Cirque du Soleil Opens Major New Show at Kodak in LA 2010

Cirque Du Soleil and CIM Group announced today that Cirque du Soleil will open a major new show at Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, in 2010.

The $100 million production is the centerpiece of a 10-year agreement between the two companies. A cast of 75 performing artists will present the show in the 3,400-seat theatre 368 times a year, and while few details about the production's content are available now, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté announced that it would focus on Hollywood's place in the history of cinema.

Cirque's partner in the venture, as announced today is CIM Group, the owner of Hollywood & Highland Center where Kodak Theatre is located. Since its debut in Los Angeles 20 years ago, Cirque du Soleil has brought nine touring shows to the area.  During this time, more than three million people have attended the 1,360 performances.

In 2002 Cirque du Soleil designed, produced and performed a special act as part of the 74th Academy Awards®. Cirque will share Kodak Theatre with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the new show will step aside to make room for the Academy Awards each year.

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

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 70 million spectators in close 200 cities on five continents. In 2007, Cirque du Soleil will present 15 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d'Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information visit: www.cirquedusoleil.com

Present for the announcement were (pictured left to right): Daniel Lamarre, Cirque du Soleil President and CEO Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilman Shaul Kuba, CIM Group Founder and Principal. Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil Inc.

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