Ovo is an ambitious concept piece that attempts to address the stages of human evolution through a family saga. That it fails--at least in this setting--is not all that surprising. Never one to be intimidated by a concept or a challenge (see Genesis in their early years and The Last Temptation of Christ), Gabriel may have been the ideal choice for a multicultural, technology-focused show, and his general instincts seem sound. But even Cirque du Soleil, whose work this most resembles, never had to contend with the blending of Gaelic folk and tribal overtones, techno-futuristic soundscapes and gentle ballads, or a sludgy reworking of "Digging in the Dirt" complete with a rapped story line. Though there are some fine, interesting moments here, they're too often lost in the shuffle. -Randy Silver
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