Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal, enjoying a brief weekend run at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, gives the standard “…on ice” arena show an incredible upgrade, somehow mounting a production full of family friendly thrills while also creating a sophisticated date-night vibe complete with artistically low lighting, lively jazz accompaniment and a gorgeously staged romantic set piece that sends audience hearts and performers’ bodies soaring in the second act.
This show, Cirque’s first staged on ice, debuted toward the end of 2017 and has toured the globe ever since. If, like me, you’ve never experienced it, do yourself a favor and go. It’s a revelation, from the masterful sets and projections to acts that include the aerial artistry and clowning Cirque is known for along with stunning ice acrobatics and dancing.
Show up a bit early for pre-show tomfoolery with real snowballs wielded by audience members all too happy to pelt a hapless clown with a metal bucket on his head. That bit of fun segues beautifully into a first act full of daring acts of aerial and ice-rink artistry after introducing us to Crystal, an offbeat young woman bursting with creativity who desperately wants to find a place in a world that too often sees her as a problem child.
Like Alice through the lookingglass, Crystal enters a strange new world after falling through the ice of a pond near her home. There, she meets all manner of strange folks, including a mirror-image version of herself that ultimately morphs into four simultaneously skating Crystals.
The simple story of a young woman finding the courage to be herself resonates with audiences of all ages as do the acts in which incredibly skilled performers turn multiple flips onto the ice, execute spectacular ramp jumps, hurtle over one another, combine skating with aerial maneuvers and even, at one point, tap dance in skates. In one memorable act, a hockey team begins executing ramp tricks only to find itself inside a giant pinball machine. It’s a supple bit of wizardry indeed.
Act two features plenty of thrills as well, but the beating heart of the show is a courtship dance between Crystal and her dream lover on both the ice in skates and in the air via bungee cables. Little kids may start to suffer droopy eyelids, but this act will entrance everyone else. And it’s followed, of course, by a big trick-filled finish (performed to a recorded cover of U2’s “Beautiful Day,” the only moment when the production showed its age) that elicited sustained applause Friday night.
If you want to see a spectacular ice show unlike any you’ve ever experienced, with plenty of Cirque flourishes, the choice is Crystal clear.
Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal runs through March 24 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.
For a full roundup of reviews of this show, visit Theatre in Chicago.
