Circus Spectacular MOTHER AFRICA: MY HOME to Swing Into New Victory Theater for the Holidays

This holiday season, experience the joyous spirit of Mother Africa: My Home, an all-new circus spectacular set in Cape Town's largest township, Khayelitsha. Returning with their latest show, the 2014 Drama Desk nominee for Unique Theatrical Experience brings its vibrant mix of modern circus acts with African dance and music to The New Victory Theater from December 2, 2016 to January 1, 2017.

Mother Africa: My Home celebrates the hustle, vitality and energetic atmosphere of everyday life in a South African township. A diverse cast of 26 acrobats, musicians and dancers from different countries throughout the African continent transform the New Victory stage into a bustling marketplace filled with breathtaking feats, exuberant afro-beats and a swirl of colorful bazin and kitenge fabrics. The rare Icarian Games from Ethiopia--in which foot jugglers toss fellow cast mates into the air--appear alongside a body-bending contortionist, an African Gumboot dance and more than a dozen awe-inspiring acts. Throughout the show, a live band keeps the party going with every strike of the congas and strum of the kora, showcasing Africa's expressive dance culture.

Rich in rhythm and robust in song, Mother Africa has earned rave reviews around the globe and has performed for millions worldwide since the company's debut in 2006. A portion of the company's profits benefit charities in Khayelitsha, including organizations engaging HIV-positive children with circus arts.

The performers of Mother Africa received their training at director Winston Ruddle's African Acrobatic Academy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Young people who exhibit significant talent are invited to study a suitable artistic discipline and participate in a program where all materials, meals and daily transportation to and from the school are paid for by the Academy. Over the years, Ruddle has trained over 150 young African performers, and for most of them, the African Acrobatic Academy is an opportunity to escape the poverty of their homeland. The young performers' dedication to their art form and cultural heritage translates into an effusive and seemingly inexhaustible joy for performance.

Mother Africa shows are created and produced by Winston Ruddle and Hubert Schober. Mother Africa: My Home is Co-Directed by Winston Ruddle and Ulrich Thon. The creative team also includes dance choreographers Simon Nene, Clive Madlala and Noluyanda Mqulwana; assistant trainers Gombragchaa Ianjmaa and Rajubu Nasoro Zubwa; costume designers Tsendbyamba Erdeneshoo and Tumaini Baraka Mrutu; and the set designer Eddy Frühwirth with stage imagery by Ginger Wensky.

The acrobats in Mother Africa: My Home are Tomas Teka Alemu, Tamrat Yemane Ayalew, Ermiyas Muluken Sima, Elsabet Basaznew Belayneh, Zenebech Kassa Meherete, Mamadi Diabate, Segn Mitku Wakjira Mohamed Tadei Mohamed, Baraka Juma Ferouz, Theresa Muteta and Abreham Abebe Mola. The singers and dancers are Christina Benedict Jacob, Clive Madlala. Charles Edward Hizza, Asha Mohamed Ally, Hassani Hamadi Muya, Thandokuhle Phumzile Zondo and Hadija Nasibu Hassan. Performing live on stage, the band includes Benick Pompido Dominick, Roy Gregory Figueiredo, Moussa Drame, Stephen William Gambo, Nurdini Athumani Makimu, Khamis Suleiman Mlenge, Richard Leonard Mwanisawa and Bizimana Emmanuel Ntavyo.

There will be an Autism-Friendly Performance on Friday, December 16 at 7pm*, which means that lighting and sound elements are adapted to accommodate sensory sensitivity needs.

Mother Africa: My Home has a running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, including one intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up.

Tickets for Mother Africa: My Home at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) are $13, $16, $22 or $36 for Members based on seat locations, with full price tickets starting at $20 for Non-Members. Tickets are available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010). The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday & Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.

Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including locked-in discount ticket prices, free unlimited exchanges (up to 48 hours in advance) and access to a first-look purchase period for newly added performances.

The New Victory Theater brings kids to the arts and the arts to kids as New York City's premier theater devoted to the highest quality performing arts for kids and families. Serving the city in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices. In addition to its public performances, the New Vic is also the largest provider of live performance to NYC school kids, serving 40,000 students in grades PreK-12 from more than 200 schools, after school programs and day camps each year. The New Victory Theater's contributions to the cultural landscape of the city have been honored by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, a national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts and a Drama Desk Award for "providing enchanting, sophisticated children's theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people."

Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street is an independent nonprofit organization charged with the continuous cultural revival of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Committed to the transformational power of the arts, The New 42nd Street builds on the foundation of seven historic theaters to make extraordinary performing arts and cultural engagement part of everyone's life. The New 42nd Street fulfills this purpose by ensuring the ongoing vibrancy of 42nd Street's historic theaters; maintaining and fully using the New 42nd Street Studios and The Duke on 42nd Street to support performing artists in the creation of their work; and through The New Victory Theater, New York's premier theater for kids and families.

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