Holidaze
Pick Up Some Cheer From Your Friendly Local Neighborhood Cirquis

By Eleanor McCulloch

Yes, Virginia, there is another circus.

Sure the world-renouned Cirque du Soleil is expansive (and expensive - tickets will unfortunately set you back $90 to $130 for adults and $70 to $100 for kids), but since the contortionist company set up touring show La Nouba in Orlando this year, perhaps a more family, and recession, friendly option would be the minutes-long drive to Hollywood to catch the high-flying theatrical antics of Cirque Dreams.

But you'll have to move fast - their seasonal show Holidaze opens at the Hard Rock Live on Nov. 4 and runs through Nov. 8 (and tickets are half the price.)

The brainchild of New York transplant and producer Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams opened in 1993, setting up shop in Pompano Beach, and becoming the the first American theater company of it's cirque-style kind.

A dozen shows, and a $2.5 million renovation of their 10,000-square-foot production and training complex later, the company continues crafting their touring acobatic contortionist productions right in our own back yard, often joined by full orchestras, which have included our own New World Symphony.

Hailing from all over the world, under the direction of a staff of choreographers, coaches, and artistic directors, Cirque Dreams performers join a staff of roughly 100 choreographers, coaches, artistic directors, and the wardrobe designers and tailors that oversee a multimillion-dollar costume inventory.

The company now enjoys some rave reviews of their international performances including of the Pandemonia, Coobrila, Cirque Ingenieux the Broadway hit Jungle Fantasy, and the also currently on tour show Illumination.

Who knew?

This season catch the local crew in "Holidaze," the troupes Christmas holiday season production of animated ornaments, aerialists, music, dance, and acrobatics.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze opens at 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Hard Rock Live, One Seminole Way, Hollywood. Tickets are $35 to $65. Call 954-327-7625 or visit seminolehardrockhollywood.com for more information.

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