ChiIL Mama was stoked to be back at Cirque Shanghai for the fifth year, to shoot and review at the press opening last week. It's become one of our favorite annual shows, and we were stoked to see many of their breathtaking signature acts are back again, along with new Warrior themed choreography.
Both of my kids and two of their friends were able to catch the show and the kids and I all dug it.
We recommend Warriors as a fun, affordable, all ages treat and we've added them to our ChiIL Picks List.
Both of my kids and two of their friends were able to catch the show and the kids and I all dug it.
We recommend Warriors as a fun, affordable, all ages treat and we've added them to our ChiIL Picks List.
Check Out Our Full Set Of Original Photos In The Slide Show Below:
(Check the bottom of this post for more of our favorite live show shots from that night, if you can't view the slide show on your device, or just want our "best of".)
ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Tips:
1. Check out the merch table. Seriously. Compared to most circuses where a sno cone will seriously set you back, Cirque Shanghai's merch is downright affordable! We got a cool half mask for $3 and the full face masks are just $5. Same goes for the big, red fans. They're a steal at $5. Be forewarned, this may be the loudest fan EVER. They snap open with a thwack and are waaaaaay more than $5 worth of fun. 3 of the 4 kids with me that night got them, and before we'd even left Navy Pier, they had choreographed fan routines worked up. We're all about toys that inspire creativity!
The fans also double as a keepsake and a great place to collect signatures of the performers who are happy to sign after the show.
If you're opposed to loud noised while driving, DO secure the fans before take off. I don't mind as long as there's no high pitched tween shrieking. That's where I draw the line. My daughter & her 2 friends had a fabulous time all the way home, belting out Eye of the Tiger and Crazy Train accompanied by frequent fan snapping.
2. Catch the show on a Wed or Sat and stay for the free fireworks. They're short and sweet but they're a colorful, fun way to cap off the evening and happen shortly after the show. Go for the evening show any Wed-Sat night and Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline look magical after dark!
We embrace the multicultural, here at ChiIL Mama, so we're listing their acts with the Chinese names as well as the English. Pretty cool, huh? (Your kids can practice their calligraphy.)
Speaking of Chinese characters, my kids are wondering what the wonderful fans they got at the show say. Anyone who can translate, please let us know in the comments section. I'm picking up a friend coming from O'Hare on Friday afternoon, who has been teaching in China for years, so if nobody has replied by then, I'll run it by her and share our findings!
List of Acts
1, Opening Wushu/ Kinetic poles
开场荡竿／武术棍术
2, Masters of the Sword and Shield/ The water Meteor.
武术盾剑／流星
3, Hoop diving
武术对打／地圈
4, Chinese Mouth Balancing
顶技
5, Teeterboard
功夫扇／大跳板
6,Silk
绸吊
7, Wushu: The pageant of Arms
中华利器
8, Shoulder Ballet
肩上芭蕾
9, Comedy Bowl Kicker
滑稽翘碗
10, Wheel of Destiny
生死轮
11, Globe of Death
环球飞车
12, Final
谢幕
Check out the Warriors Promo Video Here:
Check out the Warriors Promo Video Here:
“CIRQUE SHANGHAI: WARRIORS” RETURNS FOR 9th SUMMER SEASON TO NAVY PIER® PEPSI® SKYLINE STAGE MAY 21 – SEPTEMEBER 1
Tickets now on Sale for “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors” with New Acts Including the Martial Prowess of Chinese Kung Fu and Wu Shu Masters
“Cirque Shanghai” is proud to return this summer to Chicago’s Navy Pier with a brand new show, “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors.” Performances begin Wednesday, May 21 and run through Monday, Sept. 1 at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage, a 1,500-seat, canopied, open-air theater on Navy Pier® (600 E. Grand Ave).
Now in its ninth consecutive summer season at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage, this latest installment of “Cirque Shanghai” combines the impressive acrobatics audiences have enjoyed in the past with the martial prowess of Chinese Kung Fu and Wu Shu masters. The result is powerful display of athleticism and the mastery of disciplines that formed the backbone of military might in ancient China for thousands of years.
This summer’s production of “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors” brings an extraordinary line-up of thrilling acts to the stage, including The Kinetic Poles, the powerful Water Meteor and the heart-pounding Pageant of Arms. Returning to the production from last year is the fate-tempting “Wheel of Destiny,” and China’s premier daredevil steel-globe motorcycle troupe, “Imperial Thunder”.
Directed by Miao Miao Chen, “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors” is presented in this exclusive U.S. engagement by Navy Pier in conjunction with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA) production headquarters in Shanghai, China.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION
“Cirque Shanghai” will perform May 21 – September 1. Performances will be held at 10:30 a.m. May 21 and 29. Beginning May 23 the regular performance schedule is:
- 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.
Tickets are on sale beginning May 2 via Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai. Tickets are $19.50- $39.50 for adults and $15.50 for children ages 3 to 12. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are also available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting www.grouptix.net.
Special Packages for summer 2014 include: The Navy Pier Fun Package containing, a Emperor’s Court “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors” ticket, a 40 min Skyline boat cruise, a Ferris Wheel voucher, a Pepsi Skyline Stage $5 concession voucher and a 20% off RIVA coupon for $43, with a children’s version available for $28. In addition, the Navy Pier Nightlife package combines a “Cirque Shanghai: Warriors” Emperor’s Court ticket, a Landshark Beer garden $10 voucher and a Hagen Daas double scoop cone/cup voucher for $36.50.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
International Special Attractions (ISA) was established in 1996 and over the past two decades has become a world leader in the production of large scale special attractions, events and theatrical productions. In addition to presenting Cirque Shanghai, ISA was the first company to bring Chinese acrobats to Broadway. For the past two years, ISA has presented The Ice Kingdom, a 14,000 square foot experience made entirely of ice, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. ISA’s other ICE! attractions are mounted annually at four Gaylord Hotel locations throughout the United States, and are enjoyed by over 1 million people each year. ISA also produces Luminasia, the larger-than-life lantern attraction, which was seen last year at the Washington State Fair, and for the past four years at The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY. In 2014, ISA is adding two additional Luminasia locations, one in Blackpool, England, and another in conjunction with the LA County Fair. ISA clients have included The Walt Disney Company, Gaylord Entertainment, The Queen Mary, The New Victory Theatre in New York, Navy Pier Chicago, The Galt House Hotel, Busch Entertainment Corp and Six Flags, Inc. Featured Television coverage has aired internationally, on networks including NBC, CBS and ABC to name but a few.
Drawing from his classical music background, Haiping Ge was 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 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 nearly 9 million annual visitors. 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.
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