Cirque Du Soleil Upcoming Shows Info 2007

Press release concerning all the new shows on the way with Cirque…

Putting Creation First

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL OFFERS STIMULATING CREATIVE PLATFORMS
FOR CREATORS FROM HOME AND ABROAD

Montreal, September 13, 2007 – Ever since its founding in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has chosen to empower its creators and make creation the focal point of its activities. Over the last 23 years, more than a 100 creators have contributed their talent and vision to a Cirque du Soleil production. With new creation teams coming onboard for future projects, the total number of designers who have helped shape Cirque du Soleil shows is expected to reach 200.

Creativity is the driving force behind the organization’s unflagging growth. By 2010, Cirque du Soleil is expecting to open eight new shows, and no fewer than 60 creators from home and abroad are already hard at work conceiving and developing the new productions. “There’s no end of creative projects at Cirque du Soleil,” says Gilles Ste-Croix, Senior Vice‑President of Creative Content. “We have the good fortune of being able to attract renowned creators who want to work with us on a wide range of projects. Cirque du Soleil offers them stimulating creative platforms where they can explore and innovate. In turn, our creators’ vision and positive influence help expand Cirque du Soleil’s own ability to break new ground.”

“There’s no doubt that creativity is thriving in Quebec,” continues Gilles Ste-Croix. “In the years between now and 2010, Cirque du Soleil will be recruiting many Quebec-based directors and creators for its new shows. Quebec is overflowing with creative talent, and we are very proud to be able to offer them a high-profile international showcase.”

To successfully carry out so many creative undertakings at the same time, Cirque du Soleil sets up an independent creative unit to manage every project. Each unit is composed of nearly 100 dedicated individuals whose sole priority is to see their specific project through to a successful conclusion.

Below is a brief rundown of Cirque du Soleil projects currently in creation. Over the next three years, eight new shows will open around the world, joining 14 other shows already in performance. The directors and some creators have already been identified for these new creations.

Wintuk

Seasonal show opening at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden, New York City in November 2007

Richard Blackburn Director

Fernand Rainville Director of Creation

Patricia Ruel Set and Props Designer

François Barbeau Costume Designer

Simon Carpentier Composer

Jim Corcoran Songwriter

Catherine Archambault Choreographer

Yves Aucoin Lighting Designer

Francis Laporte Projections Designer

Jonathan Deans Sound Co-designer

Leon Rothenberg Sound Co-designer

Daniel Cola Acrobatic Performance Designer

Guy St-Amour Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

Eleni Uranis Make-up Designer

Tokyo 2008 (working title)

Resident show opening at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan in 2008

François Girard Writer and Director

François Séguin Set Designer

Line Tremblay Director of Creation

Renée April Costume Designer

René Dupéré Composer

Debra Brown Choreographer

David Finn Lighting Designer

François Bergeron Sound Designer

Scott Osgood Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

Florence Pot Acrobatic Performance Designer

Macao I (working title)

Resident show opening at the Venetian Hotel in Macao, China in 2008

Gilles Maheu Director

Neilson Vignola Director of Creation

Guillaume Lord Set Designer

Dominique Lemieux Costume Designer

Axel Morghentaler Lighting Designer

Violaine Corradi Composer

Steve Dubuc Sound Designer

Martino Muller Choreographer

Guy Lemire Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

Rob Bollinger Acrobatic Performance Designer

Luxor 2008 (working title)

Resident show with Criss Angel opening at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas in 2008

Serge Denoncourt Director

Pierre Phaneuf Director of Creation

Christiane Barette Assistant to the Director of Creation

Ray Winkler Set Designer

Meredith Caron Costume Designer

Jeanette Farmer Lighting Designer

Eric Serra Composer

Jonathan Deans Sound Designer

Jaque Paquin Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

André Simard Acrobatic Performance Designer

Francis Laporte Projections Designer

Cirque 2009 (working title)

Touring show to be launched in Montreal in April 2009

Deborah Colker Director

Chantal Tremblay Director of Creation

Gringo Cardia Set Designer

Elvis 2009 (working title)

