Cirque Eloize's SALOON Announced At The Soraya

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) presents Cirque Eloize's Saloon, which has kept audiences laughing on four continents since its 2016 premiere, for two performances Saturday, March 30 at 8pm and Sunday, March 31 at 3pm. Cirque Eloize's jugglers, aerialists, and lasso masters amaze and astound as the beautiful Belle holds the cowboys under a spell that sets off an action-packed chase worthy of any great Western, all to live musical accompaniment.

So swing open the saloon doors and join the fun with Montreal-based Cirque Eloize, one of the world's leading contemporary circuses that is equally at home on Broadway or in London's West End. DC Metro Arts said, "the rip-roaring show will keep you laughing, live country music and dancing will have you clapping your hands and tapping your feet, and thrilling acrobatics that will leave you on the edge of your seat."

Saloon is Cirque Eloize's 11th original creation is inspired by a rich historical and musical heritage. Picture this: America is under construction. The West is booming. The railroad is being developed. In the middle of the desert, a town comes to life. A saloon opens its doors. A place to gather and share tales, it quickly becomes a theatre for stories of all kinds. In Cirque Eloize's Saloon, the infectious energy of folk music sets the tone to an acrobatic comedy that sweeps the spectators away in a mad rush.

Enigmatic, colorful characters come together and reveal themselves, resulting in a series of unexpected situations, unfolding to the rhythm of acrobatic prowess and original choreographies. Under the spell of the saloon's beautiful Belle, the lover sets off a chase worthy of the greatest Westerns. The lovebirds on the run wreak havoc everywhere on their path; from the deserted plains to the depth of the mines- until the ultimate acrobatic showdown. Walking through Saloon's doors means entering a mythical atmosphere created by live music and the exhilarating pace of spectacular performances.

"The inspiration for this show comes from what has been our driving force for nearly twenty five years. It comes from the world of the Wild Wild West, with which we share the frontier spirit of cutting new trails and pushing boldly onward, lightened by a touch of irreverence and a sense of sharing and community," says Jeannot Painchaud, President and Artistic Director of Cirque Eloize and Creative Director of Saloon. "Saloon is a wonderful playground for a work of artistic exploration. It's the physical energy of acrobatics combined with the poetry of the theatrical approach, a touch of comedy and the musical roots of our childhood come to life. Saloon is a thrilling, fun and funny musical, an invitation to a party."

Saloon director Emmanuel Guillaume has devised an acrobatic comedy with 10 multi talented artists performing with exuberance and humour: "Each project has its own history of encounters. Saloon will tap into the rich heritage of our new adventure. The creators, artists and craftspeople integrate these elements into the different artistic languages they use. I like to choose the people who surround me, as it gets the endeavour fifty percent of the way there. Then, I like to give each of them free rein to exercise their talents and imagination. This is why I propose the raw story to them as a backbone around which they articulate and develop the creation according to their expertise. From the beginning to end of the creative process, this back and forth of exchanges between the talent and I fleshed out the raw story until Saloon was fully created. Another ingredient we never forget in the different steps of our creation is the audience and the desire to bring them together with the artists around a celebration of music, dance, circus, set design, sound and theatre - to unite them as one."

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit The Soraya or call 818-677-3000. Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. Ticket prices subject to change.