Cirque du Soleil’s Echo: A Spellbinding Story of Hope and Immense Talent Takes Center Stage

Cirque du Soleil has wow’ed audiences for decades with its awe-inspiring acrobatics, stunning visuals, enchanting music, and captivating storytelling. Their latest show, Echo, is no exception. I had the pleasure of attending the premiere performance in Atlanta, and it was beyond a magical experience.

Over the last two decades, I’ve seen more than 15 Cirque du Soleil shows, and Echo is hands down my new favorite. 

The show follows a young woman named Future and her faithful companion, Dog. The two set off on a fantastical journey, and along the way, Future meets a cast of colorful characters as she explores the sacred bond between animals and nature. The pair learn how their actions have the ability to transform the world for the better, if we can all just come together and work as a team. It’s a beautiful story of evolution, hope, empathy, and the importance of teamwork. 

The story is told through a combination of dance, acrobatics, multimedia projections, and song. As with any Cirque du Soleil, the performers are incredibly talented, bringing their characters to life with a palpable passion. The choreography is breathtaking, the visuals (both sets and costumes) are stunning, and the music is haunting. The whole experience is a feast for the senses. 

How is Echo Different from Other Cirque du Soleil Shows

Echo sets itself apart from other Cirque performances, bringing a handful of new acts to the stage, including a mammoth cube that dominates the stage from the very beginning of the show.

The rotating cube serves as a dance wall, an interactive video display, a puzzle reminiscent of a Rubik’s Cube, and an apparatus for breathtaking acrobatics and slacklining. Additionally worth mentioning is a massive puppet that emerges from the cube as well as a contortionist, who dislocated what felt like every joint on his body for a performance that elicited countless gasps from the audience. 

One of the most profound aspects of Echo lies in its message of hope. In a time where darkness often overshadows light, Echo serves as a reminder that beauty and wonder persist. The performance is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, leaving the audience feeling uplifted and inspired.

Sitting in the Front Row at Cirque du Soleil’s Echo

The photographs I captured during the performance (featured throughout this article) were taken from the first row. It was my first time sitting in the front row for a Cirque du Soleil show. I usually set towards the middle of the tent up in the second section. But the front-row vantage point truly spoiled me. It allowed me to appreciate the performers’ precision, agility, and sheer talent on a whole new level.

The loud sounds, bright lights, and moments of darkness and fog were all amplified, creating an immersive experience that was completely captivating. I felt like I was a part of the show as I made eye contact with the performers. Seeing their expressions while performing and their reactions to my wonderment was beyond cool. 

To be clear, there’s not a bad seat in the house as the performers and the sets rotate and embrace every direction (we were in the section to the left of the stage). But front-row, holy wow. If you can sit that close, I highly recommend it.

Cirque du Soleil’s Echo in Atlanta

Attending Cirque du Soleil during the holiday season has become a bit of a tradition for Atlantans. And Echo might just be their best show to visit the ATL yet. Simply put, the show is a masterpiece. And the experience as a whole will undoubtedly “echo” in the hearts of the audience for years to come.

With a run time of two hours and 5 minutes, including a 25-minute intermission, Cirque du Soleil’s Echo is in Atlanta at Atlantic Station – now through January 24, 2024. Grab your tickets here: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo