I'd be in traction for months – or years – if I tried that.
That was my initial thought while watching remarkable human bodies gracefully and skillfully fly, roll, juggle, tumble and contort their way across the Fisher Theatre stage in "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."
My OTHER thoughts I'll keep to myself.
Created and directed by Neil Goldberg of Cirque Productions – not to be confused with Cirque du Soleil – "Cirque Dreams" is yet another European-style night at the circus without the wild animals to wow the crowd. Instead, the acts are of the human variety in which perfectly-built, world-class athletes dressed as exotic animals stun the crowd for two hours with astounding feats of acrobatics.
"Cirque Dreams" is not just a night at a local gymnastics competition, however. Rather, it's an energetic evening of theater that entertains through the use of music, dance, colorful costumes and the highly-trained human body, with the various acts somewhat tied together by a specific theme.
In this particular case, the "Jungle Fantasy" theme is apparent the moment you walk in to the theater, courtesy of a very colorful, but almost too busy, backdrop. As we move through the show, it's daytime in the jungle in Act 1 and nighttime in Act 2, with narration supplied through songs sung by a bright red Lady Bug (Julia Langley). But don't pay much attention to the poetry-like lyrics; they're mostly nonsensical gibberish that adds little to the story's flow or the show's enjoyment.
Accompanying her is a violin-playing character called a Soul Tree – whatever the heck THAT is. (I thought he looked more like a shirtless Genie with the greatest pecs and abs ever, but I guess I was wrong.) No matter; the tall, slim, tight, statuesque physique of Jared Burnett is pleasant eye candy to devour whenever the action slows on stage.
The real treats, however, are the provided by the 22 other artists from around the world who showcase dazzling feats of daring and skill.
Excellent eye-hand coordination is demonstrated by the "Jungle Jumpin'" jump-ropers and Monkey Manipulators' "Apes with Shapes." And you'll believe humans can fly when Jungleswingers Vitalii Lykov and Sergiy Overchenko – and later – Butterflyers Naomi Sampson and Sergey Parshin take to the air.
Tension mounts when the Balancing Giraffe (Siarhei Kuzniatsou) risks his neck high atop a stack of moving cylinders, but it's the sheer strength and endurance of the Jungle Kings (the powerfully built Parshin, Serguei Slavski and Alexander Tolstikov) that will truly astound you.
'Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy'
Cirque Productions at the Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through Feb. 4. Tickets: $27.50-$49.50. For information: 313-872-1000 or http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
