Cirque du Soleil: Difference between revisions

| location_city = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada

| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} [[Canadian dollar|C$]]850&nbsp;million <small>(FY 2018)</small><ref name="van Praet">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-cirque-du-soleil-eyes-international-expansion-with-new-show-priced-for/|title=Cirque du Soleil eyes international expansion with new show priced for emerging markets|last=van Praet|first=Nicolas|date=21 June 2018|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924215011/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-cirque-du-soleil-eyes-international-expansion-with-new-show-priced-for/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

'''Cirque du Soleil''' ({{IPA-|fr|siʁk dy sɔlɛj|lang}}, {{IPA-frdia|fr|sɪʁk dzyd͡zy sɔlɛj|Quebeclabel=Canadian French:}}; "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus") is a Canadian [[entertainment]] company and the largest [[contemporary circus]] producer in the world.<ref>[http://enpiste.qc.ca/files/publications/state_of_affairs_shedding_light_on_a_paradox.pdf Circus arts in America and in Canada (PDF)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120131042/http://enpiste.qc.ca/files/publications/state_of_affairs_shedding_light_on_a_paradox.pdf |date=20 January 2016 }}, Regroupement national – des arts du cirque. Accessed on 11 October 2013.</ref> Located in the inner-city area of [[Saint-Michel, Montreal|Saint-Michel]], Montreal, it was founded in [[Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec|Baie-Saint-Paul]] on 16 June 1984 by former street performers [[Guy Laliberté]] and [[Gilles Ste-Croix]].<ref name=":4" />

Originating as a performing troupe called ''Les Échassiers'' ({{IPA-|fr|lez‿eʃasje|IPA}}; "The Stilt Walkers"), they toured [[Quebec]] in various forms between 1979 and 1983. Their initial financial hardship was relieved in 1983 by a government grant from the [[Canada Council for the Arts]] to perform as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of [[Jacques Cartier]]'s voyage to Canada.<ref name="glance">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117949141.html?categoryid=2276&cs=1|author=Adam Sandler|title=Guy Laliberte: Cirque's shining light|access-date=18 August 2007|work=Variety|date=28 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425051128/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117949141.html?categoryid=2276&cs=1|archive-date=25 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first official production ''Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil'' was a success in 1984, and after securing a second year of funding, Laliberté hired Guy Caron from the [[École nationale de cirque|National Circus School]] to recreate it as a "proper circus". Its theatrical, character-driven approach and the absence of performing animals helped define Cirque du Soleil as the [[contemporary circus]] ("nouveau cirque") that it remains today.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/05/arts/05cirq.html?ex=1304481600&en=fe2ce3ff5cc2f609&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss|title=The Soleil Never Sets|author=John Rockwell|date=5 May 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916151914/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/05/arts/05cirq.html?ex=1304481600&en=fe2ce3ff5cc2f609&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss|url-status=live}}</ref>

After financial successes and failures in the late 1980s, ''[[Nouvelle Expérience]]'' was created—with the direction of [[Franco Dragone]]—which not only made Cirque du Soleil profitable by 1990, but allowed it to create new shows.<ref name="CdS1">{{cite book |last=Babinski |first=Tony |title=Cirque du Soleil: 20 years under the sun |publisher=[[Harry N. Abrams Inc.]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-8109-4636-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780810946361 }}</ref> It expanded rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s, growing from one production to dozens of shows in over 300 cities on six continents. The company employed 4,900 people from 50 countries and generated an annual revenue of approximately US$1&nbsp;billion in 2017.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":19">{{Cite news|last=van Praet|first=Nicolas|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-caisse-boosts-cirque-du-soleil-stake-with-deal-to-buy-out-founder/|title=Caisse boosts Cirque du Soleil stake with deal to buy out founder|date=17 February 2020|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217202404/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-caisse-boosts-cirque-du-soleil-stake-with-deal-to-buy-out-founder/|url-status=live}}</ref> The multiple permanent [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] shows alone play to more than 9,000 people a night, 5% of the city's visitors, adding to the over 100&nbsp;million people who have seen Cirque du Soleil productions worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/jan/27/theatre1|title=Spend! Spend! Spend!|last=Glaister|first=Dan|date=2005-01-27|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-18|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219033917/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/jan/27/theatre1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Cirque Global: Quebec's Expanding Circus Boundaries|last=Bennett|first=Susan|publisher=McGill–Queen's University Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0-7735-9870-6|editor-last=Batson|editor-first=Charles R.|location=Montreal|pages=85|chapter=Circus and Gentrification|editor-last2=Leroux|editor-first2=Louis Patrick}}</ref>

The company's first non-Quebec performances in [[Ontario]] in 1985 were unsuccessful, leading to a $750,000 deficit. To allowenable a 1986 tour to mount, the [[Desjardins Group]] covered $200,000 of bad checks, financier [[Daniel Lamarre]] represented the company for free, and the Quebec government allotted it an additional year of funding. ''La Magie Continue'', their 1986 production, proved more artistically successful with the direction of Franco Dragone. This extended to the creation of their 1987 show ''Le Cirque Réinventé''.<ref name="CdS1" />

