The circus has come to Broadway. Cirque du Soleil—known for its touring shows that combine circus arts and street performance—debut Paramour, its first Broadway show back in April, bringing high-caliber theatrics and aerobatics to the Lyric Theatre.
Paramour follows the story of Indigo (Ruby Lewis), a scarlet-haired singer who is discovered by AJ Golden (Jeremy Kushnier), a powerful movie director looking for his next star. With her earnest, doe-eyed composer, Joey (Ryan Vona) in tow, the pair head off to Hollywood as Golden promises Indigo fame and fortune while Joey tries to write the perfect love song. A love triangle predictably develops, which may be an overdone plotline but lends itself beautifully to scenes like “The Dream” and “Indigo’s Decision,” where Cirque performers capture the complicated emotions of jealousy and love through acrobatics.
What the show lacks in storyline, it makes up fully in jaw-dropping theatrics. There is no lack of amusements with Paramour, as the show packs in flips, acrobatics, trapeze and juggling routines that will leave the audience breathless. The world-renowned Atherton brothers—aerial strap artists who dangle dozens of feet in the air holding onto nothing more than long straps—are one of the show’s best acts, as are acrobats Martin Charrat, Myriam Deraiche and Samuel William Charlton who dangle and flip upside down from a trapeze with complete control.
Brilliant choreography and strong vocals shine throughout and the show marries well the mixture of Broadway theatrics with circus stunts. While the acrobatics take center stage, performances by Lewis, who makes a memorable debut, and the rest of the cast, help the whole show come together well. This is a show that audience members won’t be able to look away from.
Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/paramour to find out more.
