Volta is currently playing under the big top in Tyson’s Corner, VA, just outside Washington, DC through the end of September. Buy tickets here.

Unless you’re new here, you know we’re obsessed with Cirque du Soleil. In fact, Volta has the distinction of being the 20th different performance we’ve seen, and we even had the privilege of touring the international headquarters in Montreal. (Check out our previous reviews of Amaluna, Corteo, Crystal, Varekai, Paramour, Toruk: The First Flight, La Nouba, and Dralion + backstage tour!)

If you’re unfamiliar, there are three main types of Cirque du Soleil shows: arena, big top, and resident. Arena shows tour around the world and set up shop in large sporting/performance venues. Big top shows – like Volta – also travel, but they erect their own tents and scaffolding and everything. Finally, resident shows are those that stay put in one theater and have much more freedom to customize the theater to their specific needs. Most of these shows are in Las Vegas.

Each type of show has its own unique draws and drawbacks. And each type of show is a completely unique experience.

For their part, big top shows are essentially small traveling communities. They travel with 80-90 tractor trailers and take over a week to set up (and three days to take down). By contrast, arena productions travel with “only” 20 trucks, set up in one day, and tear down in 3.5 hours. This is why big top productions also spend more time in each city on the tour.

After 20 different Cirque du Soleil shows, I’ve become something of a “wine snob” about their performances. Though I love each and every one of their shows, many of them DO blend together after a while. There are some acts and routines that seem to pop up in nearly every show and, alas, fail to impress my jaded black soul.

All photos courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Nevertheless, there’s also ALWAYS one or two acts in each show that are totally unique to that show. I’ve never not walked away from Cirque du Soleil talking about something I haven’t seen before. Which, again, after 20 shows is pretty remarkable.

And Volta, not surprisingly, didn’t break that streak. Though it has elements I’ve seen numerous  times before (e.g., trampoline wall, acrobatic ladders, shape diving), there are still a few acts that dropped my jaw to the floor.

Can we please talk about the hair suspension?

It’s an act that has an artist, suspended only by her hair, levitate from a cushion, rise above the stage, swing back and forth, and spin like a top. ALL  WHILE HANGING FROM HER HAIR!

Un. Freaking. Real.

Volta is “inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports,” and the storyline follows blue-haired game show contestant Waz who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. But, as is typical with Cirque du Soleil, the “plot” really only makes sense on paper. On stage, it’s just a sequence of semi-related scenes that are thematically linked together.

Volta certainly has a unique flavor, though – from the “extreme sports” nature of some acts (such as the awesome BMX routines) to the absolutely wild opening game show act.

But if I’m being honest, it’s Mr. Wow who steals the show. Mr. Wow is the game show host who plays the comedy relief throughout the show. (Clowns are mercifully absent from Volta, so Mr. Wow fills that role.) And his acts are FAR more entertaining than any of the clown routines I’ve seen in the last dozen (at least) Cirque du Soleil shows.

Volta also impresses with its novel inclusion of video content, unique stage design, and stunning soundtrack. I’m a fan of most Cirque du Soleil soundtracks, but Anthony Gonzalez’s score for Volta is firmly in the top 3. Cinematic, atmospheric, catchy, and haunting, the music of Volta elevates the show to be something truly special.

I’ve had it on repeat for several days now.

As is true for all big top shows, there’s not a bad seat in the house. So do yourself a favor and go catch Volta if you’re in the area. Volta will remain under the big top in Tyson’s for the rest of September, so if you’re in the DC region, don’t miss it. After that, the show moves on to Atlanta and Los Angeles. Buy tickets here.