Cirque du Soleil OVO at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on October 9 - 12, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Cirque du Soleil’s OVO Brings an Enchanting Burst of Life to Austin
On a warm October night, the Moody Center transformed into something extraordinary as Cirque du Soleil’s OVO brought its world of color, movement, and imagination to Austin. The name OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, represents life in its purest form. That single symbol becomes the heartbeat of a breathtaking production that fuses acrobatics, music, and storytelling into a celebration of nature’s beauty and chaos.
From the first moments, the audience was pulled into an ecosystem buzzing with energy. Beneath the glow of soft lights, the stage became a living, breathing garden where insects played, flirted, and fought with human-like expressiveness. Ants juggled oversized corn cobs with dazzling precision. Grasshoppers soared up vertical walls in astonishing synchrony. Butterflies floated gracefully on silk ribbons high above the stage, their movements echoing the rhythm of wind and air.
At the heart of the spectacle were three unforgettable characters: the curious Fly, the tender Ladybug, and the wise Master Flipo. Their gentle love story added humor and warmth to the dazzling physical feats unfolding around them. When the Fly arrived at the colony carrying a mysterious egg, wonder and chaos spread through the insect world. It was a simple idea brought to life with Cirque du Soleil’s unmatched artistry and visual storytelling.
A Brazilian Heartbeat of Rhythm and Color
Directed by Deborah Colker, OVO pulses with the vitality of her Brazilian roots. Every scene moves with the rhythm of life, blending the sensuality of dance with the daring of modern circus. The music, composed by Berna Ceppas, blends samba, bossa nova, and funk with contemporary beats that keep the audience’s hearts racing from start to finish.
The costumes, designed by Liz Vandal, are a masterpiece of imagination. Each design captures the essence of the insect world without ever becoming cartoonish. The shimmering reds of the ants, the metallic blues of the dragonflies, and the translucent greens of the crickets create a visual feast. Under the lighting of Éric Champoux, the stage glows like a tropical forest at dawn.
The set, created by Gringo Cardia, surrounds the performers with a sweeping, curved wall that doubles as a climbing surface, a projection screen, and a symbol of nature’s organic design. Massive flowers unfold above the audience, immersing everyone in the sensation of being inside a living garden.
Acrobatics that Defy Gravity and Logic
The acrobatics of OVO are not just impressive, they are alive with personality. The Trampowall sequence drew thunderous applause as grasshoppers ran, leapt, and even walked up the vertical wall, pushing the boundaries of physical possibility. The foot-juggling ants added humor and precision, tossing objects and each other in seamless rhythm. The aerial butterflies, spinning together high above the stage, created one of the evening’s most moving images of love and trust.
Perhaps the most poetic moment came during the Aerial Net act. A performer suspended in a luminous mesh danced between capture and freedom, every twist and turn illuminated in golden light. It was part acrobatics, part dream, and it held the room in silence until the final spin released her into flight.
Every act built not just on athleticism, but on emotion. OVO reminded everyone watching that nature’s smallest creatures hold the same beauty, conflict, and grace that we do.
A Feast for the Senses
The production’s design engages every sense. The lighting paints time and emotion across the stage, while Jonathan Deans’ sound design fills the Moody Center with the hum and buzz of a living world. The musicians, nestled into the scenery, blend seamlessly into the environment. Even the quiet moments hum with life.
Children laughed and pointed. Adults smiled like they had rediscovered something lost. By the finale, when every performer returned to the stage for a celebratory dance, the entire venue rose to its feet. The applause was as joyful as the show itself.
A Legacy of Wonder, Renewed for 2025
Though OVO debuted more than a decade ago, the 2025 touring version feels new again. Updated staging, refined choreography, and fresh acrobatic sequences make this production feel as vital as its first premiere. It is proof that Cirque du Soleil continues to evolve while staying true to the spirit of awe and imagination that defines its work.
Cirque du Soleil’s creative formula is simple but powerful: extraordinary talent, universal themes, and visuals that stir emotion. OVO at the Moody Center is not just entertainment, it is a vivid reminder of the joy that lives in motion, music, and human creativity.
Upcoming Austin Performances
Cirque du Soleil’s OVO continues its Austin run at the Moody Center with multiple performances through October 12, 2025. The show features both matinee and evening performances, offering Austin audiences several chances to step inside this dazzling microcosm of life.
Tickets are available through the Moody Center box office and Cirque du Soleil’s official website. Given the strong early response and near-capacity opening night, locals are encouraged to reserve seats early.
Whether you have seen Cirque du Soleil before or are completely new to their world, OVO is an experience not to be missed. It is playful, heart-warming, and visually spectacular, a perfect blend of theater, dance, and circus that leaves audiences feeling lighter than when they arrived.
Fan reviews:Cirque du Soleil’s OVO
Jaw dropping! As always, Cirque du Soleil never fails to over deliver. OVO is more than worth the drive, flight, or whatever transportation you have to take to get to one of the performance destinations. In the air, on the ground, on a pole, even on walls, the performers were so amazing that the audience didn't want to applaud after a spectacular feat because we didn't want to startle the performer! Thank you for another memorable life experience!
OVO, an amazing family experience. My family had such a great time at OVO. Everything was great, and my 4 year old loved it from the beginning till the end. Would recommend for families and anyone who loves Cirque du Soleil.
Very entertaining, very unusual act and story. Characters performed admirably, extremely enjoyable. Had to be prepared for anything and everything. Was a fabulous show!
Very enjoyable, it was a great show! The venue was wonderful and our seats were great! We always enjoy these shows!
Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful show for kids of all ages! The variety of talent, amazing costumes and live music made this an unforgettable show. Can’t wait to go again!
Great family fun, excellent show. The actors did a great job. I saw no mistakes or defects. Very professional. I was on the edge of my seat.
Breathtaking! Excellent! Seats in front of stage so really saw beautiful makeup and costumes! Good venue!
The show was amazing! The costumes were awesome. Ditto for the acrobatics. You have to see the show. Oh, the theme for OVO was cute.
A joy to see. This was my first Cirque du Soleil and it was great. I had no idea what to expect but it was interesting and entertaining. I saw people come in dressed as bugs and fairies and now I know what all that was about. I loved the grasshoppers but the worm and the tree frogs, they were all fantastic. This is a very talented bunch for sure. Now I have the itch to see more.
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