Following the premiere of ''La Nouba'' in 1998, the creative team that had developed all of the company's shows from ''Nouvelle Expérience''1990 to ''La Nouba''1998 left. Starting with the creation of ''Dralion'' in 1999, Cirque du Soleil began producing shows with entirely new creative teams.<ref name="CdS1" />

In 2000, the company produced their [[IMAX]] film ''Journey of Man.''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/cirque-du-soleil-journey-of-man-1200462184/|title=Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man|last=Loewenstein|first=Lael|date=18 May 2000|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=19 December 2019|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220061542/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/cirque-du-soleil-journey-of-man-1200462184/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, at the beginning of 2001, Daniel Gauthier left the company and was bought out by Guy Laliberté, bringing his ownership stake in the company to 95%.<ref name=":7" /> Gilles Ste-Croix also soon left to found the horse-based touring show ''Cheval'', leading Laliberté to hire Lyn Heward and Daniel Lamarre as Presidents and C.O.O.'s of the company's Creative Content and New Ventures divisions, respectively.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="CdS1" />

In 2002, the company created the touring show ''[[Varekai]]'' and in 2003 premiered the resident show ''[[Zumanity (Cirque du Soleil)|Zumanity]]'' in Las Vegas, their first "[[X rating|X-rated]]" show performed only for adults aged 18 years and older. The company also produced their first television shows that year: the documentary reality miniseries ''[[Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within|Fire Within]]'' and the variety series ''[[Solstrom]]''.<ref name="CdS1" /><ref name=":8" /> In 2004, Cirque du Soleil premiered the resident show ''[[Kà]]'' at [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]] in Las Vegas, directed by Robert Lepage. In September of that year, the company launched their record label, Cirque du Soleil Musique, after their agreement with [[BMG Music Canada|BMG Canada]] expired.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-23/cirque-du-soleil-unveils-record-label/556836|title=Cirque du Soleil unveils record label|date=2004-09-23|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308223614/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-23/cirque-du-soleil-unveils-record-label/556836|url-status=live}}</ref>

The company opened three resident shows within the span of 3 months in 2008 — ''[[Zaia]]'' in [[Macau]], China, ''[[Criss Angel Believe (Cirque du Soleil)|Criss Angel Believe]]'' in Las Vegas, and ''[[Zed (Cirque du Soleil)|Zed]]'' in Tokyo, Japan — which furthered their practice of producing multiple shows at the same time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/girard-premieres-permanent-cirque-show-in-tokyo-1.761865|title=Girard premieres permanent Cirque show in Tokyo|date=2 October 2008|website=CBC|access-date=2019-12-22|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001024013/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/girard-premieres-permanent-cirque-show-in-tokyo-1.761865|url-status=live}}</ref> That year Cirque du Soleil also announced that they sold a 20% stake in the company to Dubai investors Istithmar World and Nakheel in order to finance their goals, whichincluding includedplans creatingfor a permanentresident show in Dubai directed by Guy Caron and [[Michael Curry (puppet designer)|Michael Curry]] (according to Laliberté, these plans were later "put on ice" due to the [[2008 recession]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 August 2008 |title=Istithmar and Nakheel buy 20% Cirque du Soleil stake |url=https://www.emirates247.com/eb247/companies-markets/retail/istithmar-and-nakheel-buy-20-cirque-du-soleil-stake-2008-08-07-1.224234|title=Istithmar and Nakheel buy 20% Cirque du Soleil stake|date=7 August 2007|website=Emirates 24/7|language=en|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916223945/http://www.emirates247.com/eb247/companies-markets/retail/istithmar-and-nakheel-buy-20-cirque-du-soleil-stake-2008-08-07-1.224234 |archive-date=16 September 2014 |access-date=2019-12-21 |website=Emirates 24/7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McArthur |first=Rachel |date=7 March 2009 |title=Cirque on the Palm by 2012 |url=http://www.emirates247.com/2.277/retail/cirque-on-the-palm-by-2012-2009-03-07-1.94196 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721041058/http://www.emirates247.com/2.277/retail/cirque-on-the-palm-by-2012-2009-03-07-1.94196 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=2019-12-24 |website=Emirates 24/7}}</ref><ref name="telegraph1">Sylt, Christian.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/privateequity/8290380/Cirque-du-Soleil-may-leap-for-new-partner.html "Cirque du Soleil may leap for new partner"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916151855/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/privateequity/8290380/Cirque-du-Soleil-may-leap-for-new-partner.html|date=16 September 2018}}</ref>

