Cirque du Soleil returns with CORTEO
Under the blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top)

Premieres in Orange County on November 8, 2007 Under the Grand Chapiteau at Orange County Fair & Exposition Center in Costa Mesa

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL returns to the Southland after a four-year absence with the big top touring show Corteo, proudly presented by iShares, under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Created and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is now performing in Los Angeles for a limited engagement at The Forum. On November 8, Corteo will open at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center in Costa Mesa.

These engagements celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles and the United States.Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown.

The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The Corteo cast includes 61 artists from 16 countries. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

Corteo explores the circus arts in a way that is brand new to Cirque du Soleil. Once again, the very limits of acrobatics are challenged as Daniele Finzi Pasca lends his unique touch to Cirque du Soleil spectacular performances. Corteo redefines the springboard, the Korean frame and the tightwire, and presents acts that are as original as they are innovative.

The filmed version of CORTEO was nominated for two 2007 Emmy Awards – Outstanding Set Direction Variety, Music or Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Special. The Awards will be given in September.

The Creators
The members of the creative team are: Guy Laliberté, Guide; Daniele Finzi Pasca, Creator and Director; Line Tremblay, Director of Creation; Jean Rabasse, Set Designer and Decorator; Dominique Lemieux, Costume Designer; Philippe Leduc, Composer and Musical Director; Maria Bonzanigo, Composer and Musical Director; Martin Labrecque, Lighting Designer; Jonathan Deans, Sound Designer; Hugo Gargiulo (Teatro Sunil), Acting Designer; Antonio Vergamini (Teatro Sunil), Acting Designer; Dolores Heredia (Teatro Sunil), Dramaturgical Analyst; Danny Zen, Acrobatic Rigging Designer; Nathalie Gagné, Make-up Designer.

Sponsors and Media Partners
Cirque du Soleil gratefully acknowledges iShares, Presenting Sponsor of the 2007 US Tour, as well as CGI, DELTA AIRLINES and AMERICAN EXPRESS as the Official Sponsors. The media partners are LA WEEKLY and OC WEEKLY, ABC7 and Univision 34/Telefutura 46.

Tickets are now on sale online at cirquedusoleil.com or through Admission Network at 1 800-678-5440.