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SALT LAKE CITY \u2014 \u201cTwas the Night Before Christmas\u201d remains one of the season\u2019s most popular stories. Over more than a century, it has taken many forms, and now a new version has come to Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n
You may have seen the ads from the renowned acrobats of Cirque du Soleil. These performers simply defy gravity. \u201cTwas the Night Before\u2026 by Cirque du Soleil\u201d hopes to bring the magic but also take your breath away.<\/p>\n
In this story, a young girl named Isabella is no longer excited about the magic of Christmas until she is transported into the famous poem. That\u2019s the magical part. It takes 800 man-hours to load in 100 tons of equipment. There are five miles of cables.<\/p>\n
KSL TV had exclusive access to the hoops rehearsal. No ramps or springboards propelled these acrobats. Then, they increased the degree of difficulty by adding another hoop. They were stacked four high. The acrobats easily flipped through them. The highest hoop was set at 10 feet, and the smallest hoop was 18 inches in diameter.<\/p>\n
However, the hoops stunts aren\u2019t the only ones in the show. In the roller skating number, they spin at 30 mph. Another act featuring the strap duo takes place 20 feet in the air. The artist who does the hair suspension act performs approximately 100 turns at top speed, that\u2019s seven turns per second.<\/p>\n
We spoke with Kiara Fina and Jerould Jorge, who are professional dancers. That is a big part of this show, as well.<\/p>\n
I asked about their preparations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are very, very long days,\u201d Fina said. \u201cWe are told to get our stamina up, so it\u2019s a lot of work but it\u2019s all worth it to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n
They said they are always amazed at their fellow performers, coming to rehearsals and simply watching them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s these acrobatics, there\u2019s these disco skaters (and) there\u2019s hair hanging everywhere, a lot of stuff going on and it\u2019s just crazy that we\u2019re in the circus now,\u201d Jorge said.<\/p>\n
A lot of the sparkle comes from the costumes and we stepped backstage for a look.<\/p>\n
(Nathaniel Gillis, KSL TV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Marianne Theriault is head of wardrobe and described the overall look.<\/p>\n \u201cModern day-to-day wear with a little more, a little extra, whimsical,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She took a tracksuit, added gold and then showed us the back of each.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have Dancer, Dasher (and) vixen, you recognize those names,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Even the shoes were covered with glitter.<\/p>\n Then she showed me a bright pink and gold costume.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a dress,\u201d I said, \u201cThis is a dress?\u201d<\/p>\n I touched it. It was as so stiff. Theriault said,<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you squeeze it, it\u2019s made out of paper, it doesn\u2019t stretch at all but she\u2019s going contortions in the air with this.\u201d<\/p>\n Then I looked over at an enormous clear plastic bow, which she said went with the dress.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d I exclaimed. \u201c It\u2019s a statement piece.\u201d<\/p>\n Theriault agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a statement piece, exactly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cast and crew said come with family and friends, people you love and make new memories.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really to open your heart and get the joy of Christmas,\u201d Theriault said.<\/p>\n