Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil's Ice Show CRYSTAL

The new Cirque du Soleil show is an incredible showing of athleticism, on ice. Mike Brooks

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North Texas is in for some magic. Cirque du Soleil's CRYSTAL runs through Feb. 11 at the Comerica Center in Frisco, after which it packs up its tricks and takes the spectacle to Fort Worth, with shows running Feb 15–18 at Dickies Arena.

After a spectacular showing of Corteo in May, when the world-renowned production took on the theme of the afterlife, this show keeps things down to earth but on slippery ground. CRYSTAL takes all the athleticism and acrobatics for which Cirque du Soleil is known and puts them on ice. Because, apparently, being a Cirque performer just wasn't hard enough.

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Pendular Poles at Cirque du Soleil.

Mike Brooks

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The Pendular Poles act is a wild stunt.

Mike Brooks

Here at the Observer, whenever the circus comes to town, we tend to turn into mop-headed little kids from a 1930s Mickey Rooney movie. We couldn't wait to pull up a section of canvas and try to sneak a peek at the inside of the big tent. 

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Cirque du Soleil's performers are the best in their field.

Mike Brooks

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Flower Mound's own Hunter Grimm performs with Cirque du Soleil.

Mike Brooks

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This is no Disney on Ice.

Mike Brooks

To get that first behind-the-scenes look, we sent photographer Mike Brooks to check out the action. Because if Mikey likes it, we all will.

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Cirque du Soleil has a new show on ice.

Mike Brooks

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Pendular Poles is a complicated act, and we got to see the rehearsal.

Mike Brooks

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The Extreme Skaters rehearse a complicated stunt.

Mike Brooks

We made it just in time to see the Extreme Skaters going through their routine.  Most of them are hardcore street skaters from France, with the exception of Hunter Grimm, who grew up in Flower Mound. And yes, that means it is literally possible to run away and join the circus, even for our local skate punks.

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Extreme Skaters is one of many acts in CRYSTAL.

Mike Brooks

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Extreme Skaters prepare to dazzle North Texas crowds.

Mike Brooks

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Extreme Skaters, because Cirque du Soleil wasn't hard enough on solid ground.

Mike Brooks

After this week's run in Frisco, CRYSTAL moves on the Fort Worth for another week's worth of shows. The Frisco edition will run three performances on Super Bowl Sunday, which for obvious reasons might be the best opportunity in your lifetime to score good seats. If your idea of fun includes incredible acrobatics mixed with razor-sharp blades on slippery ice, you just might want to check it out.

Even if it isn't, enjoy the pictures.

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Extreme Skaters pull off an incredible showing of athleticicism.

Mike Brooks

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And we thought our work hours were extreme.

Mike Brooks

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Extreme Skaters is one of the best acts in CRYSTAL.

Mike Brooks

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Performers backstage at Cirque du Soleil.

Mike Brooks

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Extreme Skaters includes North Texas' own Hunter Grimm, second from left.

Mike Brooks

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The Pendular Poles act impressed us in Frisco.

Mike Brooks