Cirque du Soleil to produce Pan Am Games opening ceremony

Cirque du Soleil is producing the opening ceremony of Toronto’s 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, the touring troupe says.

“We are excited to create an original production for this special occasion,” Yasmine Khalil, director of Cirque’s events and special projects unit, said in a release Tuesday.

The opening ceremony will showcase not only its troupe of performers, but also Ontario artists and volunteers, who will be recruited from local schools and community organizations closer to the Games.

Pan Am Games officials weren’t immediately available for comment but TO2015 organizing committee CEO Ian Troop said in the release, “Cirque du Soleil has an unmatched international reputation for staging some of the most imaginative and mesmerizing shows ever performed.”

“That magic, along with their world-class performers — many former athletes themselves  — promises a thrilling Opening Ceremony for the Games.”

Read more: http://www.citynews.ca