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The Show Girl |
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Zumanity at New York New York By: The Lady of The Night Out  From the moment I saw Mystere in 1995, I was hooked on Cirque du Soleil. I traveled to Orlando to see “La Nouba” and to Dallas to see “Dralion” in a tent. So it’s personally difficult to tell you I don’t like this one. In my mind, Zumanity just doesn’t work. And it’s the sex that’s the problem. In my definition, sex in a loving, committed, caring relationship is powerful, romantic, erotic, exciting. The problem with Zumanity is its tone: the show is mean spirited. There was only a wisp of commitment and caring in one act. The rest of the show viewed sex as a by-product of conquest and control – there was nothing romantic or pretty about that. One act even takes place in a cage where the male stalks the female. And orgies are not my idea of romance. Even the contortionist had an ugly edge. The contortionist in the X Girls gets into positions in such a way that she’s irresistibly erotic. The male contortionist in Zumanity can dislocate his joints. It hurts watching him even though he gets into absolutely unbelievable positions. The music has an unapproachable iciness. The singers, who have wonderful voices, deliver their songs a la Tina Turner. I didn’t hear any lust or longing in those tunes. I realize the Zeitgeist of the show is to push the envelope. To me, there’s nothing sensual about two men or two women kissing, at least in the context of this show. Having the master of ceremonies be a transvestite was a brilliant idea. Joey Arias, the New York City drag queen is fantastic. She has a razor sharp sense of humor that provides moments of great hilarity when she’s unleashed on the audience. Check out the butterfly eyelashes. But her boring monologues just slowed down the show. The nudity really did nothing to enhance the Cirque experience. If you want a titillating experience, there are a lot better venues. If you want to watch ripped guys strip, see the Chippendales at the Rio or Thunder from Down Under at the Excaliber. They’re much better at it. If you want to see topless women dance seductively, the X Girls at the Aladdin is far more erotic. Zumanity’s nudity may push the limits in Iowa, but this is Las Vegas! It’s expected in these here parts. Inviting guests to join the onstage orgy and take off their tops was a little too over the top for me. I know this is the m.o. for Coyote Ugly, but it seemed inappropriate here. During my performance, the woman declined with embarrassment. When it comes down to it, the Cirque acts themselves are the weakest of any Cirque show and I’ve seen six: Alegria, Dralion, La Nouba, Mystere, O, and Quidam. Almost every garden variety show in LVNV has a drapery flying act; I actually like the one in V. The act here is really good. It features a beautiful woman and a well muscled little person. As the MC says, “Great things come in small packages.” These two are the only couple in the show who act like they are lovers. There was actually a frisson of passion between them. The balancing duo acts in Quidam and Mystere were much more passionate than the cool and unexciting version here. Another act features two women diving around in a fishbowl. Then they balance themselves on the edge. So what? Their skills hardly rival the balancing act in La Nouba, where the performer stacks chairs on end and then balances on top. Now that’s a sight! That said, there are many wonderful elements about Zumanity. This one has the best sense of humor of all the Cirque shows I’ve seen. The mimes who kick off Mystere are hilarious, so that is quite a complement. One of the best jokes is the Botero sisters who are very zaftig. Dressed in skimpy French maids costumes, they start the show by offering guests juicy fresh strawberries. They bend over in very compromising ways which generates big laughs. The male contortionist appears in doofy boxer shorts and those awful knee length men’s socks held up by those silly suspender things. Ha! Ha! The costumes are amazing. Thierry Mugler, a household name for Vogue readers, designed them. Ditto for the make-up. It is wild.. What creativity. The theater looks like a baudy French whorehouse, the perfect place for an erotic caberet. Gothic red velvet curtains and a curvy stage create the mood. And this show is the first one I’ve seen that respects and reveres age. One act features a couple who are in their mid-60s. Those two sure inspired me! If you don’t want to sit in the comfy theater chairs, you can pay for the privilege of sharing a chaise lounge with your sweetie. Be warned: the performers pick on folks in the front row. My grade: C+. Should you see it? Let the voyeur beware. Showtimes are 7:30 and 10:30.
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