ChiIL Live Shows caught up with Dralion performer, Vladik, a rockin' young juggler and musician (born into the Moscow Circus), who now combines acrobatic tricks and modern dance in his juggling routine. Check out our original video interview above then check him out live in the Chi-town area starting June 20th!
What's part Dragon...part lion...all astounding and coming to Allstate and United Center? Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion!
Make 2012--The Chinese Year of the Dragon one to remember for your family!
Catch Dralion performances in Rosemont at Allstate Arena (June 20-24) and Chicago at United Center (June 27-July 1)
Spotlight On:
Vladik Miagkostupov Act: Juggling Country: Vinetza, Ukraine Date of birth: January 27, 1984 Languages spoken: Russian, English
Vladik’s love of performing was cultivated at a very young age as he was born into a creative family. Both of his parents were part of the Moscow Circus. At the age of 4, his parent started his training in dancing and acrobatics. His father, who is a juggler, taught Vladik juggling. His professional career started at the age of 9. Since then, he performed in more than 30 countries as well, for renowned companies such as Lido de Paris in Paris, Le Cabaret in Monte Carlo and with Dralion by Cirque du Soleil. He won several awards including the gold medal in Paris at the Cirque de Demain competition.
Cirque du Soleil saw him at the Cirque de Demain’s competition and then invited him to send a video. Vladik joined Cirque du Soleil in 2003 as a performer in Solstrom by Cirque du Soleil.He joined Dralion on tour in 2006. His act is not just an ordinary juggling act but includes a modern mix of juggling, dance and acrobatics. He now returns in Dralion for the North America Arena tour.
Vladik was personable and awesome to interview and we are sooo stoked to see him in action LIVE in a few weeks!
We also caught up with Drailion's PR expert, Vanessa, for an exclusive video interview, coming soon. She's got the scoop on the whole show and what wonders await.
The orginal Broadway cast of the hit musical ROCK OF AGES, featuring Constantine Maroulis, perform a medley from the show
Break out those 80's arena rock t's and those hair band moves. Rock of Ages is BACK in Chicago from June 05, 2012 - August 05, 2012 at the Broadway Playhouse.
Hair band devotees rejoice: The anthems of the '80s are back. The new
musical features the hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon,
Pat Benatar and many more.
In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city rocker,
and in L.A.'s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest
songs of the 80s. This arena-rock love story is told through the
mind-blowing hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison and many more.
Dates
Opening night: 5 June 2012
Booking through until: 5 August 2012
Audience
Rock Of Ages may be inappropriate for children aged 7 and under, according to Chicago-Theater.com.
(*ChiIL Mama's note: Broadway
in Chicago posted a PG13ish warning that some of the dances and
costumes may be inappropriate for children. There are "stripper"
characters, but nothing more risque than a bra and fishnets. I did see
a few younger children in full 80's rock star dress, and they were
having a blast. Still, parents who are uncomfortable with simulated
lap dances and semi-mature sexual themes might want to make this a
parents night out.)
Last time we made it an adult night out, but this time around Du-Jay (11) and Sagezilla (9) will be rockin' out with ChiIL Mama.
Run time
2 hours and 20 minutes with one 10 minute intermission.
Rock of Ages Theatre : Broadway Playhouse, Chicago Illinois
The worldwide party musical ROCK OF AGES features a mix of 28 rockin' 80's tunes including DON'T STOP BELIEVIN', WE BUILT THIS CITY, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, HERE I GO AGAIN, CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING and I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS.
In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80's. It's five time 2009 Tony® nominee ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!
"Impossible to resist!" - Charles Isherwood, New York Times
"Rock and comedy in perfect proportion!" - David Cote, Time Out
Rock of Ages the movie hits theatres June 15th. Here's the movie main site. Check out the Broadway show then go see the Hollywood take.
