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Local Stories, Broad Impact

Thu. Sep 12th, 2024
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Austin Welcomes Country Music From Cirque du Soleil ‘Songblazers’

By Matthew. Jr
Austin Welcomes Country Music From Cirque du Soleil ‘Songblazers’

For those expecting a Cirque du Soleil show, don’t come, because “Songblazers” is so much more than that.

The two-act show proved to be a vibrant exploration of country song and dance, with acrobatics spread throughout a musical theater story. Families and young children were in abundance at Bass Concert Hall for the first night of the Austin production. The show runs until Sunday.

“Songblazers” also comes equipped with its own original song, “Carnival Heart” by Sam Williams, son of outlaw legend Hank Williams Jr. and grandson of country pioneer Hank Williams.

A yodelling contest breaks the boredom

Before “Songblazers” began, some of the main cast members engaged with the waiting audience as seats gradually filled up.

The figures hung over the balcony railings. An amateur yodelling competition culminated with audience members gathering on stage for a talent show with even more yodelling, chicken croaking and pseudo tap dancing from the brave.

A welcome way to beat boredom, the enthusiastic personalities of the cast members set the tone for the show that follows.

Acrobatic Dance Troupe from Tanzania

The most impressive feats of the “Songblazers” came from a troupe of eight Tanzanian acrobats, who opened the show with a sophisticated show of jumping rope. The group executed perfectly timed backflips through a series of swinging ropes to “Kentucky Blue Moon” by the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe.

In a visually incredible final act, the unit displayed their acrobatics, balancing on top of each other and forming a human pyramid with precision power. This part of the show embodied the mind-boggling physical stunts that Cirque du Soleil has come to be known for.

A slapstick comedy and a strong man

From prolonged trouble with the tool belt to mishaps at the microphone, the slapstick sprinkled throughout the show proved to be a pleasant surprise.

The performers put genuine humor into each part, displaying a wide range of talents beyond their impressive acrobatic feats.

This included a “strong man” Wayne Wilson, who pulled the three main characters on stage with his teeth, and later drove a nail through two metal pans using only his bare hands. He performed his feat in front of the audience, the nail crowding the vessels and firmly fixed to the wooden plank below.

‘Red cup Solo, fill you up, let’s have a party!’

There was a slight interruption shortly after the break. The music began and the singing began, but the curtain did not rise and the music suddenly stopped. A voice announced that there was an interruption in the performance and that audience members should remain in their seats.

An audience member shouted “your gorgeous voice broke the curtain!”

Soon enough, the skid subsided and the show resumed. The Grand Ole Opry-inspired second act transformed the stage into a scene of suspended neon lights.

Spanish juggler Bruno Macaggi brought viewers to the edge of their seats with a spectacular display using eight red solo cups that spun through the air at incredible speeds before landing back in his hands, all while Toby Keith’s ‘Red Solo Cup’ played in the background. .

For something that sounds so simple, this spectacular cup was the most fascinating of the show.

Dynamic duos of acrobats

“Songblazers” featured two dynamic acrobatic duos.

First, the odd couple pairing of Brazil’s Cecilia Figueiredo and Eliel Diaz, a mismatched romantic entanglement that came equipped with tosses, drops and jaw-dropping flips on hilarious stage acting.

After that, Hungarian twins Bettina Bogdan and Krisztina Vellai performed an aerial acrobatics routine for “Man! I feel like a woman!” by Shania Twain. The wonder was accentuated by their long blonde hair that swung through the air with each spiral.

While Cirque du Soleil’s “Songblazers” may not be the adrenaline rush you expect, it does not disappoint. One caveat: your hands might get tired from clapping.

By Matthew. Jr

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