My two kids – ages 8 and 6 accompanied me to watch the marvel of Alegría by Cirque du Soleil. The blend of acrobatics, artistry, choreography, rhythmic music and costumes made it one of the best nights out I’ve had in a very long time.
Our show started at 8:00pm, and was done by 10:30pm with a 20-minute intermission. It was a bit late for my kids to be out, especially on a school night but pulling into The Sam Houston Race Park transformed into “The Big Top,” a mystical world, tent-like structure, we knew we would be treated to an experience of a life-time. Plan to arrive early as there are some really cool photo opps. The story centers on the heart of a once-glorious kingdom that has lost its king and enfolds the power struggle between the old order and a young movement longing for hope and renewal. Every act in the story is characterized by its own unique performance which my family enjoyed voting on after the show. Needless to say, the artistry displayed by all of the performers, including the contortionists and the hand balancing artist, was astonishing. Sometimes, as in the case of the trampoline gymnastics, they were so perfectly choreographed they actually made it look almost easy. I had to bury my face in my child’s shoulder during the final acrobatic scene. The level of magnificence was almost heart stopping but my kids had no problems clapping through it all and chanting “mom, did you see that?”. Seeing their joyous faces and hearing their whispered ohhs and ahhhs was definitely one of the highlights of my evening.
Whether you’re taking the family out, going on a date, sharing an evening with friends, or looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría is the perfect inspirational outing with a touch of magic for all ages.
Tickets for all remaining performances are available online at cirquedusoleil.com/alegria. If the evening show is too late for your family there are still tickets available on Saturday and Sunday afternoon as well as an afternoon show scheduled on Christmas Eve. If you’re looking for a unique holiday outing for a large family gathering, groups of 10 or more save up to 25 percent.