CLUTCH Premiere (Band Pictured With Daniel P. Carter)
New Single--check Pigtown Blues out now at BBC/Radio 1's "The Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter" and a phone interview with frontman, Neil Fallon. New Tour Dates Confirmed Maryland rockers CLUTCH are gearing up for the release of their new picture disc single "Pigtown Blues". The single received its worldwide digital release on June 5th and its worldwide physical release is coming on June 19th. This is the first new studio material from CLUTCH since 2009's Strange Cousins From the West,and the first simultaneous worldwide release for Weathermaker Music. Monday June 4th, CLUTCH frontman Neil Fallon was a special guest on "The Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter", which airs on BBC/Radio 1 from Midnight - 2:00 AM UK time. Carter who has been a long time fan and supporter of CLUTCH for years, will be exclusively premiering the track "Pigtown Blues". For more information on the show, click here. CLUTCH will embark on a headlining tour this summer with special guests Prong and Lionize. The run kicks off July 11th in Fayetteville, AR and wraps up July 22nd in Richmond, VA. CLUTCH has also confirmed select dates for August with Lionize. These shows are scheduled for August 9th, 10th, and 12th. Tickets for these dates go on sale for fan club members Wednesday June 6th and for the general public on Friday June 8th and Saturday June 9th. Additionally, the band has also rescheduled the two shows that were postponed this May. These dates are now scheduled for November 1st through 3rd. MonstrO will be providing support on these dates. Please note that the Flint, MI and Detroit, MI shows are already sold out, tickets for the Joliet, IL show are still available. A complete list of all tour dates can be found below: WITH PRONG AND LIONIZE 7/11: Fayetteville, AR @ George's Majestic Lounge 7/12: Lawrence, KS @ Granda Theater 7/13: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue 7/14: Vienna, WV @ Fishbone Gill & Grill 7/15: Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park (Forecastle Festival)* 7/17: New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues 7/18: Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall 7/19: Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club 7/20: Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend 7/21: Baltimore, MD @ Artscape Festival* 7/22: Richmond, VA @ The National WITH LIONIZE 8/9: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance 8/10: Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom 8/11: Birch Run, MI @ Birch Run Expo Center (WWBN Radio Show)* 8/12: Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues 11/1: Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop (Sold Out - Rescheduled from 5/13) 11/2: Joliet, IL @ Mojoes 11/3: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall (Sold Out - Rescheduled from 5/12) *CLUTCH only For More Info Visit: http://www.pro-rock.com http://weathermakermusic.com/
****Shows with 4 asterisks were highly recommended favorites of ChiIL Live Shows
Production - Play ****Opus - Redtwist Theatre
****Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips . . . - Trap Door Theatre
Production - Musical Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Director - Play Blake Montgomery - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
Helena Kays - 6 Characters in Search of an Author - The Hypocrites
****Jason W. Gerace - Opus - Redtwist Theatre
****Jonathan Berry - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company Sean Graney - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites Seth Bockley - The Ugly One - Sideshow Theatre Company
Director - Musical Elizabeth Margolius - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Fred Anzevino - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Fred Anzevino and Brenda Didier - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Jonathan Berry - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Lili-Anne Brown - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Ensemble Moby-Dick - The Building Stage
****Opus - Redtwist Theatre
Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
****Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company Shakespeare's R & J - Idle Muse Theatre Company
Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Actor in a Principal Role - Play Andrew Burden Swanson - The Last Duck - Jackalope Theatre
Brian Grey - The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion - Caffeine Theatre
Brian Plocharczyk - Farragut North - Stage Left Theatre
Dan Behrendt - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
****Joey De Bettencourt - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company Peter Oyloe - Elling - Redtwist Theatre
Preston Tate, Jr. - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Actor in a Principal Role - Musical Chuck Sisson - The Baker's Wife - Circle Theatre Courtney Crouse - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
****Creg Selavi - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre
Jayson "JC" Brooks - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Steven Perkins - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Actress in a Principal Role - Play Eileen Niccolai - Orpheus Descending - Shattered Globe Theatre
Jacqueline Grandt - Bug - Redtwist Theatre Katherine Keberlein - Fifty Words - Profiles Theatre
Melanie Keller - East of Berlin & the Russian Play - Signal Ensemble Theatre Stacy Stoltz - Assisted Living - Profiles Theatre
Actress in a Principal Role - Musical Harmony France - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Kelli Harrington - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Rachel Klippel - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Actor in a Supporting Role - Play ****Aaron Kirby - Dark Play or Stories for Boys - Collaboraction Barth Bennett - A Lesson Before Dying - Lincoln Square Theatre
Dereck Garner - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Eric Burgher - A Behanding in Spokane - Profiles Theatre
J.P. Pierson - One Flea Spare - Eclipse Theatre Company
****Ryan Heindl - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical Evan Tyrone Martin - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
Jeremy Rill - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre
Justin Adair - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Michael Kingston - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
Actress in a Supporting Role - Play Caroline Neff - Under the Blue Sky - Steep Theatre Company
Sasha Gioppo - Red Light Winter - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. Susan Monts-Bologna - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Vanessa Greenway - Life is a Dream - Vitalist Th.
