Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has partnered with the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel to bring a new, multiyear production to Hawaii in late 2024.
The show will be performed at the showroom venue at the hotel, which
previously hosted the "Magic of Polynesia Show" and, prior to
that, "The Don Ho Show." The 20,000-square-foot theater will be
renovated to provide seating for 800.
"This collaboration with Cirque was years in the making and perfectly
aligns with Outrigger's brand elevation strategy, which includes a
promise to provide authentic live music and signature experiences in
renowned beach locations," said Jeff Wagoner, president and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. "We are confident that the show created for Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel will delight and astound our guests and residents."
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is working with creative cultural
producer Aaron J. Sala, who will work with the production team and
creators to bring the show to the stage.
"In addition to bringing new vibrancy to Waikiki, this project will produce significant economic impact through job creations in redeveloping the theater space and ongoing show operations," said Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi, who attended the event at the hotel's Kani Ka Pila Grille. "I'm honored and excited to welcome Cirque du Soleil as the newest Honolulu resident."
Details about the production were not available, but it's expected to include Hawaiian musicians, artists and dancers.
"We are thrilled to partner with a company as prominent as Outrigger to bring a brand new, world-class, immersive experience to life in Honolulu," says Eric Grilly, Cirque du Soleil's president of resident and affiliate shows.
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Grilly said the show will have elements of other Cirque du Soleil shows but with the theme of Hawaii's beauty and culture.
"Working with Outrigger and wanting to do a show about Hawaii and something that's authentic to Hawaii and its history and culture, we were wisely counseled to bring on someone that has keen awareness of Hawaiian culture," he said. "If we want to do a show about Hawaii, something that will honor the islands of Hawaii through the eyes of Cirque, then that's having a cultural advisor or creative cultural producer like Aaron [Sala].
"We always try to push things forward relative to being progressive and innovative in our creativity, so I think while the show will be rooted in circus acts and human performance, bringing that to life through Hawaiian culture on a stage is going to look very different."