The touring show ''[[Totem (Cirque du Soleil)|Totem]]'' premiered in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2010/04/08/cirque_du_soleil_explores_evolution_with_totem.html|title=Cirque du Soleil explores evolution with 'Totem'|date=8 April 2010|website=The Star|language=en|access-date=2019-12-22|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071819/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2010/04/08/cirque_du_soleil_explores_evolution_with_totem.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and was soon followed by three more shows in 2011: the resident show ''[[Iris (Cirque du Soleil)|Iris]]'' in Los Angeles and the touring shows ''[[Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour]]'' and ''[[Zarkana (Cirque du Soleil)|Zarkana]].''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/theater/guy-laliberte-guides-cirque-du-soleil.html|title=Guy Laliberté Guides Cirque du Soleil|last=Zinoman|first=Jason|date=2011-06-03|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-22|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170529/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/theater/guy-laliberte-guides-cirque-du-soleil.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the company was still growing at this time, it continued to face several issues with its newer productions. ''Zarkana'' and ''Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour'' received poor reviews<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/theatre/zarkana-new-york-reviews|title=Zarkana New York Reviews|last=Donnelly|first=Pat|date=2011-07-02|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071818/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/theatre/zarkana-new-york-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straight.com/arts/cirque-du-soleils-michael-jackson-immortal-world-tour-spans-absurd-shallow|title=Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour spans the absurd to the shallow|last=Varty|first=Alexander|date=2011-11-05|website=The Georgia Straight|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071816/https://www.straight.com/arts/cirque-du-soleils-michael-jackson-immortal-world-tour-spans-absurd-shallow|url-status=live}}</ref> and the company had a string of closures. ''Banana Shpeel'' closed in Toronto in October 2010 after cancelling its previously-announced engagement in San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadwaytovegas.com/October10,2010.html|title=Broadway To Vegas: October 10, 2010|last=Deni|first=Laura|date=2010-10-10|website=Broadway to Vegas|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071817/http://www.broadwaytovegas.com/October10,2010.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2011, Cirque du Soleil announced the closure of ''Zed'' due to poor ticket sales as a direct result of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cirque-du-soleil-to-close-show-in-japan-1.1009711|title=Cirque du Soleil to close show in Japan|date=2011-07-25|website=CBC|access-date=2019-12-22|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920212838/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cirque-du-soleil-to-close-show-in-japan-1.1009711|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2011 MGM Grand asked the company to close and replace ''Viva Elvis'' by the end of 2012 due to poor ticket sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/theatre/the-demise-of-viva-elvis-in-las-vegas-dont-blame-elvis|title=The Demise of Viva ELVIS in Las Vegas: Don't Blame Elvis!|last=Donnelly|first=Pat|date=2011-11-28|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071816/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/theatre/the-demise-of-viva-elvis-in-las-vegas-dont-blame-elvis|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2012, the company announced the closure of ''Zaia'' due to disappointing ticket sales<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/visit/cirque-du-soleil-macau-871570/|title=Cirque du Soleil leaves Macau|last=Li|first=Zoe|date=20 February 2012|website=CNN Travel|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920210626/http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/visit/cirque-du-soleil-macau-871570/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in November 2012, despite critical praise, announced the closure of ''Iris,'' also due to low ticket sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-nov-30-la-et-1201-cirque-closes-iris-20121201-story.html|title=Cirque du Soleil's extravagant 'Iris' will close Jan. 19|last1=Ng|first1=David|last2=Zahnister|first2=David|date=2012-11-30|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071817/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-nov-30-la-et-1201-cirque-closes-iris-20121201-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2012, the company announced a new division — Cirque du Soleil Média — in conjunction with Bell Media, followed by the release of their second film ''[[Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away|Worlds Away]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/cirque-du-soleil-and-bell-media-complete-joint-venture-transaction-and-announce-new-company-cirque-du-soleil-media|title=Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media Complete Joint Venture Transaction and Announce New Company, Cirque du Soleil Media|date=18 December 2012|website=Bell Media|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227071317/https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/cirque-du-soleil-and-bell-media-complete-joint-venture-transaction-and-announce-new-company-cirque-du-soleil-media/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/cirque-du-soleil-worlds-away|title=Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away|date=2012|website=Metacritic|access-date=2019-12-24|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803084132/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/cirque-du-soleil-worlds-away|url-status=live}}</ref> At this time Cirque du Soleil also announced 50 layoffs. The layoffs consisted mostly of 30 employee positions at their International Headquarters in Montreal, including three vice-presidents.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/montreal-gazette/20121215/282480001113357|title=A final bow, but no last rites|last=Donnelly|first=Pat|date=15 December 2012|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071819/https://www.pressreader.com/canada/montreal-gazette/20121215/282480001113357|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the high output of shows between 2007 and 2011 in combination with its multiple closures, the company began slowing down its operations. In 2012 and 2013 it only opened two shows: the touring tent show ''[[Amaluna]]'' and the resident show ''[[Michael Jackson: One (Cirque du Soleil)|Michael Jackson: One]]'' in Las Vegas.<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montrealgazette.com/Review+Cirque+Soleil+Amaluna+poetry+acrobatic+motion+with+video/6522270/story.html|title=Review: Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna is poetry in acrobatic motion (with video)|last=Donnelly|first=Pat|date=26 April 2012|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en-ca|access-date=2019-12-24|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071819/http://www.montrealgazette.com/Review%2BCirque%2BSoleil%2BAmaluna%2Bpoetry%2Bacrobatic%2Bmotion%2Bwith%2Bvideo/6522270/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 January 2013, Cirque du Soleil announced that it would be laying off 400 of its 5000 employees worldwide, most of which at their International Headquarters. The company noted that it had not been profitable in 2012 despite having garnered over $1 billion in revenue that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2013/01/16/cirque_du_soleil_announces_400_layoffs.html|title=Cirque du Soleil announces 400 layoffs|last=Wyatt|first=Nelson|date=16 January 2013|website=The Star|language=en|access-date=2019-12-24|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224071817/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2013/01/16/cirque_du_soleil_announces_400_layoffs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, on 30 June 2013, the company faced headlines when acrobat [[Death of Sarah Guyard-Guillot|Sarah "Sasoun" Guyard-Guillot]] died after falling during a performance of ''Kà'' in Las Vegas, its first on-stage death in its history.<ref name="Las Vegas Sun" />

