THE GEM & CENTURY THEATRES

Amazing Acrobatics

Marc Salem can read your thoughts and proves it!

"Hide your thoughts! Marc Salem's in town!
Quick-witted family fun with a WOW finish!"

Showman Neil Goldberg brings a new spectacle
to Detroit audiences.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

M

moved on to independent entertain-
ment projects with circus themes. In
addition to live performances, he has
done television segments, such as a spot
for the prime-time special Christopher
Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.
With his latest creation, Goldberg
draws in willing members of the audi-
ence to augment the 25-member cast,

ichigan circus fans have
seen Neil Goldberg's inno-
vative Cirque Ingenieux, but
they are in for a fresh experience when
he brings Neil Goldberg's Cirque to
Detroit's Music Hall.
The -show, which includes acro-
batic acts from around the world
performing to original music,
appears Feb. 20-25.
, "I dream all this up, and this show
is about a dreamer," explains
Goldberg, who will be in the city for
the entire run. "It's about a man who
goes to sleep and has a series of surreal
conjurings through performers corn-
ing out of the bedroom furniture.
"The show is lighter and more
family-oriented than Cirque
Ingenieux, and it's done in a setting
of ultraviolet shadings of light.
Keith Heffner, who did the orches-
trations for the earlier production,
has composed music in all kinds of
styles, including Latin and waltz
influences."
Goldberg, who travels the globe
and consults with arts associations
to scout acts, has booked a Chinese
man stacking seven chairs on top of
a dresser and then balancing on top
Tower of Strength: Sergey Parshi,
of them; a Russian artist building a
Sergie
Slayski and Alexander Tolstikov
chandelier of crystals and candles
in
"Neil
Goldberg's Cirque."
and holding it on his forehead; two
Mongolian contortionists tying
and the impromptu participants never
themselves in knots almost as if they
have to leave their seats.
were twisted clothing; and a Ukrainian
"The man who plays the dreamer
aerialist flying on a veil of chiffon.
turns a stick into a conductor's wand
The 90-minute, two-act perform-
and leads an interactive bell symphony
ance features 15 original segments
before the end of Act I," explains
with a variety of comical, magical and
Goldberg, in negotiation to bring a
fantastical overtones. There will be an
production to Israel. "I wanted it to be
aerial ballet and four-legged stilt crea-
in very good taste. I think performers
tures popping-up around the theater.
send a message that it's OK to dream
"To be able to paint a picture on
and it's OK to reach out beyond
stage and bring it to life without hav-
boundaries."
ing to use a narrative and tell a story is
the greatest feeling of accomplishment
to me because that's really what my
Neil Goldberg's Cirque runs Feb.
initial goal was," says Goldberg. The
20-25 at Detroit's Music Hall.
showman was raised in an Orthodox
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
home in New York and later relocated
Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m.
to Florida to relax his religious obser-
Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday
vation while pursuing show business
and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday K0-
interests.
S40. (313) 983-6611.
Starting out as a producer of pag-
eants and corporate events, Goldberg

❑

•

- Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Tinges

OPENING FEBRUARY 2 I ST

The Purple Rose Theatre Company Production of

A dinner party for the boss turns
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