Resident show opening at City Centre Project in Las Vegas in 2009

Vincent Paterson Director

Armand Thomas Director of Creation

Mark Fisher Set Designer

Stefano Canulli Costume Designer

Marc Brickman Lighting Designer

Jonathan Deans Sound Designer

Guy St-Amour Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer

Daniel Cola Acrobatic Performance Designer

Macao II (working title)

Resident show inspired opening in 2010 at a hotel yet to be built in Macao (China)

René Simard Director

Serge Roy Director of Creation

Stéphane Roy Set Designer

Alan Hranitelj Costume Designer

Alain Lortie Lighting Designer

Michel Cusson Composer

Steve Dubuc Sound Designer

Dubai 2010 (working title)

Resident show opening in 2010 at a hotel yet to be built in Dubai

Guy Caron Co-director

Michael Curry Co-director

Fernand Rainville Director of Creation

Cirque du Soleil

From the 20 or so performers that the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with over 3,800 employees, including 1,000 artists, from 40 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has thrilled over 70 million spectators in more than 100 cities on four continents. In 2007, the organization will be presenting 15 shows simultaneously around the world. Cirque du Soleil has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gemini, Félix and Rose d’or de Montreux. Its International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

More information on Cirque du Soleil is available at www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Rocky Horror Show 2007

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Theater Arts Guild presents the ageless cult classic, The Rocky Horror Show, live on stage! Brad (Matt Riggins) & Janet (Karen Pollack) take a wrong turn and arrive at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (James Padilla). Uh-oh, here come Riff-Raff (Nathan McCartney), his sister Magenta (Joey Van Pelt), groupie Columbia (Martha McDade) and Frank’s delicious creation, ‘Rocky’ (Morgan Witt). Brad & Janet, dazed in sexual confusion, are saved by Dr. Scott (Randy Pratt). Did I mention Eddie (Joe Johnson) gets euthanized?

Costuming is welcome- grab your fishnets & stilettos. RHS contains mature themes, sexual situations, and strong language! Parental discretion is advised.

Rocky Horror Show
Lincoln Theater
712 S. 1st St. – Mount Vernon, WA 98273
http://www.lincolntheatre.org
Oct 26, 27, 31
Nov 1,2,3,8,9,10
8:00 pm
$20 All Seats; All Shows
$1 Preservation Fee
Reserved Seating

SYNOPSIS:

On the way to visit an old college professor, the two clean cut kids, Brad Majors and his fiancée Janet Weiss run into trouble and look for help at a light down the road. The light is coming from the old Frankenstein place, where Dr. Frank N Furter is in the midst of one of his maniacal experiments…Follow Brad and Janet on a trip they (and you) will never forget! Get ready for some fun, frolic, and frivolity. Rocky Horror is an ageless classic bursting at the seams with such memorable melodies as Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and, of course, the pelvic thrusting Time Warp. The Rocky Horror Show can’t stop partying! This is the boldest bash of them all, so fish out your fishnets, and sharpen your stilettos for the rockiest ride of your life!

Cirque Du Soleil

My first official Cirque Du Soleil post in plain english (I’ve done several posts in binary code, much to the delight of my fellow geek friends). So here’s the quick run down. Yes, I will be joining Cirque Du Soleil to open their new resident show in Macau, China at the Sands Venetian (Macao I) . I leave in January 2008. Scheduled opening for the show is May 2008.

Many people have trouble enunciating the company name – it’s “SIHRK DOO SOHLAY”, for regular English speaking folk. In French it means Circus of the Sun. There are a lot of knock-off companies that have chosen similiar sounding names – Cirque Du Soleil is the “real” one.

When people find out I’m joining CDS, I know immediately if they have seen a Cirque show before or not. The ones that haven’t seen CDS say something like “Oh, that’s cool”. The ones that HAVE seen a Cirque show before go into an uncontrolled frenzy and froth at the mouth, they go crazy. I’m not joking. I’ll tell you why: Cirque Du Soleil is the absolute coolest thing in the whole entire world. In this great wild world, there is nothing I would rather do more than work on one of their resident shows. To me, it is also the best music in the world – period.

Cirque Du Soleil is absolutely intense and ultimately demanding. It is the one thing I have seen in performance that eliminates all cultural boundaries and expresses takes on the human condition like no other art can. It is the ultimate voice of the artist demanding sense in the midst of insanity.

