REVIEW: Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil
‘Twas a month before Christmas, with latecomers creepwalking,
When out sprang some wee elves, doing popping and locking.
The show started in earnest with a narrator’s inductions,
But whatever happened to Cirque’s wordless productions?
With my kid in her seat and my phone in my lap,
We’d just settled in to enjoy Christmas themed rap.
When up on the stage there arose such a clatter,
That I dug out some earplugs lest my cochleas shatter!
The dancers were spun from the ceiling with flare,
Yet the plot jumbled along with barely a care.
The acrobatics were goofy and wowing at times,
Yet the theme about Christmas was as weak as these rhymes!
For some reason known only up at Cirque’s secret HQ,
The Santa was shabby and a bit superfluous, too.
I may come across jaded and hardest to please,
But my kid was thrilled by skaters twirling with ease!
Despite these complaints, most acts were impressive.
The performers were merry; the music was festive!
This was a fine Christmas performance, there’s plenty to cheer,
I loved the yo-yoers and the high-jumping reindeer!
But once you’ve seen Cirque under their signature big-tops,
It’s hard to watch shows where they aren’t pulling out all stops.
(That’s an old organist joke, it’s ok if it flops!)
But you’ll have a good time, if no juggling ball drops!
Cirque du Soleil’s Twas the Night Before runs at the Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis from now until December 3, 2023. Discount tickets are available for families and large groups. Be sure to buy parking for the Church Street Garage in advance (https://www.northrop.umn.edu/
