Didier’s Dances Dazzle In ‘Cirque Shanghai: Gold’

A pleasant surprise awaits both locals and tourists alike when they enter the Pepsi Skyline Stage at Navy Pier. As an homage to the summer Olympic games, the Chinese circus and acrobatic act Cirque Shangahi have put together their best and most exhilarating performance in the troupe's three year history with the latest entry called "Gold".

What makes this production stand out from the two others is the cohesive placement of the acts, tight direction and sensational choreography. This change of pace is directly attributable to two people, Director Sylvia Hase and our own dancing queen, Brenda Didier, who did such great work in the recent productions of the Jeff Award Winning Jerry Springer The Opera and Porchlight's Nine.

Hase, who earned her circus legs as the first female Director of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus , and is also a classically trained ballet mistress, has a masterful sense of cohesion with the material. Hase has crafted the intensity and complexity of each successive acrobatic act. Didier's choreography adds a splash of theatre performance and legitimacy to the cirque routines. The movements are a nice change of pace from what is commonly found in cirque style shows. Just because these athletes can jump through hoops, fly through the air on fabric and balance 16 people on a single bicycle, doesn't mean that they have rhythm. But has Didier has proven time and time again, she can make even the novice dancer move like Fosse.

It is, however, this remarkable troupe of performers that shine in "Gold". With pin point precision and amazing dexterity, these 30 members are a force of form and beauty to behold. Some of the noteworthy of the sixteen acts included the men tumbling through hoops of different circumferences (hoop diving). Chen Yu, who looked all of 13 years of age, stole the show by using different sized cans and boards to ‘surf' on. The women showed their own strength and skills with a remarkable chair stacking routine and proved to some audience members that the hula hoop should be reserved for only the circus professionals.

There are also some visually stunning acts as well, including "Flying on Silks", which last year's Academy Award broadcast made popular and a also a toy trunk filled with dolls that come to life and spin, twirl and toss large wooden spools with string look like a piece of art on stage.

With ticket prices that are actually affordable, and a show that runs under 90 minutes, this is the perfect entertainment for kids and adults alike. One can only hope that the tent will be reserved each summer for the Cirque Shanghai family.

Cirque Shanghai: Gold, plays through September 1, 2008 at the Pepsi® Skyline Stage® at Navy Pier. For tickets and show times please visit www.cirqueshanghai.com or call Ticketmaster at 312.902-1500.

Photo: Acrobats in Cirque Shanghai: Gold return to Navy Pier's Pepsi Skyline Stage June 4-September 1 with an all new production. Photo by: Anthony LaPenna