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Published: November 16th 2008
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Me and ZED
This is me with ZED, the main character in the show. Inspired by the Fool of the Tarot. So now for the real reason I went to Tokyo - Cirque du Soleil and their new show ZED being held at Disney Resort. I am not sure when this was, but many months ago, I was searching Yahoo Groups and I found this one called CirqueCon (www.cirquecon.com). When I joined, I really thought it was just a group of friends that were big Cirque fans, but I decided what the heck and applied for membership. I really had not kept up with the discussions, but got an email one day that they were forming a group to go see the opening of ZED at Disney in Tokyo. I had never been to Asia and thought this might be a fun and different trip and even if I did not like the group, I could go see the show with them, but otherwise I could do my own thing. I tried to talk Ricky and Jamie into going, or at least I let them know about it, but since I did not anything about the group, I did not push them that hard especially knowing the distance and cost.
Like I posted in my previous blog about Tokyo, you would
think it would be fairly close to Russia, and it is in certain parts but from Moscow it is 9.5 hours going one way and 10.5 hours going the other so I was almost as far from Tokyo as those coming from the States, but in the opposite direction. I spent the first half of the week exploring Tokyo on my own before moving out to the host hotel at Disney Resort. It saved a lot of money and the Resort is not near anything so I would be spending a lot of time on a train to get back into the city so it really worked out best. On Thursday I checked to the Hilton Tokyo Bay, a very nice hotel and back to Moscow hotel prices...lol but again the customer service far exceeded my expectations and I had a great view of the bay and pool.
On my way to breakfast I just happen to run into Keith and Lucy who are two of the key members of the group. They picked me out because of my Cirque shirt I was wearing. It was fun having breakfast with them and then meet four other members who got
seated next to us so I sat and talked with them over a few more cups of coffee. It really amazed me, they had 45 people from seven different countries (US, Japan, Canada, Austrailia, Mexico, Germany, and Russia (me)) here in Japan for the group/show. Our first activity was the meet and greet on Friday where we got all of our information, program, tickets, etc. They also asked us to bring something unique from your city/state or country so what did I bring, Russian Vodka, and a Ghzel Ox (since 2009 is the year of the Ox). Both were a big hit! But I must say, I continued to be impressed with the organization of the whole thing and how professional it was. This was more than just a group of friends getting together, it was truly a group that had spent a lot of time and energy to put everything together. The best part, it only cost me $10 or something low like that, to join the group.
From there we had a short break and then were to meet for Q&A with some of the performers and directors and to watch some of the training. That took
Silly on Stage
Obviously this is me being silly on the ZED Stage - Wow, what a lot of fun! about two hours and could have gone longer, but we had to get to dinner so we could come back and see the show. It was great, a time to ask any question you wanted about Cirque, ZED, etc. They did not always have the answers but they were great to talk to and meet. We then went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. It was nothing special but for me it was nice to get some "American" food, but Mike, the General Director of Cirque Tokyo joined us for desert and coffee. Again, we were able to ask questions of him. I presented the each of the people we spoke to little gifts from Russia.
Now was the big event, the show! So we all went over to spend our Yens at the gift store before the show and then go seated right down front. Our group started filled the front section and we were much noiser than typical Japanse. More about this later, but the performers said we were the best crowd they are performed to since they opened about a month ago. Typical Cirque, it was great and filled with high energy and excitment. My favorite
Watching them Train
Flying trapeze training going on in the background during our Q&A. act was the opening one of the second half with a Russian team performing what they called Banquine. I am not sure how exactly to describe so it would be best if you were to go see it for yourself...lol It was just amazing. I have to say there was nothing that was not exciting in the show and I love the theme and how they "get you there"...through the story book, literally.
In this show they did not use a lot of make-up, which was very interesting when you sit close because you can really see the performers real and true facial expressions. It was great sitting down front but at the same time you miss a lot of the other stuff going on so I decided to go see it again. The night show was sold out so I went to the earlier show and sat one seat off of center about 3/4 of the way back. I have to say, they were cheaper seats, but I think better seats. If I were to do it again, I would want to sit about 1/2 way back, but I am not complaining, they were great! I even got
Group Dinner at Rainforest Cafe
I met some very good friends that I will see again soon. goosebumps the second night during the opening act.
Okay, so now to the most exciting part...after the show they told us to stay in our seats and after they cleared the place, they would allow us on stage to meet some of the performers, which we did! Wow, I got to meet ZED and the main singer along with the drummer and a few of the other characters/performers. I think the best part was when one of the Russian performers asked to speak to the person from Russia. Of course the few Russian words I knew, I completely forget and finally got out, "...Как дела ?" and then they asked me the same question, with my response, "uh uh uh uh uh, Отлично !" Wow! What a great and exciting time it was for me and one that I will not forget!
I was still on high the next day and I was so glad I got tickets for the second day I was there. The final event was an "onion and roses". I had never heard of it that way, but it was a time to tell what you liked and did not like about
Russian Gifts
This is me presenting Mike Fauls, Company Manager "ZED", some gifts from Obninsk and Russia. the weekend. I used for a time to exchange emails with people. I met several people that I think will be good friends and I will most likely see at some future performance and for those interested in the group, the next event is 2010 in LA for the new show coming there permenantly and yes, I will be there!
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Lorraine
non-member comment
So how many cities does that make that you've seen a Cirque show in? (please ignore the atrocious grammar)