Cirque Du Soliel Returns to Chicago after a three-year absence to present Corteo, its latest touring show. Corteo will open Friday July 14th for a limited engagement at United Center under its trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau. Corteo, which means "Cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality. The cast of Corteo brings together over 58 artists from 13 different countries: Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Italy, Israel, Kenya, Romania, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Ukrane. Corteo explores the circus arts in a way that is brand new to Cirque Du Soliel. Once again, the very limits of acrobatics are challenged as Daniele Finzi Pasca lends his unique touch to Cirque Du Soliel spectacular performances. Corteo redefines the springboard, the Korean frame and the tightwire and presents acts that are as original as they are innovative. The desire to surprise and move the audience is a big part of the inspiration behind Corteo. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque Du Soliel is now a major Quebec based organization providing high quality artistic entertainment, with over 3000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 900 artists. Since its inception in 1984, Cirque Du Soliel has brought wonder and delight to more than 50 million spectators ever 100 cities on four continents. In 2006, Cirque Du Soliel will present 13 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque Du Soliel has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gemeaux, Felix and Rose d'Or de Montreux. Before arriving in Chicago, Corteo will have visited cities such as Montreal, Toronto, San Francisco and New York.