BWW TV: Inside Opening Night of OVO in Santa Monica!

Cirque du Soleil has returned to the Santa Monica Pier with its critically-acclaimed OVO. The production opened on Friday, January 20, 2012 fand will run for a limited engagement through March 11, 2012 under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top). BroadwayWorld correspondant Audra Stafford was on hand for the show's opening night and takes you inside the spectacle below!

Since its world-premiere in Montreal in 2009, OVO has played to well-over 2 million spectators in more than 15 different cities in North America. 

OVO, meaning "egg" in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye - and the feeling is mutual.

The cast of OVO is comprised of 55 performing artists from 14 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning flying trapeze act, in which six flyers soar 40 feet in the air, making this the biggest act of its kind to ever be presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines, including banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair. The finale features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

The Creative Team behind the world of OVO is: Artistic Guides Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix; Writer, Director and Choreographer Deborah Colker (first female director at Cirque du Soleil); Director of Creation Chantal Tremblay; Set and props Designer Gringo Cardia; Costume Designer Liz Vandal; Composer and Musical Director Berna Ceppas; Lighting Designer Éric Champoux; Sound Designer Jonathan Deans; Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer hting Designer éclairagesa creative team for the first time at Cirque du Soleilerms of distance between stations.Fred Gérard; Acrobatic Performance Designer Philippe Aubertin; and Makeup Designer Julie Bégin.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

Audra Stafford is excited to share her love of San Diego theatre with BroadwayWorld.com! As the entertainment reporter for ABC-10 in San Diego, Audra covered the world premieres of A Catered Affair and Dancing in the Dark at The Old Globe, the West Coast premiere of Xanadu at the La Jolla Playhouse, and she was also one of only two journalists in the nation to be embedded in a production of CATS during its national tour. Audra has also interviewed many of Hollywood?s and Broadway?s finest actors, directors and producers, including Scott Sanders, Tom Hulce, Frankie Valli, Robin Williams, Jon Voigt, Helen Mirren, George Lopez, Teri Hatcher, Dakota Fanning, Jerry Bruckheimer and Henry Selick. Audra is a distinguished graduate of San Diego State University?s Television, Film and New Media Production program, where she earned two Student Emmys. She also received an Emmy for her work as producer of 10-4 San Diego. Audra is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild. To see more of Audra?s entertainment coverage in San Diego, check out her blog: http://audrastafford.wordpress.com

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