Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi Looks Great on Stage
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo
CIRQUE
SHANGHAI
review by Ed Vincent
The CIRQUE SHANGHAI at Navy Pier is a grand adventure
into acrobatic wonders. These talented performers are all
over the place with their balancing, juggling, tight wire walking, and tons of costumed choreography.
It has been many years since I have seen these acts in China and they are still grand in both size and style. They are also safer, having safety lines on many of the performers to insure their
skills and lives are protected. The daring I noted on Mainland China is not the same as the traveling show and the performers a bit younger too. This is a show that will entertain the entire
family and persons of all ages.
We recommend this show to one and all and since the parking is now a flat rate of $19.00, take the time to spend more of it on the Pier before the show for some snacks, a meal, a movie,
whatever..... Harry Potter in 3D would be a nice thing to make
a day of it.
The CIRQUE SHANGHAI at Navy Pier is a grand adventure
into acrobatic wonders. These talented performers are all
over the place with their balancing, juggling, tight wire walking, and tons of costumed choreography.
It has been many years since I have seen these acts in China and they are still grand in both size and style. They are also safer, having safety lines on many of the performers to insure their
skills and lives are protected. The daring I noted on Mainland China is not the same as the traveling show and the performers a bit younger too. This is a show that will entertain the entire
family and persons of all ages.
We recommend this show to one and all and since the parking is now a flat rate of $19.00, take the time to spend more of it on the Pier before the show for some snacks, a meal, a movie,
whatever..... Harry Potter in 3D would be a nice thing to make
a day of it.
CIRQUE SHANGHAI
RETURNS TO NAVY PIER’S PEPSI® SKYLINE STAGE® WITH
NEW SHOW DIRECT FROM CHINA
JUNE 6 –SEPT. 3
CHICAGO – Navy Pier® is pleased to announce the return of Cirque Shanghai, the extraordinarily talented troupe of Chinese acrobats, at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage®
Cirque Shanghai's Acrobats and Contortionists
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo
Wednesday, June 6 – Monday, Sept. 3. Presented in partnership with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA), the company will be performing the world premiere of its new full-scale theatrical production, Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi. Tickets for the summerlong run are currently on sale.
Prices range from $14.50 - $29.50 for adults, $12.50 -
$29.50 for children ages 3 – 11 and children under 3 are admitted free. All seats are reserved.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago, Chinese acrobatic spectacles were first called “Bai Xi,” meaning “100 stunning acts,” in reference to the performers’
seemingly limitless skills. These daring and beautiful skills were featured in command performances for China’s emperors and have been passed down and enhanced through generations. Today, “Bai Xi” combines many aspects of performance: entertainment, feats of physical strength, dance, martial arts, costumes and music. Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi will showcase Chinese tradition in this new production featuring aerial acrobatics, plate spinning, contortion, balancing acts, hoop diving and more.
Cirque Shanghai's Performers Entertain One and All.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo
"Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi is sure to, once again, dazzle audiences with this new performance,” said Marilynn Gardner, General Manager of Navy Pier. “This attraction is just another reason why Navy Pier is a must-visit summer destination.” Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi has been created by Executive Producers Michael Wilson and Haiping Ge of ISA with creative collaboration by John L. Steenhoven. Andrew Park, Artistic Director of Chicago’s Quest Theatre Ensemble will direct the all-new production.
Music supervision by Jeff O’Brien and art direction by Lee Brasuell. “I am thrilled to bring Cirque Shanghai back to the Pepsi Skyline Stage. Chicago’s response to the troupe last year was absolutely astonishing—over 135,000 people saw Cirque Shanghai, making it the most successful event in the history of Skyline Stage,” said Dulcie Gilmore, director, Pepsi Skyline Stage and Arie Crown Theater.
“We are pleased to premiere yet another ground-breaking show directly from China at Pepsi® Skyline Stage®. Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi recreates for the first time the ancient
wonders of “Bai Xi.” The production is now in rehearsal in China where these acts were originally developed centuries ago” said ISA Vice President and Co-Executive Producer
Michael Wilson. “This year Chicago audiences will experience an ancient yet contemporary kaleidoscope of acrobatic performance through amazing physical feats, dramatic costumes, and a full musical score, some of which will be performed live.”
ISA’s work with Chinese acrobatic troupes started in 1996, and is the first company dedicated to two-way entertainment trade between China and the U.S. It was founded by Michael Wilson and Haiping Ge and is now the largest presenter of foreign entertainment into China as well as Chinese entertainment and attractions across North America with offices in Los Angeles, Branson. MO, and Shanghai.
In addition to their work in the field of Chinese acrobatics, ISA also produces ICE! at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Centers in Nashville, Orlando and Dallas; a spectacular indoor walk-thru display of over two-million pounds of ice carved into the icons of the Christmas holidays. Ge, a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, has been involved with the international live entertainment industry his entire professional life. Wilson grew up in the world of show business in Los Angeles and first traveled to China in 1980 followed by two years of study at Beijing University, he started producing Chinese acrobat shows in America in 1984.
Cirque Shanghai's Show is a Thrill for All.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo
Located on Lake Michigan, just East of Chicago’s downtown, Navy Pier® is the topvisited leisure destination in the Midwest, welcoming more than 8 million visitors annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, it is now one of the country’s most unique recreation and exposition facilities, showcasing 50 acres of parks, gardens, restaurants, shops, attractions, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exhibition facilities and more. Navy Pier is directly accessible
by car, CTA Bus, taxi, bike or on foot. More than 1,700 competitively priced self-parking spots are available on the Pier, and free trolley buses serve off-site parking lots as well as the Grand Avenue stop on the CTA Red Line Train. For those arriving by taxi, convenient drop-off points are provided at
the front, middle and east end of the Pier.
Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi will be performed at Pepsi ®Skyline Stage® on Navy Pier June 6 through September 3. Performances will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays at
2 and 8 p.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2, 4
and 8 p.m. Prices range from $14.50 to $29.50 for adults,
$12.50 to $29.50 for children ages 3 - 11, and children under 3 are admitted free. All seats are reserved and special “Imperial Circle” seating is presently available for select performances. For more information, call Ticketmaster at 312.902.1500 or
visit www.navypier.com. Discounted tickets for groups or 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 877.4GRP.TIX (877.447.7849).
Editors Note:
When I saw the Beijing acrobats perform in 1980 they had no
safety equipment and a more extensive show, but this show was loaded with talent and lots of great stunts with art and skill.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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