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Cirque Du Soleil ‘Iris’ Ends Los Angeles Run January 19

Cirque Du Soleil ‘Iris’ Ends Los Angeles Run January 19

Cirque du Soleil’s extravagant show “Iris” will end its Los Angeles run January 19, 2013 due to disappointing ticket sales.

It was announced recently that demand for tickets, to the show that opened in September 2011 at the Dolby Theatre, had not “met expectations.” The Los Angeles Times reports that backers had hoped the production would be a long-running tourist attraction at the venue.

The opening of the show cost an estimated $100 million in production expenses and theater renovation, and the Community Development Department of Los Angeles supplied a $30 million loan for the production. The newspaper reports that the agency that designed the loan could not be reached as of press time.

Eric Garcetti is a city councilman who championed the loan three years ago, and a spokesperson said that he is still waiting to hear final details of the closing.

“While disappointing, the theater can now be used year round instead of simply for Oscar night,” said spokesman Yusef Robb. “And our understanding is that there has already been interest from people who want to stage events at the theater.”

The Dolby Theatre is formerly known as the Kodak, and hosts the annual Academy Awards Ceremony.

Another city council member, Dennis Zine, expressed concern about the closing, and its effect on the city’s investment.

“We were assured at the time this was a good investment, that it was going to bring folks to the Hollywood area,” he said. “So I find this very distressing.” Zine currently is running for city controller.

Zine also questioned ticket prices for the show.

“If you’re going to take your wife and kids [to the show] and you have dinner first, you’re talking about a $500 evening, and a lot of people don’t have that,” he said.

“Iris” surveyed the history of the movie industry from silent films through present day. The production was written and directed by Philippe Decoufle and featured original music by film composer Danny Elfman.