UNDER THE BIG TOP
Cirque du Soleil to bring show to Montco in 2018
UPPER MERION » Cirque du Soleil is coming to Montgomery County in 2018.
That announcement was made Friday afternoon during the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board’s annual luncheon — and was met with applause from the luncheon’s nearly 500 guests.
The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil will set up its tent on property just off of Route 422 in Oaks next summer — close to hotels, restaurants and the Route 422 corridor, according to Edward Harris, Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board chief marketing officer.
“VOLTA,” Cirque du Soleil’s 41st original production and newest show, will be making its way to the county. It made its official debut in April.
Some specific details about the engagement are not yet ready to announce, according to Amélie Robitaille, “VOLTA” show publicist. Among the details still to be announced are show dates, the length of the engagement and when tickets will go on sale. Robitaille said specifics will be announced closer to the launch of ticket sales.
“The usual run for a show is six to 10 weeks, Robitaille said in an interview Friday. She said “VOLTA” is currently following the normal course for a new show.
“Every new show starts in Montreal. This one started in April in Montreal, then Gatineau, which is outside of Ottawa and now it’s in Toronto. Then it will move to Miami and then Tampa Bay, Fla.,” she said, adding that the big top shows spend about two years in North America.
In making the announcement, the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board showed a brief video with scenes from “VOLTA” and comments from cast members about coming to Montgomery County.
Robitaille acknowledged the economic impact a Cirque du Soleil show can have on a region.
“Not only do we come in with our staff of 125 people, where we are finding lodging and transportation, but the big top seats 2,600 people per show,” she said. “That is a lot of people coming to the show — they will make a day out of it.”
Friday’s announcement was several months in the making, according to Harris, adding that the timing worked out well.
“We wanted to find something that would bring attention to the arts that are available in the county, and that might lead to hotel nights for visitors,” he said, adding that Cirque du Soleil originally reached out to the tourism board.
“This brings a show to Montgomery County that rivals anything else that is out there,” Harris said.
“VOLTA” tells a story about the freedom to choose and about blazing one’s own trail, according to show information on the Cirque du Soleil website. The show is inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports.
Among the acts and acrobatic performances are rope skipping, roller skating, basketball, Parkour, a Flatland BMX and ballet duo, acrobatic ladders, swiss rings/bungee and BMX, with five riders.
The Cirque du Soleil announcement comes on the heels of the tourism agency’s launch of a new brand — Arts Montco — which is focused on promoting the more than 200 arts venues across the county.
A discussion about highlighting arts, according to Harris, led to the creation of a new position at the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board — director of arts and culture.
“We just want people to know Montgomery County is a destination for the arts,” said Jessica Willingham, director of arts and culture for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. “All of the communities are vibrant in the arts.”
The tourism board’s annual luncheon — held at the new Health Sciences building at Montgomery County Community College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell — hosted a record number off attendees.
Guests heard about Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board activities and results from the past year. All three Montgomery County commissioners — Val Arkoosh, Ken Lawrence and Joe Gale — spoke briefly.
Keynote speaker for the event was former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and ESPN personality Ron Jaworski.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
For more information about the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board visit www.valleyforge.org and for more information about Arts Montco visit www.valleyforge.org/arts-culture .