articles

The New Victory Theater presents Golden Dragon Acrobats’ Cirque Ziva

Celebrate the Holidays with World-Renowned Chinese Circus Dec. 5 - Jan. 4

December 17, 2014

New York’s premier theater for kids and families adds East Asian pageantry to this season’s holiday fare when time-honored traditions take on a terrific technicolor transformation in Cirque Zíva at The New Victory Theater from now through January 4, 2015. From Hebei Province, China, the Drama Desk-nominated Golden Dragon Acrobats (New Vic 2005) represent the best of Chinese circus in a stunning spectacle of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.

Captivating acts of ancient artistry, dazzling showmanship and spectacular costumes are on display and there’s not a bad seat in the house. Ensemble performances like acrobatic hoop diving and the whizzing diabolo are punctuated by awe-inspiring solo acts of unparalleled precision. An acrobat of incomparable strength winks at balcony patrons as his chair stack teeters over 30 feet high. A gifted contortionist balances over 60 wine glasses while her body bends impossibly backwards. Neon German wheels, an act enticingly called “A Thousand Hands” and a festive lion dance join the impressive lineup to compete for crowd favorite in this thrilling theatrical experience.

The newest show from producer and artistic director Danny Chang, Cirque Zíva is a fast-paced, technically innovative celebration of an art form steeped in 2,000 years of tradition. The large cast and spectacular set design illustrate Chang’s signature artistry, high production values and solid commitment to cultural exchange. Since 1985, the Golden Dragon Acrobats remain the only Chinese acrobatic company touring year-round in the United States, presenting over 200 performances at hundreds of venues across the country each year. Its members are athletes, actors and artists who have studied and trained in their craft from early childhood. In 2005, their Off-Broadway debut and seven-week run at The New Victory Theater earned two prestigious New York Drama Desk Awards nominations (Angela Chang for Best Choreography and Danny Chang for Most Unique Theatrical Experience).

Today, the Golden Dragon Acrobats are recognized as the preeminent Chinese acrobatic company in the U.S. Every year, Danny Chang and his wife and choreographer Angela Chang attend the world’s top acrobatic competitions to select elite performers to join the Golden Dragon Acrobats. The company works with the industry’s best, including Cirque Zíva lighting designer Tony Tucci, a two-time recipient of the B. Iden Payne Award and a Critics Table Award-winner for lighting. In recent years, members of the Golden Dragons have won the President’s Award at the International Acrobatic Competition and received awards at the Hebei Regional Acrobatic Competition, the China National Acrobatic Competition, the National Teen Acrobatic Competition, the Italian National Acrobatic Competition and the International Young Adult Acrobatic Competition in Japan.
 
Performance Schedule: 30 performances
Friday                12/5                        7pm
Saturday            12/6                        2pm, 7pm
Sunday              12/7                        12pm, 5pm
Saturday            12/13                      2pm, 7pm
Sunday              12/14                      12pm, 5pm
Friday                12/19                      7pm
Saturday            12/20                      2pm, 7pm
Sunday              12/21                      12pm, 5pm
Tuesday             12/23                      2pm, 7pm
Friday                12/26                      2pm, 7pm
Saturday            12/27                      2pm, 7pm
Sunday              12/28                      12pm, 5pm
Tuesday             12/30                      2pm
Wednesday        12/31                      2pm
Thursday            1/1                        2pm
Friday                1/2                         7pm
Saturday            1/3                         2pm, 7pm
Sunday              1/4                         12pm, 5pm
 
Cirque Zíva has a running time of 2 hours including one intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up.
 
General Ticket Information:
For Cirque Zíva at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) tickets for Members start at $13 and full price tickets start at $19 based on seat locations. Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits including up to 35-percent savings on tickets all season long, invitations to special events and unlimited free ticket exchanges. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 646-223-3010.  The New Victory box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm. For more information, visit the New Victory website.