Update: I was at Cirque du Soleil's opening night performance in Hartford on Thursday, September 22, and I have to tell you--the show was sometimes intense, sometimes funny and completely captivating. My eyes kept drying out because I was barely blinking, except during the clown act in the second half, which made me laugh so hard I cried. If you're going to see Cirque du Soleil during its Hartford run, check out my 10 Tips for Attending a Cirque du Soleil Performance.
It's not a Big Top, it's a Grand Chapiteau, and it's not just any circus that will make its triumphant return to Hartford, it's Cirque Du Soleil!
The avant-garde traveling circus founded in Canada in 1984 has impressed worldwide audiences with its mix of circus acts and street performances, amazing acrobatics, colorful costumes and dazzling lights and music. In 2003, Cirque du Soleil made its Hartford debut with "Dralion."
In 2005, Cirque du Soleil returns to Hartford with "Varekai," an explosive fusion of drama and acrobatics. Pronounced "ver·ay·'kie," the word means "wherever" in the Romany language of the gypsies. The production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to "Varekai." Since its debut in Montreal in 2002, the traveling production of "Varekai" has visited 19 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
"Varekai" features more than 50 artists and acrobats from 13 countries.
"Dralion" was a huge success in Hartford, and you won't want to miss the opportunity to see Cirque Du Soleil during its second limited engagement in our city. Here's everything you need to know to get tickets and see the show:
Dates: September 22 - October 9, 2005
Update: The Cirque du Soleil run in Hartford has been extended through October 16, 2005 due to overwhelming demand. See details below for information on getting tickets to the new shows.
Performance Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 and 5 p.m. (Note: There will be no 4 p.m. show on Friday, September 23 and no performance on Tuesday, October 11.)
Location: Under the blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau on Market Street in Hartford, Connecticut, in the northwest corner of the intersection of I-84 and I-91.
Ticket Prices: Prices range from $41 to $70 for adults and from $28.75 to $49 for children. For students ages 13 and up and senior citizens (65 and up), prices range from $37 to $63 for performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and for the Friday performance at 4 p.m.
Be a VIP: The Tapis Rouge VIP experience includes one of the best seats in the house, refreshments, entertainment and access to the exclusive Tapis Rouge suite one hour prior to show time. The cost is $185 for adults and $129.50 for children ages 2 to 12.
Tickets: Tickets may be purchased online at the Cirque Du Soleil Web site, or purchase tickets by phone by calling toll free, 800 678-5440. Tickets for all performances through October 9 went on sale to the public at noon on May 22, 2005. Tickets for shows added through October 16 will go on sale Sunday, September 11 at noon.
Group Reservations: Call 800 450-1480 for discount pricing and reservations for groups of 20 or more.
