Supported by straps, Vladimir Kehkaial (Tour) / Dimitri Arnaoutov (Mirage) realizes one of humanity's greatest dreams: to fly.

Wearing only the briefest of purple and gold briefs, Vladimir Kehkaial's graceful flights through the air, conjur up images of Icarus, the wax-winged mythical Greek character who flew into the sun. The literary reference is no accident; Kehkaial said that when his act was first put together in the Soviet Union, he was supposed to be a flying demon from a classic work by romantic poet Mikhail Lermontov. The character was changed to Icarus to fit the Cirque du Soleil's sunshine metaphor. Uniquely suspended by arm straps, Kehkaial is a beguiling never-before-seen oddity -- a sort of Chippendale's meets Michelangelo. The Russian's intense self-awareness, brooding good looks, flowing black hair and Grecian designer jock strap are a curious paradox as they slice angelically and self-importantly through the air. He spins, flips, and hangs to a lyrical cello piece entitled "L'oiseau" (French for "Bird").