Troupe Vertigo, whose innovative circus-dance-theater works redefine visual space with displays of mental and physical prowess, is premiering Cirque Swan Lake in collaboration with The Phoenix Symphony at the Mesa Arts Center from January 18-20. Conducted by Music Director Tito Muñoz, The Phoenix Symphony will play Tchaikovsky’s timeless score as Troupe Vertigo’s artists perform perilous balancing acts, contort and take flight above the orchestra-for a never-before seen re-telling of the fairytale filled with romance and tragedy.
For Troupe Vertigo, working with The Phoenix Symphony has challenged the company to dig deep into its circus roots and find common ground with classical master composers such as Tchaikovsky-expanding the company’s growing repertoire. For the symphony, inviting the troupe for a second season was sparked by audience response to the troupe’s 2017 show: Cirque Nutcracker. The troupe’s December 2018 Holiday Show with the symphony was similarly received by sold-out audiences who were roused to standing ovations.
“We are thrilled to once again share the stage with Troupe Vertigo for an original world premiere production of the beloved classic Swan Lake,” says Jim Ward, President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. “Our partnership, which fuses classical masterworks with the breathtaking energy of Cirque performers, has delighted our audiences over the last two seasons. We look forward to presenting more classical masterpieces in new and innovative ways alongside Troupe Vertigo.”
“The opportunity for our troupe of circus-dance-theater artists to tell these well-revered stories, alongside a world-class orchestra, has allowed Troupe Vertigo to dream big,” says co-founder Aloysia Gavre. “In Cirque Swan Lake, we drew a line from the grand pageantry of Swan Lake to the regal themes commonly embodied by our performers on stage. Once the parallels were drawn we saw a clear path to using the troupe’s multitude of high-level circus skills to recreate the classic ballet story of forbidden love, and of evil spells broken by the triumph of friendships.”
Gavre is a Cirque du Soleil alum and has been shepherding Troupe Vertigo artistically since she co-founded the company in 2009 with husband and partner Rex Camphuis. For both The Phoenix Symphony and Troupe Vertigo, this developing partnership comes with the added benefit of increasing the symphony’s staple audience and expanding Troupe Vertigo’s growing national reach.
Cirque Swan Lake will run Friday, January 18th through Sunday, January 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center, located at 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. Tickets are available for purchase here. Prices start at $45.
