OC-PekingAcrobats

1Piano Jazz Summit | Overture Center

A SupraNet Communications World Cultures Series Event

The Peking Acrobats25th Silver Aniversary Tour

Company Director Group Leader Technical Consultant Stage Manager Mr. Ken T. Hai Mr. Wan S. Kun Mr. Zhang Ping Mr. Jiang Fu Jun

Orchestra Director Technical Director Assistant to the Mr. Hu W. Feng Mr. Mark Mallory Technical Director Mr. Keenan Hansen

Translator Assistant Translator Bus Driver Mr. Chu Chao Ming (Tony) Mr. Zhang Ping Mr. Donny Lowe, Royal Tours

SAT, APR 2, 2011 | Overture Hall

This project is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Bottled water and beverages in Overture Refillable Souvenir Cups are allowed in the theater during select performances. Purchase a souvenir cup for $3 plus the cost of your drink at any of the concession locations in the lobby, and bring it back next time for a refill.

Sponsored by

2 Overture Center | Piano Jazz Summit


PROGRAM

PUPPET FUNA MUSICAL INTERLUDE

THE LION DANCEWATER METEORS

JAR JUGGLING‘FEETS’ OF BALANCEDIVING DARING DO

UNICYCLE TRICKSIT’S A TIGHT SQUEEZE

COLORFUL CONTORTIONKUNG-FU SURPRISE

Intermission

THE NOSE KNOWS ITAWESOME ADAGIOTHE HAPPY CHEFS

FLIGHTS OF FANCYDARLING DIABLOS

SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAYIN THE HIGH CHAIR

HUMAN PYRAMID / BICYCLE PAGODAFINALE

The program for this performance will be selected from the above. The Man-agement reserves the right to make alterations in the order of the program or in the cast due to illness or any cause whatsoever. The use of cameras, flash or video photography, and tape recorders are strictly prohibited.

The Management recommends that parents advise their children that what they see on stage takes years of practice and should not be tried at home!


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Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre

A SUPRANET COMMUNICATIONS WORLD CULTURES SERIES EVENT

SPONSORED BY PEPSI COLA OF MADISON

Photo

by Je

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FRI, APR 15, 8 pm$20–$28 | Capitol TheaterImmerse yourself in the rich traditions of Native American culture with elaborate and captivating theatrical work celebrating the culture of the Lakota people.


THE PECKING ACROBATS®

Since their debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at treacherous feats of daring, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are masters of agility and grace. Accompanied by the Women’s Peace Orchestra of China, playing traditional Chinese instruments with modern flair, high-tech special effects that coalesce with the music, and all of this in harmony with the Acrobats awe-inspiring feats, an exuberant entertainment event appears before your eyes, featuring all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival infused with fresh, explosive energy!

Many of the magnificent acts we see today, despite their sophistication, were performed in ancient times. The history of Chinese acrobatics is rich in tradition and dates back over 2000 years. Throughout the history of China the acrobatic arts flourished, but in varying degrees. Originally, court entertainments were formal and monotonous, quite the opposite of the lively,

folk arts of the people. And, it did all begin with folk arts: tumbling, juggling ordinary household objects, and balancing. Common games of the people, such as “Rang Hitting,” or throwing a small wooden strip the size and shape of a shoe sole at a target, developed accuracy. Modern day Whip Feats are traced back to this game. Myth and religion also influenced the acrobatic arts. The Lion Dance is Buddhist in origin. The lion was seen as the reincarnation of a woman, who was teased into revealing her true identity. This dance was a symbol of spiritual renewal and revered for dispelling bad luck.

Eventually, however, the excitement of the acrobat’s amazing feats caught on and held the attention of the ruling classes. Acrobatic performers were routinely invited to the court to entertain and impress visiting dignitaries. The varied acts of tumbling, singing, dancing, and juggling became known as “The Hundred Entertainments” during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). Records of acrobatic acts can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty (221 B.C. - 207 B.C.) and Chinese acrobats through the ages have continued to perfect what has become an evolving folk art form. The Peking Acrobats ability to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries of this Chinese history and folk art. No doubt, the Chinese acrobats of



the Han Dynasty would be awe-struck and amazed at how their modern-day counterparts have elevated their art form, and the fact that their tradition, begun so many ages ago, is still going strong, even in the 21st Century!

Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments to their acts. Generations of families have carried on this highly acclaimed and popular tradition. Children begin training at a young age and adhere to a rigorous training schedule which they follow over the length of their careers. Today the acrobat in China is considered an artist. Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; in China, an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of an American opera star. It is telling that the Chinese acrobatic tradition just gets stronger, due to the continued innovation of the artists and the endless enthusiasm from their adoring public.

