The story of JOYÀ begins with a dream. It was a dream to do something bigger and more
extraordinary than anything Vidanta (a leading developer of world-class resorts and tourism
infrastructure in Mexico) had ever done before. They wanted to create a magical world where
happiness ruled and the imagination ran free. A mesmerizing place where families and friends
could come together to smile, laugh, and share unforgettable moments. It would be an
entertainment experience that would do more than just dazzle audiences – it would inspire
generations.
Vidanta needed a partner who could dream right alongside them and who knew a thing or two
about happiness. They considered only one company – the most beloved performance company
in the world – Cirque du Soleil. So in the fall of 2009, Cirque du Soleil and Vidanta embarked on
a miraculous journey and a whirlwind of beautiful collaboration. It was unprecedented. Here
were two visionary companies dreaming together, both dedicated to pushing the boundaries of
the imagination and bringing happiness to the world. It was an incredible time. Everyone
involved knew that this project was special.
And after almost five years of planning and preparation, the dream came true...
On February 11, 2014, Cirque du Soleil and Grupo Vidanta announced
plans to introduce a new brand of cultural and culinary entertainment
to Latin America: housed in a custom-designed theater then under
construction in Riviera Maya, the first-of-its-kind intimate dinner and
spectacle! One that will be Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show
operating outside Las Vegas or Orlando.
“We believe the entertainment offerings for our region’s guests and
visitors should rival any in the world,” said Grupo Vidanta founder
Daniel Chávez Morán. “Through our partnership with Cirque du Soleil we
will deliver an entertainment experience beyond what currently exists
in Mexico or the world in the Vidanta Theater in Riviera Maya. This
entirely new category of entertainment will be an experience one must
see, hear and taste. We are extremely proud to bring this dream to
life.”
“This is the marriage of two creators of unique entertainment and
world-class experiences,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of
Cirque du Soleil. “We were asked four years ago by Grupo Vidanta to
imagine something different, something new, something unprecedented for
this destination. We’re excited that our partnership will unveil a new
intersection for us between performance and culinary creativity. The
setting is the most intimate, custom-built theater of all the Cirque du
Soleil resident theaters in the world. The design and materials used in
the theater reflect the beauty of the Yucatan jungle habitat.”
And although it would take some time yet for the name of this new spectacle to leak (on April
29, 2014) and for it to be officially announced (May 7, 2014), the expectations were running
high.
Inhabited by entrancing characters that work hand-in-hand to perpetuate the love of life, JOYÀ
abounds in subtle allusions to the history and culture of Mexico, from the 5,000-km migration of
the monarch butterflies (from Canada to Mexico) and the 66 million year old Yucatán asteroid
believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs (a dinosaur puppet that trots on stage also
refers to this cataclysmic event) to artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo (vines, giant
flowers and jungles are oblique references to the artists), and with mariachis, masked wrestlers,
pirate legends (famous pirates took refuge on Isla Mujeres – the Island of Women – in the 17th
and 18th centuries), and the rhythms and sounds of Mexico: cucaracha, marionettes, horror films
(in reference to master of horror Guillermo del Toro), and even the underwater sculptures of
Jason deCaires Taylor.
“This new creative collision of cuisine and immersive performances is tailor made for Cancun
and Riviera Maya,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. “We reveled in
the creative challenge of introducing something completely different in JOYÀ. Through the
integration of premium food and beverage service into a Cirque du Soleil theatrical experience
that draws on Mexico’s rich culture and heritage, JOYÀ will deliver an immersive, multisensory
offering beyond anything that currently exists for residents and visitors of Mexico, or elsewhere
in the world.”