On 20 April 2015, Guy Laliberté announced that he had sold a 90% joint stake in the company to the investment groups TPG Capital, Fosun Capital Group, and La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for approximately $1.5 billion, while retaining a 10% stake in the company himself.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://financialpost.com/news/fp-street/cirque-du-soleil-sold-to-investor-group-led-by-private-equity-firm-tpg-capital|title=China 'is ready for us': Cirque du Soleil sold to investor group led by private-equity giant TPG Capital|last=van der Linde|first=Damon|date=2015-04-20|website=Financial Post|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919232631/https://financialpost.com/news/fp-street/cirque-du-soleil-sold-to-investor-group-led-by-private-equity-firm-tpg-capital|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lactualite.com/culture/le-nouveau-pari-du-cirque-du-soleil/|title=Le nouveau pari du Cirque du Soleil|last=Morin|first=Marie-Claude|date=16 May 2016|website=L’actualité|language=fr-CA|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227071304/https://lactualite.com/culture/le-nouveau-pari-du-cirque-du-soleil/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale received regulatory approval from the [[Government of Canada]] on 30 June 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 June 2015 |title=Cirque du Soleil sale to American, Chinese private equity firms gets approval |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cirque-du-soleil-sale-to-american-chinese-private-equity-firms-gets-approval-1.3134174 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701184048/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/cirque-du-soleil-sale-to-american-chinese-private-equity-firms-gets-approval-1.3134174 |archive-date=1 July 2015 |access-date=1 July 2015 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref> Under the new ownership, the company began majorly restructuring its executive leadership in order to focus on increasing their profitability. Their finance director, chief operating officer, and numerous vice-presidents were all replaced within six months of the company's sale. Most notablyNotably, the position of Chief Operating Officer held by Charles Décarie was given to finance lawyer Jonathan Tétrault.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/759373/cirque-soleil-tetrault-decarie-spectacles|title=Changement de direction et de culture au Cirque du Soleil|last=Gerbet|first=Thomas|date=13 January 2016|website=ICI Radio-Canada|language=fr-ca|access-date=2019-12-23|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227072800/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/759373/cirque-soleil-tetrault-decarie-spectacles|url-status=live}}</ref> Stéphane Lefebvre would later come into the position of Chief Financial Officer.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=Henriquez|first=Gloria|date=2021-11-30|title=Daniel Lamarre steps down as Cirque du Soleil CEO and president|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8413759/daniel-lamarre-cirque-du-soleil-leadership-change/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>

