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The Bottom Line

This show is a must-see event. Dralion last toured in the Phoenix area in 2002. Other Cirque du Soleil shows have come to our area in the past ten years, including Corteo, Varekai, and, most recently in 2012, KOOZA. Unlike some other Cirque du Soleil productions, Dralion places almost as much emphasis on the music, dance and message as the acrobatics. Ticket prices range from $30 to $165 (Buy Direct from Ticketmaster), and I noticed several discount promotions were offered.


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Pros

• A visual feast
• Amazing performances
• Wonderful costumes and music

Cons

• This production was at US Airways Center, and not in Cirque's Grand Chapiteau
• Concessions very expensive. A small bottle of water was $5.

Description

• Cirque du Soleil's goal is "to entertain, uplift and enlighten audiences the world over."
• Dralion is a celebration of life and the four elements: air, water, fire and earth.
• The name Dralion comes from two main symbols-the dragon, from the East, and the lion, from the West.
• This performance of Cirque du Soleil at US Airways Center is set up as half half court, lower section only.
• Dralion is a limited engagement; it will be in Phoenix only November 28 through December 2, 2012.

Guide Review - Cirque du Soleil's Dralion

 

If you have never been to a performance of Cirque du Soleil, you might not really know what to expect. Dance? Music? Theater? Acrobats? Comedy? The answer is a resounding yes to all of those. It is a spectacular display of color and sound and amazing performances.

This is a thoroughly professional company. The set, the costumes, the music and the performers are intricately interwoven into Dralion's theme of the earth's elements and the quest for harmony between humans and nature. The acrobats are truly amazing. In my opinion, they made some of the remarkable acts look so easy that the one or two missed feats brought the audience back to the reality of how difficult and dangerous their movements are. My favorites acts were hoop diving, aerial hoop and those amazing trampoline acrobats.

This time the show was performed at the US Airways Center. Usually I avoid shows or concerts in stadiums. While my favorite way to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil performance is when it is set up in Cirque's Grand Chapiteau (Big Top), enough seats were blocked off here such that everyone had a good view of the action. As usual, my preference for seats at Cirque is to be a little higher. While first row seats often sound special, for this show, where much of the action is raised or aerial, I'd actually rather not be closer than the 7th or 8th row. At US Airways Center the seating is semicircular. Center stage is still the best.

Should you bring the kids? Aside from the colors and lights and constant motion, the younger ones may not appreciate Dralion as much as you will. Yes, Cirque du Soleil is a circus of sorts, and yes, there are even clowns. But it is not your typical circus and the humor of the 'clowns' certainly has an adult subtlety to it.

Notwithstanding my comments above regarding concession prices and the venue, Dralion is a wonderful feast for the senses. I loved every minute of the two hour show (there was an intermission). If you have the opportunity to see it, my suggestion is to do so. (2012)

 

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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary tickets for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.