in association with
Premiere Theatre
Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical Anita Hoffman - The Baker's Wife - Circle Theatre
Dana Tretta - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble Danni Smith - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Khaki Pixley - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre
New Work Deidre O'Connor - Assisted Living - Profiles Theatre Keith Josef Adkins - The Last Saint on Sugar Hill - Ma'at Prod. Assoc. of Afrikan Centered Theater
Lucas Neff - The Last Duck - Jackalope Theatre
Scott Barsotti, Molly Each, Laura Eason, Brian Golden,
Kristin Idaszak, Kim Morris, Nick Ward, Doug Whippo - We Live Here -
Theatre Seven of Chicago
Shepsu Aakhu - Speaking in Tongues: The Chronicles of Babel - Ma'at Prod. Assoc. of Afrikan Centered Theater
New Adaptation Blake Montgomery - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage ****John Hildreth - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Matt Hawkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
Sean Graney - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites Steve Moulds - 6 Characters in Search of an Author - The Hypocrites
Choreography Brenda Didier - Pippin - Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
****Kevin Bellie - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre Nicole Pellegrino - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Fight / Movement Direction David Woolley - Superior Donuts - Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.
Matt Hawkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago ****R&D Choreography - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Music Direction Allison Kane - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Andra Velis Simon - Violet The Musical - Bailiwick Chicago
James Morehead - Passing Strange - Bailiwick Chicago
Jeremy Ramey - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Jim DeSelm - Pump Boys and Dinettes - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Original Incidental Music Andrew Hansen - Hunger - Lifeline Theatre
Christopher Kriz - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
Kevin O'Donnell - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
Kevin O'Donnell - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage Michael Huey - The Spirit Play - The Strange Tree Group
Ovidiu Iloc - The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips . . . - Trap Door Theatre
Scenic Design Aam Veness - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Amanda Rozmiarek - The Price - Raven Theatre Bob Knuth - The Women - Circle Theatre
Jack Magaw and Kimberly Senior - Bug - Redtwist Theatre
Ray Toler - Bus Stop - Raven Theatre
Lighting Design Jared Moore - Lighthousekeeping - New Leaf Theatre
Jared Moore - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites Kevin D. Gawley - Hunger - Lifeline Theatre
Lee Keenan - Spring Awakening - Griffin Theatre Company
Lee Keenan - The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek - Eclipse Theatre Company
Mac Vaughey - The Ugly One - Sideshow Theatre Company
Costume Design Aly Renee Amidei - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
Elizabeth Wislar - A Little Night Music - Circle Theatre
Elizabeth Wislar - The Women - Circle Theatre
Jacqueline Firkins - Cyrano - The House Theatre of Chicago
****Jesus Perez - Urinetown the Musical - Circle Theatre
Sound Design Christopher Kriz - Bug - Redtwist Theatre
****Christopher Kriz - Opus - Redtwist Theatre Christopher Kriz - The Count of Monte Christo - Lifeline Theatre
****Mikhail Fiksel - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Thomas Dixon - The Sea - Theatre Mir
Artistic Specialization Magic Design - Brett Schneider - The Spirit Play - The Strange Tree Group
Percussion - Casey Baker, Kevin O'Donnell, Mike Przygoda - Moby-Dick - The Building Stage ****Puppet, Mask and Video Design - Joanna Iwanicka - Watership Down - Lifeline Theatre
Properties/Set Dressing - Mary O'Dowd - The Price - Raven Theatre
Make Up / Gore Design - Mary Williamson and Christine Conley - Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses - The Hypocrites
Video Design and Cinematography - Nivan Yahaghi and Amanda Clifford - cinematography - We Live Here - Theatre Seven of Chicago
****Music Coach - Zhanna Bullock - Opus - Redtwist Theatre
Dialect Coaching Anita Deely - Old Times - Strawdog Theatre Company
****Elise Kauzlaric - Punk Rock - Griffin Theatre Company
Eve Breneman - The Light in the Piazza - Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Congrats to all the nominees and winners! You make Chicago a richer and more wonderous city.
