Cirque du Soleil's new Christmas show 'brings the magic' of holidays to Boston
BOSTON ‒ The Clement Clarke Moore poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” widely known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” became an instant classic with its first publication on Dec. 23, 1823.
Since then, the verses – credited with helping to form Americans’ conceptions of Santa Claus – have been set to music and recorded many times over, been recited in holiday movies including “Die Hard,” “The Santa Clause” and “Reindeer Games,” and provided the inspiration for the 2001 Disney Channel original “’Twas the Night.”
In 2019, the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil adapted the work for its first Christmas show, which debuted that year in Chicago and New York. Now a holiday tradition in its own right, "'Twas the Night Before …" by Cirque du Soleil will make its Boston debut at the Boch Center Wang Theatre beginning Nov. 25.
A reimagined take on the classic Christmas tale, the production details the magic that comes from companionship and sharing, while showcasing lovable, fun characters with the sophisticated athleticism and daring that audiences have come to expect from Cirque du Soleil.
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At the center of this contemporary update is Isabella, a young girl glued to her iPad and jaded by all the hyped-up hullabaloo surrounding Christmas. Not wanting Isabella to miss out on the true spirit of the holiday, her father reads her the original poem, which sets her off on a journey to meet its warm and welcoming characters.
Before Isabella can make those acquaintances, however, she must get through a raging snowstorm brought to life by aerialists Karyna Konchakivska, a native of Kyiv, Ukraine, and Russian-born Moscovite Suren Bozyan, who play snowflakes on duo-straps.
The pair have performed in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. For Cirque du Soleil, they have appeared on duo-straps in “Amaluna” as well as in previous productions of “’Twas the Night Before …”
The Miami-based real-life couple, together for 14 years and married for two, were in Montreal recently when they took a break from rehearsals to discuss what it’s like creating a storm onstage, and more.
Q: Tell me about what you do in “’Twas the Night Before …” by Cirque du Soleil?
Karyna Konchakivska: The show is based on the poem, and we are representing snowflakes in the snowstorm that opens the show. Cirque told us that the snowflakes need not be done with a traditional aerial act. Instead, they wanted us to do something on duo-straps that would be dynamic and high-energy like a snowstorm.
Suren Bozyan: We’re first, so we have to impress the audience from moment one. The challenge for us is playing the soft part of beautiful and graceful snowflakes, while also bringing forward the fast and powerful elements of a storm.
Q: What makes this adaptation work?
Karyna: I think it’s because it’s a very traditional storyline filled with good memories. No matter what age you are, however, the show brings the magic of the story home to you.
Suren: It works so well because the story is so familiar and can be appreciated in many languages and by people of all ages. Teenagers sometimes arrive and you can tell that they think they are too cool for the show. Before long, however, they’re swept up in it and enjoying all the great elements it offers.
Q: When did the two of you meet?
Suren: We met in Japan in 2008, while we were both working as soloists. From the moment I first saw Karyna perform, I was impressed with her artistry and skill. She is a very pretty girl too, so later, when she invited me to join her for a cup coffee, I was very happy.
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Q: What are the benefits of being a couple both onstage and off?
Karyna: It helps a lot. We have similar styles and similar ideas about performance too. We have many opportunities to work together creatively, which we love. And while what we do can be dangerous, we know each other so well that we can predict if something is going to happen that we need to adjust for to avoid a problem and have everything go well.
Suren: Together is always better. As I see it, that’s the main benefit. Before we met, we were both solo artists, but now we are very happy to be together and to work together.
Q: Are there also challenges?
Karyna: There are some challenges, of course, but many more benefits. Any challenges are very minor.
Suren: Yes, of course. I have to make sure that Karyna is always safe. My goal is to make sure that she is safe and comfortable with me at all times.
Q: You will be busy performing this holiday season, Karyna, but will your thoughts be on family and friends in Ukraine?
Karyna: I am always thinking of Ukraine, especially now. My family and my friends are always on my mind and in my heart. Family is always No. 1 for me and for Suren too.
Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before...'
When: Nov. 25 to Dec. 11
Where: Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston
Tickets: From $30
Info: 800-982-2787 or bochcenter.org
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Cirque du Soleil debuts 'Twas the Night Before' Boston Wang Theatre
