Cirque du Soleil brings its acrobatic Big Top to Laguna Hills this summer

High-flying acrobats, mischievous clowns, whimsical characters and daredevil performances are happening under the Big Top when Cirque du Soleil brings its long-running “KOOZA” show to Laguna Hills this summer.

The show, which made its debut in 2007 and has been performed in more than 60 cities in about two dozen countries, comes to the site of the former Laguna Hills Mall from June 8 through July 21. Tickets are on sale to Cirque Club members starting today, Jan. 29, and go on sale to the general public Feb. 5.

The show pays homage to the traditional circus, albeit Cirque du Soleil-style. It follows the story of The Innocent, a and naive clown who is flying his kite one day when a mystery item arrives that sends him on a bizarre journey.  Audiences will be taken along on a trip that includes live music, feats of strength and jaw-dropping tricks including high-wire acts, the Teeterboard and the frightening Wheel of Death acts all mixed in with old-fashion circus clowning and slapstick comedy.

Besides old-school circus entertainment the show also touches on deeper topics of  strength and fragility,  fear, and identity. “KOOZA” is one of several shows that make up the traveling  Quebec-based Cirque that, since its founding in 1984, has grown from a group of 20 street performers to an organization with thousands of employees and  performers.

For tickets go to cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.