“Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil 2025 edition

**** It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you look. Between the Chicago area theaters, shops and Holiday Bazars, we know the days are numbered ( with Chanukah arriving even earlier) and thus traffic is heavier than normal. Tonight, besides the frigid December weather ( something we are not used to) a ton of traffic caused us to just make it for the opening of the latest Cirque production, ” Twas the Night Before… by Cirque Soleil”, a charming use of the story or poem “The Night Before Christmas”.

‘Twas the Night Before… is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil could imagine. While dad is reading the story, Isabella, a very curious little one doesn’t understand why everyone makes such a fuss over this particular holiday. What the Cirque people do is lead her into the story so that she can see what life is all about. She learns about friendship in a world that is pure fantasy and quite magical.

As per usual with Cirque shows, we have wonderful performances by our cast of players, who sing and dance, roller skate ( an amazing duet that will have you concerned about these skilled skaters), juggle ( our narrator, who becomes, or perhaps is already, St. Nick, tumblers  who represent the 8 reindeer that will do amazing things before some deliveries and a host of other performances such as lights on a rope twirling from one side of the stage to the other and then from the audience to the stage and last, but not least, around two audience members brought onstage. WOW!

If you think that is a lot for a 90 minute show, you ain’t seen nothing yet. There is a lady who hangs from her hair and spins like a top, The reindeer do amazing hops thru hoops and flip all over the place, and there are other high feats that one expects from a Cirque show including an amazing bicycle performance by Isabella after she and her father do a powerful rope spin. There are silks and a brilliant opening number and closing number as the epic poem comes to an end.

This show, with its seasonal music and strong interpretation of the classic poem promises to spark lasting memories in the hearts of families this holiday season. There is no program , so you cannot be prepared for what happens , in what order, but if you know the poem ( and I am pretty sure you do) you can just sit back relax and have a wonderful experience with a date, your family , or whoever you brought with. Know that you will leave the theater with a smile on your face and a melody in your heart. I know I did!