The roar from the crowd was thunderous as Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA premiered at Santa Monica Pier Thursday night. The audience was filled with families, celebrities and die-hard Cirque fans who were all eager to welcome the beloved company back to this iconic venue where founder, Guy Laliberté, pooled all his resources in the late 80’s to launch Cirque du Soleil in the United States. It was an explosive success and a very special time that Angelenos hold in their hearts and minds. This is the first time Cirque’s Big Top has been set up at the pier since 2014, and to say we are excited is an understatement.
Having seen close to twenty Cirque shows over the years, I will say that Kooza is one of my favorites, mostly because it is a very classic, true to their roots “Cirque” spectacle – so I think it’s a great choice to be their first show back at the pier. Kooza has everything we all came to love from the beginning; death-defying acrobatic acts, whimsical characters telling beautiful stories, exquisite costumes and design, all set to a soaring, soulful original score. So, if you’ve never been to a Cirque show, Kooza is a perfect first experience and for Cirque fans, it’s everything you want it to be.
Also, there is nothing quite like the Big Top tent experience to whisk you away to another time and place. It’s an intimate setting with truly not a bad seat in the house. The show begins as a whisper, with a small “Innocent” playing alone, trying to fly a kite in a grey, colorless world. Without giving away some of the shows surprises, the Innocent (a delightful Alexandr Yudintsev) eventually encounters a mysterious Trickster (a lithe and dynamic Mitch Wynter) who dramatically opens a “doorway” to a secret underworld. Suddenly we are thrust into the bold and beautiful world of Kooza where the Innocent encounters an array of colorful and fanciful characters which include a hapless and loveable King (Mark Gindick) and his two sidekicks (Miguel Berlanga Madrono and Duncan Cameron), who engage us in various antics and a search for the King’s elusive crown.
David Shiner created and directs this Baron Munchausen-like delirious world and, along with the extraordinary Marie Chantale Vaillancourt costumes and Stéphane Roy’s sumptuous set design, takes us on a spectacular adventure that thrills the senses and awakens the soul. From the gasp-inducing high wire act, high-flying teeterboard acrobats and famous Wheel of Death to the jaw-dropping contortionists and balancing chairs act to the artistry of the unicycle duo and flying silks number, this international group of the world’s best of the best delivers a breathtaking, unforgettable experience.
From the first quiet notes to the chill-inducing finale, the Jean-François Côté music is integral to the storytelling. It’s a stunning score that is exotic, strange and moving, incorporating Côté’s love of traditional Indian, pop, funk and 1940’s film scores, played expertly by a live band and two singers who perform on a moving “Bataclan” that makes an electrifying appearance when the Trickster reveals the world of his creation. They include bandleader Fritz Kraal on Sax/Keys/Guitar, Kevin Johnson on Trumpet/Guitar, Jean-Louis Locas on Bass/Double Bass, Eden Bahar on Drums, Fernando Diez on Percussion, Joulien Riol Ferrer Matamoros on Trombone/Keys, Soul Singer Suzanne Perkins and Spirit Singer Katy Holtkamp.
What I love about Cirque shows is that they create a world and take you on a journey and this is the essence of Kooza. The name is inspired by the Sanskrit word “koza” which means “box” or “treasure chest”. So if you’ve ever dreamed of running off with the circus, Kooza is your chance to open this magical and wondrous circus in a box and make your dreams come true.
Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA is now playing under the Big Top at Santa Monica Pier through January 5, 2025.
Tickets are on sale now at cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.
For free subscription and information on exclusive Cirque Club benefits, visit cirqueclub.com.
