[Vick]

Part Two
Playing to Win: The Los Angeles Art Festival

In 1987, Cirque du Soleil's second successful production, We Reinvent the Circus, is in full swing. Featuring the hilarious antics of clown Benny LeGrand and stunning trapeze duo Jacqueline Williams and Andrew Watson, the show is a sure hit! Within the same year, Cirque uproots its tent poles from an apartment office on Montreal's Saint-Hubert Street and moves into the old No. 7 Fire Station in the Old Port of Montreal. As a new home to 15 or so employees, this new location also houses the props workshop.

Meanwhile, serious negotiations are underway in California-negotiations which will soon change the course of Cirque du Soleil's history forever. Members of the Quebec government's delegation in Los Angeles are hard at work in an attempt to persuade the city's art festival to include We Reinvent the Circus in its upcoming line-up. Weary organizers respond that there is no room for circus acts in an art festival, but eventually a contract is drawn up. Guidelines state that the committee will not provide Cirque with a cent towards travel expenses, but in exchange, Cirque will open the event and keep 100% of box office profits. The troupe only has enough money to get to California, but zero funds for the return journey. If the show tanks, Cirque is history! Fortunately for us opening night is a smash hit. At long last the United States has opened its doors, and with sheer delight, we head down the road to San Diego and Santa Monica.

Early in 1988, We Reinvent the Circus performs in Santa Monica for the second time around, followed shortly thereafter by a visit to San Francisco. Soon, the Big Apple beckons. With pressure and anticipation on the rise, we set up our Grand Chapiteau in New York and perform before a sold-out crowd. The show is a huge success and before long, we're the talk of the town!

Following a string of performances in New York, the troupe is beyond exhausted. The return trip home to Montreal is a long and difficult one. The troupe needs a break!

Read Part Three: Crisis in the Family. Coming soon!