"Cirque Hawaii," a theatrical production featuring 30 Cirque du Soleil-type troupers from around the the world, will bring a new-age sensory experience to Waikiki's nightlife starting mid-December in the former site of the IMAX Theatre.

The show, created by Mathieu Laplante and Alan Goldberg, who have more than 20 combined years of experience with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and Tuffy Nicholas, a 30-year veteran of European- and American-style circuses, will take advantage of the theater's high ceiling to display dancers, acrobats, clowns, contortionists, aerialists and others, demonstrating endurance, balance, comedy, grace and technique for local and visiting audiences.

The venue, on Seaside Avenue just off Kalakaua Avenue, will be outfitted with a 70-foot-high aerial apparatus and state-of-the-art equipment to enhance viewing. A maze of stage, lighting, sound and special effects equipment is being installed, along with projections, hazers and foggers.

The production plans two shows daily, except Wednesdays, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., with dining and VIP packages for the first show at a $130 top for adults, $98 for children, and regular seating at $65 or $55 for adults and $49.50 or $42.50 for children, depending on the performance.

The box office is not yet open, but online reservations eventually will be taken at reservations@cirquehawaii.com.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.