Las Vegas has come to Baltimore ? in the form of Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy. The acrobatic, circus-like adventure features an international cast of 25 performers who twirl, roll, jump, swing and balance their way through the show, inciting “oohs,” “ahs,” and the occasional gasp of horror from the awed audience.
There?s no doubt that every single person in the show is exceptionally talented, and that makes the show very entertaining. But while 90 percent of the time you?ll be awed by the performances, the other 10 percent will be spent wondering if someone slipped you a hallucinogen.
The most stand-out character was the Jungleboy, a clownish acrobat played by Marcello Balestracci, who appears in most of the acts. Hilariously entertaining, Balestracci garners the most laughs out of adults and children alike.
The Balancing Giraffes, the balancing act of Vladimir Dovgan and Anatoliy Yeniy, is by far the most impressive. At one point, the duo stands on top of three tables, balanced on a rolling metal can.
The Contorting Lizards, played by contortionists Uranmandakh Amarsanaa, Buyankhishig Ganbaatar, Erdenesuvd Ganbaatar and Odgerel Oyunbaatar, are extraordinary, but at the same time, slightly nauseating. The women twist their bodies into shapes that aren?t meant to be made by human bodies.
The show would benefit from dropping the Lady Bug Vocalist, played by Julia Langley. Not only was her constant interrupting to introduce characters annoying, her singing voice was nasally and grating. She was neither charming nor helpful, which her character is supposed to be.
The second act of the show opens on the jungle at night and parents should be warned that it could be frightening for young children.
IF YOU GO
WHERE: The Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore
WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 3
TICKETS: $25 to $60
