Last Chance to Catch ‘Ovo’ by Cirque du Soleil at Rio’s Jeunesse Arena

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular ‘Ovo’ show has been spellbinding carioca audiences since it arrived at the Jeunesse Arena in Barra da Tijuca last Thursday, March 21st. This weekend will be the last chance for any residents of the ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ to catch the international blockbuster, as the touring company are set to give their last performance in Rio on Sunday, March 31st.

Created and directed by carioca choreographer Deborah Colker, Ovo is the perfect Cirque du Soleil show to arrive in Rio de Janeiro. The show itself takes Brazilian colors and sounds as one of its main inspirations, with a soundtrack including samba, bossa nova, and funk composed by another Brazilian, Berna Ceppas.

The director, Deborah Colker, recently spoke to O Globo about the homegrown themes of the show. She says, “Its DNA is Brazilian: the breath, the energy, the movement, the dynamics of it.”

“It’s a spectacle of ours, with our colors, with our feelings, with our energy, with our strength. It’s very powerful to be here, very special to be here.” She continues.

The show itself explores the world of insects, in all their crawling, leaping and flying glory. ‘Ovo’ means egg in Portuguese, and the story follows a mysterious egg that appears in the insects’ habitats, prompting much energy, excitement and movement.

The cast for the show is made up of fifty participants from fourteen different countries, including four Brazilians. And since debuting in Montreal, Canada, ten years ago, Ovo has entertained more than five million people worldwide. It has also allowed Cirque du Soleil to present an unprecedented number of shows in capitals and cities throughout the world.

What: Cirque du Soleil – Ovo
When: Thursday, March 21st, until Sunday, March 31st; show times vary.
Where: Jeunesse Arena, Av. Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, 3401 – Barra da Tijuca
Entrance: Tickets from R$130