Mary Siegel has been with Cirque du Soleil’s highly-acclaimed show Crystal since the creation of the show in 2017, waited two years when it was dark during the pandemic, and came back to the tour the moment that she could.
Those who enjoy the spectacle, both on land and on the ice will adore Cirque du Soleil’s highly unique and imaginative production of Crystal.
Dubbed a “breakthrough ice experience,” the show had its first public preview performances in December 2017 and has continued to delight audiences near and far ever since. The show is returning to Philadelphia for the first time since 2019.
This stunning show is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd original show since 1984, and the first one that was performed on an ice rink, most of the performers are ice skating throughout the show, and blends several circus acts with high-level ice skating. It is described “as a woman shattering reality to discover herself in the world of possibility.’”
In one of the first reviews of the show, YQG Rocks entertainment critic Dan Savoie said of the Windsor, Ontario show, at the WFCU Centre on January 3, 2018: “Crystal was an astonishing demonstration and is gorgeous in every way. The ice seemed to enhance the movements and made the performers appear to move faster.”
Back by popular demand, Crystal is being performed at the Wells Fargo Center from Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26.
Mike Newquist, Senior Vice President, of the Touring Shows Division, said: “We are thrilled to finally bring Crystal back on the road. For two years our performers have been waiting to skate again and experience the joy of the audience once more. It will be an emotional and magical return.”
More about Crystal – A Breakthrough Ice Experience
Created by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, Crystal is not just an ice show; it’s the very first experience on ice from Cirque du Soleil! Watch world-class ice skaters and acrobats claim their new frozen playground with speed and fluidity as they challenge the laws of gravity with never-before-seen acrobatics. Discover a new kind of performance as Cirque du Soleil meets the ice to defy all expectations.
Crystal invites you to suspend reality and glide into a world that springs to colorful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil. This show is suitable for all ages.
“Crystal is unique and exciting because it blends two disciplines; acrobatics and ice skating. It is what you expect from Cirque du Soleil,” Siegel tells PCM. “It adds another dimension to what Cirque has done. This is a much bigger stage and can use the speed and space that we have. We do a great job of blending the two disciplines of skaters and acrobats with shoes – a perfect marriage of the two.”
Read on to find out about Mary Siegel’s journey from a childhood skater to a major performer in Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal.
What is your history as an ice skater?
Mary Siegel: I’ve been a skater since I was six years old and I am now 33 I had traveled and been on tour with other companies, including cruisers and Holiday on Ice. I truly love my art!
How did you start skating at such a young age?
My older male cousins played hockey and they would skate so fast that it was hard to keep up with them and pick on them. I had the ability to skate fast and I loved it. My mom signed me up for lessons and got kicked out because I didn’t listen to the teacher, but I always loved the freedom when I was out there.
What is the makeup of this tour?
I am the only American girl on this tour. We have 23 different nationalities in the cast. There are performers from Russia, Mongolia, Great Britain, France, Canada, Mexico, and Belgium; just to name a few.
Have you made close friends on tour?
Definitely. I call them my family away from my family. We are lucky on this tour because we have such a great group that feels very family-oriented. We are comfortable with one another, so much so that we hang out after the show. There is mutual respect between the disciplines. There are incredible athletes, and I never get used to seeing our acrobats flying 30 feet in the air.
Who will enjoy Crystal?
It is hard not to be captivated by this show, no matter what age you are or your background. There is never a dull moment, either.
Tell me about the show.
Crystal is the main character in the show. We are following her journey through self-realization. At the beginning of the show, she struggles to fit in; she gets to a breaking point and ends up running away from home and falls through the ice (pond) getting involved in an upside-down world. I play Crystal reflection (counterpart) almost like Alice in Wonderland through the looking glass. I show her that being different is okay to create a life that she enjoys and that it doesn’t matter what other people think.
There are some important messages in this show.
I agree. It is about acceptance, inclusion, and being happy and comfortable in your own skin. One of the deep underlying messages of this show is not to be afraid of who you really are and embrace who you are.
Why should my readers come to see Crystal?
It’s truly unlike anything you have ever seen before. It is exciting and captivating. You can see this show many times and not get bored and see something new every single time.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.
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