Cirque du Soleil, the magical and mystical show that embraces diverse circus acts fused with cultural traditions, is 40 years old now, with a proud history.
Its French-Canadian co-founder, Guy Laliberté, was visiting Hawaii in 1984, and was inspired by the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets here. He connected with the beauty and energy of the sun, mostly while on the beach, and created a myriad of Cirque signature productions over the decades.
The company’s logo, not surprisingly, depicts the soleil, which is French for sun.
Finally, decades later, Cirque has come full circle to launch “‘Auana,” its first Hawaii-themed, Waikiki-based spectacle, premiering Dec. 5 at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel’s second-floor theater-showroom. “‘Auana” means “to wander or veer off the beaten path or to embark on a new journey.”
Requests for specifics on the show have been denied; little has been announced, regarding content, performing cast and other details. However, with an island cultural history consultant and a Hawaiian choreographer, it’s safe to assume that the productions will depict Hawaiian motifs, perhaps chants and even hula, and showcase island-inspired costumes.
The show’s website boasts sequences inspired by “Moana,” the wayfaring navigator with the Disney pedigree, a glimpse of Hina, the moon goddess, and a fiery volcanic segment.
Neil Dorward is director; the island resources are Aaron Sala, cultural creative director; Manaola Yap, costume designer; and Hiwa Vaughan, island choreographer.
Performances will be Wednesdays through Sundays, and following the opening few days when only one show is staged, the schedule eventually will include shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. The running time is 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Historically, Cirque du Soleil has been a popular attraction for local audiences; the company staged “Saltimbanco” in 2008 and “Alegria” in 2010, with much success at the Blaisdell Arena. Because of its new Waikiki residency at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber resort, “‘Auana,” should attract islanders, for certain; the target audience will be global visitors who previously supported Cirque over the past four decades and newbie spectators seeking grand entertainment beyond the customary luau shows…
And that’s Show Biz…
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“‘Auana” by Cirque du Soleil
What: A Hawaiian-themed spectacle with the Cirque du Soleil acrobatics
Where: Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel’s showroom-theater
When: Wednesdays through Sundays, generally at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: Varies, from $85 to $110, at www.cirquedusoleil.com > auana or (877) 773-6470