THE BALLOON MAN

For 'Circue' star, this bizarre world was a long way from her roots

 

Photo: Mark Fellman / Mark Fellman
Igor Zaripov plays The Aerialist and Erica Linz plays Mia in Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away
By RICK BENTLEY
from:The Fresno Bee
December 24, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO - Cirque du Soleil star Erica Linz graduated from high school with a very interesting resume: an extensive background in gymnastics, music and theater.
 There appeared to be only one employer for her-Cirque du Soleil-and she's performed in a variety of shows for the theater company known for its acrobatic productions. Linz has become the face for the company as the star of "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D," a feature film that blends acts from several of the company's shows. She plays a young woman who falls-emotionally and physically-for an aerialist and their love story becomes the thread that holds the varied acts together.
 "She's kind of the straight man that's meeting all of these characters for the first time. She doesn't fit in, so, in some ways, she's a proxy for the audience," says Linz. "It's a lot to express through your face while trying not to get swept away and match the heightened reality that the characters are bringing to you.
"It was a cool and exciting challenge because it lands somewhere in-between a real life character and sort of a Cirque du Soleil character."
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/24/5074301/for-circue-star-this-bizarre-world.html#storylink=cpy