Press Release

Cirque du Soleil and Grupo Vidanta present the world premiere of JOYÀ™ in Riviera Maya, directed by Martin Genest and Richard Dagenais. This first-of-its-kind intimate culinary and theatrical experience will be performed in the custom-designed, 600-seat Cirque du Soleil Theater near The Grand Mayan resort. 

The Show

An engaging, immersive, multisensory experience in which joy, courage and friendship conquer all! Behind the veil of the lush Mayan jungle exists a world of crystal-clear water pools, coral rocks, and rich flora and fauna – an oasis within an oasis. A wooden walkway leads to a theater perched above a massive lagoon cascading in a majestic waterfall. This is the world of JOYÀ: a unique entertainment and culinary experience by Cirque du Soleil.

Inspired by the fabulous migratory journey of the monarch butterfly in which life is passed from one generation to the next to ensure the survival of the species, JOYÀ follows the adventures of a rebellious teenage girl whisked away to a mysterious jungle in her grandfather’s fantastical world. Surrounded by a strange band of half-human, half-animal masters inspired by ancient Mayan iconography, the aging naturalist yearns to pass on to his granddaughter his relentless quest for the meaning of life.

Inhabited by entrancing characters that work hand-in-hand to perpetuate the love of life, JOYÀ abounds in subtle allusions to the history and culture of Mexico, from the migration of the monarch butterflies to the asteroid believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs to artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and with mariachis, masked wrestlers, pirate legends, and the rhythms and sounds of Mexico.

Creative Team

The creative team of JOYÀ consists of 12 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François Bouchard (Creative Guide):

Martin Genest Stage Director
Richard Dagenais Director of Creation and stage director for the dinner portion
Guillaume Lord Set and Props Designer
James Lavoie Costume Designer
Bob & Bill Composers and Musical Directors
Harold Rhéaume Choreographer
Jacques Boucher Sound Designer
Jean Laurin Lighting Designer
Philippe Aubertin Acrobatic Performance Designer
Pierre Masse Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer 
Nathalie Gagné Makeup Designer

PRESS KIT FOR JOYÀ:

The press kit is available online in our pressroom :

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/joya/content-temp.aspx

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter: @Cirque #JOYAMexico

About Cirque du Soleil

JOYÀ is Cirque du Soleil’s 36th production since 1984. Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the company, which has its International Headquarters in Montreal, extends its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows. Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, close to 150 million spectators in over 300 cities on six continents have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org. 

About Grupo Vidanta

Grupo Vidanta is a leading developer and operator of world-class luxury resorts, properties and tourism infrastructure in Mexico and Latin America. Founded in 1974 by Daniel Chávez Morán, Grupo Vidanta was conceived with a vision of creating extraordinary experiences and inspiring generations of happiness. Today, Grupo Vidanta employs more than 12,000 people and operates membership-based resort properties in Mexico's most sought-after luxury beach destinations. Grupo Vidanta's resort and hotel brands include AAA Four Diamond and AAA Five Diamond Award winning Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, The Bliss, Mayan Palace, Ocean Breeze and Sea Garden, with more in development. Vidanta Golf is the largest golf course operator in Mexico with three Jack Nicklaus designs and an in-development Greg Norman course.

The company’s real estate division has built and sold more than 2,000 vacation homes and its construction division developed Mexico's first privately built and owned airport, Mar de Cortés International Airport in Puerto Peñasco, and the Vidanta Theater in Riviera Maya. Grupo Vidanta’s innovative partnership with Cirque du Soleil has produced JOYÀ, the first resident Cirque du Soleil culinary and theatrical experience in Mexico, and will yield a large entertainment park currently under development in Nuevo Vallarta. 

The company operates two foundations to improve the lives of Latin Americans. The Great Place to Work Institute has selected Grupo Vidanta to the "Best Companies to Work for in Mexico" list for the past six years. For more information about Grupo Vidanta, visit grupovidanta.com. For more information about the Vidanta Foundation, visit fundacionvidanta.org.

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Media Contact:

Claudia Silva
Publicist
Cirque du Soleil
claudia.silva@cirquedusoleil.com

Greg Miller
Grupo Vidanta, U.S. / Canada
(214) 891-7668
greg_miller@richards.com

Damaris Zimbrón
Grupo Vidanta, Mexico
(55) 6392 1100 ext. 2442
Damaris@anothercompany.com.mx