After striking poses you can't fathom your own body accomplishing, the performers of "Cirque Shanghai" love to bellow "hai!" to earn a well-deserved ovation. While the show takes place at the biggest tourist trap in Chicago, these painstaking entertainers earn their keep and will delight tourists and locals alike.
The Chinese acrobats have somersaulted into Navy Pier to pay homage to the Han Dynasty from 2,000 years ago. Their distinctive manifestations were originally coined "Bai Xai," or "100 stunning acts," in reference to a wide range of proficiencies.
The tightrope-walking tyke, for example, might earlier join the plate-spinning crew, while the spider who scales slippery ribbons also takes shape as a human pretzel. The stunts are all real, with a more than moderate level of danger and vigorous stage energy, especially for a show that runs 10 weeks.
Each and every troupe member pays meticulous attention to detail and has an unstinting work ethic. They balance with grace and work in near-flawless choreography. Along with the "ooohs" and "ahhhs," the physical contortions elicit some entertaining "ewwws," too.
Here's some hype that's an impressive fact: Some 135,000 Chicagoans saw Cirque Shanghai in 2006, which makes it the most successful event in the history of the Navy Pier Skyline Stage.
To assure yourself of the show's quality, try zeroing in on background performers. They blend into the shadows but would just as easily shine in the limelight. That's how you know the show's a triumphant wrap.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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