By: Ashmar Mandou
From butterflies dazzling in mystical lights to hypnotic spiders twisting into various shapes, Cirque du Soleil’s reimagined OVO returns to elevate the imagination of Chicago audiences. After performing in 40 countries and delighting audiences in the Middle East, Egypt, and Europe in recent years, the OVO insect colony returned to Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters in Montreal for a new look. “I am so excited for people to see the new changes of the show,” said Ernesto Lea Place, a native of Bueno Aires, Argentina, who is one of the “night butterflies” as part of the duo straps act. “As a young boy growing up in Argentina, I often dreamt having the opportunity to join Cirque du Soleil so this is a dream come true. I am excited for people to see this wonderful show, to see the new set, the new costumes, and new acts.” OVO by Cirque du Soleil has undergone a full ‘metamorphosis’ under the watchful eye of its original creators.
Over the past year, a team of more than 135 professionals (including 53 artists of the show) and the original creators of OVO have developed this restaging, including a revamped set design, new acrobatic acts and characters, freshly designed costumes, and reinvented music. OVO (“egg” in Portuguese) showcases high-level acrobatic acts that redefine the limits of the human body. “The challenge was to find the balance between preserving the essence of the show that made it a success and allowing it to continue evolving. Like the insects that bring it to life, the show is in constant transformation, in perpetual motion: that’s the magic of live arts! Revisiting a production created 15 years ago, with the original creators and the touring team that has made it shine around the world, is an exceptional adventure!” shared Chantal Tremblay, Director of creation in 2009 and 2024. The renewed show will be presented in Hoffman Estates at the NOW Arena in six performances only, February 13-16, 2025. “I hope the city of Chicago enjoys every minute of the show and is ready to have their imaginations soar.”
Photo Credit: Cirque du Soleil
