A Los Angeles city committee Wednesday approved a loan plan that would pay the way for the world-famous Cirque du Soleil to perform at Hollywood's Kodak Theater for a decade.

The city council's Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee approved the plan to lend 30 million U.S. dollars in federal funds for retrofitting the Kodak Theater so it can house the circus' performances.

The proposal still needs approval from the full City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

CIM Group, owner of the Kodak Theater, intends to use the 12-year loan to build a rehearsal center and a sub-stage below the existing stage. The first Cirque du Soleil show in Hollywood is expected in 2011.

Los Angeles officials hope that Cirque du Soleil performances at the Kodak Theater could bring about 1.2 million visitors to the city every year, many of them tourists.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2009)