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Cirque du Soleil VOLTA is Now Playing at Atlantic Station

See it "Under the Big Top" Through Jan. 5, 2020

By Arlynn Filomeno-Suarez October 17, 2019


Cirque Du Soleil is back in town with its new show, Volta, now performing under the Grand Chapiteau, "the big top," at Atlantic Station. Bring your families or enjoy an adult night out to marvel through over 11 different acts and spectacular acrobatic performances!

Volta is the 41st original show for Cirque du Soleil. The show honors Cirque du Soleil's roots when it started in the 1980's as an eclectic street show crew of stilt walkers, jugglers, dancers, fire breathers, and musicians. Volta celebrates the spirit of adventure that fuels these street sports and acrobatics and weaves in an inspiring story of self-discovery with its main character Waz.  

Waz enters a game show contest in search of fame, but he is mocked and disgraced for his blue feathered hair. He later meets Ela, a Freespirit, who helps Waz in his journey to self-acceptance. Through his story, Volta explores the theme of celebrating differences and unique qualities in a ubiquitous world of technology and celebrity adoration.

My husband and I have watched Cirque du Soleil for years, from Atlanta to Las Vegas, and they never fail to impress and entertain us. We are always amazed by the creativity, gorgeous costumes and make-up, original music, high energy talent and jaw-dropping athleticism of their artists. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to see Volta's premiere at Atlantic Station.  

Volta is undoubtedly entertaining, but if you've seen Cirque du Soleil's other productions you'll notice differences. The lighting, music, and acrobatic stunts are spectacular, but don't go in expecting large theatrical sets for trapeze artists, contortionists, or other extraordinary characters. Volta highlights the athletic artistry from urban street performers. Think extreme sports of BMX bikers, parkour, and a collection of insanely talented dancers and acrobatics.

The stage sets and props are creatively used to represent urban street life. In Act 1 a group of dancer athletes perform a double dutch style, rope skipping routine. With an urban hip hop attitude, they tumble, flip and do handstands through illuminated single and double spinning ropes while the stage rotates. It's super cool to watch this lightening fast routine.

Waz's solo aerial Acro Lamp Act, performed by Pawel Walczewski, takes him soaring above and around the center stage hanging by his hands or feet from a suspended lamp. The 2-story trampoline wall is a high flying playground for the Freespirit acrobats, as they fearless bounce up, dive down, and through window openings. I recognized this performance sequence from Cirque's now closed show La Nouba in Orlando, FL. There's also a Flatland BMX rider and Ballet duo act that performs a flawless pas de deux, dance for two.  




Act 2 starts off with acrobats climbing, spinning, and performing artistic stunts and poses on an articulated ladder that rotates around the stage and swings into the audience. The shape diving hip-hop acrobats were highly competitive and entertaining as they tumbled and jumped through the varied sizes and height levels of hexagons. While their dive attempts were not completely flawless, toppling over a hoop, their encouragement of each other for a do-over brought many cheers from the crowd when successful!

Other acts included a muscle man on a unicycle who balanced a woman as he circled the stage. The Mirage act was impressive but also a bit uneasy to watch as a woman elevated from the ground and twirled from the rooftop around the stage whirling around like a top while suspended from her hair. Additionally, the typical preshow clowns are absent, but a clown-like solo performer draws laughs with his sequence of antics as he battles with a washing machine, and later confronts a bully on the beach.




Waz's breakthrough solo contemporary dance was beautifully choreographed with dramatic grand jetés. But the heart-racing finale with a full-size BMX park mounted on the stage was the highlight of Volta. Freespirit riders performed fast and furious spinning bike acrobatics, as they sped across the stage, crisscrossing, and jumping from ramp to ramp with their mid-air tricks. Prepare to be wowed!

TIPS:

Arrive early. Park at the lower level closest to the big top.

Volta souvenirs can be purchased on-site at the Cirque shop.

Alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages and snacks (popcorn, nachos, hot dog, pretzels) are available. However,  there are also many restaurants at Atlantic Station.

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS:

Cirque du Soleil’s Volta is playing under the big top at Atlantic Station (241 20th Street, Atlanta, GA 30363) through January 5, 2020.

Performances are Tuesdays to Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00pm, Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. No performances on Mondays. Showtimes may vary, so please visit cirquedusoleil.com/volta for the detailed show schedule.

Regular tickets $49 to $135 plus service charges. Premium and VIP packages are available.
Tickets are available at the on-site box office or visit cirquedusoleil.com/volta

* The writer received complimentary tickets to this performance. Opinions are entirely her own.




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