Over the years, The Peking Acrobats have been featured on numerous television shows and celebrity-studded TV Specials including THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW, THAT’S INCREDIBLE, and ABC’s WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS, NBC’s RING IN THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL. They have also

appeared on NICKELODEON’S hit show Unfabulous, and ELLEN’S REALLY BIG SHOW, hosted by comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. They set the world record for the Human Chair Stack on FOX’s GUINNESS BOOK PRIMETIME TV show where they astounded audiences with their bravery and dexterity as they balanced six people precariously atop six chairs 21 feet up in the air without safety lines! Internationally, they have appeared on the ARTISTGALLA, a benefit show that was filmed live at the Drammens Theatre in Oslo, Norway. The Peking Acrobats are also making the Hollywood scene on the silver screen as former company members were featured in director Stephen Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s 11, playing with Hollywood’s elite such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Qin Shaobo, an alumnus of The Peking Acrobats, appeared in that film’s two blockbuster sequels, Ocean’s 12, and Ocean’s 13. The Peking Acrobats were also the featured performers at the glamorous Hollywood Premiere Party of Ocean’s 13 and they impressed the star-studded audience with their incredible acrobatic feats!

The Peking Acrobats are also pleased to announce the continued success of their first consumer DVD, initially released on their


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Help us Doorsopencontribute to the Rae Atira-Soncea Accessibility FundCall 608.258.4442 or visit overturecenter.com/contribute/annual-giving/direct-support.


2006 North American Tour and filmed on their 2005 North American Tour as a television special for HDNet. This crystal-clear, thrilling DVD is available for sale to the public at their performances and on the internet at www.iaipresentations.com. The show, shot in High Definition format, has aired many times on HDNet television. The Peking Acrobats are excited and honored to have been selected by HDNet to participate in such technological innovation, thereby putting this attraction on the cutting edge of modern technology. Already in pre-production is a DVD commemorating their 2011 Twenty-Fifth Silver Anniversary

Tour. This DVD is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2011 so fans of their first release should stand by to purchase this all-new and thrilling DVD!

For their Gala 2011 Twenty-Fifth Silver Anniversary North American Tour, The Peking Acrobats live performances will be more awesome and spectacular than ever before, featuring all new acts and new twists on old favorites, incredible costumes, and special effects. For the first time ever, The Peking Acrobats welcomes the Women’s Peace Orchestra of China to share the stage with them. This incredible ladies’ musical ensemble will thrill


Overture’s free and low-cost community and education programs are at the heart of our mission to engage the entire community in the arts. In fact, last season, these programs served more people in our community than the total number of tickets sold to all of our performances. These programs are possible only through the generosity of contributors to the Ovation Fund – people just like you who recognize the transforming benefits of the arts and want to ensure that everyone in our community can experience them.

LEARN MORE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE AT OVERTURECENTER.COM/CONTRIBUTE.

OVERTURE’S FREE AND LOW-COST COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Community Ticket Vouchers, Kids in the Rotunda, Duck Soup Cinema, Take 10, International Festival, Overture Galleries, Artist Residencies, Community Arts Access Program, OnStage Performing Arts Series, The Tommy Awards, Educator Workshops, Meet the Artist, Wisconsin Writers Series and Overture After Work

OVATION FUND: Community. Education. Diversity.

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audiences as they play traditional Chinese instruments with 21st Century style and sophistication, adding yet another dimension to The Peking Acrobats Silver Anniversary Tour! The Women’s Peace Orchestra of China has won awards in many musical competitions throughout Asia. In 2008, they performed as part of the Cultural Celebrations for the Beijing Olympic Games. In 2009, they performed at the now famous ‘Bird’s Nest Arena’ in Beijing for the China World Travel Festival. For this tour, The Women’s Peace Orchestra of China will blend their unique talents with the ancient artistry of The Peking Acrobats to celebrate twenty-five years of awesome entertainment!

The Peking Acrobats continue to perform for Symphony Concert audiences across America. Fans will recall that this milestone in their career was achieved when they made their debut at the Hollywood Bowl. They performed as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s Fireworks Season Finale, where the company blended their unique brand of acrobatics with the majestic sound of the 100-piece Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The acrobats infused Bowl audiences with their powerful maneuvers in a multi-cultural, multi-media spectacular. Between the ‘fireworks’ on stage and the fireworks in the air, audiences experienced theatrical alchemy at its finest! Concerts such as these have led to many other

performances with Symphony Orchestras across the US such as the San Francisco Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, to name a few.

The Peking Acrobats have returned to the Hollywood Bowl in three separate outings, most recently performing with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in September of 2008 with Maestro Tom Wilkins conducting. They were thrilled at the opportunity to play this prestigious venue once again. The Hollywood Bowl audiences so warmly received them, it was like a homecoming celebration for the performers. Clearly, The Peking Acrobats are now bringing their unique artistry to a completely new audience with the Symphony Concerts and will continue to do so in the future.

Continuing with their tradition of innovation in the Symphony Concert arena, in May of 2011, The Peking Acrobats will perform in Symphony Concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Canada. These concerts mark the first time The Peking Acrobats have performed with Canadian Symphony Orchestras, expanding their reach to yet another concert going audience in Canada. No doubt, these engagements will lead to many other such



performances with Symphony Orchestras across North America and, in between their theatre tours, The Peking Acrobats continue to bring their unique artistry to a completely new audience of theatrical patrons.

