BWW Reviews: Cirque Du Soleil's QUIDAM Flies Into Baltimore Thru Aug. 28

I first attended a Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) performance in the 1980's inside a blue and yellow tent known as the Grand Chapiteau on the mall in Washington, DC. Everyone was mesmerized by the incredible talent and artistry of the troupe. I believe I have also seen two productions here in Baltimore.

This time however, there is no tent. QUIDAM (kee-Dahm) premiered in 1996 and has been converted into an arena format. The Baltimore Arena is transformed into a new setting, using 1/3 of the Arena as a backstage, and the remainder (with seating on the floor) for patrons. There certainly is something lost not having the intimacy of a small venue versus a vast arena seating thousands. Due to this change, I wish large projection screens were utilized so that those in the balcony could see close-ups of all the marvelous characters and see their facial expressions.

The show opens with a ringmaster looking very much like Pee Wee Herman and a chorus of characters in white coveralls.

A young girl named Zoe has the unfortunate experience to have parents who pay no attention to her. She appears lost. A headless man with an umbrella then enters the home, and he hands her a bowler hat and then...you get the picture. The magic begins.

First there's an incredible act of a man and his spinning wheel which he maneuvers.

There is a cute group of Asian women who perform the "diabolos", giant yo-yos. They do incredible feats while somersaulting and gymnastics.

There are aerial contortionists who hang on two strands of silk, there is a very clever part using jump ropes which combines double-dutch skipping and jumping rope like boxers.

There are two outstanding numbers. The first is the statue - Vis Versa. Here two incredible performers work in slow-motion being lifted and intertwined. They possess amazing prowess and got a huge ovation. The other act is the finale, the Banquina which involves acrobats literally flying through the air.

There is plenty of comedy. Thanks to the shows comedians, my face hurt from laughing so much.

One skit involves the use of an audience member getting into a car with pantomime.
I spoke to Teigess Jones who was selected by the person with the follow spot. Jones was surprised a week ago when her fiancé, Chris Morgan from DC told her about the tickets. Neither had even seen a Cirque du Soleil show before. Jones was incredible. When she was asked to "flip the bird" to the audience she downright refused. In fact, patron Kiersten Henry from Olney, MD came up to her while I was doing the interview to thank her on behalf of her 9 year old daughter Sydney.

Jones thought it was great fun and was shocked to go up on the stage. She had never ever experienced anything like this. She'll have a lot to share with her fellow Air Force personnel where she is stationed in Stuttgart, Germany.

The other skit involved four audience members and the making of old-style film. It was hilarious.

QUIDAM is only playing until Sunday at the Baltimore Arena. You'll enjoy the acrobats, the clowns, the dancing, the ballet, the wonderful music, terrific and inspiring lighting, superb sound system and you'll be there thoroughly entertained by the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil.

Arrive early for the pre-show.

If you miss it this week-end, it will return to DC November 16-20.

For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broad