This February, LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil will transform Gulfstream Park Racing into a “surrealist immersion into Mexican culture.” Recounting the story of an imaginary Mexico, the production blends culture, nature and mythology into a jaw-dropping 125-minute act. As the first touring show to fuel its artistic performance with 2,600 gallons of water, LUZIA stands out among Cirque du Soleil productions.
Their team gave us an inside look into the unique nature of the production, answering some of our burning questions regarding the touring experience and Miami’s own LUZIA premiere. Don’t miss LUZIA’s debut in the Magic City:
The inside scoop on LUZIA, Cirque du Soleil’s newest Miami offering
Secret Miami: What research went into translating the look, sound, and feel of Mexico into a circus-style performance?
LUZIA: The creation process for LUZIA took about two years, though the inspiration began much earlier. The show’s director, Daniele Finzi Pasca, lived and traveled in Mexico for nearly a decade, and that experience deeply informed the project.
The artistic team also spent significant time in the country, immersing themselves in its landscapes, sounds, colors, and traditions. Their goal was to create a performance that honored Mexican culture in a beautiful, authentic, and respectful way, capturing its surreal essence through a circus lens. After almost ten years of touring and witnessing audiences’ reactions around the world, it’s clear that they achieved what they set out to do.
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Cirque du Soleil 2026: LUZIA in Miami
Secret Miami: What were the biggest challenges in integrating 2,600 gallons of recycled water into the show’s choreo and set design?
LUZIA: When Daniele Finzi Pasca mentioned he wanted rain in LUZIA, people told him that this would not be possible as acrobatics don’t work well with water. However, as it is Cirque du Soleil DNA to push boundaries, the team took the idea on board and after a lot of research, they made the impossible possible.
One of the biggest challenges that we have with the show is keep[ing] a dry stage for the artists that do not perform with the water. The water system creates a lot of humidity. It involves constant communication between the artists and the technical team.
Cirque du Soleil 2026: LUZIA in Miami
Secret Miami: How have the artists trained for the wet surfaces and reduced visibility of a rainy performance?
LUZIA: During the creation, the artists worked closely with the technical team to adapt some of the equipment so that they could perform under the rain. For example, they added a bicycle tire on top of the Cyr wheel to give it more grip.
Secret Miami: How do you facilitate transportation of the Big Top, water system and all other elements of the show from one city to the next?
LUZIA: A full transfer from one city to the other takes about 11 days (3 days to teardown, 1 day of transport and 7 days to set it back up). The site and technical teams, with about 100 local people, are putting the hard work to take everything apart and put it back all together. Most of our transfer[s] are done by trucks, but on some occasions they can be by train, boat or even plane.
LUZIA, Cirque du Soleil
Secret Miami: Has the unique cultural landscape of South Florida influenced any subtle adjustments in the performance, staging, or marketing approach for the Miami run?
LUZIA: Cirque du Soleil respects the original concept of the show in all the cit[ies] we visit, and LUZIA is no exception. However, the inspiration from the show will probably resonate really well with the South Florida audience.
We can also note that LUZIA is the only Cirque du Soleil production that is in Spanish. However, there is no necessity to speak Spanish to appreciate the show to its fullest.
LUZIA, Cirque du Soleil
Secret Miami: What message from LUZIA do you think would resonate most with Miami show-goers?
LUZIA: What is beautiful about LUZIA is that there is something for everyone from the astonishing acrobatics to the vibrant colors and live music, people can experience a variety of emotions and escape reality for a little while.