SALT LAKE CITY — Be prepared to be dazzled by the jaw dropping holiday spectacle Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil, now playing with Broadway at the Eccles. Bursting with vibrant color, electrifying music, stunning costumes, dream like sets, and incredible death defying acrobatics, this production is a joyful sleigh ride of Christmas wonder. Senior Production Director Pierre Guillotte, Touring Production Coordinator Anais Hoffman, Stage Director and Writer James Hadley, Lead Artistic Director Melissa Colello, and their team have created a show overflowing with warmth, magic, and heart.
The story follows Isabella (Elodie Sanna) and her Father (William Borges) on Christmas Eve night. When Father pulls out an oversized book to read Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” also known as “The Night Before Christmas” Isabella puts her headphones on to ignore him and acts as though she has outgrown this childish tradition. As Father begins to read from the story, a shimming snowstorm comes to life separating the two in a winter wonderland filled with mischievous elves, breathtaking acrobats, and soaring reindeer. Father and daughter wander through this enchanting world rediscovering the joy of the season before finding their way back to each other. It’s an imaginative and heartfelt retelling of a cherished classic that celebrates connection, wonder, and the childlike magic of Christmas.
One of the first showstoppers of the night was an aerial performance performed by Aryn Shelander and Ben Huey. This incredible performance of strength and trust was performed as the duo took flight on straps and each other high above the stage. Twisting, spinning, and dangling like living snowflakes to a powerful rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” their movements create moments of pure visual poetry.
Twas the Night Before plays in SLC until December 14 | Photos : Brandon Todd, MSG Entertainment, Kyle Flubacker, MSG Entertainment & Errisson Lawrence Costumes : James Lavoie Cirque du Soleil 2022
Chris Aguirre Aceituno as Jolly, part juggler, part Santa, all charm, lights up the stage with his iridescent juggling act. He effortlessly tosses five gleaming pins and peppermint-striped balls, even spinning and balancing them with playful finesse that had the audience cheering.
Next comes Victoria Baudry-McPherson, whose Acrobatic Hotel Cart act is a thrilling mix of elegance and daring. Suspended high above the stage, she flips, twists, and hangs from her ankles on a spinning cart with pure skill and fearlessness.
The roller-skating duo Carmen Ribas Segura and Holler Zavatta bring high energy excitement with costumes in blue and bubblegum pink and blue doll like wigs. Spinning at high speed on top of a small circle raised on the stage, they execute gravity-defying lifts, upside down spirals, and a jaw dropping mouth strap spin that left the audience gasping.
Another mesmerizing act come from hair suspension artist Martina Trombetta. Floating gracefully with only her hair supporting her, she evokes feelings of mystery and magic. Strung up just with her hair, Trombetta performed a mysterious and magical. The effect was like a a music box dancer but her in her graceful movement she hung like an ornament. Trombetta spun faster and faster until she was a blur.
The Diabolo troupe, Shih-Rong Huang, Yi-Fang Chen, Yu-Hui Teng, Shih-Wei Huang, delivered a vibrant, wildly entertaining number using Diabolo yo-yo props. Dressed in colorful winter snow clothes with green pom poms on top of their hats, they send their illuminated Diabolos soaring in dizzying arcs, even looping around two delighted audience members. Set to “Do You See What I See”, the glowing toys became stars “dancingn in the night” in one of the most whimsical acts of the evening.
Borges performed a visually enthralling aerial act demonstrating incredible grip strength while spinning on a rope with industrial light on the end. After Isabella and Father reunite, he gifts her a bright shiny new bike. Sanna takes the bike and timidly begins to ride it growing more and more confident until she shows her talent of trick cycling while riding backwards, tipped on its end, and even proudly standing on the handlebars. Her radiant joy perfectly captures the magic of Christmas gift giving.
Photos : Brandon Todd, MSG Entertainment, Kyle Flubacker, MSG Entertainment & Errisson Lawrence Costumes : James Lavoie Cirque du Soleil 2022
White elf like dancers keep the fantasy alive between acts guiding Isabelle through the fantasy land, they dance with playfulness and cheerful hip hop choreographed by Vinh Nguyen. With large amounts of fake snow confetti dropped on the stage during the first of the show in a full stage blizzard, the dancers became and expert level snow removal crew safely preparing the stage for the next acts.
A lively troupe of tumbling performers brings humor and athleticism in two standout numbers. First as children in glittery stripped onesies having a raucous pillow fight. Their tumbling stunts and timely tricks were energetic especially as they stacked two towers of people 3 people high one on top of the other’s shoulders and expertly dismounted into a tuck and roll. Later dressed and acting like sparkly reindeer they jumped through moving hoops with timely precision, impressively jumping high through 5 golden rings stacked on top of each other. This troupe was a major crowd pleaser.
Costume Designer James Lavoie delivers an explosion of creativity as he played with textures and colors creating intricate costumes with attention to all the details. From the large scraggly coats that Jolly wears to the white modern costumes of the dances and the sparkly reindeer jockey outfits with each reindeer’s name on the back, each costume added dimension and delight.
Bright and modern remixes of beloved traditional Christmas music composed by Jean-Phi Goncalves set the beat for a great show. With the base pumping during along with your heartbeat during intense moments throughout the show.
Set Designer, Geneviéve Lizotte, created a magical wonderland. With half of a half pipe across the back of the stage that performers used throughout the night in their acts and to dance upon. Large strands of tinsel and lights (lighting designed by Nicolas Brion) hung from the ceiling creating a visually enthralling tinsel tunnel. Lighting changed colors throughout the night reflecting off the tinsel setting the tone and emotion for each scene and act. From whimsical to dramatic and every emotion in between, the lighting was a large part of what made this show so magical.
In the end, Twas the Night Before feels like a snow globe come to life sparkling with wonder and pure holiday joy. It’s a show that rekindles the joy of the season for audiences of all ages. If you’re hoping to create a little extra holiday magic for your family, tickets to this enchanting performance might be the most delightful gift of the year. It’s a gift that will create memories far brighter and longer lasting than anything you can wrap under a tree.
These reviews are made possible by a grant from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks program.
