Cirque du Soleil comes to Camden waterfront for first time with 'Totem'

It’s been five years since Cirque du Soleil has been under the blue-and-yellow Big Top in Philadelphia. And this time around, the site where the show was staged in 2008 — along Broad Street — wasn’t available. So they needed to find another spot to set up shop.That spot happened to be on this side of the river in Camden, along the waterfront.

“It’s nice to develop new sites,” said Tim Smith, “Totem” artistic director. “The location on the waterfront will be great. And it’s nice to support the region’s economy.”

Cirque du Soleil productions are known for being unique, Smith said. And this production — opening in Camden on Thursday, May 30, is no exception, standing out even among other Cirque shows. "Totem’ draws on native American influences and follows the civilization of man,” he said.

With original music that has a “native American urban sound,” the show features all of the elements Cirque fans have come to expect, including exciting acrobatic acts, colorful costumes, singers and live musicians. It’s a “spectacle coupled with amazing talent,” Smith said.

Written and directed by Robert Lapage, “Totem” traces the journey of the human species from its amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. Inspired by many myths, this show’s concept explores “man’s need to progress forward,” said Smith.

“Each show has a concept that drives the experience from point A to point B,” he said. “But we like to leave the door wide open. It’s conceptual instead of plot-driven.”Since its world premiere in April 2010, “Totem” has stopped at 18 cities in Europe and North America.

“If you’re a Cirque fan this is a great one to see. The level of talent and the score is my favorite,” Smith said. “They’ve put it all together in ‘Totem,’ all of the elements make for a great show.”

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