I have always loved the CDS music, and in the studio often used elements of their production styles in my work. But several years ago I saw Mystere and “O” live in Las Vegas with my mother and sister. After the Mystere show my mother asked me what I thought – I paused for a good while and said “I feel like my life has been changed, but I don’t know how.” I have never said anything like that about any other show. It woke me up. And since then it raised my bar of expectation for what can be.

So how did I get the gig? I auditioned in Las Vegas back when I was touring with Freddy Fender and producing for Road Records. We’ve gone back and forth on several different shows and productions, but nothing was quite the right timing or fit. This show is the perfect timing and the perfect fit.

I’ll tell you how perfect it is for me. My preference is to work for a resident show, meaning it has a theater built for it and stays in one place. My preference is also to work overseas (I spent MANY years playing in Vegas, it was fun but I already did that). The other great element is I get to experience the show in development from the beginning – to me that is the greatest part of it all – to see the Cirque magic unfold.

Theology aside – I think Cirque Du Soleil is the greatest thing this world has to offer. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

CHECK OUT INFO ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL OVERVIEW

Cirque du Soleil (French for “Circus of the Sun”) is an entertainment empire based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier. The current head choreographer is Debra Brown.

Initially named Les Échassiers they toured Quebec in 1980 as a performing troupe and encountered financial hardship that was relieved by a government grant in 1983 as part of 450th celebrations of Jacques Cartier’s discovery of Canada. The Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil was a success in 1984 and after securing a second year of funding Laliberté hired Guy Caron from the National Circus School to recreate it as a “proper circus.” No ring and no animals helped make Cirque du Soleil the modern circus (“Cirque Nouveau” / New Circus) it is described as today. Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world and has its own central theme and storyline which brings the audience into the performance by having no curtains, continuous live music and performers change the props/sets. After critical and financial successes (Los Angeles Arts Festival) and failures in the late 1980s, Nouvelle Expérience was created with the direction of Franco Dragone that not only made Cirque profitable by 1990 but allowed it to create new shows.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s Cirque expanded rapidly and went from one show with 73 employees in 1984 to currently 3,500 employees from over 40 countries doing fifteen shows touring every continent and have an estimated annual revenue exceeding $600 million USD. The multiple permanent Las Vegas shows alone play to more than 9,000 people a night – 5% of the city’s visitors – adding to the 70+ million people who have experienced Cirque. In 2000, Laliberté bought out Gauthier and with 95% ownership has continued to expand the brand. Several more shows are in development around the world, along with a television deal, women’s clothing line and perhaps in other mediums such as spas, restaurants and nightclubs. Cirque’s creations have been awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, including Bambi, Rose d’Or, three Gemini Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards In 2004, Interbrand’s poll of brand names with the highest global impact ranked Cirque du Soleil as number 22.

Bye Bye Birdie – Chorus Vocal Notes

Notes for Bye Bye Birdie chorus parts.

“ED SULLIVAN” song – At “C” where full chorus enters, the high notes for the altos are a bit extreme (up to F). Would recommend splitting sopranos and have 2nd sopranos cover alto part, then switch altos to tenor part. The high Ab notes in the soprano can easily sound shrill and overpower other parts – be careful and selective in which singers you have go for the top notes on this song.

Photos from The Apple Tree musical comedy

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Some pictures from our production of “The Apple Tree”. Read more about it in my “Apple Tree” section of my website. It’s a musical comedy. The first act features Adam, Eve and the Snake in a humorous look at the differences between the sexes ala Mark Twain.

Updates on actors 09/07

  • James Padilla (left – Snake) had the lead role of Curly in Oklahoma and working on the role of Frank ‘N Furter in Rocky Horrow Show.
  • Erin Heminway (middle – Eve) has the lead role in the Bellingham production of Hair.
  • Kevin Pitman (right – Adam) currently studying under an acting apprenticeship program in….is it Chicago? He’s an incredibly detailed and thorough actor. VERY fun to watch him develop a character to it’s fullest.

