Email Q&A: ZAIA and Cirque Flute Scores

Email question received:

Dear Conrad –
I enjoy your blog.  It’s a great chance for outsiders to get an inside look at what it’s like to be in a Cirque production. I write because I recently posted a video on Cirque’s Facebook Casting page and have two questions with respect to the use of various flutes in ZAIA.

1. How many different flutes are used in your current production?

2. To your knowledge, are there other current Cirque shows that are scored
exclusively for the flute? (either concert flute or other world flutes)

Thanks for your time.

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ZAIA Celebrates 1,000th Show

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPueHkXkKkA

On Sunday March 20, 2011 the Cirque Du Soleil show ZAIA celebrated it’s 1,000th performance. The ZAIA cast had a big party at the Venetian casino in Macau along many of the artists and crew from the ZED and KOOZA shows. Here are some videos from Aomen (Macau) TV that I believe were released in December, 2010. It shows behind the scenes talks with a trapeze catcher and artistic director in the ZAIA show.

Hard to believe it’s been over three years since we began training in Montreal for the show. It’s been a very interesting time here in Macau, China!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Egp2NJNSs

Cirque Tokyo ZED and KOOZA Employees Evacuated to Macau

As a personal rule I do not post Cirque Du Soleil information that has not already been released to the public. That is not any directive from management. Just a personal guideline. I feel ok to post this since it has already been published publicly at:

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/stageandpage/
archive/2011/03/15/cirque-du-soleil-japan-update-zed-performers-
evacuated-to-macau.aspx

“Cirque has decided yesterday to transfer all its employees currently in Japan to Macau (China). These preventative measures touch the staff and artists of ZED, presented at Tokyo Disneyland, which is closed for the next 7 days, and artists and staff of Kooza, presented in Fuji Dome in Tokyo, which is also cancelled until further notice. Artists and staff will benefit from the support of the Macau colleagues and will be able to pursue their training at the Macau training centre.”

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Skagit Herald – March 10, 2011

Thank you to Beverly Crichfield from the Skagit Herald (Skagit County, WA – USA) for writing this article for the Thursday, March 10, 2011 edition. You can subscribe to the Skagit Herald and find local news at http://www.goskagit.com

The article talks about the years I did music and theater in Mount Vernon, WA and Skagit County, USA before moving to Macao, China with Cirque Du Soleil. You can click on the images to enlarge and read.

Below is front page of magazine insert.

ZAIA Live Promo – Hunan China TV

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQwMDU1MzYw.html

Cirque Du Soleil artists from the ZAIA show did a live television promo up in Hunan, China in late January 2011. It featured the acts of Straps, Skate and Hand to Hand.

I don’t know how to embed that link because it’s from a Chinese website – but it’s there if you’d like to watch it. I’ve been told that the spot was seen by several million viewers in mainland China.

Cirque du Soleil and James Cameron form 3D partnership

MONTREAL — A group of entertainment heavyweights including Cirque du Soleil and Canadian director James Cameron have formed a partnership to produce theatrical 3D projects.

Reel FX and Cirque du Soleil Images are the production partners.

“Shooting with the Cirque du Soleil team has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional life,” Cameron said in the release.

“It’s a unique opportunity for me, and my 3D partner Vince Pace, to bring the Cirque du Soleil experience to a worldwide audience through the magic of 3D cinema.”

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainment/20101209/james-cameron-cirque-du-soleil-101209/

Rocky Horror Show Live – Time Warp

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4fKG0fcogg

I ran across this live video of the Time Warp from a 1997 production of The Rocky Horror Show. This was one of the most fun musical theater projects I ever worked on. I wouldn’t mind going on a tour with this show for a few years because the interaction with the audience is intoxicating.

Working on my own project I always go back and forth between “high art” and the just plain fun of a Rocky type experience. When it comes to art what’s more important – having fun or giving people a more thoughtful experience? I guess we need it all for a colorful life…

Sweeney Todd Music – Behind the Scenes

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm9fxAMdhjM

“I prefer actors that can sing rather than singers that can act” – I thought that was a great quote from Stephen Sondheim in this video behind the scenes on the music for the movie version of the musical “Sweeney Todd”.

In another interview I read today with Stephen Sondheim he said although most musicals now are rock/pop or jukebox style – he said the same rules apply to creating musical theater: You create what you like and then just hope that others like it too. He says to try and second guess current trends or what audiences will like is pointless. I would say that in the world of pure art this is true. Although most of us work in arenas where budgets and projects dictate expectations.

Unless of course we are brave enough to venture out and create our own visions  unhampered by monetary expectations. That is a tough decision for an artist, and a very fun one!