ice and keep the artist safe.
The catchers of the show wear special padding and gloves made from Kevlar with polymer cuffs to protect the forearms and absorb the shock on the skating blades.
The gloves used by the breakdancers contain a piece of velcro across the palm of the hand with a plastic plate containing crampons. This allows the performer to be able to breakdance on the ice.
For the artists who slide on the ice, their costumes are water-resistant, nonabsorbent, and preserve the gliding properties of the costume. For the acts that perform high level floor performances, the acrobatic shoes contain small metal spikes and crampons into the sole of the shoes allowing mobility and stability.[2]
Characters[]
- Crystal: A misfit young writer who feels misunderstood in life and doubts herself. Upon breaking into the ice, she goes on a self-reflect journey to find her inner strength and courage.
- Crystal's Reflection: A dark yet helpful version of Crystal. She is the guide of Crystal helping her find her inner strength and take control of her life.
- The Shadows: The forces within her subconsciousness control all the strings in her life. They help and hinder her progress.
- Crystal's Family: Warped versions of Crystal's mother, father and brother. Crystal's family is how she sees her family through her eyes: an impassive, stoical suburban family mesmerized by the television.
- Cooper: An imaginary friend of Crystal, the Clown encourages and motivates her whenever she needs a friendly push.
Acts[]
Act One
- Opening
- Tempête (Banquine / Hand-to-hand / Tumbling)
- A Day In the Life (Choreographed Performance)
- Duo Skating
- Juggling
- Clown Act: Street Light
- Solo Trapeze
- Extreme Skating
Act Two
- Big City (Choreographed Performance)
- Pendular Poles
- Tap Dancing
- Chair Balancing
- Rhythm Dance (Ice Dancing)
- Aerial Straps / Skating Pas de Deux
- Synchronized Skating
- Fixed Duo Trapeze
- Finale
Music[]
The original musical score for Crystal was composed by Maxim Lepage. Cover versions from the artists U2, Beyoncé, Nina Simone, and Sia were recorded and used in the show.
- "Beautiful Day" by U2. Performed by Cyrille Aimée[3]
- "Halo" by Beyoncé. Performed by Gabrielle Shonk[3]
- "Sinnerman" by Nina Simone. Performed by Béatrice Bonifassi[3]
- "Chandelier" by Sia. Performed by Ariane Moffatt[3]
Touring Schedule[]
The following color boxes indicate the region of each performance:
EU Europe NA North America SA South and Central America AP Asia/Pacific OC Oceania AF Africa
2017 - 2018 Schedule
2017 Schedule
NA Lafayette, LA - From October 5 to October 8, 2017 (Soft Opening)
NA San Antonio, TX - From October 13 to October 15, 2017 (Preview)
NA Minneapolis, MN - From November 9 to November 12, 2017 (Preview)
NA Hoffman Estates, IL - From November 16 to November 19, 2017 (Preview)
NA Worcester, MA - From December 7 to December 10, 2017 (Preview)
NA Quebec, QC - From December 13 to December 17, 2017 (Preview)
NA Montreal, QC - From December 20 to December 31, 2017 (Official Premiere)
2018 Schedule
NA Windsor, ON - From January 3 to January 7, 2018
NA Detroit, MI - From January 10 to January 14, 2018
NA Pittsburgh, PA - From January 17 to January 21, 2018
NA Topeka, KS - From January 24 to January 28, 2018
NA Colorado Springs, CO - From January 31 to February 4, 2018
NA Rio Rancho, NM - From February 7 to February 11, 2018
NA Cedar Park, TX - From February 14 to February 18, 2018
NA Phoenix, AZ - From March 8 to March 11, 2018
NA Tucson, AZ - From March 14 to March 18, 2018
NA San Diego, CA - From March 21 to March 25, 2018
NA San Jose, CA - From March 28 to April 1, 2018
NA Portland, OR - From April 4 to April 8, 2018
