Directed by Diane Paulus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cirque du Soleil Returns to Minneapolis

with its Latest Big Top Production

AMALUNA

PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT

UNDER THE BLUE-AND-YELLOW BIG TOP AT MALL OF AMERICA®!

Tickets for the General Public on Sale Starting June 7

Minneapolis, June 3, 2013 Cirque du Soleil returns to Minneapolis with its latest Big Top production Amaluna which premieres on September 26, 2013 under the blue-and-yellow Big Top at Mall of America (North Parking Lot) for a limited engagement. Directed by Tony nominated Broadway Director Diane Paulus, Amaluna had its world-premiere in Montreal in April 2012 and is now touring North America.

Tickets are available to the general public as of June 7 at cirquedusoleil.com/amaluna.

The Show

Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughters coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honours femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next.

In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men land on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prosperas daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.

Amaluna is a fusion of the words ama, which refers to mother in many languages, and luna, which means moon, a symbol of femininity that evokes both the mother-daughter relationship and the idea of goddess and protector of the planet. Amaluna is also the name of the mysterious island where the story unfolds.

A Tribute to the Work and Voice of Women

For the first time at Cirque du Soleil, the cast of a show is 70% female and the band, 100%. Amaluna is a tribute to the work and voice of women, explains Director of Creation Fernand Rainville. The show is a reflection on balance from a womans perspective, he adds. Show Director Diane Paulus says: Amaluna is less about feminism and more about reconnecting to our world in a different way.

Amaluna has a cast of 48 artists hailing from 15 different countries.

The Creative Team

Amalunas creative team comprises 16 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté plus Fernand Rainville, Director of Creation; Diane Paulus, Director; Scott Pask, Set and Props Designer; Mérédith Caron, Costume Designer; Bob & Bill, Composers; Jacques Boucher, Sound Designer; Matthieu Larrivée, Lighting Designer; Karole Armitage, Choreographer; Debra Brown, Acrobatic Choreographer; Caitlan Maggs, Acrobatic Choreographer; Rob Bollinger, Acrobatic Performance Designer; Fred Gérard, Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer; Patricia Ruel, Props Designer; Eleni Uranis, Makeup Designer and Randy Weiner, Dramaturge.

Sponsors and Partners

Amaluna gratefully acknowledges Infiniti, CGI and Xerox as the official sponsors and VISA as the presenting sponsor.

Cirque du Soleil

Amaluna is Cirque du Soleils 32^nd production. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nations largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe®, the nations largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.

Follow us on Social Media!

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Press Room

For more information and images of Cirque du Soleil and Amaluna, please visit our online Press Room at cirquedusoleil.com/press

Media Contact:

Allied - Katie Stoup, 612.436.7405, kstroup@alliedim.com

Mall of America Sarah Schmidt, 952-240-9335, sarah.schmidt@moa.net