Featuring towering feats of strength, high-flying aerialists, expert jugglers, eye-popping puppets and one truly twisted contortionist, Cirque du Soleil’s latest touring production, Luzia, earned riotous applause during its lively preview night in San Jose.

A portmanteau of the Spanish words for sun and rain—“luz” and “lluvia”—Luzia is a colorful homage to Mexico.

One of the first things you notice is a massive metallic disc hanging at the back of the stage. Throughout the performance it shone red, gold and pale silver—a reminder of the hot sun and cool moon which wheel daily over the arid plains and muggy jungles of our neighbor to the south.

In these politically charged times, Luzia also serves as a reminder that we all turn beneath the same star, and that we all yearn for the same basic things:

Like a day at the beach—overseen by a strapping, mustachioed lifeguard, who just so happens to use his guard chair like a gymnast would use a pair of rings. Working his way up the perpetually growing structure, our hero in this seaside scene balanced on one hand, did the splits and pulled an iron cross.

Then there was the jungle pool, featuring a Tarzan-esque fellow, who twirled his way up and down a vine, as a massive puppet panther looked on.

And a spirited game of futbol, which served to highlight the cast’s two best ball handlers, as they balanced soccer balls on their head, flipped them around with their feet and even incorporated a touch of breakdancing.

A massive steely stallion—operated by three puppeteers—appeared in the first and second act, galloping over a bright, sunlit plain. You could almost see the dust kicking up around the sagebrush.

And the skies underneath the big tent frequently opened up, showering the circular stage with sheets of rain. Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the water fell in hundreds of individual streams, each dispensed with precision so that the deluge might cascade in patterns, like hearts and diamonds.

As always with a Cirque du Soleil performance, the set design, costuming and music are an integral part of this show. A live band expertly fused Latin rhythms and textures with jazz, electronica and strains of world music. Giant walking cacti and humongous dancing insects—and monarch butterflies, which served as a reminder of the yearly migration these colorful creatures make—floating graceful and free across the Rio Grande.

Tickets are on sale today for the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, who make their return to Silicon Valley in February 2017. Known for their high-flying, elaborate performances and decidedly modern aesthetic, the Canadian troupe of gymnasts, mimes and dancers are bringing their latest touring production, LUZIA, to San Jose.

Featuring simulated rainstorms onstage, LUZIA promises to be a wet and wild adventure, which pays homage to the colorful culture and landscapes of Mexico. Previous big top productions have centered on other themes—from the natural world to Michael Jackson. Expect, as always, that Cirque du Soleil will pull out all the stops for LUZIA with the best performers, costumes, music and props.

The exact location of LUZIA in San Jose has yet to be announced. Read the press release below this video preview of the show:

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SAN FRANCISCO (June 3, 2016) – Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce its return to the San Francisco Bay Area this fall for the U.S. premiere of its new soul-touching production, LUZIA.  The show will be performed under a redesigned white & gold Big Top at AT&T Park in San Francisco beginning Thursday, November 17, 2016 and continues throughSunday, January 8, 2017. It will open in San Jose on Thursday, February 9 and continues through Friday, March 3, 2017 (exact location to be announced shortly).  As of today, tickets are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, visit www.cirqueclub.com. Tickets for San Francisco and San Jose performances of LUZIA will be available to the general public as of Friday, June 17 atwww.cirquedusoleil.com/luzia. Tickets range in price from $49 – $185.

LUZIA – A waking dream of Mexico

LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul.

Freely inspired by Mexico, LUZIA is a poetic and acrobatic ode to the rich, vibrant culture of a country whose wealth stems from an extraordinary mix of influences and creative collisions – a land that inspires awe with its breathtaking landscapes and architectural wonders, buoyed by the indomitable spirit of its people.

The tableaux of LUZIA weave an intricate, contemporary mosaic that awakens your senses and transports you to a place suspended between dreams and reality. Featuring a cast of 44 performers from diverse artistic backgrounds, LUZIA surprises with acrobatic performances breaking down the barriers, such as integrating rain and water into contemporary circus disciplines.