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Bye Bye Birdie 2007 Cast List

Cast list for META Performing Arts production of Bye Bye Birdie at McIntyre Hall, Skagit Valley College.

CONRAD BIRDIE Al Hollingsworth

ALBERT PETERSON DUSTIN MOORE

ROSE ALVAREZ SARAH SIMMONS

KIM MACAFEE DEMI FAIR

MRS. MACAFEE CALLY JOHNSON

MR. MACAFEE CLARENCE HOLDEN

RANDOLPH MICHAEL GILES

MRS. PETERSON KRIS HEMENWAY

URSULA ZOEY KYPUROS

HUGO MATTHEW THOMPSON

DEBORAH SUE To be determined

ALICE HAVALAH CALDERON

HARVEY NATHAN HAMER

SAD GIRL/DANCE CAPTAIN LAUREN RILEY

MAYOR ANDY GOLUB

MAYOR’S WIFE AMANDA CURTIS

MRS. MERKLE ROBIN LUIF

PHONE QUARTET (Nancy, Helen,Alice, Margie) PAIGE WOODS, SAVANNA WOODS, HAVALAH CALDERON, CORINN HOLBERG

TOWN’S FOLK GERMAINE KORNEGAY, CHRISTINA SOUTH, JAKE UPDEGRAFF, NICOLE TREPUS

TEEN CHORUS/ CHARACTER ROLES

JASMINE ZELL

CONNOR CROSBY

COURTNEY HOLBERG

SARA HOLDEN

MELISSA HOLDEN

EVE BERRINGTON

MADISON WAGONER

McKENZIE WILLIS

KELLI BATES

ALICIA CERNY

SAVANNAH DILLS

ALEXANDER PREDROZA

CATHERINE SOUTH

JESSICA PAULEY

FEATURED DANCERS AND TEEN CHORUS

ALISHA ANDERSON

KAYLAH GOLUB

ALEXA MCNEAL

NATE HAMER

PRETEEN CHORUS

KAYLA MALCOLM

DARA KING,

KATIE ARTHUR,

OLIVIA PEDROZA,

MAKAYLA HAIGH,

KADIN ZENONIAN,

ABIGAIL FERGUSON,

FALON SIERRA,

KARI TARABOCHIA

SHRINER RYAN MOWER

GLORIA RASPUTIN to be determined

MAUDE and quartet/shriners to be determined

Venetian Macao Resort Hotel – China

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The Macau Venetian will be the home to a new Cirque Du Soleil show in 2008. This new casino is Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson’s crowning achievement. He and wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson and his board of directors and the top executives of the Las Vegas Sands corporation all flew out to Macau, the Chinese-governed enclave some 30-minutes from Hong Kong.

On Tuesday (Aug 28), they were all in black tie and Venetian Carnevale attire with Chinese government officials for the 4 p.m. red carpet Grand Opening of his $2-billion Venetian Macao Resort Hotel – his second property there. His new resort building – the first on the new Cotai Strip there- is the largest in all of Asia and the second largest building in the world.

CEO William Weidner commented: “It took Vegas 75 years to emerge as an international destination with so many recognizable brand hotels. We are replicating that feat in Macau in less than three years.”

Wall Street experts believe his new hotel opening will be the biggest success story yet for Macau, and by year-end the staggering total revenues there will exceed not only all of Vegas, but all of Nevada!

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The Venetian Macau mega casino is set to open its doors on the Cotai Strip on August 28th. The owners, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, announced the official opening date of the $2.2 billion casino last week.

The casino and hotel complex is set to rival the standards expected of the casinos based in Las Vegas. Built over 10.5 million square feet, the complex will be the second largest building in the world; second only to the Boeing Plant in Washington.

The casino will house 3000 suites in the hotel, plus a theatre, arena and space for 300 shops. There will also be over 1000 table games and up to 7000 slots for casino lovers, making the complex suitable for both holidays and day trippers alike.

Cirque Du Soleil – Macau, China

 I’ll be playing in the band for the new Cirque show in Macao, China. Check my blog here for related info about Cirque and the show. Sorry, I will not be releasing details until they are released to the public. Check the Sands Venetian Macau website for showtimes and ticket prices.

