Cirque du Soleil’s latest big top production, TOTEM, is sure to bring some excitement to the Washington, DC, area when it opens at National Harbor on Aug. 15.

This stunning new production features the signature Cirque du Soleil gravity-defying acrobatics as well as stunning feats of human strength. But, the show also provides technical eye candy as it embraces cutting-edge technology, including video projections, to transform the visual environment of the set from ice to water to stone to fire.

Written and directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The word “totem” contains the idea of the desire of all species to fly—like the thunderbird at the top of the totem pole. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species.

With 52 performing artists from 19 countries, TOTEM features a cast from a wide array of backgrounds, including a world fitness champion, a former gymnast, a performer from The Lion King, an engineer-turned-juggler and a father and son acrobatic team (at 62, the father is the oldest performer in the cast!). 

TOTEM marks the 10th time a Cirque du Soleil big top production has visited the Washington, DC, area since 1988.

HOW TO SEE IT:

TOTEM will run under the blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) located at the Plateau at National Harbor from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30.

For tickets, go to cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

For more information on TOTEM, go to:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/default.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/Totem

Hashtag for Twitter: #totem