Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil opened its restaged show Alegría: In a New Light at Parque Villa-Lobos in São Paulo on August 22. The production will run in the city until November 8 before moving to Paraná for a season in Curitiba.
The show is a reimagined version of the classic 1994 production that originally established the Montreal-based entertainment company worldwide. While retaining the original melody and storyline, the new version features updated acrobatic acts, new costumes, and redesigned sets.
The story centers on a power struggle between the old order and youth, themes that remain relevant more than three decades after the original premiere. In the show, a court jester attempts to seize the throne to challenge the rulers of the era and restore joy to the people.
Artistic director Rachel Lancaster told CNN Brasil that the company decided to reformulate the show because technology and performance standards had advanced significantly between 1994 and 2019. She added that the audience holds high expectations, making it vital to deliver the same emotional experience that spectators remembered from past viewings.
Production details and global tour
Founded in Quebec in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is renowned for its contemporary circus style combining gymnastics, theatrical storytelling, and live music without animal performances. The current touring cast brings together 54 performers from around the world, including several Brazilian artists performing in their home country.
Thiago Andreuccetti, a Brazilian actor who plays the clown in the show, told CNN Brasil that performing at home created an intense emotional reaction that left him with sleepless nights, a nervous eyelid, and what he described as a snowstorm in his stomach. He noted that his mother calls him daily to ask if he is excited, sharing in his anxiety and anticipation.
Alegría: In a New Light premiered in 2019 and has been seen by nearly four million spectators worldwide. The company plans to continue touring the show globally through 2030.
Venue schedules and ticket prices
In São Paulo, the show runs from August 20 to November 8 at Parque Villa-Lobos on Avenida Professor Fonseca Rodrigues, 2001, in Alto de Pinheiros. Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets range from 240 reais to 1,430 reais and are sold through the Eventim platform.
The tour moves to Curitiba from November 19 to December 13, performing at Expotrade on Rodovia Deputado João Leopoldo Jacomel, 10454, in Vila Amélia, Pinhais. Shows run on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, with ticket prices between 252.50 reais and 1,475 reais on Eventim.
