When Cirque du Soleil’s OVO arrives at the Smoothie King Center this September, New Orleans audiences will step into a world where crickets somersault on trampolines, a spider twists herself into impossible knots, and aerial artists soar high above the stage like human trapeze. For four days only, September 18–21, the celebrated production will transform the arena into a kaleidoscope of color, music, and motion.

OVO—meaning “egg” in Portuguese—has been a Cirque favorite for 15 years, but the version landing in New Orleans is newly refreshed. The show’s redesign brings larger-than-life leaves and flowers to the stage, along with reinvented costumes, new clown pieces, and three additional acrobatic acts. It’s a storybook ecosystem, scaled up to match the daring feats of its 53 performers and musicians from 25 different countries.

That scale isn’t just for show—it’s essential to the performers’ work. During a recent conversation with cast member Denys Dyky, one of OVO’s aerial cradle porters, and senior publicist Janie Mallet, the two pulled back the curtain on the discipline and heart that fuel the production. Dyky, who has been with Cirque du Soleil for more than 15 years, described the aerial cradle act as “like a human trapeze.” Porters like him hurl their partners across the stage—sometimes as far as 18 feet—while flyers twist, flip, and trust they’ll be caught midair. It’s a display of strength, precision, and absolute teamwork.

“To build trust, it’s not just for one day and [doesn’t] happen right away,” says Dyky. “You need to spend a lot of time [together] to trust the other person.”

But what keeps a show like OVO alive after more than a decade isn’t just the acrobatics—it’s the people. Dyky and Mallet spoke about the international community that forms within the cast, where eight nationalities may come together for a single act. Tricks are often described in a blend of languages—Russian here, Italian there—creating a shared vocabulary unique to the team.

For Dyky, the experience is even more personal. His wife and young daughter often join him on tour, and he recalled the joy of performing with his family in the audience. Watching his six-year-old’s face light up when she recognizes him on stage has become one of his most treasured memories. Mallet added that this family atmosphere runs deep through the company, with birthdays, milestones, and even first steps often celebrated together on the road.

Still, the work is grueling. Performers train multiple times a day—weights, conditioning, full act rehearsals—on top of nightly shows. To support them, Cirque du Soleil travels with its own gym and a catering team able to meet every dietary need. It’s a lifestyle built for stamina, yet designed to help each artist bring their best to the stage.

And for the audience? That effort translates into something unforgettable. Mallet described OVO as a roller coaster of emotions, where spectators are invited to marvel, laugh, and reconnect with a sense of childlike wonder. For some, the experience may even plant a seed. 

Fifteen years on, OVO continues to inspire. It’s not just a story about insects and eggs, but about connection—among performers, families, and audiences alike. And for one weekend in New Orleans, that story will unfold live under the lights.

Cirque du Soleil’s OVO runs September 18–21, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center. Tickets are available at cirquedusoleil.com/OVO.