Cirque du Soleil: Kurios

It was as if reality had been dismantled brick by brick and in its place was imagination instead. It was as if time and space and even gravity were meaningless. It was as if the world as we once knew it had ended and a clever tinker had pieced it back together, wound it back up, and put it into motion once again. A night with Cirque du Soleil's Kurios is a night to remember where you are challenged to forget all that you thought was real.

For VIP ticket holders, the show starts out decadently with scrumptious bites and tempting libations in a private tent. Roast beef was sliced and shrimp was passed and Moscow Mules were poured all in a sumptuous atmosphere that makes you forget entirely where you actually are.

Not long before the show, drinks were poured into suitable plastic cups and with popcorn bags in hands, guests made their way to their seats. Though there isn't a bad seat in the house, those reserved for VIP ticket holders made those seated there feel more like performers than guests.

The show started before it even began with audience members being brought onstage to cross a giant rope bridge and performers making their way through the aisles, sometimes incorporating unknowing guests into their play. And when the clock struck performance hour, the proverbial curtain went up and the world was old and new and fantastical and strange in way that only the brilliant and bizarre minds of Cirque could create.

Chaos Synchro 1900 marks the official opening of the show. A "train" -- that is, people behaving as if they are on a train -- makes its way onto the stage and a plethora of performers disembarks including, acrobats, a juggler, percussionists, and dancers. They dance and play until the Russian Cradle Duo take the stage. A classic strongman and a tiny woman whose size belies her strength. Thirteen feet above the ground, the two perform a seemingly impossible series of catches and throws and somersaults and climbs and feats of balance.

And for something completely different, the audience is then treated to an Invisible Circus complete with wacky ringmaster, invisible high diver, and even an invisible lion. Between the charming ringmaster and the clever sound effects, you just might swear that circus you can't see is actually there after all.

Audience members seemed absolutely glued to the stage as a bevy of artists costumed as electric eels dance and play atop an enormous mechanical hand. The contortionists are mesmerizing as they seem to truly become the sea creatures they are playing.

Audible gasps should be heard as a dinner party takes place both onstage and high above the stage -- upside down. Yes, upside down. Even more extreme, chair up chair is stacked and balanced upon and climbed. It's equal parts visually stunning and emotionally exhilarating.

Rola Bola is an act that basically seem impossible and crazy dangerous and yet there he is, the "Aviator" who "flies in" on his plane. He balances upon row after row of cylinders and planks, rests on the moving platform and then, the suspended apparatus moves up and down and swings. It's balancing insanity and it's thrilling.

And at intermission, guests with VIP tickets were welcomed back into the glamorous VIP tent where yummy sorbet was hand scooped into teeny cones and other mini desserts were generously passed. Guests were also given two copies of the photo taken of them upon entry. The photo and a very nice souvenir program, which guests were welcome to take before, during, or after the show, served as the VIP gift. But the reserved parking that comes with the VIP ticket -- not to mention the insanely good seats -- was an equally welcome treat.

The next act after intermission was so much fun and so impressive, one could easily watch an entire show of nothing but Acro Net. A massive net fills the stage, playing the ocean, while acrobats whose facial performances are as talented and enthralling as those of their body, run and jump and play, shooting up into the top of, well, the big top. It's splendiferous and hilarious and devilishly fun.

A trio of acts then follows, with one or two performers who create no less drama than the larger groups. First, a male artist brings a female audience member onstage for a "date." They are "interrupted" when the man fantastically becomes a parrot, a Tyrannosaurus rex, and a cat. It was equal parts hilarious and impressive.

Then, two men who play Siamese twins throughout the show separate at last as they hang and swing and spin high in the air from aerial straps. Finally, one single performers captures the entire audience with yo-yo tricks the likes of which most have never seen.

Perhaps one of the most profound moments of the evenings was the Theater of Hands. A hot air balloon floats above the stage. An artist uses only his hands to weave a tale. A second artists films the performance and projects it on the balloon. Hard to imagine anything more charming. So simple yet strangely intoxicating.

To close the show, 13 artists take the stage to perform acrobatic feats that might make one wonder just how it is the human body can do that. In this act called Banquine, the group stand high upon each other's shoulders, as well as a giant sculpture to leap and somersault and fly through the air. A more appropriate ending there could not be.

This show is just exquisite. Cast, costumes, set, lighting, musicians, music, and right down to the ushers and concessioners, and other support staff are all marvelous. The smiles and laughter and excited conversations as audience members headed for the parking lost was infections.

Cirque has long been the ethereal magic of what truly glorious theater is made. Kurios is no exception. It's mysterious and clever. It's magical and enthralling. It's deep as you like and light as you want. And somehow, you leave all filled up in the way that only great art can fill you.

Kurios runs through March 26 at Lone Star Park under the Grand Chapiteau at 1000 Lone Star Pkwy., Grand Prairie, TX 75050. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.

After Dallas, Kurios heads off to Houston (4/6 - 5/21), Texas; Winnipeg, Canada (6/22 - 6/25); Edmonton, Canada (7/20 - 8/13); and then Portland, OR (8/24 - 9/17). currently touring are Luzia and Volta.

For tickets or information for Cirque du Soleil shows, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.