Navy Pier's 4th edition of this summer circus for families is a colorful spectacle showcasing unbelievable strength, athletic ability and grace, set in the world of nature. A lovely young Spirit dressed in sparkling white leads us from act to dazzling act, ultimately demonstrating her own talents in Cirque Shanghai's final, heart-stopping acrobatic act, the Teeterboard. Amidst a vibrant rainbow background of light and sound, the show weaves its wonders through the microscopic world of insects, worms and other creepy crawlies that will delight audiences of all ages.
Playing throughout the summer at Navy Pier's Pepsi Skyline Stage, a canopied, open-air theater located just behind the giant Ferris wheel, this exotic pageant features more than an hour of astounding feats of skill, balance and muscle. Demonstrating flexibility and strength, the Adagio Ballet and the gravity-defying Silk Flyers suspended high overhead are like nothing you've ever seen. The Tower of Chairs combines breathtaking balance and agility and the Team Jump Rope and the Hat Juggling routine (during which an audience member is invited onstage to join them) provides laughs and gasps of wonder. A young aerialist clings tightly to a spinning rope in the Spanish Web and an acrobat is propelled unbelievably high into the air in the Russian Barre (think of an Olympics balance-beam routine on steroids). And just to prevent you from imagining that these are superhuman athletes who never fail, mistakes sometimes occur and, fueled by the audience's cheering encouragement, the artists make subsequent attempts.
This year's version of Cirque Shanghai is brilliantly directed by Dwight Jordan and choreographed by Brenda Didier, both Chicago artists whose creative talents have been seen on stages all over the city. Together they showcase the talents of 28 young Asian performers, clad in a kaleidoscope of imaginative costumes and set against a soundtrack of appropriately dramatic music. This is one extravaganza that is guaranteed to thrill and entertain the entire family.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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