Performer Proposes On Stage At Foxwoods To Girl Of His Dreams

MASHANTUCKET, CT - The night Amanda Luria was brought on stage during a performance of Cirque Éloize iD is a night she will never forget. It was during this particular performance at Foxwoods Resort Casino that performer Forty Nguyen surprised her with a proposal the ended with falling confetti, champagne and thunderous applause.

After nearly a year-and-a-half of planning, Nguyen brought Luria on stage during the July 26 performance and dropped to one knee to ask the girl of his dreams to marry him (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"I was really nervous about going on stage," Luria said. "I tried to hide in my seat but with no luck."

As the crew took a bow during the last number of the show, “Marry You” by Bruno Mars began to play. Nguyen then dashed into the crowd and brought his girlfriend on stage.

"Two years ago we met at Foxwoods," Nguyen said in the video, "and every day since then you've made me happier and happier. I don't know where life is going to take me, but wherever it is I want it to be with you."

At that, Nguyen got down on one knee and popped the question. After Luria said "yes," a cake and balloons were brought out as confetti fell from the ceiling and onto the stage.

"I was not worried about [proposing] in front of so many people, or even the act of doing it at all," Nguyen said. "I work for Cirque Éloize as their lead dancer and I am often on stage in front of many people."

Nguyen said this magical moment was actually part of a long drawn out plan he had slowly been hatching. It began nine months prior to the show, when he stole a ring from Luria's jewelry case to check her size.

A month later, he decided the stage of Foxwoods’ Fox Theater would be the perfect place to propose.

Nguyen then began preparing other measures, such as customizing the engagement ring and asking Luria's father for her hand in marriage.

Nguyen also credited Foxwoods Resort Casino President & CEO Felix Rappaport with providing all the bells and whistles. The husband-to-be said Rappaport came to see the show two days prior to the engagement and generously offered to add balloons, cameras, confetti, cake and champagne to make the moment extra special.

Though such a public proposal may not be the right setting for every couple, Nguyen found it appropriate as both consider the show an important part of their lives.

"Cirque Éloize has given me the opportunity to do what I love for a living and has provided Amanda and I the opportunity to see the world and experience many adventures," Nguyen said. "Because of Cirque Éloize, I met Amanda."

Luria found the show connected the couple on an even deeper level, as it was where the two were able to share in a common passion on a regular basis.

"We are both circus performers. We bonded over our love of the craft," Luria said. "We train together, collaborate, support and encourage one another and we have had some amazing adventures because of Cirque."

To his credit, Nguyen said he was not worried about getting engaged. He had been thinking about it for a long time, and has only gotten more excited now that it is official.

"I have been planning this proposal for a long time and have had lots of time to process this," Nguyen said. "Poor Amanda has had all this sprung on her. In my mind, we are already married."

Though planning this special memory may have physically started nine month prior, Nguyen said the real planning began a year and a half earlier, about six months into their relationship; it was then he knew Luria was the woman he wanted to marry.

"I don't want to sound corny," Nguyen said, "but before I met Amanda, I used to visualize what my wife would look like and what her personality would be like, and when I met Amanda, I already knew I was going to marry her because she was the girl of my dreams."

Find out more about the couple's proposal on the Foxwoods Resort Casino Facebook page.

Images courtesy Eliot Marcus