NA Abbotsford, BC - From April 11 to April 15, 2018
NA Penticton, BC - From April 18 to April 22, 2018
NA Prince George, BC - From April 25 to April 29, 2018
NA Spokane, WA - From May 2 to May 6, 2018
NA Red Deer, AB - From May 9 to May 13, 2018
NA Saskatoon, SK - From May 16 to May 20, 2018
NA Medicine Hat, AB - From May 23 to May 27, 2018
NA London, ON - From June 14 to June 17, 2018
NA Hamilton, ON - From June 20 to June 24, 2018
NA Youngstown, OH - From June 27 to July 1, 2018
NA Baltimore, MD - From July 5 to July 8, 2018
NA Estero, FL - From July 12 to July 15, 2018
NA Sunrise, FL - From July 18 to July 29, 2018
NA Orlando, FL - From August 1 to August 5, 2018
NA Greenville, SC - From August 8 to August 12, 2018
NA Raleigh, NC - From August 15 to August 19, 2018
NA Greensboro, NC - From August 22 to August 26, 2018
NA Hershey, PA - From August 29 to September 2, 2018
NA Sioux Falls, SD - From September 20 to September 23, 2018
NA Grand Forks, ND - From September 26 to September 30, 2018
NA Winnipeg, MB - From October 3 to October 7, 2018
NA Green Bay, WI - From October 11 to October 14, 2018
NA Des Moines, IA - From October 17 to October 21, 2018
NA Wichita, KS - From October 24 to October 28, 2018
NA Oklahoma City, OK - From October 31 to November 4, 2018
NA Tulsa, OK - From November 7 to November 11, 2018
NA Norfolk, VA - From November 29 to December 2, 2018
NA Washington, DC - From December 5 to December 9, 2018
NA Miami, FL - From December 13 to December 16, 2018
NA Tampa, FL - From December 19 to December 23, 2018
NA Cincinnati, OH - From December 27 to December 30, 2018
2019 Schedule
NA Baton Rouge, LA - From January 3 to January 6, 2019
NA Tupelo, MS - From January 10, to 13 Jan 2019
NA Kansas City, MO - January 16 to January 20, 2019
NA Columbus, OH - From January 23 to January 27, 2019
NA Milwaukee, WI - From January 30 to February 3, 2019
NA Regina, SK - From February 7 to February 10, 2019
NA Edmonton, AB - From February 13 to February 17, 2019
NA West Valley City, UT - From March 7 to March 10, 2019
NA Ontario, CA - From March 13 to March 17, 2019
NA Bakersfield, CA - From March 20 to March 24, 2019
NA Sacramento, CA - From March 27 to March 31, 2019
NA Stockton, CA - From April 3 to April 7, 2019
NA Everett, WA - From April 10 to April 14, 2019
NA Duluth, MN - From April 19 to April 21, 2019
NA Omaha, NE - From April 24 to April 28, 2019
NA Madison, WI - From May 1 to May 5, 2019
NA Peoria, IL - From May 8 to May 12, 2019
NA Grand Rapids, MI - From May 15 to May 19, 2019
NA Saginaw, MI - From May 22 to May 26, 2019
NA Frisco, TX - From June 13 to June 16, 2019
NA Philadelphia, PA - From June 20 to June 23, 2019
NA Allentown, PA - From June 26 to June 30, 2019
NA Kingston, ON - From July 3 to July 7, 2019
NA Erie, PA - From July 10 to July 14, 2019
NA Charlotte, NC - From July 17 to July 21, 2019
NA Manchester, NH - From August 1 to August 4, 2019
NA Portland, ME - From August 7 to August 11, 2019
NA Moncton, NB - From August 14 to August 18, 2019
NA Saint John, NB - From August 21 to August 25, 2019
NA Halifax, NS - From August 28 to September 1, 2019
NA Monterrey, MX - From September 19 to September 22, 2019
NA Guadalajara, MX - From September 25 to September 29, 2019
NA Mexico City, MX - From October 4 to October 13, 2019
EU Moscow, RU - From November 22 to December 8, 2019
EU Saint-Petersburg, RU - From December 11 to December 15, 2019
EU Kazan, RU - From December 19 to December 22, 2019
EU Ufa, RU - From December 25 to December 29, 2019
2020 Schedule
EU Ekaterinburg, RU - From January 1 to January 5, 2020
EU Riga, LV - From January 15 to January 19, 2020