WITH SLIPKNOT, DEFTONES, LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE URGE, PRONG, GOJIRA AND MORE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 IN COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 IN SOMERSET, WI/MINNEAPOLIS, MN
TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 8 AT 10AM EDT
VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE
TWO-DATE FESTIVAL
A CONCERT EXPERIENCE TO AWAKEN YOUR DARKEST SENSES
Step into an apocalyptic underworld where firebreathers, nightmarish creatures on stilts, fire and percussive light, and stunning visuals set the stage for anintoxicating and unforgettably sinister concert experience. The first-ever KNOTFEST--an extraordinary two-date metal and hard rock festival--will feature performances from SLIPKNOT, DEFTONES,LAMB OF GOD, DETHKLOK, SERJ TANKIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE URGE, PRONG, GOJIRA and more. KNOTFEST will debut in the heart of America on Friday, August 17 in Council Bluffs, IA at Mid America Motorplex and Saturday, August 18 in Somerset, WI/Minneapolis, MN at Somerset Amphitheater. A list of artists performing at each date is available online at:www.knotfest.com.
“KNOTFEST is a chance for us to bring the sensory-overload of a wild European carnival fest to the heart of America,” explains Slipknot’s M. Shawn Crahan (Clown). “We’re thrilled to delve deep into our catalogue and play a long set for fans. This festival is meant to be touched, felt, smelled and experienced by everyone on top of seeing an amazing day of rock and metal.”
Featuring two heavy-hitting stages of hard music, KNOTFEST will create an intoxicating spectacle, as fans descend into a decadent apocalyptic underworldfeaturing circus big-top tents, pillars of fire, and amusement park rides--including the legendary Ring of Fire carnival ride (Saturday only)--while maskedperformers, firebreathers and nightmarish stilt-walkers roam the festival grounds. Interactive graffiti walls and a drum circle made of junkyard cars willentertain fans and artists alike in the immersive, dark apocalyptic atmosphere. Upon entering the gates, sinister surprises including a Slipknot museum and powerful, vibrant art installations await around every corner for fans to discover and explore.
Tickets for KNOTFEST go on-sale Friday, June 8 at 10:00 AM EDT at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster and the box office. GA tickets and a limited number of VIP packages will be available with amenities ranging from early entrance, a shaded VIP bar and lounge with a main stage viewing area (21+ only), VIP catered meals, preferred parking and a meet and greet with Slipknot. To view all ticket and VIP options for both dates, visit: www.knotfest.com.
Enter the year of the Dragon, 2012. What better way to celebrate than with Chi-town's favorite Chinese circus, Cirque Shanghai. ChiIL Mama caught opening night, and the whole family had a blast. We welcome this circus' annual summer residency at Navy Pier and eagerly anticipate it.
For the price and the frequency of shows, Cirque Shanghai is hard to beat. They play Navy Pier all summer, making this an easy, entertaining option for visiting friends and relatives.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION
“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon”will perform May 24 – Sept. 3, with regular run performances as follows:
Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m. Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.
