Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion Coming Feb. 9 – 13, 2011 to the Schottenstein Center

I am a huge Cirque fan and have seen performances in New York, Disney, Las Vegas, and here in our lovely city of Columbus. The performances are full of amazing acrobatics, dancing, music, eccentric costumes, and there is always a unique theme. Coming to Columbus in February is Dralion. The theme is “East Meets West” and Dralion draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The show’s name is derived from its two embelmatic creatures: the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West. The costumes are amazing, there are comedic bits, and the Chinese Dragon is just plain cool. Where else can you get a little taste of Eastern tradition and flare in Central Ohio?

Cirque du Soleil‘s performances showcase amazing human feats and acrobatics. The shows are colorful and exciting – and I think children would love being exposed to this unique style of theater. My four and half year old would love it, and I’ve taken her to enough theatrical performances to know she’d enjoy the show.

If you want to take your child(ren), ask yourself these questions: 1.) Will my child be able to sit through it? The Cirque is over-the-top exciting, and they always have some crazy unique act going on. Trust me, it’d be hard for a kid to lose focus – two hours fly in the Cirque world.; 2.) Will my child get scared? The music can be loud and the costumes can be big (no more than a Disney show, but it is different – more “adult”).  The show is in an arena, so that up close and personal feel you got sitting in the tent doesn’t really exist any longer. There is an obvious barrier between the show and the audience. Be sure to get tickets that aren’t right up to the stage, and I am not talking just a Cirque show – any show for that matter.

I see it in my child and her friends, if they sit further away they feel like they are watching a show and disconnected from it. I think kids get scared when they feel a performance is right on top of them and the characters could possibly jump out and scare them (just my two cents). Please note, many Cirque shows have stylized clowns (more mime-like and fashion-forward than the “regular” circus clowns who wear big red shoes and yellow pants) that come into the first few rows of the audience doing their bits…another reason to sit further back if your child gets scared.

This particular show was here in 2003 and I saw it outside of Nationwide in a big yellow and blue tent, but now all their shows are being performed in arenas (can someone get me a tissue? I loved the tent!!). Dralion will take place in the Schottenstein Center and tickets are going fast.

The Show

The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, gymnasts, musicians, singers and comedic characters.

Performances are at the Schottenstein Center:

555 Borror Drive

Columbus, OH 43210

Ticket Information:

• Adults: From $35 to $80
• Children (12 & under): From $28 to $65
• Military, Seniors & Students: From $31.50 to $67.50

Tickets are available at www.cirquedusoleil.com/dralion or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Show Schedule:

• Wednesday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 11 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 13 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

A few helpful hints:

• Bring cash for food or drinks.
• Be prepared for your child to want every souvenir they are selling. Tell them your rules up front, whatever you decide. Suggestions: “We are buying nothing at the show, just so you know.” or “You can get one thing when we are there.” or “Maybe bring some of your allowance money to purchase a souvenir at the show.”
• Know where the bathrooms are, because your child may not wait until intermission and you don’t want to miss too much of the performance!
• Your child may want to sit on your lap the entire time (mine does).