March 12, 2018 - Corteo, the latest Cirque du Soleil arena production, will visit Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, from August 8-12, 2018, for a limited run of seven performances as part of its new journey throughout North America. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then, the show has been a great success and has amazed 8 million people in 64 cities in 19 countries on four continents.

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music turns lyrical and playful carrying Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

The concept and disposition of the stage bring the audience in a theatrical atmosphere like never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena shows. The set curtains, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and the central curtains, which were hand painted, give a grandiose feel to the stage. This sets the tone for the poetry of Corteo.

The cast of Corteo includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

Cirque du Soleil gratefully acknowledges the official partner of the Corteo USA tour: Forsythe, A Sirius Company.

Advance tickets for Corteo are available now online to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, go to cirqueclub.com.  Tickets will be available to the general public at 10 a.m. on March 23 at cirquedusoleil.com/corteo and spectrumcentercharlotte.com, the Spectrum Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Shows will take place Wednesday, August 8, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, August 9, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, August 10, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, August 11, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, August 12, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.