When the pandemic forced the closure of Cirque du Soleil’s “Crystal,” its circus show on ice, artistic director Rob Tannion had to send his cast and crew home to shelter in place—not an easy task considering they hailed from all over the world.
“We were in Singapore,” Tannion recalls. “’How do we get 120 people back to their countries?’ It was chaos, but we managed to get everyone safely home.”
Now, Tannion is back with Cirque for “Kooza,” which wrapped up an extended San Francisco run in March and is set to open April 18 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.
For Tannion, who joined the “Kooza” tour about six months ago in Canada, the experience has meant returning to the travel and community he says he missed during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“Coming back, there was an incredible energy and a desire to reconnect. That’s the value of art; as humans we need the social connection.”
The artistic director says audiences are connecting with “Kooza” and its story of The Innocent, a clown looking for his place in the world.
“They literally lean in to watch,” he says. “They’re invested in the moment. Their reaction is very visceral, and that’s the best thing. The fourth wall is always broken in the circus.”
Tannion himself enjoys being part of the audience. “I love coming on Day 1 and watching the very first show because I get to experience it as my mom would see it,” he says.
The show’s extended run allowed Tannion to experience San Francisco in more depth than other cities on the tour. Before hitting the Bay Area, he says, “I was changing cities every week. Here I can actually explore the city. It allows me to get to know the city in a much better way.”
“Kooza” was last in San Francisco in 2007. The current production features a cast of 54 acrobats and musicians. “Of that 54, we still have eight that have been on the show since its creation,” Tannion says.
The show still resonates 17 years later because of its universal story, he adds. “‘Kooza’ isn’t just a show; it’s a whole experience wrapped in a theme.”
“Kooza” will be performed under the big top April 18-May 19 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.