TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil in San Diego

Crawling amphibians morphing into floating, spinning birds aspiring to take flight…

The process of evolution is the inspiration for the newest Cirque du Soleil tour stopping through San Diego and plunging audiences into a world where the creatures run rampant and begin to progress into the unknown.

In TOTEM, nothing is off limits as the international acrobatic show examines the evolutionary progress of species. Opening on April 25th, San Diego will have a chance to see the story that unravels between science and legend in the blue-and-yellow Big Top Tent at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Written and directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM uses its title to take on what it means to advance from marsh creature to full-flight bird. It also stretches through various civilizations, seasons, and terrains. The show is also largely based on the myths and legends of the world’s beginnings, starting with the turtle that has been used to represent the origin of life on earth. A giant turtle comprises the center of the stage, symbolizing the earth that carries the entire weight of the world on its shell. The turtle skeleton weighs 2,700 lbs to be exact, and is completely covered in a non-slip finish for the performances to move on.

Passing characters of TOTEM connect acrobatic skill with professional storytelling. Audiences will feel close to the Fixed Trapeze Duo poised like two lovebirds, seeking seduction in a light-hearted vertical dance. They’ll meet the Rings Trio, two men competing against each other on the rings…until a woman arrives to show them how it’s done. And shock will ensue as the Unicycles and Bowls scene rides in and five unicyclists juggle metal bowls with their feet and catching them on their heads, no hands involved.

If you can peel your eyes away from the stunning acrobatics throughout the show, the elaborate costumes designed by Kym Barrett present an equal amount of production. Her research led her to construct pieces based on animals, plants and birds as well as traditional cultural and tribal designs. She also had the challenging task to embody the theme of human evolution and the cycle of the seasons. In one of the most elaborate costumes on a recurring character throughout the show, the Crystal Man dazzles in a costume covered in small mirrors and crystals, made up of 4,500 reflective components on a stretch of velvet leotard.

With visual and acrobatic language, intricate costumes, upbeat music, amazing acts of contortion, high flying stunts, juggling, balance and more, there’s a journey to be taken with the cast of TOTEM.  

The show will be opening in San Diego on April 25th. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.

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