While sitting through a mesmerizing 135 minutes of “Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco” last night (with a 20-minute intermission), I kept trying to come up with words to describe the ongoing spectacle.

“Brutal mindf**k” was the best description one could possibly summon.

Was it sad that this was the best I could do? Yes, but it was an accurate description nonetheless.

There really are no other words to describe the beautiful, skillful, artsy production that is “Saltimbanco,” which opened on Wednesday night at AT&T Center and continues through Sunday, March 16. Featuring a top-notch cast, stellar backing band and enough colors to fill out a neon rainbow, “Saltimbanco” elicited “oohs” and “aahs” from the almost 5,000 fans in attendance.

The spectacle increased with each passing moment: Acrobats soaring through the air, performing tricks from 30-feet above the stage without protective netting; a performer juggling eight balls at once; another guy climbing a 20-foot pole using only arm strength.

All part of the craziest, most entertaining circus of the modern era.

And while “Delirium,” the last Cirque show to travel through the Alamo City, featured a larger stage setup that made for a somewhat informal rock-show atmosphere, “Saltimbanco” featured a much smaller stage and a more intimate setting. That held particularly true for one male spectator, who was invited on stage and included in the show for much of the next 15 minutes.

And as the performers delighted the crowd with an array of stunts, dance moves and acrobatics, the “Saltimbanco” band kept fans energized with foot-tapping music, not to mention a brief snippet of AC/DC’s “Back in Black.”

CLINT HALE | 210SA