Hotspots Exclusive Interview by Mike Halterman
The adventure of Icarus begins when Varekai, Cirque du Soleil’s latest arena touring production, descends from the sky and into two Florida arenas: the Amalie Arena in Tampa for eight performances from August 5-9, 2015, and the BB&T Center in Sunrise for fifteen performances from August 12-23, 2015.
Tickets for the general public are available now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, 800.745.3000, or at the Amalie Arena and BB&T Center Box Offices. Ticket prices range from $40 – $100 (subject to change) plus applicable service fees. Children tickets are available for $25 on select performances. Advance tickets for Varekai are available online exclusively to Cirque
Club members through March 12. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.
The story of Varekai begins as Icarus, a solitary young man, falls from the sky and lands in a lush, wonderous world called Varekai.
Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest – a kaleidoscopic world imbued with fantastical creatures – Icarus takes flight in an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. At the edge of time, in a place of pure and undiluted possibility, begins an inspired incantation to a life rediscovered and to a newly found wonder in the mysteries of the world and the mind.
The word Varekai (pronounced ver•ay•’kie) means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. Directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.
For complete show and ticket information, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/varekai.
HOTSPOTS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
A talented dancer, gymnast and choreographer, Fernando Miro made the jump from his hometown in Puerto Rico to Cirque du Soleil in just a few short years. I had the chance to interview him just before he comes down to Florida for three weeks of shows. Miro plays the lead role of Icarus in this production.
What’s it like to be a part of the Cirque du Soleil family?
It’s pretty amazing. When you get to do what you love for a living, it’s always great; not a whole lot of people can say they do that. It’s a dream come true for me and for each and every one of us. “Varekai” was the first show I ever saw, when I was doing gymnastics in Puerto Rico, so it holds special meaning for me.
What skills do you bring to the table for Varekai?
I have three disciplines that I’m good at. I started out with gymnastics, and then that led me to dance, and participating in circus productions was only natural as it marries gymnastics and dance. So being able to merge everything together makes for a perfect background for the character I portray in the show.
Please tell me about your favorite part in the show.
I take the role very personally because it speaks to me. Icarus struggles to get back everything he treasured and loved and I think it’s important to push through and struggle in my craft. There are different scenes where Icarus gets help in learning how to build his life again, and he is also aided in finding his long-lost lover. Those parts are just so personal for me and I like performing them very much.
ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment.The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.
Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 155 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.
