Cirque Du Soleil Swings Into L.A.

From bratpacker Judd Nelson to TV’s Florence Henderson, it was the stars of yore that outnumbered the usual throng of teenaged red-carpet walkers at Thursday’s preem of Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo.”  Perhaps the most welcome relief after being held-up for a $22 parking fee — no, that wasn’t for valet — was not being searched and wanded upon entry into the blue-and-yellow striped big top next to the L.A. Forum.

Inside, guests, including thesps Bill Fichtner, Radha Mitchell and Ray Liotta, were treated to a Fellini-esque parade of acrobats swinging from giant chandeliers and walking sky-high tightropes. Right before intermission, one Cirque’s tiniest performers, Valentyna, was bounced around the audience while suspended by six white balloons.

For those sitting close to the stage, it was a vigorous experience. Fichtner and his wife Kym, joked after the show that they needed a chiropractor but added that the performance was, “mesmerizing and heart-pounding.”     (S. Swart)