Review: ‘Twas the Night Before…By Cirque du Soleil Brings the Holiday Magic
Cirque du Soleil is known for its contemporary circus performances and exquisite visual storytelling. Add in a healthy dose of holiday magic and a soundtrack full of re-imagined holiday classics, and the effect is enchanting.
‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil is based on the poem A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clark Moore and tells the story of a jaded young girl named Isabella who discovers the magic of the holiday season.
The story opens with the bratty, uninterested Isabella learning social media dances in her room. When her loving father brings in her gift - a shiny new bike - and wants to read the poem, she rebuffs him and turns her headphones up. In a flurry of snow, the girl is whisked into the story by dancing winter elves that brim with dance talent and cheeky humor.
Each performer or group of performers took the stage to bring their own dose of cheer, be it in a graceful, slender aerial performance high above the stage, or Santa’s cheeky reindeer tumbling through hoops and flipping across the room, to name a few. Full of sparkle, fabulous costumes, color, and a healthy dose of holiday charm, each performance tells a story that will enrapture audiences as each performer shows off a new skill.
Isabella is largely a spector as she meets each performer, slowly coming around to the idea of a happy holiday season and the importance of family before finally getting her own chance to show off..
‘Twas the Night Before… is created and directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley.
Production highlights of each performance can be found below.
‘Twas the Night Before… is recommended for audiences of all ages and uses strobe lighting and confetti effects. The production runs at the Durham Performing Arts Center through Sunday, December 15, 2024. Tickets can be purchased here.
Feature photo credit: Bradon Todd, MSG Entertainment
