OC - Peking Acrobats_1

The Peking Acrobats Company Director Mr. Ken T. Hai Stage Manager Mr. Jiang Fu Jun

Group Leader Mr. Wan S. Kun

Technical Consultant Mr. Zhang Ping

Orchestra Director Mr. Hu W. Feng

Technical Director Mr. Mark Mallory

Assistant to the Technical Director Mr. Shane Kelm

Translator Mr. “Tony” Chu Chao Ming

Assistant Translator Mr. Zhang Ping International Asia, Inc P.O Box 4, Pismo Beach, CA 93448, USA phone 805.474.8422 | fax 805.474.8426 Mr. Don Hughes, President Ms. Cynthia A. Dike-Hughes, Vice President Mr. Jason Hughes, General Manager AND

International Asia, Inc. Mr. Ken Hai, President PO Box 54, Walnut, CA 91788 Tour Direction by SRO Artists www.sroartists.com 6629 University Ave., Suite 206, Middleton WI 53562 phone 608.664.8160

SUN, FEB 12, 2012 | Overture Hall Bottled water and beverages in Overture Refillable Theater Cups are allowed in the theater during select performances. Purchase a theater cup for $3 plus the cost of your drink at any of the concession locations in the lobby, and bring it back next time for a refill.

SPONSORED BY

MEDIA PARTNER

The Peking Acrobats | Overture Center 1

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PROGRAM Pole Position Magic Carpet Ride Keep It Under Your Hat Diving Daring Do Let’s Have A Ball The Nose Knows It Equilibrium Equinox Daring Diablos A Souped Up Strap Act Flowers On The Tree ­— Intermission — Lion Dance Aerial Acrobatics Colorful Contortion The Happy Chefs It’s A Tight Squeeze Let The Spinning Plates Spin In The High Chair Human Pyramid / Bicycle Pagoda Finale The program for this performance will be selected from the above. The Management reserves the right to make alterations in the order of the program or in the cast due to illness or any cause whatsoever. The use of cameras, flash or video photography, and tape recorders are strictly prohibited.

The Management recommends that parents advise their children that what they see on stage takes years of practice and should not be tried at home!

THE PEKING ACROBATS® Since their debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at treacherous feats, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They

are masters of agility and grace.

Many of the acts we see today were performed in ancient times.

The history of Chinese acrobatics is rich in tradition and dates back over 2000 years. Throughout the history of China the acrobatic arts flourished in varying degrees. Originally, court entertainments were formal and monotonous, quite the opposite of the lively, folk arts of the people. And, it did all begin with folk arts: tumbling, juggling ordinary household objects and balancing. Common games of the people, such as “Rang Hitting,” The Peking Acrobats | Overture Center 3

american Girl’S fund for children SerieS

family

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

A Brown Bear, A Moon and A Caterpillar

Treasured Stories by Eric Carle Tall Stories

Twinkle, Twonkle

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sat, Feb 18, 11 am Capitol Theater Tickets starting at $14

sun, mar 11, 3 pm Capitol Theater Tickets starting at $16

overturecenter.com

THE PEKING ACROBATS or throwing a small wooden strip the size and shape of a shoe sole at a target, developed accuracy. Modern day Whip Feats are traced back to this game. Myth and religion also influenced the acrobatic arts. The Lion Dance is Buddhist in origin. The lion was seen as the reincarnation of a woman, who was teased into revealing her true identity. This dance was a symbol of spiritual renewal and revered for dispelling bad luck.

Eventually, however, the excitement of the acrobat’s amazing feats caught on and held the attention of the ruling classes. Acrobatic performers were routinely invited to the court to entertain and impress visiting dignitaries. The varied acts of tumbling, singing, dancing and juggling became known as “The Hundred Entertainments” during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).

Records of acrobatic acts can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) and Chinese acrobats through the ages have continued to perfect what has become an evolving folk art form. The Peking Acrobats’ ability to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries of this Chinese history and folk art. No doubt, the Chinese acrobats of the Han Dynasty would be awe-struck and amazed at how their modern-day counterparts have elevated their art form, and the fact that their tradition, begun so many ages ago, is still going strong.

Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments to their acts. Generations of families have carried on this highly acclaimed and popular tradition. Children begin training at a young age and adhere to a rigorous training schedule which

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THE PEKING ACROBATS they follow over the length of their careers. Today the acrobat in China is considered an artist. Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats; in China, an acrobat can be considered the Chinese equivalent of an American opera star.

Over the years, The Peking Acrobats have been featured on numerous television shows and celebrity-studded TV Specials including The Wayne Brady Show, That’s Incredible, ABC’s Wide World Of Sports and NBC’s Ring In The New Year Holiday Special. They have also appeared on Nickelodeon’s hit show Unfabulous, and Ellen’s Really Big Show, hosted by comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres.

They set the world record for the Human Chair Stack on FOX’s Guinness Book primetime TV show where they astounded audiences with their bravery and dexterity as they balanced six people precariously atop six chairs 21 feet up in the air without safety lines! Internationally, they have appeared on the Artistgalla, a benefit show that was filmed live at the Drammens Theatre in Oslo, Norway.

The Peking Acrobats are also making the Hollywood scene as former company members were featured in director Stephen Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s 11. Qin Shaobo, an alumnus of The Peking Acrobats, appeared in that film’s two blockbuster sequels, Ocean’s 12 and Ocean’s 13.

The Peking Acrobats were also the featured performers at the Hollywood premiere party of Ocean’s 13.

The Peking Acrobats are having continued success with their first DVD, initially released in 2006 and

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filmed on their 2005 television special for HDNet. This High Definition format DVD is available for sale at this performance and on the internet at www.iaipresentations. com. The Peking Acrobats are excited and honored to have been selected by HDNet to participate in such technological innovation, thereby putting this attraction on the cutting edge of modern technology.

Already in pre-production is a DVD commemorating their 25th Silver Anniversary Tour which is scheduled for release in the summer of 2011.

For their 25th Anniversary Tour, The Peking Acrobats welcome the Women’s Peace Orchestra of China to share the stage with them. This incredible ladies’ musical ensemble plays traditional Chinese instruments with 21st century sophistication.

They have won awards in many musical competitions throughout Asia. In 2008, they performed as part of the cultural celebrations for the Beijing Olympic Games. In 2009, they performed at the now famous Bird’s Nest Arena in Beijing for the China World Travel Festival.

The Peking Acrobats continue to perform for symphony concert audiences across America. This milestone in their career was achieved when they performed as part of the Hollywood Bowl’s Fireworks Season Finale, where the company blended their unique brand of acrobatics with the majestic sound of the 100-piece Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Concerts such as these have led to many other performances with symphony orchestras across the US such as the San Francisco Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic and the

A TomcAT ProducTs ouTside The Box series evenT

sun, apr 15, 7:30 pm tickets starting at $12 overture Hall

Luma Theater

What started on Madison’s east side 20 years ago is now “a rare show, bedazzling, truly magical.” (San Francisco Chronicle) post-performance Q&a $10 tickets for k–12 students and educators with ID

overturecenter.com

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Around theWorld in 21 Days

sun, Feb 12 - sat, march 3

The Peking Acrobats

sun, Feb 12, 3 PM tickets starting at $15.50 | Overture hall sponsored by

Ballet Folklorico De Antioquia, Colombia tue, Feb 21, 7:30 PM tickets starting at $12 | Overture hall

Celtic Nights: Journey of hope

WeD, Feb 29, 7:30 PM tickets starting at $21.50 | Overture hall

International Festival

sat, mar 3, 11 am - 5 pm Free | throughout Overture center

overturecenter.com 608.258.4141 | Groups: 608.258.4159

THE PEKING ACROBATS Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

The Peking Acrobats have returned to the Hollywood Bowl in three separate outings, most recently performing with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in September of 2008 with Maestro Tom Wilkins conducting. The Hollywood Bowl audiences so warmly received them, it was like a homecoming celebration for the performers.

Continuing with their tradition of innovation in the symphony concert arena, in May of 2011, The Peking Acrobats performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Canada. These concerts mark the first time The Peking Acrobats have performed with Canadian symphony orchestras.

