Step right up: Cirque Musica brings a ‘Holiday Wonderland’ to Santa Fe

The Wheel of Death, soaring violinists and aerial ropes are a few of the acts “Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland” will be bringing to Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Cirque Musica is a cirque-style performance incorporating circus acts, music and more. “Holiday Wonderland” adds traditional seasonal music like “Jingle Bells” and “12 Days of Christmas,” alongside original compositions like “Wonderland.”

“(‘Holiday Wonderland’) is really special, because we have a storyline that flows throughout our show that incorporates the holiday season,” Hannah Jane, who plays Poinsettia, the Queen Fairy, said. “All of the acts are put to different orchestrations of holiday music.”

“Holiday Wonderland” follows a kingdom whose castle lights are dying because they are not feeling the spirit of the holiday season.

“We use the circus acts as ways to try to cheer this person up, to bring back the light of the castle so that the holidays can be in full swing,” Jane said.

Jane does not participate in the circus act side of the show; instead, her character sings and serves as the narrator, continuing the story.

She said some of her favorite moments of the show are the circus acts like “Hand-to-Hand Acrobatic Duet” and “Rolla Bolla & Chair Balancing Artists.”  

“There’s an excitement of seeing people who are really incredible at what they do,” Jane said.

The audience interactions and reactions are standout moments for Jane.

“It is the most incredible feeling to just stand on stage and to look out into the audience and see everyone participating, and to see all the lights, and knowing that those people are all there to see us,” Jane said.

“Every night, I pinch myself thinking that I’m here and I get to do this,” Jane said.

Jane’s outfit for Poinsettia decks her out in sparkles, a crown, wings and a lot of blue. She said when she first put the full costume on, she felt like a mix of Elsa from “Frozen” and the prettiest fair princess. 

Jane said that it has been amazing bringing the show across the United States and Canada and now to Santa Fe.

“Our goal for this show is to just bring the joy of the season to those that are coming to see the show, and to bring light and love and fun,” Jane said. “And it’s an escape from the ideas of decorating and the stress of the holiday season.

“When you come to the show, we really just want you to have fun and to feel joyful.”