Glued. The second that the music started playing, my kids could not take their eyes off that stage. This is how Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria captured not just our attention, but our hearts as a family. We were glued from beginning to end.
This was so special for us. As a family, this was a time of many firsts. It was the first time we had ever experienced a Cirque du Soleil creation. It was also the first holiday season we won’t be celebrating with my mom. Six months prior, she had passed away from cancer. My mom loved Christmas. She would always cook and make her grandchildren a priority. She wanted to help them feel the warmth of having everyone care about them.
The show allowed us to shift our energy and perspective. The music, the songs, and the talents, of course, we’re all so engaging. It helped us truly understand how we could see beauty amidst our longing. We could see the big picture in spite of the newness of our circumstances.
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t interested in attending shows in the past. My focus was different. After having been around this cast, the powerhouse all-female band, and expert acrobats, I will always be on the lookout when Cirque du Soleil comes to town. All of two hours was more than worth it for me, my children and my Dad. Even the bright colors brought gladness in our hearts. They pulled us in right from the introduction.
Towards the middle of the plot, a man came out with fire in his hands. Sure enough my 6-year-old yells from across the stadium, “Hey that’s not safe!” If that’s not an indication that he was utterly concentrating, I don’t know what is. He didn’t want to miss a single beat.
Meanwhile, my 11-year-old daughter never took her eyes off of the all-female band.
What a show!
Cirque du Soleil’s “Alegria” came at the right moment. It was what we needed to feel togetherness and not just physically. More than our presence, we continued conversations long after we had reached home. The next day, the children told my husband that he missed out. He couldn’t attend with us because he was working. It was what we needed to value fresh hope. It was fun, exciting and lovely.
On a personal note, it was healing to see people so alive and passionate.
It was an unexpected gift that was just perfect! “Instilling hope and renewal to bring light and harmony to their world”, Alegria did just that. I couldn’t help but see so many smiling faces around me it really captures “joyful spirit” in every light! I highly recommend the show as a family outing, a date night or a time to bring your children and their friends. You will be so pleased!
