Gasps & Laughs At TOTEM; Latest Cirque du Soleil Production Arrives At National Harbor

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- With all of the pomp and circumstance befitting a modern day circus, Cirque du Soleil’s production of TOTEM arrived at National Harbor on Wednesday evening, for the first of more than six weeks of performances.

In the days prior to yesterday’s opening night, men and women had been dutifully working around the clock to erect the show’s signature blue-and-yellow Big Top tent whose four masts now sit commandingly on the area’s Plateau. A total of 65 trailers is needed to transport the 1,200 tons of equipment required for each show.

Inspired by many so-called myths, TOTEM was designed to illustrate the evolutionary progress of species through a visual and acrobatic language. From its original amphibian state (dancing frogs!) to its suggested ultimate desire to fly (acrobats!), each performance traces the complex journey of the human species.

Written and directed by Robert Lepage, symbolism and cross-culture pollination is at the heart of TOTEM, with even the stage designed to resemble a giant turtle (a symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations).

While the show intentionally blurs the lines between mythology and science, its strengths nevertheless could not be clearer, with each individual act providing a sensory feast that combines death defying acts of acrobatics with colorful costumes, music, and even comedy.

The cast of TOTEM consists of 53 artists from 18 countries; each of which is supported by a crew of more than 70. Although English is the tour’s official language, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to hear Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Italian or Portuguese bandied about behind the scenes.

While the seating capacity of the show’s 'Grand Chapiteau' is approximately 2,600, some 250 lucky ticketholders at each performance, who opted for the true Cirque du Soleil VIP treatment, are also granted access to TOTEM’s exclusive ‘Tapis Rouge’ tent, which treats guests to complimentary cocktails and gourmet snacks (edible orchids anyone?) both before the show and during intermission – all in addition to the best seats in the house.

If TOTEM has a weakness, it’s in the cohesiveness of the show’s narrative. Mankind’s evolution is not so much traced as it is broken-up and demonstrated. But such creative license is really just a footnote in the spectacular visual story that is the show, as confirmed by the chorus of gasps and laughs emanating from the audience.

Indeed, the interest in the show was so high that Cirque du Soleil was forced to add an additional two weeks of performances to its D.C. tour stop in order to accommodate the demand from fans.

Evolutionary entertainment at its finest.