Cirque Du Soleil could open in the fall, even as company files bankruptcy

The new Cirque Du Soleil show at Disney Springs could potentially open this fall while the Montreal-based circus arts show company seeks to reorganize financially under U.S. Chapter 15 bankruptcy laws, the company said.

Cirque du Soleil filed for creditor protection in Canada on Monday while it develops a plan to restart its business amid the pandemic, the Associated Press reported.

“For the past 36 years, Cirque du Soleil has been a highly successful and profitable organization. However, with zero revenues since the forced closure of all of our shows due to COVID-19, management had to act decisively to protect the Company’s future,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, in a statement.

The company said it has terminated 3,480 employees who had been furloughed since March but expects to resume its resident shows in Orlando and Las Vegas before the company shows start up.

No official opening date has been set for “Drawn to Life” show at Disney Springs, but Cirque spokeswoman Mélanie Fontaine said it could premiere this fall if there were no government regulations in place prohibiting large gatherings.

“Employees for ‘Drawn to Life’ .. are being kept on temporary leave for the time being to ensure a swift and efficient return as soon as the ban on gatherings is lifted and show operations can resume,” Fontaine said in an email.

On March 3, reporters were invited to preview a portion of “Drawn to Life,” which incorporates music and images from Disney’s animated films while gymnasts and aerial dancers perform on stage. The show was supposed to open to the public April 17.

Days later, the economic shutdown from the coronavirus pandemic hit. By March 16, the theme parks had shut down, upending the tourism industry.

Walt Disney World theme parks are scheduled to open in mid-July while some restaurants and shops at Disney Springs have been operating since May.