Cirque du Soleil’s “Songblazers” delights with the outstanding musicianship of multi-talented performers

Cirque du Soleil visits The Fabulous Fox Theatre this weekend with their new show “Songblazers.” In a collaboration with Universal Music Group Nashville, Cirque du Soleil Theatrical has created a show that is a departure from what one might expect from their acrobatic traveling tent and Las Vegas productions.

“Songblazers” is a celebration of country music heavy on musicianship and supported by Cirque du Soleil’s signature high flying aerials, tumbling, and juggling. The concert-like show contains over three dozen country music hits including music from Hank Williams, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Toby Keith, and more.

As the show opens, the audience meets an aspiring song writer and joins him on his journey to songwriting success. Along the way, Teo Spencer (Dusty) impresses with his virtuosic talents as a fiddler, banjo picker, and vocalist. His multi-talented performance reaches new heights with his athletic prowess as an aerial rope and silks artist. Spencer does it all.

Spencer and the rest of the cast’s diverse skills dazzle. In this Cirque show many of the artists have dual and triple talents as musicians, singers, and circus performers. Wayne Wilson’s Train Brakeman and Sweet Megg’s Mother May are both clowns, instrumentalists, and singers. Train Conductor and Circus Strong Man Yuri Alekhin bends steel, drives nails by hand, plays guitar, and channels his inner Garth Brooks to welcome his “Friends in Low Places.”

There are plenty of spellbinding high-flying acts in “Songblazers” to deliver everything the fans expect from a Cirque show. Belarus gymnasts Olga Makhausta is tossed high in the air on a railroad crossing arm (acro bar) by her Ukrainian partners Ruslan Askerov, and Ihor Kozhyn. She nearly disappears above the proscenium with soaring layout double flips and twists. Spaniard Bruno Macaggi juggles a dozen red solo cups with intricate precision, and Hungarians Bettina Bogdan and Krisztina Vellai stun with their dangerous aerial body trapeze performance.

Bandleader and Drummer Kyle Edmonston directs his dozen musicians to accompany the acts with Seth Roberts’ arrangements. For the entire hour and forty-minute production, Edmonston’s high energy band plays non-stop like a speeding locomotive. Robert’s arrangements and Gareth Owen’s sound design is loud, and at times a bit overbearing on the bass and drumbeats, but overall, the gifted musicians lay down a toe-tapping music bed to back the vocalists and performers.

A consistent feature of Cirque du Soleil’s performance art is their stunning costume, set, and lighting design. Zerina Rosette Akers costumes are a fringe-fest of colorful western inspired clothing. Check out Mother May’s eye-catching pair of rhinestone encrusted slouch boots as the host of a Grand Ole Opry type Nashville show. Bruce Rodgers and Abigail Rosen Holmes collaboration as set and lighting designers bring an oversized set piece to life. The neon heavy rock ‘n roll lighting is a visually stunning visceral experience.

Go to “Songblazers” for the music. The instrumental and vocal musicianship is superb. You do not have to be a country music superfan to enjoy the familiar tunes. Many of the songs crossed over as hits on the pop charts. While "Songblazers” is unlike other Cirque du Soleil shows, sit back and let the music engulf you. You will be wowed by both the accomplished musicians and the athleticism of the circus performers.

“Songblazers” continues at The Fabulous Fox through October 27, 2024. There are performances evenings through Sunday, with matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday. More information can be found at the Fabulous Fox web site..