FORT BENNING, Ga. (May 8, 2013) -- After traveling to more than 300 cities on six continents, the professional artists of Cirque du Soleil are making their way to Columbus for the first time this weekend -- and you have four opportunities to see them work their wonder before they continue on their journey.
Quidam is the entrancing tale of Zoé, an ordinary girl who dreams of the extraordinary. Told in the quintessential Cirque way, her fable unfolds with a spell-binding blend of artistry, acrobatics, pageantry and color. It's a live concert, a full-scale theater production, a circus, and yet also, something more. Like a dream, it's not something you see but experience.
Ambiance
Serious scenes alternate with light-hearted sketches to vary the mood.
For young audiences, there is humor and clownish antics. For those who've seen more of life, there's subtle drama, dance and a whimsical touch of mystery.
"It's definitely a show for everyone," said Adrienn Banhegyi, a Hungarian native and rope skipping world champion. "It can be a very nice inspiration for the children. It can bring back a nostalgic feeling for the adults."
Banhegyi's act features in the first half of the show: jump-rope stunts well beyond Double Dutch. And it's "all choreographed with very funky music," she said.
Execution
Banhegyi has been perfecting her art for almost two decades, the case with many in the cast, which brings together the world's top performers from nearly 20 countries.
As a result, each act, whether aerial dancing or human pyramids, features a world-class expert who will astound you in defiance of the laws of physics.
Meanwhile, music builds momentum and paces the show with a plot loosely fitted around the acts. More than a strict storyline, Quidam evokes the theme of anonymity versus individuality. Characters -- from the central Zoé to her parents to the comic ringmaster -- are vague but intriguing.
At its close, you're left with the sense of a happy ending, perhaps without quite being able to say why.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Cirque du Soleil?
A: An internationally touring performance company, Cirque du Soleil grew from a group of 20 street performers in 1984. To date, more than 100 million spectators have seen one of their shows.
Q: What does Quidam mean?
A: Quidam refers to a nameless passer-by, someone lost in the crowd. Always anonymous, it could be anyone or all of us. Quidam, the show, celebrates breaking free from an ambiguous majority to find a renewed individuality.
Q: How do you pronounce it?
A: Quidam is pronounced "kee-dom."
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