No, Ovo is not a new Cirque du Soleil show. Ovo premiered in 2009 and ran until 2016. It was the 25th production from Cirque du Soleil and toured in arenas around the world. Here’s a quick rundown of the facts about Ovo:
What is Ovo?
Ovo is a Cirque du Soleil show that premiered in 2009. The title Ovo means “egg” in Portuguese. The show centered around a mysterious egg that appears in the middle of a colony of insects. It focused on themes of biodiversity, the circle of life, and the world of insects.
What was the concept of Ovo?
Ovo was conceived and directed by Deborah Colker, the first female director in Cirque du Soleil’s history. The show explored the ecosystem of insects and arthropods in a theatrical way. Colker was inspired by termites in Brazil and ant colonies. The idea was to showcase the animals we often overlook and their complex social structures.
What did the Ovo stage look like?
The Ovo stage was designed to transport audiences into the tiny world of insects. It featured a central white stage framed by kinetic panels that could arch and curve to represent blades of grass and flowers. Hanging acrobatic equipment resembled drops of dew and spiderwebs. The backdrop had holes for performers to climb in and out of.
What kind of acts were in Ovo?
Ovo featured many impressive circus acts and characters dressed as insects. There were high-flying trapeze routines, a contortionist act of a caterpillar shedding its cocoon, juggling scarabs, funky ants, an exotic spider, and more. The acts included foot juggling, hand balancing, aerial strap performances, Russian swing, and teeterboard jumps.
What was the music like in Ovo?
The Ovo soundtrack combined samba, funk, and other Brazilian rhythms performed live on stage by the band. Composers Berna Ceppas and Benoit Jutras crafted an energetic score using strings, percussion, guitars, and brass. The music swung between upbeat, carnivalesque numbers and softer lyrical passages.
When and where did Ovo tour?
After premiering in Montreal in 2009, Ovo toured extensively across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa through 2016. It visited over 135 cities in 23 countries on 5 continents. Some tour stops included London, Tokyo, Moscow, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Beijing, Tel Aviv, and Johannesburg.
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Montreal, Canada (premiere) |
| 2010 | Toronto, Canada |
| 2011 | New York City, USA |
| 2012 | London, UK |
| 2013 | Tokyo, Japan |
| 2014 | Beijing, China |
| 2015 | Melbourne, Australia |
| 2016 | Johannesburg, South Africa (final show) |
How long did Ovo run for?
In total, Ovo ran for about 7 years from 2009 to 2016, making it one of Cirque du Soleil’s longest running productions. It was performed over 1,800 times and seen by 7 million people across 23 countries. Ovo helped grow Cirque du Soleil’s reputation and reach worldwide throughout its extensive touring schedule.
Is Ovo still running today?
No, the Ovo touring show is no longer running today. Its last public performance was in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016. Cirque du Soleil now has several other touring and resident shows including LUZIA, KURIOS, and VOLTA among others. Ovo concluded its successful 7-year run after delighting audiences around the globe.
Why did Ovo close?
Ovo closed in 2016 because Cirque du Soleil touring shows are not designed to run indefinitely. Typically, each Cirque show tours for several years before closing or being replaced by a new show. After 7 years, Ovo had reached the end of its planned lifespan and ran its course as a touring production. Cirque then moved on to create and launch new shows for audiences to enjoy.
Could Ovo return in the future?
There is a possibility Ovo could be revived and return to touring in the future, though Cirque du Soleil has not announced any official plans to do so yet. Sometimes Cirque will bring back retired shows for limited return tours. For example, Alegría toured again in 2019, 20 years after its initial run. Given its popularity and imaginative insect theme, fans hope Ovo may potentially make a comeback someday.
Conclusion
In summary, Ovo was a highly successful Cirque du Soleil production that ran from 2009 to 2016. The imaginative show centered around a mysterious egg in an insect world and featured impressive acrobatics, colorful costumes, and lively music. Ovo toured extensively for over 7 years, visiting 23 countries and entertaining 7 million spectators globally. Though its touring run is now complete, Ovo left a lasting impact and may potentially return to Cirque du Soleil’s touring roster someday in the future.
