Photo by Richard Termine
But, the real attention-grabber of the evening is the diminutive Valentyna is tethered to oversized helium balloons and wafts over the crowd.

Cirque du Soleil is known for its dazzling productions and each time a new show comes out, there’s always palpable excitement and expectation.

“Corteo,” the latest extravaganza from the Montreal based company, doesn’t disappoint. Full of Italian flavor, dreamlike imagery, stunning acts and evocative music (performed entirely live by costumed musicians), the show is a feast for the senses that captivates all ages.

It’s a festive procession imagined by a clown (Pierre-Philippe Guay) on his death bed.

With his friends and circus troupe members gathered around him during his final hours, the clown revisits memories of his happy childhood and circus days.

A bevy of beautiful angels hold vigil above him, as he witnesses farewell performances from his colleagues, an assortment of funny clowns, aerialists, trapeze walkers and gymnasts extraordinaire.

The theme is a compelling thread that helps to interweave the show’s array of impressive acts together smoothly and seamlessly.

And the highlights are numerous. There are the clown’s former lovers, who dangle and twirl from large spinning chandeliers, along with a spirited group of tumblers who become tots as they playfully bounce on trampolines hidden within the mattresses of two beds.

A woman in red (Anastasia Bykovskaya) crosses the highwire above the stage barefoot, en point and on a unicycle, stopping in the middle of her act to hula-hoop.

There’s also a first-rate juggling routine by the energetic Teslenko family, a classic teeterboard number by a trio of Russian male gymnasts, and a fellow who climbs a one-sided ladder while coping with radio-controlled miniature towers crisscrossing beneath him.

A high-bar acrobatic act is a spectacular jaw-dropper, as is the man-woman balancing routine.

And the cyr wheel performance (four artists doing a series of solos and group figures on giant silver hoops) is a mesmerizing display of artistry.

But, the real attention-grabber of the evening is the diminutive Russian couple (Grigor and Valentyna Pahlevanyan), who charms audiences with their spoof of “Romeo and Juliet” and their romantic gymnastic number.

Valentyna gets her own special spotlight when, tethered to oversized helium balloons, she wafts over the crowd, allowing people to gently push her tiny feet to keep her afloat.

It is a truly magical moment that captures the mystical fantasy of this Fellini-esque carnival, where reality meshes with illusion.

The evening ends with the clown bicycling off to heaven, joined by the floating angels, as the parade of circus performers provides a celebratory send-off.

It’s truly a lovely image that makes for a memorable conclusion to this grand production.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo” runs through May 25th under the big top at Marymoor Park. For ticket information, call 800-678-5440 or visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.