Joyà

Joyà
Logo for Cirque du Soleil's Joyà
Company	Cirque du Soleil
Genre	Contemporary circus
Show type	Resident show
Date of premiere	November 8, 2014
Creative team
Director of creation	Richard Dagenais
Director	Martin Genest
Set and props designer	Guillaume Lord
Dramaturg	André Morency
Costume designer	James Lavoie
Composers	Guy Dubuc Marc Lessard
Sound designer	Jacques Boucher
Lighting designer	Jean Laurin
Choreographer	Harold Rhéaume
Acrobatic choreographer	Philippe Aubertin
Acrobatic and rigging designer	Pierre Masse
Makeup designer	Nathalie Gagné
Other information
Preceded by	Kurios (2014)
Succeeded by	Toruk (2015)
Official website

Joyà is an 80-minute long resident show at the Vidanta resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, produced as a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and its subsidiary Cirque du Soleil Events + Experiences (formerly 45 Degrees). It is Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Latin America.

Culture meets nature

Joyà premiered on November 8, 2014, inside a custom-built theatre set in the jungle, with a 600 guests capacity. The exterior design of the theatre was inspired by organic forms in a clearing surrounded by trees. Before excavation and construction of the theatre could begin, biologists meticulously identified all flora and fauna specimens inhabiting the site, so that they could be relocated in similar surroundings prior to the groundbreaking ceremony. This important aspect of the project inspired the creators of Joyà to develop a story centered around a character who devotes his life to the study and protection of Yucatan's natural and historic environment.

Story

The story, set in a naturalist's library that transforms into other exotic locations, follows the journey of a "rebellious teenage girl [who] is sent by her mischievous grandfather on a fantastical quest spanning generations". Throughout her adventures, the energetic and joyful Joyà encounters a series of colorful characters inspired by natural and cultural phenomena that have shaped Mexico and Mexican culture throughout History. In so doing, she experiences a vibrant and colorful coming of age which prepares her to take over her grandfather's commitment to Mexico's natural and cultural wonders. The creators of the show have cited the annual migration of monarch butterflies between Mexico and Canada as an important source of inspiration for the overall theme of the show; every year, the monarch's migration, essential to the survival of the species, can only be accomplished through the combined efforts of successive generations of butterflies.

Culinary experience

The cultural experience offered by Cirque du Soleil and Vidanta consists in a hybrid form of entertainment wherein the show is presented in a venue where spectators are seated in a semi-circular dining hall facing an immersive setting where the story of Joyà unfolds around the public and over their heads. While enjoying the acrobatic performances, patrons can thus enjoy a refined dining experience designed to echo the creativity of the circus acts and the refinement of Mexican culture.

Music

The soundtrack to Joya was released in the show boutique on 24 December 2015 before being released online on 15 January 2016. The tracks are as follows:

1. Naturalium (Opening/Hoop Diving)
2. Comedy Of Errors (Icarian games)
3. Reinas En La Penumbra (Solo trapeze)
4. Adventure At Sea (Pirates' arrival/Cube Manipulation)
5. The Dive (Puppetry)
6. Profunda Belleza (Hand balancing)
7. Legacy (Aerial straps)
8. Nueva Era (Trampoline wall/Finale)

Further reading

• Feldberg, Sarah. "Cirque du Soleil's experiment in the Mexican jungle". USA Today. December 22, 2014.
• Young, Josh. "Joya Opens As Cirque Du Soleil’s First Immersive Dinner Show". Theme Park University. December 29, 2014.
• Frederick, Brittany S. "Review: Inside Cirque du Soleil And Grupo Vidanta's New Production 'Joya'". Starpulse.com. December 3, 2014.