Zumanity is a resident cabaret-style show by Cirque du Soleil at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The production was unveiled on September 20, 2003. It is the first "adult-themed" Cirque du Soleil show, billed as "the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil" or "another side of Cirque du Soleil". Created by René Richard Cyr and Dominic Champagne, Zumanity is a departure from the standard Cirque format. Intended to be for mature adult audiences only, this show is centered on erotic song, dance, and acrobatics.
The inspiration to create Zumanity came from multiple sources. Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté had been offered the chance to create two new shows in Las Vegas, and wanted something completely new and original rather than multiple similar shows that would cannibalize off of each other's sales and audiences. Another reason was that the New York-New York Hotel and Casino wanted to make their entertainment appear more "trendy". The hotel liked the concept of a more adult Cirque du Soleil performance.
Laliberté admits that the biggest reason to produce this show was the chance to create something with riskier subject matter. He was interested in the idea of creating a show that explored human sexuality, something that was at complete odds with the other, more family-oriented Cirque du Soleil shows. "Our previous shows have all been family-oriented and politically correct, which is great," Laliberté said, "but we're human beings, we won't hide it. We're a bunch of happy campers. We like to live new experiences. Zumanity deals with some of those experiences."
Cast
A few of the characters who appear in Zumanity are listed below.
- Mistress of Seduction/Sensuality: Hostess (formerly played by drag stars Joey Arias [under the title "Mistress of Seduction"] and Raven-O, Vanessa Convery, and actress NeNe Leakes. Currently played by Christopher Kenney or Edie [under the title "Mistress of Sensuality"])
- Wind Goddess: dancer (played by Marcela de la Vega Luna and sometimes by Agnes Roux)
- Dick and Izzy: clowns (played by Nicky Dewhurst and Shannan Calcutt) (2005 - present)
- Afrique: dancer (formerly played by Wassa Coulibaly, now played by Makeda Crayton)
- Rose Boy: dancer (formerly played by dancer Alex Castro, now played by William Hulett)
- Dominatrix: dancer/whips expert (played by Jonel Earl)
- Comet: roue cyr (played by Jonas Woolverton)
- Biker: aerial chains (played by Brandon Pereyda)
- Faun: character (played by Simon Tinhan)
- Two Men: acrobatic dance act original cast: Patrick King, Johan King Silverhult
- Molinier
- Botero Sisters: actors/clowns (played by Licemar and Luciene Medeiros)
- Androgynous Cape: dancer (formerly played by Jacobo Espina, now played by Jordan McHenry)
- Gigolo: actor/clown (played by Antonio Drija and sometimes by Brandon Pereyda)
- The Puritans: clowns (created by Spymonkey) (2003 - 2005)
Acts
The acts in Zumanity are a mélange of dance, sensuality, and acrobatic prowess.
- Water bowl (contortion): (performed by Bolormaa Zorigtkhuyag and Estefania Laurino)
- Hand to hand: (performed by Wayne Skivington and Katerina Bazarova)
- Dislocation: (performed by Arslan Gusengadzhiev)
- Aerial straps: (performed by Jill Crook)
- Handbalancing: (performed by Dima Shine)
- Hula Hoops(based in Aerial Hoops act)
- Tissues: (performed by Alan Jones Silva and Anna O’Keefe)
- Roue Cyr: (performed by Jonas Woolverton)
- Wind dance: (performed by Marcela de la Vega Luna)
- African dance: (performed by Makeda Crayton)
- Two Men
- Striptease: (performed by WilliaOlett)
- Midnight Bath
- Orgy
Retired acts
- Pacemakers
- Fire knife: (performed by Jila Alaghamandan)
- Dance on TV: (performed by Felix Cane)
- Aerial hoops: (performed by Julia Kolosova, previously Ginger Dayle)
Costumes
Thierry Mugler designed the costumes for Zumanity; he created the costumes to enhance the sensual atmosphere and heightened sexuality of the production. Many of the costumes are highly colorful, yet some are minimal to an exaggerated extreme. Fur, feathers, leather, lace, fishnet stockings, velvet dresses, tiny corsets, cone bras, and plastic accessories were primary materials utilized to create the costumes' provocative appeal. Jonel's costume, for example, is made of stretch vinyl and is airbrushed to create a semi-nude effect; her bright red wig is made of expanded foam. Faun has fur on his pants which is made from toothbrush bristles, human hair, and yak fur. Molinier's long velvet dress was created by using a stencil and net onto which black silicone was applied.
Music
The album for Zumanity was released on March 22, 2005, under Cirque du Soleil's music label. Below is a list of the tracks as found on the CD release. Music composed by Simon Carpentier
- Mio Bello Bello Amore (Lyrics and music by Simon Carpentier and Anna Liani) Vocals - Anna Liani
- Entree
- En Zum
- Wind
- Another Man
- First Taste
- Do It Again
- Water Bowl
- The Good Thing
- Tickle Tango
- Into Me
- Fugare
- Meditation
- Piece of Heaven
- Zum Astra
- Mangora En Zum
- Per Sempre
- Bello Amore
References
