Cirque du Soleil: Varekai

Cirque du Soleil's "Varakai" does not disappoint. It is festival of the senses with colorful costumes, moving music, transformative sound effects and astonishing feats of the human body and spirit. From the pre-show shenanigans of the "clowns" to the last bows, performers had audience members on the edge of their seats with hands sore from clapping and hearts racing from watching the bravery, flexibility and sheer strength of the performers.

The show opens with a menagerie of creatures slinking, climbing, dancing and flying to the sounds of music that could only be described as ethereal and at the same time rooted deeply in the earth and the depths of the soul. The adventure of Icarus in Varakai unfolds through breath-taking interactions the whimsical creatures of this land, the Guide and the Skywatcher.

From his arrival in this strange land to his charming love, each moment is beguiling and all-consuming. The skills, strength and beauty of the single-point trapeze artist mesmerizes the audience from the start. The enchantment continues with aerial acts, hand-balancing and Georgian dance that each leaves the audience with mouths open and hearts pounding.

With each performer, Icarus' journey takes another turn, brings him into yet another fantastical interaction with the inhabitants of Varakai, including artists who slide across the stage in an intricate floor routine of acrobatics, dance and gymnastics that mesmerizes the audience through their fluid movement and colorful costuming.

A soloist dancing on crutches seems to skate and swim as he dances with and for Icarus, demonstrating great strength and grace providing Icarus inspiration to carry on. As if the flying, swinging, dancing and balancing weren't amazing enough, the heart-stopping moments had just begun when the acrobats on the Russian swings took the stage. With multiple athletes flying through the air at the same time, from swing to pillar and swing to swing, the gasps and sighs could be heard even over the intense drum line.

The magic of Cirque du Soleil is that it is truly indescribable. Attention to detail is paramount in bringing costume and make-up, performance, music, set and chorus into perfect harmony and breathtaking balance. Each corner of the stage beckons the audience to explore, each artist, creature and performer plays an intricate role and holds a powerful presence on stage whether they are in the spotlight or poking their heads out of the hatches in the stage as part of the scenery. Every moment, every scene of this show is attended to, lauded and honored as one piece of this truly fantastic whole.

Varakai is playing at the Memorial Coliseum, which means there is no big top to tempt and remind, but do not let this show slip your mind. Missing this would be missing a night of enchanted whimsy, awe-inspiring artistry and demonstration of the limitlessness of human capability and creativity. Slip into the magical land of Varakai and be rewarded by its beauty and strength, humor and darkness, and even a happy ending.

Cirque du Soleil's Varakai runs through May 10 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Winning Way, Portland, OR 97227. For information, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/varekai/