Under the ownership of TPG Capital, Fosun Capital Group, and La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Cirque du Soleil took steps to diversify and rebrand the company. On 6 July 2017, Cirque du Soleil announced that it had acquired the [[Blue Man Group]] as a new subsidiary of the company for a reported cost of US$65.5 million.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/theater/cirque-du-soleil-buys-blue-man-group.html|title=Blue Man Group Is Bought by Cirque du Soleil, With Plans to Expand|last=Deb|first=Sopan|date=2017-07-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707175333/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/theater/cirque-du-soleil-buys-blue-man-group.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reportedly bought for US$65.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/blueman-cirquedusoleil-idUSL1N1K10KQ|title=LPC: Cirque du Soleil shells out US$66m for Blue Man Productions|last=Berlin|first=Andrew|date=2017-07-10|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-12-29|language=en|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073238/https://www.reuters.com/article/blueman-cirquedusoleil-idUSL1N1K10KQ|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 November 2017, the company released a video on all of its social media platforms titled "New Icons for a New Era" where it revealed new logos and announced the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group as the name of the organization's new umbrella company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO-N7j7zfU4|title=NEW ICONS for a NEW ERA|date=21 November 2017|website=YouTube|access-date=2019-12-28|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804111235/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO-N7j7zfU4|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 25 April 2018, the company announced that 45 Degrees, their special events subsidiary, had taken over the main company's creation and production department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/cirque-du-soleil-to-revive-its-classic-show-alegria-in-april-2019|title=Cirque du Soleil to revive its classic show Alegria in April 2019|last=Kelly|first=Brendan|date=2018-04-25|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073237/https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/cirque-du-soleil-to-revive-its-classic-show-alegria-in-april-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 July 2018, they announced their acquisition of the children's entertainment company [[VStar Entertainment Group]] and its subsidiary [[Cirque Productions|Cirque Dreams]].<ref name="Kelly" /> Cirque du Soleil launched the children's show ''Big Top Academy'' through [[TVOntario|TVO]] in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/09/24/big-top-academy-le-cirque-du-soleil-cree-une-serie-jeunesse|title="Big Top Academy": le Cirque du Soleil crée une série jeunesse|last=Lauzon|first=Yan|date=24 September 2018|website=TVA Nouvelles|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073238/https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/09/24/big-top-academy-le-cirque-du-soleil-cree-une-serie-jeunesse|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2018, it premiered the touring tent show ''[[Bazzar (Cirque du Soleil)|Bazzar]]'' in India, the company's first production to tour in that region.<ref name="van Praet" /> In 2019, the company opened six shows: the touring tent show ''Alegría: In a New Light''; the touring arena shows ''Axel'' and ''Messi10''; the touring theatre show ''<nowiki/>'Twas the Night Before''; and two resident shows — ''X: The Land of Fantasy'' in Hangzhou, China and ''[[R.U.N. (Cirque du Soleil)|R.U.N]]'' in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cirque-du-soleil-to-bring-its-1994-show-alegria-into-the-21st-century|title=Cirque du Soleil to bring its 1994 show Alegria into the 21st century|last=Kelly|first=Brendan|date=2019-02-12|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220215446/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cirque-du-soleil-to-bring-its-1994-show-alegria-into-the-21st-century|url-status=live}}</ref> the touring arena shows ''Axel'' and ''Messi10'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cirque-du-soleil-reinvents-the-big-arena-rock-show-with-axel|title=Cirque du Soleil reinvents the big arena rock show with Axel|last=Kelly|first=Brendan|date=2019-09-04|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073239/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/cirque-du-soleil-reinvents-the-big-arena-rock-show-with-axel|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/3958327/lionel-messi-gets-the-cirque-du-soleil-treatment-a-surreal-tribute-to-the-barca-legend|title=Lionel Messi gets the Cirque du Soleil treatment: A surreal tribute to the Barca legend|last=Marsden|first=Sam|date=2019-10-14|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209082308/https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/3958327/lionel-messi-gets-the-cirque-du-soleil-treatment-a-surreal-tribute-to-the-barca-legend|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite andweb three|date=18 residentJuly shows2019 —|title=Cirque du Soleil & MSG's New Family Holiday Show 'XTwas the Night Before… to Play Chicago & NYC |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196410/cirque-du-soleil-msgs-new-family-holiday-show-twas-the-night-before-to-play-chicago-nyc/ The|url-status=live Land|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073235/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196410/cirque-du-soleil-msgs-new-family-holiday-show-twas-the-night-before-to-play-chicago-nyc/ of|archive-date=29 Fantasy''December in2019 Hangzhou,|access-date=2019-12-29 China,|website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lesoleil.com/arts/cirque-du-soleil-x--land-of-fantasy-un-theatre-magique-a-hangzhou-be9a533cd8eac0ba0d2266613da86177|title="Cirque du Soleil X : Land of Fantasy": un théâtre magique à Hangzhou|last=Desloges|first=Josianne|date=2019-08-05|website=Le Soleil|language=fr|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073239/https://www.lesoleil.com/arts/cirque-du-soleil-x--land-of-fantasy-un-theatre-magique-a-hangzhou-be9a533cd8eac0ba0d2266613da86177|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[R.U.N. (Cirque du Soleil)|R.U.N]]'' in Las Vegas,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/local-arts/cirque-du-soleils-new-las-vegas-show-r-u-n-is-a-live-action-thriller|title=Cirque du Soleil's new Las Vegas show R.U.N. is a live-action thriller|last=Kelly|first=Brendan|date=2019-04-30|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720200915/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/local-arts/cirque-du-soleils-new-las-vegas-show-r-u-n-is-a-live-action-thriller|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''<nowiki/>'Twas the Night Before'' in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196410/cirque-du-soleil-msgs-new-family-holiday-show-twas-the-night-before-to-play-chicago-nyc/|title=Cirque du Soleil & MSG's New Family Holiday Show 'Twas the Night Before… to Play Chicago & NYC|date=18 July 2019|website=Broadway.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229073235/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/196410/cirque-du-soleil-msgs-new-family-holiday-show-twas-the-night-before-to-play-chicago-nyc/|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time Cirque du Soleil also acquired The Works Entertainment company for $40 million to further diversify its subsidiaries.<ref name="Arsenault" />

