Varekai jumps, twists, flies into Webster Bank Arena

Cirque du Soleil's "Varekai" show hit Bridgeport's Webster Bank Arena Wednesday night with a spirited, colorful performance that thrilled a relatively small but enthusiastic audience.
Tickets range from $28 to $100 for the touring spectacle but no one seemed to walk away bored or disappointed.
Give credit to these insanely elastic and talented performers (athletes, contortionists, jugglers, dancers, acrobats, whatever you can imagine) from the Quebec-based company. They gave their all in this show. And they have to, since one false move
can mean injury or worse.
The plot? Who the hell knows? It's something to do with a forest, a blowhole/volcano and feathered creatures. It's like a French gymnast's "Avatar" set to music, with clowns.
Plot thankfully doesn't matter with this show, and it's best appreciated knowing that the music and vocals are being done live. You wonder if it's all canned at first, but the music grows on you and you do see some of it being performed.
For those who don't often visit Bridgeport, it is amply served by train, highway and ferry boat, despite its poverty and crime (which leads one to park in the fenced-in lot at $20 a pop; welcome to Fairfield County).
After being performed under the big top for years, "Varekai" began touring in December. The Webster Arena should fill up a little more as the weekend nears. Next week the show moves to Hartford's XL Center. Our advice, Hartford? Get your tickets and enjoy a mesmerizing parade of colors, athleticism, grace and a few laughs, too.
For more information or tickets, see www.cirquedusoleil.com/varekai.