Cirque du Soleil Returns to Santa Monica Pier

Sasha Stone

Mirror staff writer

   Beginning September 23, “Dralion,” the latest Cirque du Soleil extravaganza, makes its US premiere at the Santa Monica Pier, its Los Angeles home since 1988.
   Directed by Guy Caron, “Dralion” draws its name from the lion and the dragon, the presentation's two central motifs. This newest Cirque du Soleil experience takes the audience on a journey into the exotic world of Eastern philosophy and its perpetual quest for harmony between man and nature. 
   “Dralion” features 54 artists from ten different countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Italy, Ivory Coast, Switzerl, Ukraine and the United States), including a house troupe of 35 Chinese acrobats. Among the breath-taking feats performed by the cast are teeterboard, ballet on lights, hoop diving, bamboo poles, juggling, singlehand-balancing, double trapeze and skipping ropes. The performers wear four colors representing the elements: blue for air, green for water, red for fire and ochre for earth.
   The futuristic set is fitting for the Cirque's last show of the century, displaying an impressive technological sculpture in which each component accessorizes the acrobats, such as the aluminum structure made up of three rings with each serving a particular function. One ring, called "the sun," is used extensively by the acrobats; another isused as a catwalk; and the third houses a gigantic lantern.
   The Big Top at the pier seats 2,500 people and will present “Dralion's” premiere every day but Monday at 8 p.m., with additional shows on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday, at 1 and 5 p.m. Regular show times will be Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
   Please note the following exceptions - Thursday, September 30 one performance only at 8:00 p.m. No performance on Tuesday, October 19 or Tuesday November 1.
   Ticket prices range from $34.00 and $55.00 for adults and from $23.75 to $38.50 for children. For students ages 13 to 17 and senior citizens, prices are from $30.50 to $49.50, weekdays only. 
   For group reservations of 40 adults or more, call the box office at 1-800-450-1480.
   Tickets are available through the Admission network, at (800) 678-5440 or on the internet at www.admission.com.