The Peking Acrobats have also expanded their reach into the European market. For the past five years, they have toured throughout the Continent and visited such countries as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. They have traveled to several of these countries two and three times over, visiting many exciting cities such as Milan, Bologna, and Naples in Italy, Bruges in Belgium, as well as Amsterdam and the Haag in the Netherlands.

Their affinity for and popularity with European audiences does not end there, however, as they will return to Europe once again in December 2011 and January 2012, when they will tour throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries, marking their sixth European Tour. Here again, is another triumph for The Peking Acrobats as they share their incredible talents, abilities, and culture with ever-widening audiences, building their reputation as the finest Chinese acrobatic troupe in the world! On all of these European tours, the performers have endeared themselves to the European audiences, and

so it is no surprise that they are asked to return there by popular demand, again and again. The warmth and appreciation of the European people makes The Peking Acrobats feel right at home, and the future holds many more such successful tours for The Peking Acrobats’ much to the delight of their growing numbers of European fans!

A performance by The Peking Acrobats, therefore, brings with it the opportunity to view the epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition, highlighted by today’s technology, melding the ancient and traditional with the modern wonders of the 21st Century. Therefore, it is with much pride and pleasure that we embark on the Twenty Fifth Silver Anniversary North American Tour of The Peking Acrobats. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy as our performers reveal to you their mastery of a fascinating and ancient art form, thousands of years in the making, and celebrate with us 25 years of Awesome Entertainment!


Perô, or the Mysteries of the Night

SUN, MAY 1, 3 PM$18 | Capitol Theater This tender tale has only gotten richer since its beginnings centuries ago in the storied tradition of Italian Commedia dell’arte. She does laundry by day; he bakes by night. Will they ever find true love? Find out in this charming musical adaptation from the Netherlands that blends artistry, creativity and a European sensibility to create what ParentMap calls “sparkling, tour-de-force theater.”

An American Girl’s Fund for Children Family Series Event

TICKETS: 608.258.4141OVERTURECENTER.COM

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ORDERING & INFORMATIONOrder online! overturecenter.com Phone orders: Call 608.258.4141 Mail or fax: online order form at overture-center.com or in our magazine.Buy in person: Visit the ticket office located on the main floor just off the Rotunda Lobby. Ticket office hours: Mon–Fri, 11 am–5:30 pm; Sat, 11 am–2 pm; open additional hours evenings and Sundays on days of ticketed performances.Group orders: Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on most performances. Call 608.258.4159 to make reservations.Visit overturecenter.com: For a calendar of events, links to artists’ websites, video, audio, directions, parking and much more.

PATRON SERVICES & POLICIESAccessibility: Request accommodations when ordering your tickets. Call 608.258.4144 for information, questions, or to request the following:n wheelchair-accessible seatingn house wheelchair for transportn sign language interpretationn Braille playbilln other accommodationsInformation is also available at overturecenter.com/tickets/accessibilityChildren and lap seating: Every person, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theaters for performances. Children un-der the age of 6 are not permitted at certain performances. See our season brochure, visit our website or call the Help Line at 608.258.4143 for information.Contacting a patron during a performance: Call 608.258.4179 with the performance the patron is attending and his/her row and seat number.

Lost and Found: Visit the information desk in the Rotunda Lobby or call 608.258.4973.Rentals: For information on renting spaces in Overture Center for weddings, performances, meetings or other events, call 608.258.4163 or email [email protected].

EtiquettePlease turn off all paging devices, cell phones and watch alarms.Smoking is prohibited in Overture.The use of cameras or tape recorders in the theaters is prohibited without written permis-sion from Overture Center and the performing company’s management. Food, large bags and other large items are not permitted in the theaters. Bottled water and beverages in Overture Refillable Souvenir Cups are allowed in the theaters at select shows.In consideration of audience members with scent sensitivities and allergies, please use perfumes, aftershaves and other fragrances in moderation.Event StaffStagehand services in Overture are provided by members of Local 251 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.Volunteer usher and other services for Overture are provided by Overture Friends. For information, visit overturecenter.com/contribute/volunteer or call 608.258.4177.

RESIDENT ORGANIZATIONSBach Dancing & Dynamite Societybachdancinganddynamite.org | 608.255.9866Children’s Theater of Madisonctmtheater.org | 608.255.2080Kanopy Dance Companykanopydance.org | 608.255.2211Li Chiao-Ping Dancelichiaopingdance.org | 608.835.6590Madison Balletmadisonballet.org | 608.278.7990Madison Museum of Contemporary Artmmoca.org | 608.257.0158Madison Operamadisonopera.org |608.238.8085Madison Symphony Orchestramadisonsymphony.org | 608.257.3734Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallerywisconsinacademy.org | 608.265.2500Wisconsin Chamber Orchestrawcoconcerts.org | 608.257.0638

PATRON SERVICES AND INFORMATION

Welcome to Overture Center for the ArtsYour enjoyment is important to us. Please contact an usher or the ticket office if you have any concerns about your experience here.

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