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Cirque du Soleil: OVO opening in Grand Rapids

Posted at 7:46 PM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 19:46:04-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Cirque du Soleil: OVO opens Wednesday night at Van Andel Arena.

It takes 19 semi-trucks, 1,200 boxes and a crew of both local and touring stage hands to bring the show to an arena like Van Andel.

Once there, the unpacking, rigging and lifting begins bringing the set to life.   Arguably the most impressive part of the set-up all all the cables involved.

"We have about 115 that we hang from the ceiling, depending on the venue," said Production Manager Michael Naumann.  "I think we are at a little over 120 this week."

The cables and lines lift everything from the speakers to the performers.

"We lift about 115,000 pounds of equipment into the air each week," Naumann said.

While Naumann has been working for Cirque Du Soleil for 9 years and has seen countless shows over and over again, he says it never gets old.

Each show is unique in itself and it's amazing what they're able to do with the human body," he said.  "You come out and never take it for granted.  I come out and watch the shows all the time."

Cirque Pan