I was in New York City on Monday to see the Off-Broadway opening of TRACES which we will present in December as part of our Miami Valley
& Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series. It was, in a word, amazing!
This is very different than Cirque du Soleil or Cirque Dreams–no fantasy costumes, or wild futuristic settings. It all takes place in a pretty normal looking loft like space in an anonymous urban location. Its seven actors–six men and one woman–are young, attractive, and dressed in plain clothing that wouldn’t be out of place at a concert or bar. The other difference is we get to know them as “people” who inhabit this space. Where did they come from, where were they born, what are their personal traits? There is a story, of sorts. A bit of a love story, some competitive horse-play, some songs, and it’s funny, touching, and, above all, thrilling.
I think we’ve all seen the standard type Cirque juggling, trapeze, tumbling, etc. It’s all in TRACES, but it is so close, and immediate, and organically comes out of the characters that I found it a lot more engaging than the normal “death defying balancing acts.” There are some amazing tricks–a basketball routine, pole climbing, skateboarding, acrobatics, and physical contact that is mind altering.
The opening night audience was ecstatic in their reaction to the show. And I kept thinking throughout the 90 minute performance: Man, are they going to love this in Dayton!
