One night. One drop. Splashy show. That’s the plan for Cirque du Soleil’s fifth annual One Night for One Drop extravaganza. “Water is such a precious commodity that needs to be preserved and protected if we wish to stand the test of time,” says One Night creator Krista Monson in a Cirque du Soleil statement. Benefitting the company’s A-B-C Sustainability initiative to address safe water access, the production’s theme this year focuses on the concept of time ticking away on our treatment of the globe.
Chockablock with daring circus acts, stunt performers and acrobats—highlighted by aerial superstars Duo Sky Angels—the production is also a feast of guest stars, including rapper Redfoo, vocal group The Tenors (performing their unique style of “operatic pop”), America’s Got Talent performers Grace VanderWaal and Malevo and (hold onto your phaser) Star Trek icon William Shatner in an unspecified, “personalized role.”
“There are only a few people in this world who could resonate with fans across different generations like Mr. Shatner,” said writer/directors Nicky and Laetitia Dewhurst in a statement about the actor who, like Cirque du Soleil itself, originally hails from Canada. “With his timeless personality, he is the perfect addition to our show.”
One Drop is built around the story of a grumpy old circus ringmaster called The Traveler (portrayed by Mystère clown Brian Dewhurst) who encounters a mysterious character called The Timekeeper (Perry Ray) who teaches him an important lesson. “We created the old ringmaster to represent humanity and its treatment of Mother Earth,” explained Nicky and Laetitia in the statement.
“He is given the opportunity to travel back in time to witness his younger self at the center of a magnificent, vintage circus. Once there, he begins to realize his mistakes and, in a sensational twist of events, wishes to fix his feelings of regret. But is it too late? That’s the question we want to ask our audience.”
Zumanity Theater at New York-New York, 7:30 p.m. March 3, $100-$1,500 plus tax and fee. onedrop.org/onenight