INFO ABOUT CIRQUE MACAU 

As the popularity of gambling and other forms of entertainment continue to grow in Macau, Macau shows are not far behind. In the past the entertainment Macau featured was focused for the most part on gambling, but with the development of the Cotai Strip, meant to mirror the Las Vegas Strip, Macau will soon be including Macau shows as part of the entertainment Macau features. Cirque du Soleil, the touring act that currently features shows throughout the world, will soon be coming to Macau on the Cotai Strip. Cirque du Soleil Macau promises to bring all of the glamour of other Cirque du Soleil shows to the Cotai Strip.

Cirque du Soleil Macau promises to have an incredible and ornate show in Macau. A theatre with about 1,800 seats will open in the spring of 2008 to house the Cirque du Soleil Macau. Cirque du Soleil has created an entirely new show for the city of Macau, and residents and planners hope that the new entertainment Macau offers will draw even more tourists. The new Cirque du Soleil theatre will be located conveniently on the Cotai Strip and is being created by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

Cirque du Soleil tickets for the Macau shows will be available through the Venetian Macau. In addition to the Cirque du Soleil Theater, the Las Vegas Sands will also be building The Venetian Macau hotel in Macau. As with other Cirque du Soleil tickets, Cirque du Soleil tickets for the show in Macau will be available for purchase online, as well. Purchasing tickets online is a great way to reserve a seat ahead of time, although many times discounted tickets can be purchased the day of the show in person.

Although the Cirque du Soleil Macau show will be an entirely new show, there are some common themes that run through all Cirque du Soleil shows. In general, shows feature a central story line and a selection of music usually composed specifically for the story and Cirque du Soleil show. Many attendees have referred to Cirque du Soleil shows as the modern circus. Although they do not feature animals, shows do feature a number of dancers, clowns, trapeze artists, contortionists and jugglers. The music that accompanies the shows is always performed live, another unique aspect of the Cirque du Soleil show.

When the Cirque du Soleil Macau show does open in its brand new theater, the show looks to be quite spectacular. Concepts for the show are already in the works, and the theatre is being built to the specifications of the show. Best of all, guests of the show can stay at a number of a great resorts and hotels on the Cotai Strip. In addition to the Venetian Macau, the Crown Macau, the Emperor Palace Casino and Resort, the Grand Lisboa will be just a few of the great resorts on the strip. A collection of restaurants and duty-free shopping will also be part of the excitement for tourists.

So, whether you travel to Macau for shopping or entertainment or as part of your trip to nearby Hong Kong, the Cirque du Soleil Macau show is shaping up to be a unique and entertaining part of any Macau vacation.

Bye Bye Birdie Trivia

Thank you to Harlan for sending me this trivia on Bye Bye Birdie.

  • The name Conrad Birdie was a play off of the name Conway Twitty, who at the time was more of a rock-and-roller than a country singer.
  • The location of “Sweet Apple, Ohio” was inspired by lyricist Lee Adams hometown of Mansfield, Ohio.
  • Paul Lynde, who played Harry MacAfee, was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Ohio, just south of Mansfield.
  • Famous alumni of Bye Bye Birdie include Tommy Tune, Steve Zahn, Doris Roberts, Rue McClanahan, Gary Sandy, Randy Jones of the Village People, Marc Kudisch, Rachel Bilson, Jeff Trachta, Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera, Paul Lynde, Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, Jason Alexander, Vanessa L. Williams, Chynna Phillips, George Wendt, and Tyne Daly.
  • Gregory Gai played Conrad Birdie in the 2005 Justin-Siena Theater rendition of Bye-Bye Birdie. At 6’3″ (6’6″ in his three-inch heels), he was the tallest Conrad Birdie in the show’s history.
  • Bye Bye Birdie is often parodied on cartoons, including a “Telephone Hour” parody in Family Guy episode “Petarded” and a “Kids” parody in The Simpsons.
  • Put on a Happy Face was used by Wal-Mart in the 2000s for an advertising campaign with its smiley logo.
  • Rose Alvarez, who hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania in the play plot, is not the only Broadway character to hail from Allentown. In the plot of 42nd Street, up-and-coming Broadway star Peggy Sawyer also is from Allentown.