No bananas in “Banana Shpeel”

Cirque du Soleil’s new show “Banana Shpeel,” which is currently premiering in Chicago, hasn’t been flavoring too well with the windy city. The show, which for some reviews is disappointing in the fact there no actual bananas nor banana colored costumes are viewed, is an attempt at a modern vaudeville show that follows random acts. The show was a tempt at fate, as it was the first time the Montreal based, billion dollar company had ever attempted something out of their comfort zone, with a variety show intended for legit theater (rather than make their own stage or circus tent).

The most disappointing for most is the fact that the Cirque’s biggest trademark – it’s death dying stunts – are subdued in this production that generally features more clowns and Broadway dance routines that anything else. It should be taken with an aversion to not Cirque du Soleil but to a Broadway show in general. Written and directed by former clown David Shiner, his past is evident everywhere in the show that has five primary clows (Daniel Passer, Wayne Wilson, Claudio Carneiro, Gordon White and Patrick de Valette) running around the stage.

Attempt fate with this one – get your Cirque du Soleil tickets today from StubHub!

Posted in General on December 4, 2009

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