Theater Review: Cirque du Soleil's New Ice Show, "Crystal"

Crystal 

Cirque du Soleil

July 21-24, 2022

UBS Arena, Elmont, L.I.

European tour, September 2022-February 2023

cirquedusoleil.com/crystal

I’ve previously seen two Cirque du Soleil shows—The Beatles LOVE, in Las Vegas in 2007, and Wintuk, the troupe’s ill-fated holiday show, in New York the following year—so I knew what to expect from Crystal, the Cirque’s first ice show: dazzling acrobatics, humorous clowns, impressive jugglers and marvelous stagecraft. And that is what we got—as my wife said, “This isn’t our mothers’ ice capades.”

The final "ballroom" sequence in Cirque du Soleil's Crystal
(photo: Matt Beard)

Crystal is about the eponymous creative girl with a tumultuous mind, and she dreams up (through writing, which may confuse some of the younger attendees, especially in a sequence featuring, of all things, typewriters) several fanciful, dream-like sequences that tumble one after another onto the ice. Though narratively choppy, it is, as usual with Cirque du Soleil performances, the visual dazzlement that matters: even if it seems to be too much, there’s no doubt you won’t be bored watching the two-plus hour show.

Cirque du Soleil shows have always been about astounding physical feats, and Crystal has the group’s usual incredible array of acrobats on swings or even precariously balanced chairs, jumping, teetering, twisting, and turning. (The final "ballroom" pas de deux, between Crystal and her suitor, on ropes above the ice, might be the single most memorable moment in any Cirque show I’ve seen.) 

The ice adds more excitement and danger, as the fast-skating performers leap through the air, spin around the rink with unbelievable agility, and even—in one silly but amusing sequence—play hockey, with Crystal skating around in an Islanders jersey at one point. And if you never thought you’d ever see tap dancing on skates, well, here’s your chance.

The hockey acrobats of Crystal 
(photo: Matt Beard)

Crystal is also an audiovisual bath to immerse oneself in. The atmospheric music—composed by Maxim Lepage—includes covers of pop songs by the likes of Rhianna and U2, whose “Beautiful Day” makes a satisfyingly upbeat closer. A violinist, guitarist and pianist all make on-ice appearances as well. Then there’s the visual design team, especially the costumes and lighting, which keeps wowing the audience with each subsequent scene. 

My first thought was that such an overstuffed show would be too much for the children in the audience, but to the contrary, they seemed enthralled and were watching intently throughout Crystal. Cirque du Soleil’s own motto could well be, to steal a phrase from the most famous of Cirque collaborators, “a splendid time is guaranteed for all.”