Today on Living808, Kelly and John got an exclusive first look at the new theater that will host Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana, Hawaii’s first resident Cirque du Soleil show, opening at the OUTRIGGER Beachcomber Hotel. They were joined by Neil Dorward, the show’s director, who brought them on stage and shared exciting details about this spectacular production.
“‘Auana is Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Hawaii, and we’ve worked closely with an incredible team of Native Hawaiian creatives to bring it to life,” Dorward said. The team includes cultural creative producer Dr. Aaron Sal?, costume design consultant Manaola Yap, and choreographer Kumu Hula Hiwa Vaughan. “Their guidance helped us create a show that entertains audiences while telling meaningful stories inspired by Hawaii’s rich culture.”
The show will feature eight chapters, each centered around a distinct Hawaiian story. Spectacular acts include acrobats on voyaging swings representing Polynesian migration, an aerial hoop performance inspired by Hina, goddess of the moon, and a balancing Rola Bola artist portraying He‘e nalu (surfing). One of the most anticipated acts, M?mala, combines acrobatics, dance, and swimming to tell the legendary story of a chiefess who can transform between a woman and a lizard.
“We’ve woven these acts together with live local music to guide the audience through a journey that honors Hawaii’s traditions while delivering the magic Cirque du Soleil is known for,” Dorward explained.
As part of the OUTRIGGER family, Cirque du Soleil has been proud to support PRIDE initiatives around the world, including in Las Vegas and Orlando. Dorward emphasized the company’s commitment to diversity, saying, “Our differences make us unique. With over 4,200 employees globally, representing 83 nationalities and speaking 40 different languages, Cirque du Soleil actively celebrates inclusion in both our performances and workplace.”
{ SOURCE: KHON Channel 2 }
