Paramour

The Lyric Theatre

August 19, 2016

Photo courtesy of Paramour

Paramour is everything you expect when Cirque du Soleil combines with the high tech production value the Lyric Theatre was redesigned to accommodate.  The production is slick, breathtaking, and, at times, heart stopping.  The story line is well developed, yet the aerial ballets, trapeze choreography, and trampoline acrobatics dominate the experience.  Let’s face it, that’s what you’re paying for when you buy tickets to Cirque du Soleil.

It is the golden age of Hollywood, and film director AJ Golden (played by Jeremy Kushnier) wins awards for his film Paramour.  He declares in his acceptance speech that he owes it all to his starlet, Indigo James (played by Ruby Lewis).  He tells the story of when he first heard her sing and immediately signed her and her pianist/composer Joey Green (played by Ryan Vona) to his new picture.  AJ Golden dominates her personal life with the same overbearing control he does on his move set, but the love between Indigo and Joey is stronger.

Photo courtesy of Paramour

The aerial ballet during the Cleopatra scene is breathtaking.  The two artists, Andrew and Kevin Atherton, soar above the audience and intertwine with graceful ease that is truly mesmerizing.  The love triangle between the three main characters is interpreted through choreography on the trapeze.  The three trapeze artists perform with astounding technical strength and performance skills that elicit an extreme passion and deep emotion.  The rooftop chase scene at the climax of the story is heightened with trampoline aerial tricks that make you laugh and gasp at the same time.

Photo courtesy of Paramour

Paramour is settling in for a long run at the Lyric Theatre on 42^nd St.  If you’ve seen a Cirque du Soleil performance before, you will not be disappointed.  If you have not, here’s your chance.

Domenick Danza