By Kenneth Jones
07 Dec 2008

Slava's Snowshow star Slava Polunin
photo by Veronique Vial

The Olivier Award-winning Slava's Snowshow, already an Off-Broadway hit known for its climactic blizzard and its wordless clowns who roam a wintry landscape, opens in its Broadway debut Dec. 7 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Previews began Dec. 2.

For weeks after attending the downtown run of the show (at Off-Broadway's Union Square Theatre, September 2004–January 2007), theatregoers would find "snow" still stuck in their coat pockets.

Accompanied by blinding light and breathtaking wind, the "snow" blows into the auditorium and drifts around your ankles before the blackout. The show played 1,004 performances Off-Broadway before moving on to other dates around the world.

The new run — billed for this engagement as Slava's Snowshow on Broadway — at the intimate Helen Hayes, 240 West 44th Street, must end Jan. 4, 2009. Tickets are available through www.Telecharge.com or www.snowshowonbroadway.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

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Created and staged by Slava Polunin, considered by many to be one of the world's greatest clowns, Slava's Snowshow "is a sensory whirlwind for the entire family, combining theatrical spectacle with the unbridled hilarity and heart-warming poignancy of the art of clowning." A cast of ten appears in "a series of breathtaking stage images that need to be seen to be believed," and the show "culminates in a stunning coup de theatre finale — a joyous, swirling snowstorm that sweeps across the stage, filling the theatre and engulfing the audience."

The production had its world premiere in October 1993 in Moscow and has since toured extensively, playing over 25 countries.

Slava's Snowshow is the recipient of London's Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, New York's Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, Edinburgh's Festival Critics' Award, Moscow's Stanislavski Award, and Australia's Sir Robert Helpmann Award, among others.

Slava's Snowshow will be performed Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday–Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 4 PM and 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM and 6 PM.

Tickets for all preview performances (Dec. 2–6) are $79.50. Tickets for all performances Dec. 7–Jan. 4, 2009, are $111.50.

All ticket prices include a $1.50 facilities fee.

For group ticket information, please contact Olga at (646) 536-8130.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S EVE WEEKS
Wednesday, Dec. 24 – 2 PM and 7 PM
Thursday, Dec. 25 – 7 PM
Friday, Dec. 26 – 2 PM and 8 PM
Saturday, Dec. 27 – 4 PM and 8 PM
Sunday, Dec. 28 – 2 PM and 6 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 30 – 2 PM and 7 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – 7 PM
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 – No Performance
Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 – 2 PM and 8 PM
Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 – 4 PM and 8 PM
Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 – 2 PM and 6 PM

For more information, visit snowshowonbroadway.com.

A scene from Slava's Snowshow
photo by Veronique Vial