Cirque Shanghai will return to Chicago Navy Pier's Pepsi Skyline Stage Wednesday, June 6 - Monday, September 3. Presented in partnership with International Special Attractions, Ltd. (ISA), the company will be performing the world premiere of its new full-scale theatrical production, Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi. Tickets for the summer-long run are currently on sale. Prices range from $14.50 - $29.50 for adults, $12.50 - $29.50 for children ages 3 - 11 and children under 3 are admitted free. All seats are reserved.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago, Chinese acrobatic spectacles were first called "Bai Xi," meaning "100 stunning acts," in reference to the performers' seemingly limitless skills. These daring and beautiful skills were featured in command performances for China's emperors and have been passed down and enhanced through generations. Today, "Bai Xi" combines many aspects of performance: entertainment, feats of physical strength, dance, martial arts, costumes and music. Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi will showcase Chinese tradition in this new production featuring aerial acrobatics, plate spinning, contortion, balancing acts, hoop diving and more.
ISA's work with Chinese acrobatic troupes started in 1996, and is the first company dedicated to two-way entertainment trade between China and the U.S. It was founded by Michael Wilson and Haiping Ge and is now the largest presenter of foreign entertainment into China as well as Chinese entertainment and attractions across North America with offices in Los Angeles, Branson. MO, and Shanghai. In addition to their work in the field of Chinese acrobatics, ISA also produces ICE! at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Centers in Nashville, Orlando and Dallas; a spectacular indoor walk-thru display of over two-million pounds of ice carved into the icons of the Christmas holidays. Ge, a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, has been involved with the international live entertainment industry his entire professional life. Wilson grew up in the world of show business in Los Angeles and first traveled to China in 1980 followed by two years of study at Beijing University, he started producing Chinese acrobat shows in America in 1984.