By Victoria Looseleaf
Are we surprised that the $100 million debacle known as Cirque du Soleil’s Iris is set to close January 19? No, not in the least. What was intended to be a permanent show (okay, a 10-year run is something L.A. would deem permanent), at the corner of Hollywood and Highland (another debacle, to be sure), is suffering from a case of…nobody-wanted-to-pay-those-exorbitant-ticket-prices. Hello: When we were there opening night, the top ticket went for $253. with a number of seats having, er, obstructed views. (The theater was never meant for live productions, only for televised events.)
Seriously, housed in the Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak, but when film went pfft…so did its ubiquitous name), when the Academy Awards aren’t there (which adds up to about 360 days out of the year), this ill-conceived extravaganza, directed and choreographed by Frenchman Philippe Decoufle (click here for our recent Lyon Dance Biennale review, which included a bad Decoufle retrospective, Panorama, above), bombed big-time. But we knew that Iris was destined for the scrap heap, and didn’t hesitate to pan it for Dance Magazine when the show first opened in September, 2011.
And, trust us, dear readers, we’ve seen our share of Cirques (click here for our coverage of several Vegas spectacles), with this over-the-top production about the movies the nadir of the bunch; and Robert Lepage’s KÀ (above), choreographed by Diavolo’s Jacques Heim, the apex.
Sure, we’re sorry some of our performer friends in Iris will now be unemployed, and we’ve always been peeved that a $30-million loan from L.A.’s Community Development Department was in on the original deal. But think about it: Did our city really need some French-accented production to lure tourists to Hollywood? We think non.
Truth be told: We’re actually surprised Iris lasted as long as it did…and are hoping that the powers-that-be tear down the entire mall, including the Kodak (moving the Oscars back downtown), and put in its stead…a park. And if they’re really intent upon a bit of France at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, let ‘em eat crêpes.
