Expérience
Closing

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and "O" is not exempt from this rule. The ending of the show is probably one of the most unique endings I have ever seen, even for Cirque du Soleil! In the beginning, we were shocked into the world of "O" when the red curtain closing us off from this surreal world was quickly and suddenly yanked from us. In the end, we are cut off from this world just as suddenly. Two musical numbers fill the air during the final moments of the show: "Désert" and the title track "O".

We see Eugen, our grotesque theater guide, who serenades a beautiful young woman from his piano. As he plays the theme to this realm, "O", he and his love slowly disappear beneath the waters of the stage -- his stage. This gesture by Eugen and the movement of the music that accompanies his disappearance is so powerful that it draws the most stern of people to tears. Me included. Eugen has changed so much from the beginning of the show, literally from dark to light (you can see this in his costuming - a black suit in the beginning to a completely white gown seen at the end).

All is still again but the music plays on...

Then, as "Désert" recaptures our attention, a basket falls from the sky. As this basket floats down the river of "O", we soon realize that its not just a basket, but part of a hot-air balloon that has fallen. And as this balloon floats away; behind it, are the artists -- sitting, waiting, watching. Moments later, the wind picks up again and with it, pulls a red fabric from the basket. Slowly, but surely, the red fabric fills the stage -- forever locking the mysterious and wondrous world of water from us. Thus, "O" closes.