Songwriter of Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC Hits Joins Cirque Du Soleil's Paramour Team

Andreas Carlsson, the Swedish songwriter behind the hits of the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Katy Perry, has joined the creative team of Cirque du Soleil's upcoming Broadway show, Paramour.

Carlsson will work in collaboration with the previously announced composing team of Bill & Bob (whose real names are Guy Dubuc and Marc Lessard). Carlsson is a five-time Grammy nominee and a two-time Emmy winner, whose songs include "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, "Bye Bye Bye," and "It's Gonna Be Me," by *NSYNC, Celine Deon's "That's the Way It Is," Clay Aiken's "Invisible," and Katy Perry's "Waking Up in Vegas," among many others.

Paramour, which is Cirque's first production created specifically for Broadway, will blend "the best of Broadway with Cirque du Soleil's signature style." The musical production is set in Golden Age Hollywood, where a young poet is forced to choose between love and art. With professional actors in leading roles alongside gravity-defying acrobats, aerialists, and circus performers, the show will feature a cast of 38, led by Cirque veteran Ruby Lewis. It begins performances April 16 at the Lyric Theatre, with opening night set for May 25.

French director Philippe Decouflé will stage Paramour. His creative team includes Jean Rabasse (set designer), Philippe Guillotel (costume designer), Bob & Bill (composers), Daphné Mauger (choreographer), Patrice Besombes (lighting designer), Anne‐Séguin Poirier (props designer), Olivier Simola (projection designer), Christophe Waksmann (projection designer), John Shivers (sound designer), Shana Carroll (acrobatic choreographer), Boris Verkhovsky (acrobatic performance designer), Pierre Masse (rigging and acrobatic equipment designer), and Nathalie Gagné (makeup designer). Jean-François Bouchard serves as "creative guide," with Pascale Henrot as the associate creative director and West Hyler as associate creative director and scene director.

Additionally, Lewis and 22 Cirque artists will perform during this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing the show's title song, written by Carlsson.

For tickets and more information, click here.