For a show with perhaps the most flighty synopsis, Ka is in fact the most down-to-earth. Inspired by Asian and Eurasian mythologies mixed with some bleak futurism, Ka follows a dramatic storyline of royal twins shipwrecked and split apart. Here the stage not only rises and rotates but even turns vertical for several breathtaking scenes making it almost a videogame come to life. With pyrotechnics, fake snowstorms, slapstick and good ol' fashioned shadow puppetry, Ka is easily your best bet for a male friend resistant to trying one of Cirque's artistic shows. No matter how macho, he'd have a hard time not leaving with a smile. The merch is also impressively fashionable.