Zaia World Premiere August 28 2008

*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.

It’s been a long road to Cirque. I fell in love with the music around 1996 when I went through three CD’s of the Allegria soundtrack. I wore them out – listened to it around the clock for months. For years after that I got as many scores of Cirque music as I could and incorporated elements of it into my productions in my studio that I ran in Southern California for 16 years.

After that my mother took my sister and I to Mystere and “O” in Las Vegas. When my Mom asked me what I thought of the first show I remember saying “I feel like my life has been changed.” But couldn’t express why or how. That’s how powerful the Cirque experience was to me.

After that I auditioned for the spot of bandleader for Quidam. Cirque and I went back for quite a while Fedexing things back and forth – audition materials and sample scores, etc. It got down to the final submission and I was told it was between myself and one other person. I was so confident of my submission that I gave notice at work. But I didn’t get it. I remember being crushed because Cirque was my life dream.

After that I auditioned for a new Cirque show in Vegas that they wouldn’t tell us much about – I later found out it was Zumanity. For Zumanity I auditioned live in Vegas. They talked to me about taking on one of the keyboard parts, but it wasn’t the spot I really wanted.

So I figured my Cirque adventure was all over – then in 2007 got a call to submit for Dralion. I submitted materials requested but couldn’t do the gig because I was in the middle of productions of Dracula and Disney’s High School Musical.

It was gut wrenching for me – I remember telling my mother “Well, that’s it – Cirque will never call me again. We never seem to find the right match.”

So I was very surprised to get the call several months later with an offer for ZAIA in Macau, China. For me it was the perfect gig for three reasons – 1. It was Cirque’s first resident production in Asia. I’ve played in Asia several times and always loved it. The thought of living in China intrigued me, especially in their current time of history. 2. By joining ZAIA, I also got to be part of the creation period and see the process of the show being put together and sculpted. 3. The composer for Zaia is Violaine Corradi – I love all her music from other shows like Dralion and Varekai so I knew the music would move and motivate me.

So, that’s part of the story of my road to Cirque. It was a long one. Some people jump right into Cirque, and others take years for the perfect fit.  It’s been a wonderful and challenging experience so far!

The Cirque creation process is something so unique that it’s difficult to describe. It is gut wrenching and beautiful at the same time. Maybe like giving birth to a child. Pain and joy.

As we prepare for the paparazzi and red carpet for our openings I’ve been meeting a lot more of the Cirque senior staff. They all pat you on the back, laugh and say “You made it!” They know the creation process is challenging – it’s also one of elements that sets Cirque apart from other productions. The slow sculpting that takes place over months and years to create the experience that connects and pulls the most emotion from the audience.

I read recently that obstacles are there to keep people away that don’t really want it. I like that idea.

Ok, off to the Tapis Rouge!