27 years after their first water-themed production, the circus company’s newest show, ‘LUD\u00d5’, is set to premiere in a custom-built aquarium theater exclusively at VidantaWorld’s resort <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\tAs we watched acrobats twirl and twist across the air, committing to gravity-defying feats amidst the backdrop of elaborate sets \u2014 a full-sized pirate ship, two story-tall books opening their pages \u2014 all I can think back to is the pre-show of this performance of Cirque du Soleil<\/a>\u2018s JOY\u00c1<\/em>: three seasoned musicians, humbly spotlit on the stage, simply performing the son cubano classic, \u201cChan-Chan\u201d.<\/p>\n \n\tOne of the most underrated aspects of Cirque du Soleil performances are the soundtracks, unless of course, you\u2019re attending one of their more popular jukebox musical-style residencies (Love<\/em>, Viva Elvis<\/em>, and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour<\/em>, specifically). It\u2019s easy to understand why \u2014 I was captivated at first sight by the lush Mayan jungle environment of , where JOY\u00c1<\/em> enjoys its residency. Ambient bird calls play over the speakers, blue jellyfish-shaped lights hung from the ceiling, while vines twist and encroach on an old professor\u2019s expansive study on stage. But as the official show started after dinner, it would be hard not to note the musicians who become almost part of the story\u2019s set themselves, stepping in the background, yet visible at all times.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpedia<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tShows like <\/em>are a shot of pure, concentrated energy, and worthy traveling miles to witness \u2014 the live music is a part of that. From original compositions, to \u201cworld\u201d beats (a nebulous genre, yet given CdS\u2019s international presence and influence, feels like an apt descriptor), the conception of the score is almost as important as crafting the narrative of the show itself, according to Executive Vice Chairman and former Cirque du Soleil CEO, Daniel Lamarre. \u201cIt\u2019s very important, and I would say that it\u2019s one of the elements that make our shows unique. We think of the music almost like a movie, but even more so, because the performers are part of the cast of characters, playing live.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThis brings new creative challenges when producing a fresh concept \u2014 continuing a decade-long partnership with Grupo Vidanta, their latest show LUD\u00d5<\/em> is set to premiere next year solely at (which will also house the world\u2019s first luxury theme park, opening in 2026). LUD\u00d5<\/em> (from the Latin word for \u201cI play\u201d) is more than just a show \u2014 it\u2019s an ambitious fusion of live music, acrobatics, and gourmet dinner theater. Set in a cutting-edge, 696-seat custom theater, we\u2019re told that \u201cwater flows through every aspect of the story\u201d, similar to their long-running show O <\/em>in Las Vegas<\/a>. However this aquatic-themed theater will feature a wrap-around aquarium, with advanced acoustics that were made to compliment the \u201cdreamlike\u201d score and fill the unique space.<\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s picks<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVindataWorld<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\t\u201cThe score was written with the idea in mind to envelop the performers, as if you, yourself, were underwater,\u201d explains Lamarre. \u201cThe only element that we had to be careful about when it came to the music was how it complimented the human performing acts. It was very important that we built some good, basic energy, because there are some comedic acts. The pacing is something that is very important, and we accentuate pacing here because the music is there to sustain the narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe process of choreographing the show was also different due to the nature of the circular, aquarium-esque element of the show. \u201cIt took some guts [Laughs]. Just as an example, we\u2019ve seen a lot of aquariums, right? And they\u2019re all flat, right? So here, we will have a glass wall that is surrounding the theater, so just the technology to make sure that would work and that the water won\u2019t leak was a challenge.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tHowever, he says their experience with producing the water elements in O<\/em> did make a difference. \u201cIf you go below the stage basin [at O<\/em> in Las Vegas<\/a>], you can see what\u2019s happening in the pool. It\u2019s a show in and of itself. But we always said to each other, maybe one day we should do something that the public can appreciate. And it\u2019s different skills you have to look for in performers, but it\u2019s worth it.\u201d <\/p>\n \t\tRelated Content<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n \n\tWhile that doesn\u2019t mean we expect to see, say, a violin quartet playing underwater (or will we? Specific show details are being kept heavily under wraps), Lamarre does make it clear that similar to other former Cirque du Soleil productions, live music will be another integral part of LUD\u00d5.<\/em> \u201cWe are probably one of the largest companies in term of hiring musicians, because all of our musical performances are live. You know, a lot of circus shows play with a [soundtrack] tape, and we\u2019ve never done that. We didn\u2019t want to anyways, because we like the idea that the musicians are part of the show. You can feel their energy, and they become part of the room. In our new show, we integrate our musicians in a unique way because, again, that\u2019s something unique to Cirque.\u201d <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVindantaWorld<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tOpening in Nov. 2025, LUD\u00d5<\/em> will officially kick off with over 300 planned shows per year, and the only way you\u2019ll be able to see it is at resort. Whether you\u2019re a Cirque enthusiast, or just see it as an added entertainment bonus to staying at one of the best luxury travel<\/a> destinations in Mexico, it\u2019s definitely set to become a must-see attraction. VidantaWorld is even offering exclusive vacation packages early next year for LUD\u00d5<\/em> so guests can get a closer look into the artistry and technical innovations behind the scenes (package info will become available in early 2025, with priority access for VidantaWorld newsletter subscribers starting in February). Pre-sale sign-ups for dinner show tickets are now live on cirquedusoleil.com\/ludo<\/a>, so be sure to snag those seats before your next trip. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/c9e0fec4-cfe0-46ec-9595-98c0730a7730.webp\")
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