There will be additional performances Tuesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and are available by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting Ticket Master here. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting GroupTixs website here.
Our whole family loves to watch people push the boundaries with circus arts
and we've NEVER seen someone unicycle on a parasol,
fit so many girls on one bike,
or flip so many simultaneous pots on their head from a rolla bolla board!
The new horizontal configuration of the hoop diving was sweet, too.
The motorcycle wire tricks are gone this year, but theGlobe of Doom with 5 bikers in a metal globeis always breathtakingly impressive, even though we've seen it in past years with Cirque Shanghai and with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
We've seen it at Ringling Brothers, but the metal Wheel of Destiny was a new addition for Cirque Shanghai, and provided quite a few gasps, as a blindfolded/hooded performer nearly plunged to the stage below.
He nearly bit it again during the jump rope routine,
which I first thought was intentional, to mess with the audience and freak us out. On further discussion we agreed that maybe his blonde partner (who had less taxing tricks) was walking a bit too fast and threw off his timing. Thankfully he hung in there!
My kids adore circus arts and have become quite the critics after seeing world class acts from Cirque du Soleil's Ovo and Quidam, Ringling Brothers, Cirque Eloize, Zoppe Family Circus, George Orange, New York's Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and local favs El Circo Cheapo, Aloft, Midnight Circus, The Actor's Gymnasium and more! Our kids are also taking circus arts classes from local gem, CircEsteem, where they're learning juggling, unicycle, silks, trapeze, lyra, pyramids, Spanish Web, Chinese Pole, acro, and more. They've auditioned for and been invited onto the pre-team and hone their circus skills 3 times a week. So, they're harder to impress than the average 9 & 11 year old off the street.
When the kids saw Cirque Shanghai's 7 ball bounce juggling act, they rightfully noted, "That was pretty cool, and he did juggle up stairs which was impressive, but our friend Will can do 7 ball bounce juggling and he's still in high school, and we just saw it in our own spring CircEsteem show. They did envy and want a pair of his cool, juggling pocket pants, though!
They were likewise nonplussed by the silks and lyra, diablo, and even the contortion and acro acts. Those elicited a series of "My friends and/or I can do that....and that....and most of that act too," from the kids. Though admittedly their friends are way more flexible and adept at circus arts than the average bear. As long as they don't want to master the Wheel of Destiny or Globe of Death next....!!
Nonetheless, they thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought that kids of all ages and adults would dig it, whether they're well schooled in circus arts themselves, are avid fans, or have never seen anything like it. In addition to the super stars in Globe of Death,
and Wheel of Destiny,
the slackwire unicycle,
spring board,
creative foot juggling,
and chair stacking acts were particularly fun.
Both kids were entranced with the 5 bikers, simultaneously circling the metal globe and Sagezilla, in particular, loved that one was a long haired girl!
Sage's more interested in being strong than cute. She's all about grrrl power and nontraditional roles, and she was elated that the biker girl gave her a high five on the way up the aisle at the close of the show.
Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style with Cirque Shanghai! Here are further official details:
“CIRQUE SHANGHAI: YEAR OF THE DRAGON” COMES TO NAVY PIER® PEPSI® SKYLINE STAGE MAY 24 – SEPTEMBER 3
Cirque Shanghai returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier this summer with a magnificent new show “Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon”. The production will run now through September 3, 2012 (Labor Day), rain or shine, at the Navy Pier® Pepsi® Skyline Stage, the 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring performers direct from China who are leaders in their craft of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. This year’s production features an incredible line up of awe- inspiring acts, including favorites such as Bike Balanceand Hoop Diving, as well as an all-new Group Chair Stack, Teeterboard act and the Wheel of Death!
China’s finest daredevil motorcycle troupe, “Imperial Thunder,” returns with not two, not four, but five motorcyclists riding at break-neck speed within a steel globe – more than ever before in this death-defying feat.
