Opinions on IRIS Cirque du Soleil show at Kodak Theater

[Keyser]

I got my travel guide from the LA visitor's bureau in the mail, and one thing they were featuring was the IRIS show (a fairly new Cirque du Soleil production, themed around the movies) at the Kodak theater. It evidently goes on a hiatus for a month or two around the academy awards, but it should be running when we visit this summer.

Does anyone have an opinion about the show? My wife and I, but not our kids, have seen the show at WDW as well as one traveling show, and really enjoyed them. I'm wondering if this would be something worth planning in as part of our short time in Hollywood (we had been planning to spend only an hour or two). I expect the kids (girls 10 and 4) would both enjoy seeing the theater itself and would enjoy the acrobatics and other acts in the show (assuming this one is at least somewhat like the others we've seen), but the younger one might not "get" the show well (I expect the older one would). The show's pretty expensive, though, and I'm not sure it's worth our time, or the money, so I figured I'd ask here. Has anyone seen it, and would you take time on your trip to see it?

 

[Anaheim boy]

I would say do it. I admit, I used to work with Cirque as a merch/FB supervisor and toured with Varekai. I've seen well over 10 different shows, including the one in Orlando, La Nouba. I haven't seen Iris yet, but we got my parents tickets to see it (who have seen just about as many shows as I) and they said this was one of their best. My dad, who is usually a little more reserved was quite excited after seeing the show as to how good it was. Some of the others he was more indifferent about. Anyway, give it a chance. We want to see it next time we're in town.

 

[Rhonna]

I'm too tired to find the link for you right now, but there was a blog on this site about Iris. I am VERY excited to go see it on our upcoming trip. Feels very "old Hollywood, cinema" to me, with a love story thrown in. It starts out in black and white/sepia tones and moves into color eventually. There are definitely acrobatic and other types of acts to keep the kids entertained.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Nancy Johnson (Yellowmickeyponchos here on the DIS) did a review of Iris on the DL podcast that you can find here:

10/13/11 - Cirque du Soleil's Iris, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

And a blog here:
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/10/15/iris-a-marriage-classique-of-cirque-d-soleil-and-hollywood/

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hi!

I'm the one who wrote the blog! I thoroughly enjoyed this show. Expensive as it is, I think if you are able to go for the less expensive seats, you will still be thrilled.

You definitely will get more from the show in the balconies, as it places you right in the middle of the ariel action. Keep in mind the prime seats are in the center of mezzanine 1 and will price out the same as the floor. Personally - I thought my seats there were the BEST seats in the entire house!

As far as kids go, mine are 6.5 and 5. I think both of them would thoroughly enjoy it. There are no raunchy jokes or inappropriate humor - although they do make fun use of some of the traditional burlesque style characters. There is so much action in this show, the kids will be kept busy. The only real "stylized" acts are the early ones - centered around the Chinese contortionists and the athletics and motion. You could point out that they use cool computers to track the motion of the performers so you can watch how the body moves.

I think it would be fun to prep them by showing them old movie making equipment on the internet and talk about how they make movies before your trip. It would teach them to appreciate "Old Hollywood"!

 

[Keyser]

Thanks a lot - that was very helpful. I'm not sure whether we'll have the time to fit it in or not, but it looks like it would be a good option for us if we can.