*Update – Premiere completed and successful. Everyone very happy.*
It’s finally here – our world premiere of ZAIA, Cirque Du Soleil’s new show at the Venetian in Macau (SAR) China on August 28, 2008.
It was over a year and a half ago that Cirque said to me “Would you be interested in Macau?” – I said yes because I prefer to always keep as many doors open as possible, but I had no idea what Macau even was. Then about a year ago that they officially signed me onboard for the gig.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RxhCHBU9Lw
A previous juggling act from Corteo by Cirque Du Soleil.
Info on the Cirque show ZAIA from the Venetian (Macao SAR China) in Chinese.
ZAiAâ„¢
ZAiA™讲述的是一个å°å¥³å©çš„太空é¨æ¸¸ä¹‹æ¢¦ï¼Œè¿™æ˜¯ä¸€ä¸ªé™Œç”Ÿå´åˆä¼¼æ›¾ç›¸è¯†çš„自我探索之旅。在这旅程ä¸ï¼Œå°å¥³å©é‡è§äº†äººæ€§ä¹‹ç¾Žï¼Œå¹¶æŠŠå®ƒå¸¦å›žåœ°çƒä¸Žå¤§å®¶åˆ†äº«ã€‚
ZAiA™展示了一个å°å¥³å©å¯¹äºŽå®‡å®™æ— é™çš„体会，以åŠå±…ä½åœ¨é‚£é‡Œæœé¥°åŽä¸½ã€ç¨€å¥‡å¤æ€ªçš„天外生物。演出的å称「ZAiAâ„¢ã€æ˜¯ä¸€ä¸ªå¸Œè…Šè¯ï¼Œæ„æ€æ˜¯ã€Œç”Ÿå‘½ã€ï¼Œè€Œä¸”它还能够让人è”想到「Gaiaã€â€”— 地çƒçš„生å˜ã€è‡ªæˆ‘认识åŠç²¾ç¥žã€‚
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/06/ap/business/main4324809.shtml
Excerpt:
The government-controlled developer of palm-shaped islands off Dubai’s coast and a related investment arm said Wednesday they have bought a 20 percent stake in international circus touring company Cirque du Soleil.
Property developer Nakheel and investment company Istithmar World Capital did not say how much they paid for their share of the group, which began performing in Quebec nearly a quarter century ago and is today a mainstay of theaters in Las Vegas and the Far East.
The agreement keeps control of the Montreal-based entertainment company in the hands of founder Guy Laliberte, putting to rest for now speculation that the troupe would be sold outright.
Check out the Zaia Taxi – one of the great marketing ideas for the Cirque show ZAIA in Macau (Venetian Casino). For a month up to the soft opening and up to the grand opening of the show – I would say that one out of every four taxis in Macau have the ZAIA advertisement. It’s EVERYWHERE. And yes, it’s very fun to be in the show and then ride a Zaia taxi around town!
Opening night (soft opening) and monstrously fun party for Cirque Du Soleil’s ZAIA at the Venetian July 26, 2008.
Our first public show went very smooth – no apparent tech glitches or problems – and we had an incredibly enthusiastic audience – so we’re all very happy. Here little snippets of my opening night and the great party afterwards for my friends back home.
Just to give you an idea of the amount of construction going on near the Venetian Casino on the Cotai Strip by Macau, China. This pic only shows part of the construction on the Cotai Strip. Also more construction further to the left off the picture and an entire casino off to the right of the photo.
httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=hkSXUSOvgPI
Zaia video promo from China TV – This is also one of the few videos I’ve seen that has interior shots of the theater seating area.
The Zaia Bunch – This is a photo of the artists, crew and support staff for Cirque Du Soleil’s production ZAIA at the Sands Venetian, Macau (SAR) China. I think this was taken in May 2008. I’m on the left hand side in the green shirt (thank you to Rachael for making the scary faces and hands behind me…hehe)
And just for the archives, here’s a full resolution photo you can click on if interested:
Getting in the zone inside the Cirque musician booth and ready to open ZAIA…