Colorful, Explosive TAO: PHOENIX RISING Comes to PlayhouseSquare Tonight

The explosive power of Taiko drumming, fused with fiery athleticism and gymnastics, returns tonight, March 20 for one 7:30 pm show only, as PlayhouseSquare welcomes TAO...presenting their new production, Phoenix Rising in the Palace Theatre. Amazing flips, innovative choreography and colorful costumes combine to create a performance of phenomenal precision to entertain the entire family with its high-energy force.

TAO performers are both highly trained athletes and highly expressive artists who perform to melodies of various genres, along with traditional instruments. Global fashion designer Junko Koshino has collaborated with TAO to unite fashion and entertainment, creating an even more sublime performing art.

When it was established in Japan in 1993, TAO set a goal...to sell one million tickets! TAO achieved this in seven-and-a-half years. In 2004 and 2005, at the world-renowned art and music festival in Great Britain, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, only Tao held the honor among the 1800 groups gathered at the festival, of enjoying the top tickets sales for two years running.

A world tour then commenced, playing arenas around the globe as well as an appearance at the Vancouver Olympics. During their first North American Tour, all 50 of their shows were complete sellouts. Next year, the group will not be touring as widely because Paris has invited TAO to perform in their city as a 2015 extended-run attraction.

TAO: PHOENIX RISING...March 20 at 7:30 pm at PlayhouseSquare's Palace Theatre. Tickets are $39, $29 & $10 Smart Seats, on sale at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office; playhousesquare.org and 216-241-6000.