EU Minsk, BY - From February 6 to February 9 2020
EU Kiev, UA - From February 13 to February 16, 2020
EU Sheffield, UK - From March 6 to March 8, 2020
EU Glasgow, UK - From March 11 to March 15, 2020
EU Aberdeen, UK - From March 19 to March 22, 2020- Cancelled
EU Belfast, UK - From March 25 to March 29, 2020- Cancelled
EU Manchester, UK - From April 1 to April 5, 2020- Cancelled
EU Birmingham, UK - From April 8 to April 12, 2020- Cancelled
EU Nottingham, UK - From April 15 to April 19, 2020- Cancelled
NA Amherst, MA - From May 15 to May 17, 2020- Cancelled
NA Trenton, NJ - From May 20 to May 23, 2020- Cancelled
NA St. Catharines, ON - From May 27 to May 29, 2020- Cancelled
NA Providence, RI - From June 3 to June 7, 2020- Cancelled
NA Hartford, CT - From June 10 to June 14, 2020- Cancelled
NA Bridgeport, CT - From June 17- to June 21, 2020- Cancelled
NA Ottawa, ON - From July 1 to July 5, 2020- Cancelled
NA Uniondale, NY - From July 8 to July 12, 2020- Cancelled
NA Columbia, SC - From July 15 to July 19, 2020- Cancelled
NA North Charleston, SC - From July 22 to July 26, 2020- Cancelled
EU Paris, FR - From September 1 to September 6, 2020- Cancelled
EU Lausanne, CH - From September 9 to September 13, 2020- Cancelled
EU Hanover, DE - From September 16 to September 20, 2020- Cancelled
EU Leipzig, DE - From September 23 to September 27, 2020- Cancelled
EU Stuttgart, DE - From October 7 to October 11, 2020- Cancelled
EU Nuremberg, DE - From October 14 to October 18, 2020- Cancelled
EU Munich, DE - From October 22 to October 25, 2020- Cancelled
EU Frankfurt, DE - From November 13 to November 21, 2020- Cancelled
EU Cologne, DE - From November 25 to November 29, 2020- Cancelled
EU Oberhausen, DE - From December 2 to December 6, 2020- Cancelled
2021 Schedule
TBC
2022 Schedule
TBC
2023 Schedule
AP Perth, WA - From September 15 to September 24, 2023
NA Windsor, ON - From November 30 to December 3, 2023
NA Oshawa, ON - From December 7 to December 10, 2023
NA Hamilton, ON - From December 14 to December 17, 2023
NA Montreal, QC - From December 21 to December 31, 2023
2024 Schedule
NA Detroit, MI - From January 4 to January 7, 2024
NA Hershey, PA - From January 11 to January 14, 2024
NA Pittsburgh, PA - From January 18 to January 21, 2024
NA Frisco, TX - From February 7 to February 11, 2024
NA Forth Worth, TX - From February 15 to February 18, 2024
NA Cedar Park, TX - From February 21 to February 25, 2024
Trivia[]
- Kurt Browning, a four-time World Champion and Canadian National Champion, is a part of the creative team behind Crystal as Skating Performances Senior Designer.[4]
- Benjamin Agosto, the Skating Performance Designer, is a four-time World Champion, the 2004-2006 Four Continents Champion, the 2004-2008 U.S. Champion, and Silver Medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics with his partner Tanith Belbin.[5]
Gallery[]
Promotional
Performance
Videos[]
Trailers
Behind the Scenes
References[]
- ↑ https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/press/kits/shows/crystal
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/-/media/cds/images/pressroom/presskits/crystal/pdf/crystal_presskit.pdf
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/12/02/ce-nest-pas-un-show-de-patins-comme-disney-on-ice
- ↑ https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1206949
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Agosto
External Links[]
Crystal on Facebook| Touring & Resident Shows | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touring Shows | |||||||||||||||||||
| Resident Shows |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Upcoming Shows | |||||||||||||||||||