Cleveland Embraces the Spectacle of Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” Backstage and Beyond

CLEVELAND, OH — Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” arrives in Cleveland this weekend, bringing its signature blend of acrobatics, artistry, and imagination to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse from September 19 to 22. Known for its dazzling and theatrical performances, Cirque du Soleil has captivated audiences worldwide for nearly four decades. Founded in 1984 by street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada, Cirque du Soleil has since grown into a global entertainment phenomenon known for its unique blend of circus arts, theatrical storytelling, and music; with productions that have reached over 180 million spectators in more than 450 cities across 60 countries.

The "OVO" show, which has been on the road for 15 years, celebrates the vibrancy and energy of life in the insect world, with performers donning custom-designed costumes that transform them into a variety of bugs. The storyline centers on a mysterious egg that suddenly appears in their environment, symbolizing the cycles and mysteries of life. The production features a mix of gymnastics, aerial stunts, and acrobatics, all executed by some of the world’s most talented performers, including Olympic athletes and artists from traditional circus families.

Cleveland 13 reporters Nikkie Brown and Jayda of "Jayda’s Adventures" were both on-site to give viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the Cirque production comes together. The two reporters, who bumped into each other while covering the event, teamed up to offer an engaging and detailed preview of the elaborate setup. It was a fun opportunity for both journalists to collaborate and give their audiences a closer look at one of the most anticipated performances of the year.

The Cleveland leg of "OVO" marks the show’s return to North America after two years in Europe and the Middle East. Moving such a massive production across the globe is no small feat—20 semi-trucks carry the show’s sets, props, costumes, and equipment from city to city, transforming venues like Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse into an entirely new world in just 12 hours. Janie Mallet, Senior Publicist for OVO, explained the logistics during the backstage tour, “We travel with 20 semi-trucks. The stage, the training equipment, everything. We have 100 people traveling full time with the show, including 52 artists. It's pretty much half and half; those in front of the stage and those working behind the scenes."

During the tour, Janie pointed out the technical expertise required to maintain the production. "You’ll see technicians set up their space to do maintenance on the lighting fixtures, the sound, the rigging,” she said, highlighting the precision involved in ensuring each performance goes off without a hitch. Performers are continually preparing as well, with a full training schedule happening backstage, even as the show unfolds onstage. “That structure—the jungle gym—is really specific to OVO. We created it so that we can train our own acts,” Janie explained, referring to a specialized apparatus that allows performers to warm up and rehearse before their acts.

“OVO” features an international cast representing 25 nationalities, bringing a variety of athletic and artistic backgrounds to the production. Performers range from Olympic gymnasts to graduates of circus schools, and many come from families with deep roots in circus traditions. “For this act, we have two Olympians, we have someone that came from synchronized swimming, someone that came from circus school, and someone that came from the traditional circus,” Janie said. "It's so diverse."

Nikkie Brown spoke with several performers, including Ramarni Levena, a tumbling cricket from Birmingham, England, who expressed excitement about experimenting with new stunts during the Cleveland performances. “I do some really super cool twisted elements in the show,” Levena said. “I’ve been experimenting with some new take-offs that I am hoping to integrate into the show this week and through the rest of the leg.” When asked about his time in Cleveland, Levena mentioned exploring the city’s food scene and being particularly taken with the Terminal Tower’s nightly light display.

Another featured artist, Ben Van Overberghe from Belgium, who specializes in trampoline and the unique "trampo-wall" act, shared his journey with Cirque du Soleil. “I started in 2017,” Van Overberghe said, adding that he enjoys the challenge and creativity that performing for Cirque allows.

Cirque du Soleil has long been renowned for pushing the boundaries of live entertainment, and "OVO" is no exception. The intricate and visually stunning costumes, designed to transform the performers into various insects, add a layer of immersion for the audience. Each costume is custom-made, with remarkable attention to detail. The performers even travel with their own washing machines to ensure that the elaborate outfits are cleaned and ready for each performance.

Janie also spoke about the various backgrounds of the performers, some of whom transitioned from careers in competitive sports to the world of circus performance. “We have athletes who’ve competed in high diving or synchronized swimming at the Olympics. After representing their countries, they’ve transitioned into Cirque du Soleil to continue their careers in a different way, using their skills in a new artistic form,” she explained. “Then we have performers from circus schools and traditional circus families who have trained for this their whole lives.”

Audiences in Cleveland will have the chance to experience this unique production throughout the weekend, with multiple showtimes each day. Cleveland 13 is offering ongoing coverage of the event on their social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat, with Jayda providing real-time updates from the opening night show. “OVO” promises a mesmerizing experience filled with high-energy stunts, stunning visuals, and an unforgettable glimpse into the insect world, all set to a dynamic soundtrack that brings the performance to life.

Tickets are available for purchase at Cirque du Soleil’s website, and fans are encouraged to follow Cleveland 13’s social channels for behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive content throughout the weekend.