Cirque's KOOZA Begins Performances This Week and Extends Thru June 7

Cirque du Soleil premieres Thursday, April 16 in New York with the latest big top touring show, KOOZA, for a limited engagement under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at Randall's Island Park. KOOZA is proudly presented IShares. The official press opening is Thursday, April 23.

Cirque du Soleil announced that 18 additional KOOZA performances will be added from May 26 till June 7, 2009. Tickets will be available tomorrow and may be purchased online at www.cirquedusoleil.com.

The name KOOZA is inspired by the Sanskrit word "koza," which means "box," "chest" or "treasure," and was chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a "circus in a box."

KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

"KOOZA is about human connection and the world of duality, good and bad," says the show's writer and director David Shiner. "The tone is fun and funny, light and open. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's very much about ideas, too. As it evolves we are exploring concepts such as fear, identity, recognition and power."

The show starts with The Trickster bursting onto the scene like a jack-in-a-box right in front of The Innocent, and that is just the first of many surprises to follow. The Innocent's journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Heimloss, the Pickpocket, the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.

Cast and acts

Several of the 53 performing artists in the show have received awards from important circus arts competitions, notably in juggling and trapeze.

The show presents an unprecedented approach to the High Wire and a breathtaking Wheel of Death - an act that Cirque du Soleil has never before presented under the big top.

The show brings together the following team of 13 Creators, several of whom are working with Cirque for the first time.

David Shiner Writer and Director

Serge Roy Director of Creation

Stéphane Roy Set Designer

Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt Costume Designer

Jean-François Côté Composer

Clarence Ford Choreographer

Martin Labrecque Lighting Designer

Jonathan Deans Co-Sound Designer

Leon Rothenberg Co-Sound Designer

Rogé Francoeur Props Designer

Danny Zen Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

André Simard Acrobatic Performance Designer

Florence Cornet Makeup Designer

Cirque du Soleil gratefully acknowledges iShares®, Presenting Sponsor of the US Tour as well as CGI, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, American Express, Panasonic and Delta Air Lines as the Official Sponsors.

Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online at www.cirquedusoleil.com
or by calling 1-800-361-4595