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Cirque Éloize iD: Great Family Fun!

Young contemporary circus mixes dance and acrobatics to offer entertainment for all ages
By Vivianne Swietelsky

Looking for something culturally worthwhile to do with your kids during the hot summer months can be challenging, so I was happy to see that the Arsht Center would be presenting the highly-acclaimed Cirque Éloize iD.  I checked the reviews and clips before buying the tickets, to make sure that is was o.k. for young kids.  Not to worry! This show is appropriate for all ages, and is so visually engaging and energetic that everyone finds something to like about it. 

The fast-paced show, whose urban city plot is based loosely on a West Side Story rivalry, features everything from an intricate group rope-jumping act (my 5-year-old daughter's favorite), to a mind-boggling juggling act (my 8-year-old son's favorite).  The trampoline finale has the entire cast bouncing up and down the walls of a building, in and out of windows, over and under each other in a seemingly effortless and gravity-defying act that leaves you breathless and wondering, "How did they ever do that?"   In fact, every act is a challenge to what we previously thought was possible, and our kids sat at the edge of their seats the entire performance, mesmerized.

Another reason that this show appeals to kids is that the performers are young and amazingly athletic (dare I mention the most perfect 6-pack of abs I have ever seen?), effortlessly performing a combination of very intricate choreography and acrobatics.   Using techno multi media and great rhythmic music, classic Cirque acts are presented in fresh new ways to a new, younger generation of viewers.  A cyclist races through the audience onto the stage and does things with his bicycle that you never thought were possible, and a Romeo and Juliette performance between the beautiful contortionist and the handsome in-line skater is quite lovely. 

Minute by minute this show is worth every penny you pay for the tickets and the 2 hours went by in a flash, with no complaints from any kids around us.  I would recommend it highly to everyone, including families with children from about 4 years and up.

As an added bonus and highlight for my kids, the Arsht has a camera and TV monitor set up in the lobby with some hula hoops in front of it, and video of the kids eagerly hamming it up is broadcast live into the theater. Great fun!