Audiences and critics alike rave about Cirque Shanghai. The Chicago Tribune hails the production to be a
“beguiling, sophisticated and contemporary 75-minute show, replete with some bravura acrobatics and infused with fabric-strewn visuals,”
and the Chicago Sun-Times raves “Cirque Shanghai has been an especially bright spot on Navy Pier...bringing young, talented acrobatic troupes and first-rate production values to the canopied, open-air Skyline Stage.”
Time Out Chicago says, “Jaw-dropping, aerobatic stunts...adults will enjoy this show every bit as much as kids.”
Directed by Miao Miao Chen, “Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” is presented in this exclusive U.S. engagement by Navy Pier in conjunction with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA) production headquarters in Shanghai, China.
MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM:
International Special Attractions (ISA)was established in 1989 and over the past two decades has become a world leader in the production of large scale special attractions, events and theatrical productions. ISA’s ICE! attractions can be seen annually at four Gaylord Hotel locations throughout the United States, and have been enjoyed by over 5 million people worldwide. ISA was the first company to bring Chinese acrobats to Broadway and also produces Cirque Shanghai, which has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the world, and recently played a sold out run at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway in New York City. Additionally, ISA has produced Luminasia for the past two years at The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, USA. Clients have included The Walt Disney Company, Gaylord Entertainment, Navy Pier Chicago, Busch Entertainment Corp and Six Flags, Inc. Featured Television coverage has aired internationally, including networks such as NBC, CBS and ABC to name but a few.
Originally from a classical music background, Haiping Gewas one of the earliest producers serving in the Shanghai government's Office of Cultural Exchange Affairs. From that office, he hosted many of the first Western entertainers performing in China. For the last two decades, Haiping Ge has been producing shows with ISA for the world's premium venues. His current productions include: Cirque Shanghai for New Victory Theatre on Broadway; ICE! attractions in Dallas, Nashville, Orlando and Washington D.C. in association with Gaylord Resorts; Luminasia at The Galt House in Louisville, KY, USA. Haiping also produced a Chinese acrobatic show for Disney World, Florida which will run through the end of this year.
Miao Miao Chen is a second-generation performer as well as the show’s director. She studied with the internationally famous Shenyang Performing Arts Academy beginning at age five,and joined the acclaimed Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, one of the top ten troupes in all of China, at age 13. Chen is the recipient of a Gold Lion Award from the International Acrobatics Competition in France, and received the top award for Best Innovative Performance in Uruguay. Chen has performed throughout the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia. In 2006 and 2007, Chen worked as a choreographer for “Le Grand Cirque” which has toured in cities across Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. Chen previously directed hit productions of “Cirque Shanghai” in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
About Navy Pier:
Located on Lake Michigan, just east of Chicago’s downtown, Navy Pier is the most- visited tourist and 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 preeminent recreation and exposition facilities, showcasing 50 acres of parks, gardens, restaurants, shops, attractions, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exhibition facilities and more.
music by Alan Menken | lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice book by Linda Woolverton | directed by Rachel Rockwell
in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater June 28–August 26, 2012
Bring your whole family to Navy Pier for this 75-minute heartwarming musical adventure based on the Academy Award-winning Disney film. It recounts the "tale as old as time" of a clever beauty and her ferocious captor—a young prince trapped under an enchantress's spell, who must learn to love and be loved in order to break the curse. Dazzling production numbers, including the beloved title song and "Be Our Guest," will fill CST's Courtyard Theater. Audience members are invited to meet the cast in the lobby following each performance. Approximate Running Time: 75 minutes
A CST Family production best enjoyed by ages 5 and up
ChiIL Mama/ ChiIL Live Shows will be there for the opening performance on July 7th and we'll have a photo filled review for you then. We're also excited to offer one of our lucky readers 4 free tickets to your choice of dates between June 28th & July 13th.Enter right here for your chance to win!
*Wait for Rafflecopter to load up right here (if you've gone through RSS feed or are scrolling down the blog and don't see it, click on the actual page title and it should pop right up).Entries accepted nationwide. Enter like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. Winning rocks!
