“Kooza” Takes Cirque du Soleil to New Heights

Ladies and gentleman, for the rare times shock and awe is used to describe an event, it’s doubtful that it suits a spectacle quite like that of a Cirque du Soleil performance. After 26 years of building its global brand, Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil makes a return to its simplistic origins with “Kooza,” in which less is more, and more epitomizes physics and gravity. Under the Grand Chapiteau in Bicentennial Park, “Kooza,” which made its Miami debut on Nov. 12, tells the story of The Innocent looking for his place in the world through acrobatic performance and the art of clowning.

Each talents unto themselves, Cirque combines the elements of gravity- and body-defying feats, artistry, strength, balance, empowering music, set and costume design, makeup, sound effects, lighting, props, circus performance, stunting, dance, singing, gymnastics, acting and comedy, just to name those apparent to the naked eye, for a colorful performance that has something to please everyone, young and old.

“Kooza” combines thrill and action all in one entertaining performance. Exuding innate talents and highlighting the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor, “Kooza” is an adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom, where The Innocent encounters the bold, slapstick comedy teeming with sexual innuendo of the King, the Trickster, the Pickpocket, and the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Exhibiting strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, the evening’s acts include a 1,600-pound Wheel of Death that rotates at heart-stopping speeds as two artists leap and counter-rotate in a death-defying display of fearless acrobatics; contortionists that twist and mold in incredulous ways; a balancing act that displays the human body at the very peak of condition and muscle control atop a 23-foot tower; and tightrope walkers who bicycle across twin high wires.

“Kooza” explores diametric themes through an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprise, marvel, and utter engagement. Written and directed by David Shiner, “Kooza” makes its Miami run through Dec. 19.

So while you may be keen on doing flips into the pool, and you never felt unrest with the phrase, “Don’t look down,” unless you’re holding back quintuple twisting somersaults off teeterboards with metal stilts attached to your legs, you’re better off seeing “Kooza” where all you have to manage is watching the show and clapping simultaneously.

For tickets and more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.