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Variety Goes Ape
Cirque du Soleil presents Banana Shpeel at the Beacon
Dancers in Banana Shpeel
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Cirque du Soleil’s show Banana Shpeel is quite simply unlike anything that you’ve ever seen before. It’s an intoxicating blend of vaudeville, dance, comedy, musical and drama that leaves audiences wondering, “did I just see that?” Making its limited engagement World Premiere March 17–May 30 at the historic Beacon Theatre, the show is a wonder in the art of theatre.
The story of Banana Shpeel follows Schmelky, an ambitious and brash producer who will stop at nothing to stage the world’s most spectacular variety show. Along the way the hijinks of sideshows, dancers, singers and even a few trouble-causing clowns provide the audience with more than a few laughs…and gasps. Inventive choreography drives the production but it’s even more inventive than one would expect from Cirque du Soleil. Tap, acrobatics and hip hop are all present.
Because of the historic nature of the theatre housing the show, suspending set pieces, lights, and actors, from the ceiling was severely limited. But as they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Props designer Patricia Ruel created pieces and props that didn’t take up much room but that packed more creative punch. Lighting changes are made with a large, thin lightbox screen, reflective surfaces on levels make every color and angle in costumes pop and props were created in a two-dimensional style. The style was both compact and added to the world of illusion and visual trickery that Schmelky is creating.
A dance spectacular within a variety show within a theatrical explosion, Banana Shpeel is worth its weight in fruit.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.beacontheatrenyc.com.