Grant Park Music Festival CIRQUE Review

…They ran off and joined the circus!…

It was ninety minutes of no net thrills.

Is she really twirling in the air by her hair bun?

Are they connected in the air just by hooking ankles?

And just how many balls can he juggle at once—- while in the air!

Did she drop a hoop on purpose early in the show to add to our tension at her all- limbs- twirling prowess during her impossible feat finale? OH NO! Is she going to crash that table she is twirling into the delicate cellos nearby?

Wait! Is that the conductor spinning hoops now too?

Well-named Troupe Vertigo brought out the crowds and good cheer in all senses at their July 22, 2026 performance with the Grant Park Music Festival. Enrique Lopez-Yañez —whose resume leaves you wondering if there are any Pops orchestras he has not conducted— oozed charm and charisma that could even reach audience members more than 600 feet away in the back edges of the Pritzker Pavilion lawn. Cheerfully, Lopez-Yañez introduced the theme of 2001 Space Odyssey vs. StarTrek, with The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Frank Sinatra thrown in for good measure. You too might have been thinking— Oh, there’s music too.

There was much music to enjoy. Who can hear John Williams E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrail Flying Theme and not want to fly? Or hear Williams’ theme from Star Wars and not feel their heart swell to galaxy size? And more— thirteen songs in all, and even a few without circus performer upstaging.

But— upstaged the orchestra was at every turn. Not that the orchestra members or anyone seemed to be complaining.

The Grant Park Music Festival 2026 Season continues through August 15. For more information on upcoming performances visit the Grant Park Music Festival website.