In February 2020, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec announced that it had acquired Guy Laliberté's remaining 10% stake in Cirque du Soleil, bringing its total ownership in the company from 10% to 20%.<ref name=":19" />

On 19 March 2020, responding to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Cirque du Soleil announced that all 44 active shows worldwide would be suspended, and that 4,679 employees, comprising 95 percent of their staff, would be temporarily laid off, effective immediately. These actions brought the company into a state of financial collapse with a debt of over $1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.cirquedusoleil.com/portals/ksyxpbzi/2020-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319235939/https://media.cirquedusoleil.com/portals/ksyxpbzi/2020-03-18|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 March 2020|title=CMarch 19, 2020: Important Ann ouncement From Daniel Lamarre|website=media.cirquedusoleil.com|access-date=19 March 2020|date=19 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{cite web|url=https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20200319mo57000/cirque-du-soleil-entertainment-group-announces-company-wide-temporary-layoffs-as-a-result-of-coronavirus-pandemic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320000741/https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20200319mo57000/cirque-du-soleil-entertainment-group-announces-company-wide-temporary-layoffs-as-a-result-of-coronavirus-pandemic|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2020|title=Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group Announces Company Wide Temporary Layoffs as a Result of Coronavirus Pandemic|website=morningstar.com|access-date=19 March 2020|date=19 March 2020}}</ref> Although it received financial support with a $50 million injection from its shareholders and a $200 million loan from the Quebec government, on 29 June 2020 the company announced that it had filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection and was [[termination of employment|terminating]] 3,500 employees who had previously been laid off.<ref name="nyt_2020">{{Cite web |title=Will Cirque du Soleil Rise Again? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/17/world/canada/cirque-du-soleil-coronavirus-debt.html |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |date=2020-05-17 |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2020-05-27 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525120530/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/17/world/canada/cirque-du-soleil-coronavirus-debt.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a $200 million loan from the Quebec government,<ref name="cbc20-05-26">{{Cite web |title=Quebec pledges up to $200M US to support Cirque du Soleil |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/quebec-govt-cirque-soleil-support-covid-coronavirus-1.5585509?cmp=rss |date=2020-05-26 |website=cbc.ca CBC/Radio-Canada |access-date=2020-05-27 |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527131847/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/quebec-govt-cirque-soleil-support-covid-coronavirus-1.5585509?cmp=rss |url-status=live }}</ref> on 29 June 2020, the company announced that it had filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/press/news/2020/cirque-du-soleil-entertainment-group-comprehensive-plan-to-restart-business|title=Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group Announces $50 Million in Funding from Existing Investors TPG, CDPQ, and Fosun|website=www.cirquedusoleil.com|access-date=23 July 2020|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723170850/https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/press/news/2020/cirque-du-soleil-entertainment-group-comprehensive-plan-to-restart-business|url-status=live}}</ref> and was [[termination of employment|terminating]] 3,500 employees who had previously been laid off.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/29/business/cirque-du-soleil-bankruptcy/index.html|title=Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy and cuts 3,500 jobs|date=2020-06-29|access-date=2020-06-29|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629224328/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/29/business/cirque-du-soleil-bankruptcy/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/cirque-du-soleil-layoffs_ca_5efb3899c5b6acab2847029a|title=Cirque du Soleil Slashes 3,500 Jobs, Moves Toward Bankruptcy|publisher=HuffPost Canada|date=30 June 2020|access-date=12 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714052224/https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/cirque-du-soleil-layoffs_ca_5efb3899c5b6acab2847029a|url-status=live}}</ref> CEO [[Daniel Lamarre]] stated the intention of the company was to rehire "a substantial majority" of terminated employees once coronavirus-related shutdowns were lifted and operations could resume, business conditions allowing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53221516|title=Cirque du Soleil cuts 3,500 jobs to avoid bankruptcy - BBC News|work=BBC News|date=29 June 2020|access-date=12 July 2020|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710182038/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53221516|url-status=live}}</ref> In connection with the filing, Cirque du Soleil entered a [[Stalking horse offer|stalking horse bid]] from its shareholders with the intention of drawing outside bidders to buy the company.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Jordan Valinsky|title=Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy protection and cuts 3,500 jobs|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/business/cirque-du-soleil-bankruptcy/index.html|access-date=2020-07-12|website=CNN|date=29 June 2020|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630202522/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/business/cirque-du-soleil-bankruptcy/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2020, the company's shareholders offered a proposal that would allow its creditors to obtain a 45% stake in the company while the current shareholders would maintain a 55% shared stake.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-10|title=Cirque du Soleil returns to court on Friday|url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/cirque-du-soleil-returns-to-court-on-friday-1.5018689|access-date=2020-07-12|website=Montreal|language=en|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713082947/https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/cirque-du-soleil-returns-to-court-on-friday-1.5018689|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 July 2020, a takeover proposal by the company's creditors valued at US$1.2 billion was approved as a benchmark bid in the company by the [[Quebec Superior Court]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 July 2020|title=Quebec court gives OK to Cirque du Soleil's 'stalking horse' deal to sell itself|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cirque-du-soleil-sale-1.5653656|access-date=2020-07-17|website=CBC|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718010545/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cirque-du-soleil-sale-1.5653656|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 August 2020, [[Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec]] reported that it had to write off the US$75 million investment which it had made only four months prior, in February.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rastello |first1=Sandrine |title=Quebec Fund Lost $75 Million in Four Months With Cirque Deal |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-17/quebec-fund-lost-75-million-in-four-months-with-cirque-deal |access-date=5 October 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009042218/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-17/quebec-fund-lost-75-million-in-four-months-with-cirque-deal |url-status=live }}</ref>

