PITTSBURGH,None — I absolutely love Cirque du Soleil shows, so I had the best time training with TOTEM performer Alevtyna "Alya" Titarenko on Friday.
Titarenko is part of the ring trio in TOTEM.
I have a dance and gymnastics background, so I was hoping to try a stunt on the rings. For safety reasons, she said we had to keep my lesson on the ground.
Instead of flying through the air on rings, Titarenko taught me the fun Bollywood finale.
"The finale of the show is a beautiful one. I think it's one of the best of the Cirque shows. It's a really happy finale. It makes people want to get up and dance with us. You're going to be feeling happy and exhausted," said Titarenko.
Oh, I was feeling happy and exhausted, and I only danced for about 10 minutes.
Titarenko, from Ukraine, has been with Cirque du Soleil for more than 11 years. She was in one of my favorite Cirque shows -- Love -- at the Mirage in Las Vegas.
You can see Titarenko in TOTEM under the Grand Chapiteau in the Strip District through June 5.
PHOTOS: Grand Chapiteau For Cirque Du Soleil's TOTEM Goes Up
I saw TOTEM last week, and it's outstanding. Through a visual and acrobatic language, the show illustrates the evolutionary progress of species.
EXTRA VIDEO: Artistic Director Of Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM Talks To See & Be Seen
You can buy tickets by clicking here.
Previous Stories: May 5, 2011: Grand Chapiteau For Cirque Du Soleil's TOTEM Goes Up April 21, 2011: Artistic Director Of Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM Talks To See & Be Seen