Just an FYI before you go, Cirque De Soleil Kooza Seattle is not totally in Seattle but in Redmond about 30-ish minutes away (or more) depending on traffic. Also, know before you go that there is a $25 parking fee that can be paid by card or cash and really no other place to park for the show (it also might add about 10-15 minutes or more to your commute. We were about an hour early but ended up with just over 30 minutes before the show by the time we parked and walked). Kooza rolled into town in 70 semi trucks around January 12th and this family friendly show will be here until the middle of March. I was invited to get a little glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of the show and then experience the show for its Seattle premiere.
Cirque du Soleil Kooza: more things to know before you go
If you’re headed to Cirque Du Soleil Kooza it starts promptly at the ticket time (my ticket is for 7:30pm) and the doors open about an hour and a half before then. There are concessions where you can purchase food and drink and you can bring these things into the show. The show itself is about 100 minutes and there is also a 25 minute intermission. And even though this is a Big Top show in a tent, there are semi fancy outdoor but flushing toilets (like at Alegria when it came a few years ago). I love that you can also take photos with your phone during the performance ( just don’t use the flash, or bring in your big fancy camera) There will also be a security check when you arrive and the usual no weapons/dangerous items apply as well as no outside food or beverages. There are some loud noises and flashing lights and all Cirque shows are pretty family-friendly but this one seems the most family-friendly one I’ve been to: it’s really light-hearted and fast paced and my guys remember this one from when they were seven years old as being really fun. Also, the inside of the tent is heated so you don’t have to worry about bundling up for inside, but you might have a bit of a walk from you car to the event so on a chilly or rainy winter Seattle night you will definitely want to dress for the weather.
What is Cirque du Soleil Kooza all about?
Kooza is a show that pays homage to the traditional roots of a circus. It starts with the whole adventure coming out of a box-I was told that the word Kooza is taken from the Sanskrit word for box and it’s ultimately about a clown named Innocent who is looking for who he is and what his place is in the world. In a bit of what feels a bit like a Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things are journey, we follow Innocent’s adventures when he receives a giant Jack in the Box that takes him to the World of Kooza and meets characters like the Trickster and the King. And even if you don’t really follow along with this story, the acrobatics and music and clown skits will be entertaining enough. Watching Kooza is a reminder of some of the incredible and almost unbelievable things humans can do with their bodies.
On a personal note, Kooza was the first Cirque Du Soleil show I’ve ever seen and it’s also probably my favorite one so far. There is clowning and incredible acrobatics and beautiful costumes and it really feels like an event for all ages. We were seated in front of a grown up who kept exclaiming “I can’t believe this is real life!!!” and I think this is the type of excitement and entertainment we could use more of. Knowing that every part of the production from the 25 meter (this is a Canadian production based in Montreal) beams that hold up the tent, to the bathrooms, audience seating and washing machines all roll into town in semi trucks is kind of novel to think about as you sit and take in the whole spectacle as well. This show is in the Seattle area until March 16 and you can find more about the show and tickets here.
Behind the Scenes at Kooza Seattle
I stopped by tent the day before the Seattle Premiere and got a bit of a sneak peak. We walked in the area behind the tent and saw where the performers spend their time when they aren’t in front of the audience. They live off site during the show in hotels and airbnbs but the show also has their own chef that travels with them and makes meals on location. Every performer has their own training schedule (we saw some of the acrobats and Mizuki, the silk scarf aerialist while we were there) and everyone does their own makeup for the show. When they are first learning their characters’ makeup this can take many hours but once they are more experienced it might take 30 minutes to 2 hours to get ready.
We peeked at the makeup and costume area and it was cool to see the brands and things they use for a big production like this. I noticed a lot of Cetaphil face wash, NYX professional mascara, fake eyelashes and eye changing contacts. The area where costumes get repaired was bustling with activity too. And we could see some of the performers warming up in their practice area. If this kind of thing is intriguing to you too I think you can book a behind the scenes tour package as well but I’m not too sure what you will see.
I liked seeing props like the cannon, dog costumes and glittery hats and anticipating them in the performance wondering how these items would come to life. (the canon was definitely a favorite of mine. You can see how it was used in my instagram video)
(PS. if you are going as a family you can book a family pack that might give you a bit of a discount too. There is also a VIP package for this Cirque du Soleil Kooza show but I don’t know enough about it to comment on it or recommend.)
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)