OVO - Cirque du Soleil

Visiting the Big Top in Santa Monica is an utterly individual experience that can truly only exist in Southern California. Upon descending the California incline to Pacific Coast Highway on approach to the beautiful Santa Monica Pier, the large blue and yellow tent dominates the landscape. At sunset, silhouetted against the sea, the views of the venue alone will transport you. Step inside to see Cirque du Soleil’s newest offering, OVO, and that transportation will accelerate to warp speed and drop you in a world of color, movement, and vision.

While Cirque du Soleil is far from the new kid on the block, they have maintained their originality and relevancy with each of their touring productions. OVO is filled with the awe-inspiring motion that Cirque has become known for, but the mischievous characters and unique story line are a pleasant stimulant for an already exciting experience. Based around the hidden world of insects, OVO combines the entomological life with the powerful expression of the human body, adding further commentary to an already deep and moving production. The acrobatic and dance feats are, without a doubt, impressive, as are the costumes and the multinational collaboration on display from the diverse styles of performance. The story of the life cycle continues as the music under the Big Top is a surprising and pleasant addition to the tale. The musical touches interlace each movement and give a decidedly contemporary and immediate feel to the show that connects each audience member to the individual performer. Afloat on the buoyancy of color and fantasy, the human mind is stretched further and further with each bend, lift, and gravity-defying pose. There is fluency at play in OVO that effectively communicates both a playful and poignant commentary on the human search for meaning.

To say that audiences will enjoy OVO would do a disservice to the reputation for quality that Cirque du Soleil has established over the years. Rather, this production is notable because of its ability to build on past shows and remain fresh and new without betraying what audiences have come to demand from top shelf live entertainment. Not only will this show not disappoint, but it accomplishes a journey that is as priceless as it is satisfying and as unworldly as it is thought-provoking. OVO under the Big Top is a carnival of gratification and circus of imagination that will not disappoint.

OVO Cirque du Soleil runs through March 18th 2012 at the Santa Monica Pier.