BWW Previews: CIRQUE HOLIDAZE at The Playhouse
By: Greer Firestone Nov. 15, 2018
As guests enter The Playhouse for the run of CIRQUE HOLIDAZE from November 23-25, they will be among the 50 million+ who have experienced a CIRQUE DREAMS brand performance. (That is not a typo)! Founded 25 years ago this global franchise includes Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, CD Illumination, CD & Steam, CD Epicurean and CD Unwrapped.
Aisle Say had an opportunity to chat with Founder and "Dream Maker" Neil Goldberg on his creation and the love he has for his 6 'children'. "Of all of them", says Goldberg," CIRQUE HOLIDAZE is my favorite. I conceived and presented it to replace the Radio City Christmas Spectacular that was performed yearly in Branson Missouri. Most professionals did not believe it a successful business model to produce a 6-week touring show in proscenium theatres. We proved them wrong".
Goldberg loves the idea that HOLIDAZE brings the entire family together at a very special time of the year. He loves the thought that it inspires the children and conjures up childhood reminiscences for the Moms and Dads. He loves the spectacle of it. Goldberg, from Aisle Say's perspective, a creative genius, ruminates: "For angels we substitute soaring aerialists, for prancing reindeer we substitute amazing gymnasts".
The show is set in a multi-million-dollar wonderland of season's dreaming and holiday pageantry, Wilmington's audience will celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with never before seen performances, over 300 costumes, 20 of the world's best acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites. Experience elaborate costumed characters, snowmen, penguins, candles, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, Santa and ornaments...flying, balancing and stretching imaginations in this groundbreaking holiday celebration. Exciting theatrical production numbers, illusions and gravity-defying feats will leave you on the edge of your seats.
Goldberg's story is one of humble beginnings in New York City, raised an Orthodox Jew with a strict lifestyle. The genesis of his life course was seeing THE MIRACLE WORKER on Broadway at age 6. (Note to Parents: Take your children to live theatre)! His family was in the textile industry and he began in the fashion industry at age 15. This is why costumes are so fundamentally important to CIRQUE DREAMS. Says Goldberg: "Each costume tells a story, especially in HOLIDAZE. The colors, the textures, the vibrancy of the costumes are every bit as important as the characters that wear them". (To emphasize this, take a look at the video).
Now a stand-alone company that is part of Cirque du Soleil, CIRQUE DREAMS is headquartered in Florida. They audition, train, rehearse the shows there and build all the costumes under one building. He continues to travel world-wide to assemble the greatest talent which will shock and awe the audiences.
One final fascinating tidbit from Goldberg: "I never had a plan for my life. I never graduated from college thinking 'I must do this, I must do that' to have a career. I just let my creative instincts direct me. One opportunity led to another. I always believed in myself". The man has changed a lot of lives. He has entertained millions. His mantra is a lesson for other such 'creators' and 'dreamers'.
November 23 - 25 The Playhouse 302.888.0200
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