With the exception of the resident shows ''Joyà'' and ''X: The Land of Fantasy'', which reopened with limited capacities in the summer of 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Oliver|first1=David|last2=Gilbertson|first2=Dawn|date=2020-06-29|title=Cirque du Soleil did not reopen its shows for over a year following its worldwide COVID-19 performance suspension in March 2020. In the summer of 2021, the company began gradually reopening several of its shows, beginning with all its Las Vegas-based Stripresident mainstayshows (with the exception of ''Zumanity'', filingwhich forpermanently bankruptcyshut protectiondown amidin November coronavirus|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/06/29/cirque-du-soleil-files-bankruptcy-protection-amid-coronavirus/3279279001/|access-date=) and some of its touring shows in late 2021-12-27|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}</ref>and 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Willis|first1=Andrew|last2=Praet|first2=Nicolas Van|date=2020-06-09|title=Catalyst Capital is among the top lenders in a group vying for Cirque du Soleil|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-catalyst-capital-is-among-the-top-lenders-in-a-group-vying-for-cirque/|access-date=2021-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Oliver|first1=David|last2=Gilbertson|first2=Dawn|date=2020-06-29|title=Cirque du Soleil did not reopen its shows for over a year following its worldwide COVID-19 performance suspension in March 2020. In the summer of 2021, the company began gradually reopening several of its shows, beginning with all its Las Vegas-based residentStrip shows (with the exception of ''Zumanity''mainstay, whichfiling permanentlyfor shutbankruptcy downprotection in Novemberamid coronavirus|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020)/06/29/cirque-du-soleil-files-bankruptcy-protection-amid-coronavirus/3279279001/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=USA Today|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fung|first=Lisa|date=2021-04-21|title=Cirque anchors a post-COVID comeback in Las Vegas|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-04-21/cirque-du-soleil-las-vegas-reopening-o-mystere|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> and some of its touring shows in late 2021 and 2022.<ref name=":23">{{Cite news|last=Praet|first=Nicolas Van|date=2021-11-30|title=Stéphane Lefebvre named Cirque du Soleil CEO as circus giant aims to rebuild business shattered by pandemic|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-stephane-lefebvre-named-cirque-du-soleil-ceo-as-circus-giant-aims-to/|access-date=2021-12-27}}</ref> However, some touring shows that had been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic were retroactively permanently closed at this time, including ''Totem'', ''Volta'', and ''Axel''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Shows|url=https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/about-us/our-shows|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Cirque du Soleil|language=en}}</ref>

| 25 December 1993 || [[Treasure Island Hotel and Casino|Treasure Island]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 1993) || {{active}}

| 15 October 1998 || [[Bellagio (resort and casino)|Bellagio]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 1998) || {{active}}

| 23 December 1998 || [[Disney Springs]], [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida]] || Resident (1998–2017) || {{no|Retired}}

| 14 August 2003 ||[[New York-New York Hotel and Casino|New York-New York]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (2003–2020) || {{no|Retired}}

| 26 November 2004 || [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 2004) || {{active}}

| 2 June 2006 || [[The Mirage]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 20062006–2024) || {{activeno|Retired}}

| 26 July 2008 || [[The Venetian Macao]], [[Cotai Strip]], Macau || Resident (2008–2012) || {{no|Retired}}

| 26 September 2008 || [[Luxor Las Vegas|Luxor]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (2008–2016) || {{no|Retired}}

! scope="row" | ''[[Viva Elvis (Cirque du Soleil)|Viva Elvis]]''

| 16 December 2009 || [[Aria Resort and Casino]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (2009–2012) || {{no|Retired}}

| 9 June 2011 ||[[Aria Resort and Casino]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Theatre (2011–2012)<br>Resident (2012–2016) || {{no|Retired}}

| 23 May 2013 || [[Mandalay Bay|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 2013) || {{active}}

| 8 November 2014 || [[Vidanta]], Riviera Maya]], [[Mexico]] || Resident (since 2014) || {{active}}

| 16 April 2016 ||[[HamburgNew York City]], and [[GermanyHamburg]], Germany{{Efn|''Paramour'' previously ran on Broadway in 2016 and 2017. It reopened in Hamburg in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/05/03/paramour-enchante-les-allemands|title=Paramour enchante les Allemands|first=Raphaël|last=Gendron-Martin|date=2019-05-03|access-date=2020-01-01|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029234818/https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/05/03/paramour-enchante-les-allemands|url-status=live}}</ref>|name=|group=}}|| Theatre (2016–2020) || {{no|Retired}}

