The fun of
Cirque du Soleil

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

Cinda RamSeur’s musical sound has evolved into one rooted in jazz, R&B and pop, and heavily influenced by the many years she spent in Europe.
Today, the Los Angeles native has joined the cast of Kooza, the latest offering by the world-famous, Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil, now performing under its signature blue-and-yellow Big Top tent at Broad and Washington streets through June 15.
Combining two circus traditions — acrobatic performances and the art of clowning — the show "highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor," as the Cirque du Soleil Web site describes it.
"Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, Kooza explores themes of identity, recognition and power," according to the site.
And interspersed with all this comes the exotic and melodic voice of lead vocalist RamSeur.
"I think I always knew I wanted to become a performer," RamSeur said. "My mother reminds me of a time when I was about four and the deacon of our church handed me a microphone so I could sing or say a little piece.
"Well, I was told I grabbed the microphone and said I could hold it myself, then began singing. My dad just put his head down, but for me, that was just the beginning," she explained. "From then on I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I think there was just something in me that started at that point."
As her career eventually took off, RamSeur went on to tour with some of the brightest stars of pop and R&B. Over the years she has opened for or performed with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Donna Summer, Herbie Hancock and Whitney Houston, among others. She has been in festivals around the world.
"I’ve also been in lots of competitions over the years too, not so much to win but for the networking possibilities — meeting people from record companies, great agents, someone who wants to help make your dreams become a reality," she said.
And speaking of dreams, RamSeur said she was one of the Dreams in the hit musical show Dreamgirls, with Jennifer Holliday. Additionally, she has performed on Broadway in Disney’s The Lion King.
Several of the 53 performing artists in the current Cirque du Soleil show have received awards from important circus arts competitions, notably in juggling and trapeze.
RamSeur’s own career has been gaining momentum. In 2002 she claimed first place in a national talent contest held in Los Angeles, and in 2007 earned rave reviews from the celebrity judges while a contestant on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
She has been with Cirque du Soleil for about five months, and it’s her belief that the show will run for years because people just love it.
"I think this is one of the best shows Cirque has ever put on, and I think it will run for a long, long time," she said. "It’s beautiful and I love being in it.
"However," she continued, "I’m used to being in Broadway shows where schedules can be hectic enough and we have to do eight shows a week. But with Cirque, we must do ten shows a week, which is a lot. But, for now, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else." ••
For ticket and performance information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com