All human beings reach a point where they question their place in the world, no matter their profession. They could be lawyers, doctors or, in the case of Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA” production, clowns.
Happening under the Big Top on Laguna Hills through Aug. 4, the show pays homage to the traditional circus but with the Cirque du Soleil spin touching on deeper topics of strength, fragility, fear and identity.
The main plotline centers on an endearing and naïve clown dubbed The Innocent, who stumbles on a mystery item that sends him on a bizarre journey. During this journey, he is closely watched by an enigmatic trickster seeking to influence his path.
Among the cast are two scheming tricksters, one played by Joey Vice. A relative newcomer to acting, Vice’s journey to the stage began with hip-hop and jazz dance classes. However, he was captivated after watching Cirque’s “TORUK” show, which ignited his calling to join the circus. Determined to be part of a Cirque du Soleil production, he dedicated years of his life to learning acrobatics and tumbling. His hard work paid off when his audition tape for the ‘KOOZA’ production landed him the role of the trickster.
“It was fascinating learning how to play this role,” said Vice. “I find different things to play around with on stage and improvise for each show. The Trickster gets to do that [as a part of his character], so we always mess around with each other.” Vice continued that the performers’ ability to improvise makes for an especially unique experience for the actors and audience alike.
While audiences can expect old-fashioned circus clowning and slapstick comedy, the show will also feature jaw-dropping tricks, including high-wire acts, the Teeterboard, and the breathtaking Wheel of Death. One element that sets Cirque du Soleil productions apart from a traditional circus is the live music that works in tandem with the performers to move the story forward.
Fernando Diez, the show’s percussionist, was born in France but is now based in Pasadena. He grew up in Paris, where he was influenced by jazz, Spanish, Arabic, African, and Caribbean music, but he also draws from his time abroad visiting various countries where he’s experienced the sounds firsthand.
He’s performed both as a solo artist and with several bands, but his first gig with Cirque du Soleil led him to Brazil for the “Alegria” touring production in 1994, where he performed on the theater stage for the first time. Diez said the musicians follow their sheet music, but the show’s improvised nature allows each of them to accentuate the show, like adding crashing symbols of the drums when a character falls or building anticipation with a thunderous bass drum.
“The music is the heart of the show because even if you don’t see us onstage, people feel the music,” Diez said. “I love it because I do what I love every day, which is playing music. It’s a great experience and a different kind of gig for a musician because it’s always about reading what’s happening on stage, which is always different.”
For Vice and Diez, performing in a show with so many fantastical elements is a dream come true, and they hope they can inspire the audience to suspend their disbelief and tap into their inner child, if only for an evening.
“We are doing things that seem impossible and unreal, and we have magic in the show,” Vice said. “It all just feels so special. I hope that it touches everyone in the audience and we can bring them joy.”
Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA”
When: Select dates and various showtimes through Aug. 4
Where: Under the Big Top, 24155 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills.
Tickets: Starting at $65 at cirquedusoleil.com.
