By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH IN – Cirque Dreams Holidaze will launch its national tour Sunday night, Nov. 20, on the Honeywell Center Ford Theater stage.
The internationally acclaimed production company chose Wabash for its first of many opening nights this holiday season for many reasons, starting with “we’ve been here before,” according to Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams founder and creative director.
“The theater space is beautiful,” Goldberg told The Paper of Wabash County. “The town has been great for us, you know, with all the accommodations and all the logistics that go into what we need to do. Wabash audiences have been really supportive of the Cirque Dreams brand throughout the years. We’ve had several shows here, including Holidaze, but this production has many, many new elements in it.
The decision also involved logistics, he continued.
Since its start eight years ago, Holidaze, the company’s winter and holiday themed show, has since grown.
“This year, we have three companies touring simultaneously,” Goldberg said. “So over the course of six weeks, we’ll be hitting over 50 cities. The first tour launched last week from Bartlesville, Okla., and opens tonight (Friday, Nov. 18) in Houston. The second tour launched last night (Nov. 17) in Orlando, Fla. I flew all night long to get back here so I’d be here first thing in the morning and this one launches on Sunday and Monday here.
“We’re thrilled to have two performances and, like I said, Wabash audiences have really embraced this.
“I’d love to thank everyone in Wabash for supporting us through the years,” he continued. “We’re here for two nights. This is a great show to put anyone into the season spirit.”
This year’s show will fascinate both first-time audience members and returning fans with its new line-up of performances, Goldberg continued.
“There’s five brand new production numbers and we’re really trying to encompass the entire holiday season,” he said. “So this number … was all about New Years. There’s a whole number about Thanksgiving. There’s a whole number about Hanukkah for the Jewish audiences and a couple other things.
“We always boast over 300 costumes. This year, the show has over 500 costumes. We’ve really elevated it and there’s just something in this show for everyone.”
There will be no bad seats in the Ford Theater either, he continued.
“Most people when they go to the theater, they try to buy seats that are the closest to the stage, because that’s where they think that they’re going to have the best view,” Goldberg said. “Ironically in this show, the further away from the stage you are, the better visual experience you have because there’s so much going on (that) sometimes if you’re really close, you miss some of those little nuances.
“So no one should be discouraged that they may only be able to get a balcony seat because the truth of the matter is, and this is an interview so you can’t really see my face, but if you come here, you’ll probably see me in the balcony.”
More from Goldberg:
Tickets are still available for Sunday and Monday night for $25, $35 and $45.
Both shows will begin at 7:30 p.m.
