photo by Maja Prgomet
Corteo, the long running Cirque du Soleil show, is back in North America and heading to Philadelphia for the very first time.! Since its premiere in Montreal in April 2005, Corteo has amazed over 10 million spectators around 20 countries and four continents. Don’t miss it at the Liacouras Center for FIVE shows only from May 30 to June 2, 2024.
One of the show’s performers, Jonathan Buese, is even from the Philadelphia area and competed in the NCAA gymnastics championships for the University of Iowa. Cirque du Soleil recruited him for their shows during a competition. He looks forward to being back home for a few days! Below, read more about what Corteo means, Jonathan’s Tournik act, and what to look out for in the show.
More tickets and info can be found here.
Q: What’s the story behind Corteo? How does this show stand out from other Cirque Du Soleil productions?
A: Corteo is a show about the dream of Mauro, the main character. He dreams about his funeral – how it will look and who will be there. He also dreams about his life, his memories and how he will say goodbye when it’s his time to go. One way this show stands out is the scale of the show. It’s the largest show that Cirque has on tour right now and I believe we have the largest stage as well. The other way is that this show has a very unique look – the design of the set, costumes, lighting and music make it look like a dream of the past.
Q: What is your role in the show? What are some of the acrobatic acts you perform on stage?
A: My act is called Tournik, which is performed on gymnastics high bars with a team of eleven guys. It’s a high-flying and dynamic act that comes at the emotional climax of the show where we say goodbye to our main character. I do some smaller parts in other acts where I’ll do some flips, and sometimes I even get to play a drum on stage! I know it’s not acrobatic, but I love getting to hit the drum as hard as I can.
Q: You were a former NCAA gymnast and were recruited by Cirque du Soleil’s casting agents. How did that end up happening?
A: An agent from casting was at NCAA championships my senior year and she had a lunch for anybody who was interested in Cirque du Soleil after gymnastics. They ended up needing my skill profile just a few months later, which was perfect timing. I went through their four month training program in Montreal and eventually wound up in Las Vegas in Mystere, their show at Treasure Island.
Q: As a gymnast, what is something you’ve learned that has been most helpful while performing in Corteo?
A: Gymnastics is the foundation of what I do here, so gymnastics helped me focus on basics, and approaching the skills in a technically sound way. It also helps me be aware of my body and what areas I might need to concentrate on for my work to go as well as it can.
Q: What does a show day look like for you? Do you have any pre or post performance rituals?
A: They’re all really different! The first day of shows is a really long day where we basically set up our office for the week, train and then do a show at the end of the night. The days in the middle of week might have specific act training, or meetings, or I might have nothing on the schedule except working out and the show. Some Saturdays we’ll perform the show three times which is a really long day. Then on the last day of the week we take the whole thing apart again and pack it up, all while performing a show or two. So we never have two days that are the same on tour, especially being in a different city every week.
No rituals per se, but I do roughly the same warm up every time before my act so I can gauge how my body is feeling – which is important because I’ve been performing for over ten years! That way I’ll know if I need to maybe stretch a little more or get a little warmer before I go on stage.
Q: Is there a certain scene or performance that always wows you night after night?
A: The Teeterboard act at the end of the first half is always a highlight. Every performer from the show is on the stage clapping, singing and watching two different groups jumping over twenty feet in the air off a big see-saw.
Q: You are from nearby Drexel Hill, how does it feel to be performing back home?
A: I’m thrilled to be coming back! I moved away when I was young, and I can’t wait to go back because I’ve always felt a strong pull and connection to the city.
Q: Is there anything you’re looking forward to doing or seeing when you’re in Philadelphia?
A: I’m looking forward to doing as much as I can! From seeing my old neighborhood and seeing the city, to finding new places I’ll love and eating as much delicious food as I possibly can, it’s going to be an amazing week.
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