CRYSTAL / Cirque du Soleil
CRYSTAL is Cirque du Soleil’s first production to unfold on ice — The show merges theatrical storytelling with high-performance stunts, combining freestyle skating, aerial choreography, and dynamic visual design to explore themes of inner conflict, resilience, and artistic identity. With its striking fusion of ice, movement, and multimedia, CRYSTAL invites audiences into a world where reality bends and transformation begins.
Dynamic Visual Storytelling
As projection designer and multimedia director, Johnny Ranger collaborated closely with Olivier Goulet and the team at 4U2C to shape the surreal visual universe of CRYSTAL. While 4U2C spearheaded the technical implementation of immersive visuals—including real-time tracking and projection systems like D3, Blacktrax & tools like Notch, he contributed to enhancing, stylized and shaping each tableau and sequences, always working in tandem with the broader visual production team of 4U2C. The use of projections transformed the ice surface into a dynamic canvas, creating shifting landscapes and textures echoing the emotional tone of each scene that complemented the performers' movements. From ethereal landscapes to underwater dream sequences, Ranger’s visual direction transformed the environment into an evolving, immersive dreamscape. His work not only complemented the choreography but deepened the audience’s emotional connection to Crystal’s journey, blending precision, poetry, and visual wonder.
World touring arena show on Ice.
Interactive Video projections / a 4U2C project
Johnny Ranger’s role:
-Directing shoots
-Directing creative teams of cinematographers & motion designers.
-Video Editing & compositing
-Co-directing integration on site with Olivier goulet, Etienne Cantin & 4U2C team.
See Full Credit listing & reviews excerpts below
The video projections in Crystal, Cirque du Soleil's first show on ice, were widely praised for their innovative integration and contribution to the show's immersive experience.
Critics highlighted the projections as a standout element that enhanced the narrative and aesthetic appeal. The use of projections transformed the ice surface into a dynamic canvas, creating shifting landscapes and textures that complemented the performers' movements. This approach allowed for a seamless blend of acrobatics and storytelling, immersing the audience in the protagonist's journey.
Technical Innovation
The production employed advanced projection mapping technology, utilizing 28 projectors to create complex and luminous illusions on the ice. This technical feat was noted for its ability to synchronize with the performers in real-time, adding depth and dimension to the performance.
Audience Reception
Overall, the video projections in Crystal were recognized as a significant and innovative component, contributing to the show's ambition to merge classical and contemporary artistic expressions.
SELECTED REVIEWS:
CRYSTAL was not just a show; it was an artistic revolution on ice. The innovative stage design transformed arenas into frozen wonderlands, while the costumes, designed for both aesthetics and functionality, allowed performers to glide effortlessly while letting their character’s personality shine. The visual spectacle was complemented by a musical and audio experience, coupled to stunning projections using 28 projectors, and required 94 motors to keep things running smoothly on stage. This blend of technology and know-how made each performance a feast for the senses.
Translated in 11 languages, the show has dazzled audiences in over 150 cities around the globe. Its unique combination of ice skating and acrobatics was hailed as a groundbreaking endeavor in the performing arts.
Critics praised the show's innovative approach, with one reviewer noting, "Crystal was an astonishing demonstration and is gorgeous in every way." The show's ability to consistently dazzle and surprise solidified its place in cultural history as a beloved Cirque du Soleil production
Maxim Potvin
The set design, featuring a mock ice castle, enhances the dreamlike quality of the show. The responsive video projections on the ice are particularly enchanting, creating ephemeral art that complements the skaters’ movements.“Cirque du Soleil: Crystal” is more than a show; it’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the joy of discovery. Dan Savoie
But when the ice “cracks”—thanks to some ingenious overhead projection that’s used inventively through the show—she falls into a surreal, upside-down world that feels much more like the dreamlike universes where Cirque has made its name. In one of the most striking sequences, we see the red-headed title character tumbling down from the upper rafters of the Coliseum, as if we’re watching her plunge to the depths of the icy waters. In other words, innovative touches and ambitious imagery end up setting the show well apart from other ice spectacles.
Janet Smith
Music and video projections embellished an already captivating set. Early on, when Crystal ran off onto the ice and the sound effects of it cracking, coupled with the sight of lights projecting those cracks, made me preposterously uneasy. I knew, beyond a doubt, that the ice would not and could not crack. But when two of your base senses tell your brain something different, it still makes for some unease, and the design and production team deserve kudos for eliciting that kind of response.
Ben Watanabe Herald net
Like all Cirque shows, CRYSTAL has amazing special effects, but this show was able to do so much thanks to digital projections on the ice that helped guide you through the story. These projections and the voice overs during the performance made it so easy to follow, while still having all the mystery that you love when you sit down for a Cirque performance. Because of the easy-to-follow storyline and the projections that helped the story unfold, the nuances of the dancers and performers were caught by even the littlest viewer.
Rave & review
Crystal is the perfect Cirque du Soleil show for a city like Edmonton—one that knows and loves ice. Kids will be enchanted by the sheer spectacle, while adults can lose themselves in the deeper symbolism and immersive storytelling.
It’s breathtaking, it’s inventive, and at times, it’s downright nerve-wracking.
And now I get it. I get why Cirque du Soleil is such a phenomenon.
Tracy Cooper-Posey, Info Edmonton
CREDITS:
Show Directors: Shana Carroll and Sébastien Soldevila
Executive Director, Creation: Daniel Fortin
Creative Director: Stefan Miljevic
Acrobatic Performance Designer: Shana Carroll
Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer: Fred Gérard
Set Designer: Stéphane Roy
Projection Designer: Johnny Ranger
Lighting Designer: Éric Champoux
Props Designer: Anne-Séguin Poirier
Costume Designer: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt
Make-up Designer: Véronique St-Germain
Choreographer: Geneviève Dorion-Coupal
Music Composer: Maxim Lepage
Skating Performances Senior Designer: Kurt Browning
Dramaturg, Text: Eisa Davis and Mark Vreeken
Sound Designer: Mark Vreeken
Synchronized Skating Designer: Marilyn Langlois
Performance Designer: Raphael Cruz
Creation Director’s Assistant : David Poulin
VIDEO PROJECTIONS CREDITS :
Video Conception & Projection Designer / Johnny Ranger
4U2C team
Executive Producer / Olivier Goulet
Project Manager / Dominic Lavigne
Lead designer / Étienne Cantin
Motion design & Notch programmer / Charlie Leroy
Miotion design / Frédéric Mathieu, Mauricio Dantas Melo,
Underwater shoot production / ParceQue Films,
Underwater cameras team / Aquamédia
Performer / Nobahar Dadui
Cinematographer / Mark Ó Fearghaíl
Consultant / Will Allen
Additonal Shoot and stop motion animations / clyde henry productions