| 24 October 2019 || [[Luxor Las Vegas|Luxor]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (2019–2020) || {{no|Retired}}

| 12 May 2022 || [[New York-New York Hotel and Casino|New York-New York]], [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] || Resident (since 2022)|| {{active}}

| 2 July 2024 || Tour || Theatre (since 2024) || {{won|place=UpcomingActive}}

* '''Honolulu resident show{{okina}}Auana:''' In April 2023, Cirque du Soleil and [[Outrigger Hotels & Resorts|Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel]] announced the creation of a new resident show in [[Waikiki|Waikiki, Honolulu]] titled ''{{okina}}Auana'', performed in the hotel's 800784-seat showroom, withpremiering anon expected opening date of15 December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Kathleen |title=Hawaii's first Cirque du Soleil show to debut in late 2024 with 'specific attention to the story of Oahu' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2023/04/12/hawaii-first-cirque-du-soleil/11643825002/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsai |first=Michael |date=2024-05-15 |title=Cirque du Soleil resident production coming to Waikiki |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2024/05/16/cirque-du-soleil-resident-production-coming-to-waikiki |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Spectrum News |language=en}}</ref>

| 6 February 2016 – 23 December 2020 ||''La Forge aux étoiles''||[[Vienne (département)|Vienne]], [[France]]|| Cirque du Soleil created an aquatic evening show to replace the ''Lady O'' show at the French theme park [[Futuroscope]]. It performed 250 to 300 shows a year on an outdoor aquatic stage, utilizing laser projections, water fountains, pyrotechnics, and fire rather than acrobatics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/vienne/la-forge-aux-etoiles-nouveau-spectacle-nocturne-avec-un-geant|title="La Forge aux étoiles" : nouveau spectacle nocturne avec un géant|last=Benoit|first=Xavier|date=2 December 2015|website=La Nouvelle République|language=fr|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310170246/https://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/vienne/la-forge-aux-etoiles-nouveau-spectacle-nocturne-avec-un-geant|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/11/12/97001-20151112FILWWW00411-le-cirque-du-soleil-au-futuroscope.php|title=Le Cirque du Soleil au Futuroscope|work=[[Le Figaro]]|date=12 November 2015|access-date=13 November 2015|language=fr|archive-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112225940/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/11/12/97001-20151112FILWWW00411-le-cirque-du-soleil-au-futuroscope.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

| 30 June 2018–present ||Andorra summer series||[[Andorra]]||Following the ''Scalada'' series in Andorra, the Government of Andorra extended its contract with Cirque du Soleil with further summer productions — ''Diva'' in 2018, ''Rebel'' in 2019, ''Mūv'' in 2022, and ''Festa'' in 2023, and ''Sublim'' in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govern.ad/turisme/item/8864-diva-el-nou-espectacle-del-cirque-du-soleil-ret-homentatge-a-conegudes-cantants-internacionals|title=Diva, el nou espectacle del Cirque du Soleil ret homentatge a conegudes cantants internacionals|date=20 December 2017|website=Government of Andorra|language=ca-es|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308132720/https://www.govern.ad/turisme/item/8864-diva-el-nou-espectacle-del-cirque-du-soleil-ret-homentatge-a-conegudes-cantants-internacionals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europapress.es/catalunya/andorra-01111/noticia-cirque-du-soleil-hara-andorra-viaje-mejores-voces-masculinas-ultimos-50-anos-20190108173132.html|title=El Cirque du Soleil hará en Andorra un viaje por las mejores voces masculinas de los últimos 50 años|date=2019-01-08|website=Europa Press|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028121728/https://www.europapress.es/catalunya/andorra-01111/noticia-cirque-du-soleil-hara-andorra-viaje-mejores-voces-masculinas-ultimos-50-anos-20190108173132.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Llumà |first=Núria Juanico |date=2022-07-04 |title=El Cirque du Soleil munta una gran discoteca amb 'Müv' |url=https://www.ara.ad/cultura/cirque-du-soleil-andorra-muv_1_4424615.html |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Ara Andorra |language=ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FESTA by Cirque du Soleil in Andorra 2023 |url=https://visitandorra.com/en/agenda/cirque-du-soleil-in-andorra/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Andorra Tourism |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2024 |title=3 milions d'euros per 'Sublim', el nou espectacle del Cirque du Soleil |trans-title=3 million euros for 'Sublim', the new Cirque du Soleil show |url=https://www.bondia.ad/societat/3-milions-deuros-sublim-el-nou-espectacle-del-cirque-du-soleil |publisher=Bondia |language=Catalan}}</ref>

|[[Valletta]], [[Malta]]

|2 May 2022–present2022 – 26 May 2023

|[[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]]

*[[Thom Wall]], former juggler and publisher of academic circus books