Wisconsin Union

They have also expanded their reach into the European market. For the past five years, they have visited such countries as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Peking Acrobats bring the opportunity to view a rich and ancient folk art tradition, highlighted by today’s technology, melding the ancient and traditional with the modern wonders of the 21st century. Therefore, it is with much pride and pleasure that we embark on the 26th North AmericanTour.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy as our performers reveal to you their mastery of a fascinating and ancient art form, thousands of years in the making, and celebrate with us 25 years of Awesome Entertainment!

theater

2011- 2012 Great History. Bright Future.

Gaelic storm

Friday , february

17,2012

8pm

Gabriel Iglesias

comedy central fluffy shop tour s aTUr day, march 3, 2012 , 8 p m

Bela Fleck and the

Flecktones T H Ur s d ay,

march 1, 2012 , 8 p m

sierra Maestra

cuba's top son band dance party @ great hall

Friday , March 23,

2012, 8 p m

608.265.arts :: Memorial Union www.uniontheater.wisc.edu this theater season is suppoted in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the national endowment for the Arts. the Wisconsin Union theater season is programmed by the Wisconsin Union Directorate performing Arts committee.

A Wisconsin Union DirectorAte experience

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Overture Center for the Arts would like to recognize

our 2011/12 Community Partners and thank them for all they do to support Madison’s thriving arts community.

LegACy SPOnSOrS

PLAtinuM COMMunity PArtnerS American girl’s Fund for Children SiLver COMMunity PArtnerS

American Family insurance Bell Laboratories Capital newspapers, inc.

DeWitt ross & Stevens Food Fight, inc. gammex Provideo SvA

Supranet Communications tDS telecommunications tOMCAt Products unity uW Hospital and Clinics uW Medical Foundation Webcrafters

BrOnze COMMunity PArtnerS Murphy Desmond S.C. Smart Motors

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the Bruce Company of Wisconsin CunA Mutual group Custer Financial Services the Fiore Companies, inc. goodman’s Jewelers Hovde Properties J.H. Findorff & Son inc.

Mge Foundation

Mullins group Park Bank Pepsi Cola of Madison the robert H. Keller Co. Steve Brown Apartments von Briesen & roper Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. WiSC-tv *List current as of December 2, 2011

Photo Š Todd Rosenberg Photography

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Your enjoyment is important to us. Please contact an usher or the ticket office if you have any concerns about your experience here.

ORDERING & INFORMATION Order online! overturecenter.com Phone orders: Call 608.258.4141 Mail or fax: online order form at overturecenter.com or in our magazine.

Etiquette Please turn off all paging devices, cell phones and watch alarms.

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Buy in person: Visit the ticket office located on the main floor just off the Rotunda Lobby.

The use of cameras or tape recorders in the theaters is prohibited without written permission from Overture Center and the performing company’s management.

Ticket office hours: Mon–Fri, 11 am–5:30 pm; Sat, 11 am–2 pm; open additional hours evenings and Sundays on days of ticketed performances.

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PATRON SERVICES & POLICIES Accessibility: Request accommodations when ordering your tickets. Call 608.258.4144 for information, questions, or to request the following:

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wheelchair-accessible seating house wheelchair for transport sign language interpretation Braille playbill other accommodations

Information is also available at overturecenter.com/tickets/accessibility Children and lap seating: Every person, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theaters for performances. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted at certain performances. See our season brochure, visit our website or call the Help Line at 608.258.4143 for information.

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For information, visit overturecenter.com/ contribute/volunteer or call 608.258.4177.

RESIDENT ORGANIZATIONS Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society bachdancinganddynamite.org | 608.255.9866 Children’s Theater of Madison ctmtheater.org | 608.255.2080 Kanopy Dance Company kanopydance.org | 608.255.2211 Li Chiao-Ping Dance lichiaopingdance.org | 608.835.6590 Madison Ballet madisonballet.org | 608.278.7990 Madison Opera madisonopera.org |608.238.8085 Madison Symphony Orchestra madisonsymphony.org | 608.257.3734 Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery wisconsinacademy.org | 608.265.2500 Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra wcoconcerts.org | 608.257.0638