Addendum for those who've expressed interest in seeing the show...
We went to see another Cirque show last night - actually, a first for me, because I had only seen the one my wife is in, except for some footage and DVDs.
Though I could appreciate what Cirque were doing, I've never been much of a fan, as I figured it was a bit too artsy for my taste. Though I can dig the poetic side and the visuals, I can only take so much of that.
Seeing that other show - no matter if it was very impressive visually - comforted me in my assumption that the show my wife is in is totally different from what you'd expect of a typical Cirque du Soleil show.
First and foremost, it was designed as some sort of dark rock opera - so most of the music is at odd ends w/ the world beat-ish/poetic background music in other Cirque shows. Though there are of course hints of that stuff, most of the songs aren't written to act as a simple musical backdrop. Instead of those soft aerial female voices, you get treated w/ a full blast of pop, rock and operatic voices.
As a matter of fact, unlike most of those other shows were the singers only appear once or twice on stage almost as a cameo, the singers are actually the main characters of the play, and the acts are designed around them.
Unsurprisingly, some die-hard Cirque fans didn't like it all that much because, well, it isn't more of the same, especially in terms of music. It was designed to be different. So even if it does have the stunning visuals and some of Cirque's most riveting acrobatics, it really isn't your typical CDS show.
Anyway, just thought it was worth giving the heads up for anyone who'd consider dropping by and seeing this one. As a musician myself, I actually prefer this type of show. Visuals can only get my attention for so long.