The Houston premier of Cirque Du Soleil’s production of Alegria begins on Monday and if you ever wondered what it is like behind the scenes of one of the world’s most well-known productions – I am about to spill all the tea.
The show, which first premiered in 1994, is one of the most iconic productions from Cirque Du Soliel and travelled under the Big Top and in smaller arenas for more than 19 years. In 2003, the show was retired, but because audiences loved the show so much, it is back and revamped for 2020 audiences.
The production comprised of nearly 200 cast and crew is a travelling village with its own kitchen, medical crew and fleet of trucks. I have put together a list of some very impressive Cirque Du Soleil stats. If you like to travel, the show will be in 7 cities this year alone – find out when it will be near you and get your tickets.
20,000 – hours to put together the costumes for the show.
2,600 – capacity of the Big Top tent where the performances are held.
500 – hours spent developing makeup concepts for the show.
125 – cast and crew members that live, work and travel together for the Alegria production.
73 – trucks in the Alegria truck fleet that travel from city to city.
53 – artists that comprise the cast of Cirque Du Soleil Alegria.
50 – weeks the show is in production each year.
16 – nationalities comprise the cast of Alegria.
10 – performers can fit on the high-bar at one time (highest point in the Big Top).
7 – days it takes for the Cirque Du Soleil Village to be erected in each city.
6 – weeks spent in each city (sometimes it can be 7).
6 – days cast and crew member work each week during the tour.
4 – 18-wheeler trucks used to hold concessions and merchandise.
3 – full-time wardrobes technicians.
2 – hours it takes some performers to put on their stage makeup.
2 – days it takes for the Cirque Du Soleil village to be dismantled.
1 – 18-wheeer truck used to hold just costumes.
1 – week off between cities for the cast.
Photos Credit: Marie-Andrée Lemire / Costumes Dominique Lemieux / Cirque du Soleil 2019
Texas Chingona 