The new work is a "mesmerizing creation filled with death-defying feats, spectacular visual effects and poetic movement." The Quebec-based animal-free circus "fuses the art of circus and theatre… transporting audiences back in time to a surreal vaudevillian playhouse" with performers donning nostalgic costumes and plunging "into one breathtaking scene after another."
Rain is written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca.
Each vignette is accompanied by a variety of musical genres including "operatic melodies, torch songs and bossanova beats."
According to production notes, "As a circus troupe rehearses, the line between reality and fantasy vanishes as moments from the past and characters long forgotten reappear. Like a collection of old photographs suddenly come to life, these wondrous encounters motivate displays of strength, dexterity and imagination: beach bound strongmen in 1920s-style bathing suits link up to create incredible shapes and teetering formations; a slapstick chase erupts as two dueling pianists fuel the hilarious antics; scarlet-clad beauties soar through the air on billowing fabric; and the entire company dives head first into an array of playground games when Mother Nature makes a surprise, but welcome, appearance."
Cirque Éloize was formed in 1993 when seven graduates of L'École Nationale de Cirque de Montréal decided to establish a new Québec troupe "and change the face of circus forever." Drawing their name from the local expression for "heat lighting," the company "strives to present a fresh look on circus by designing poetic, athletic and animal-free shows for audiences of any language." Cirque Éloize has given more than 1,400 performances in over 200 cities and 20 different countries around the globe. Previous productions include Excentricus (1997), Cirque Orchestra (1999) and Nomade (2000). Tickets for Rain are $10, $20 and $30 and can be ordered by visiting Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. Tickets are also on sale at the New Victory box office (209 West 42nd Street, just west of Broadway).
*
The New Victory Theater, a New 42nd Street project, is "New York City's premier theatre for kids and families." Built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1900 and opened as the Theatre Republic, it established 42nd Street as the heart of New York's theatre district. Ninety-five years later, The New Victory was the first historic theatre to be renovated on the block, and its opening, on Dec. 11, 1995, sparked the renaissance of 42nd Street. Today it is one of the city's most respected cultural institutions.
Visit www.newvictory.org.
