Cirque Du Soleil to Prop the 'KURIOS' Big Top in NYC Next Fall

Cirque du Soleil returns to New York in 2016 with its newest acclaimed touring show, KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities presented by Visa Signature, in association with United MileagePlus. KURIOS will premiere under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top on September 30th, 2016. Exclusive access to the best seats and prices are available for existing Cirque Club members starting on December 10th. Visit cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueclub to sign up for a complimentary membership. Cirque Club members receive advance access to the best seats under the Big Top, deals and discounts for tickets, promotions with our partners and a chance to experience never before seen exclusive Cirque du Soleil content. Tickets will be available for purchase to the general public beginning December 17th, 2015 by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or calling 1-877-9 CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783). Tickets range from $54 - $175.

KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities had its world premiere in Montréal in April 2014 and is Cirque du Soleil's 35th production. Since its debut, the critics have been raving across North America: "Cirque du Soleil has come roaring back with KURIOS - a dazzling, hyper-detailed, potent, quixotic and generally fantastic show that reveals this extraordinary artistic company's singular capacity for exploration and metamorphosis. It is not to be missed on any account," said Chris Jones in The Chicago Tribune. "KURIOS is the most enthralling, consistently over-the-top magical show Cirque du Soleil has sent our way in a long time," raved Robert Hurwitt in The San Francisco Chronicle. "KURIOS is the most joyous piece of theater I've seen in years and it will lift your spirits to the stars," said Richard Ouzounian in The Toronto Star. And Misha Berson in The Seattle Times raved, "KURIOS thrills in a splendidly captivating new show."

Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker's Cabinet of Curiosities.

In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes.

In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world - a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker's imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.

Michel Laprise

Michel Laprise worked in theatre for nine years as an actor, director and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. At Cirque du Soleil, Michel spent five years as a talent scout before taking on, in 2006, the role of Special Events Designer. In that capacity, he directed the act with Quebec diva Diane Dufresne during the Opening Ceremonies of the Montreal 2006 Outgames; the large-scale performance event created for the launch of the Fiat Bravo in Italy (2007); the Cirque du Soleil performance event celebrating Quebec City's 400th anniversary (2008); the launch of Microsoft's Kinect console at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, broadcast on MTV; the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia in 2009; and the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 FIBA International Basketball Federation World Championships in Istanbul. In 2012, Michel collaborated with pop star Madonna, providing artistic direction for her performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show; he later went on to direct her MDNA tour. In 2013, he directed the musical Robin des Bois - Ne renoncez jamais which toured in Europe.

Creative team

The creative team of KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities consists of 17 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François Bouchard (Creative Guide):

• Michel Laprise Writer and Director
• Chantal Tremblay Director of Creation
• Stéphane Roy Set and Props Designer
• Philippe Guillotel Costume Designer
• Raphaël Beau Composer and Musical Director
• Bob & Bill Composers and Musical Directors
• Yaman Okur Choreographer
• Ben Potvin Choreographer
• Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Choreographer
• Susan Gaudreau Choreographer
• Andrea Ziegler Choreographer
• Jacques Boucher Sound Designer
• Jean-Michel Caron Sound Designer
• Martin Labrecque Lighting Designer
• Rob Bollinger Acrobatic Performance Designer
• Germain Guillemot Acrobatic Performance Designer
• Boris Verkhovsky Acrobatic Performance Designer
• Danny Zen Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
• Eleni Uranis Makeup Designer

Photo by Martin Girard