OC-PekingAcrobats

A SupraNet Communications World Cultures Series Event

The Peking Acrobats 25th Silver Anniversary Tour

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. Keenan Hansen

Translator Mr. Chu Chao Ming (Tony)

Assistant Translator Mr. Zhang Ping

Bus Driver Mr. Donny Lowe, Royal Tours

SAT, APR 2, 2011 | Overture Hall Bottled water and beverages in Overture Refillable Souvenir Cups are allowed in the theater during select performances. Purchase a souvenir 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.

This project is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sponsored by

The Peking Acrobats | Overture Center 1

PROGRAM Puppet Fun A Musical Interlude The Lion Dance Water Meteors Jar Juggling ‘Feets’ of Balance Diving Daring Do Unicycle Tricks It’s a Tight Squeeze Colorful Contortion Kung-Fu Surprise ­— Intermission — The Nose Knows It Awesome Adagio The Happy Chefs Flights of Fancy Darling Diablos Save It for a Rainy Day 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 The Peking Acrobats | Overture Center 3

Photo by Jeffery Machtig

A SUPRANET COMMUNICATIONS WORLD CULTURES SERIES EVENT

Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre

SPONSORED BY PEPSI COLA OF MADISON

FRI, APR 15, 8 pm $20–$28 | Capitol Theater Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Native American culture with elaborate and captivating theatrical work celebrating the culture of the Lakota people.

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THE PEKING ACROBATS and balancing. Common games of the people, such as “Rang Hitting,” 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 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 filmed on their 2005 television special for HDNet. This High Definition format DVD is available for sale at this performance and on the The Peking Acrobats | Overture Center 5

THE PEKING ACROBATS 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 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 6 Overture Center | The Peking Acrobats

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 will perform 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.

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 25th Silver Anniversary Tour.

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!

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Overture’s free and low-cost community and education programs are at the heart of our mission to engage the entire community in the arts. In fact, last season, these programs served more people in our community than the total number of tickets sold to all of our performances. These programs are possible only through the generosity of contributors to the Ovation Fund – people just like you who recognize the transforming benefits of the arts and want to ensure that everyone in our community can experience them.

LEARN MORE WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE AT OVERTURECENTER.COM/CONTRIBUTE. OVERTURE’S FREE AND LOW-COST COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Community Ticket Vouchers, Kids in the Rotunda, Duck Soup Cinema, Take 10, International Festival, Overture Galleries, Artist Residencies, Community Arts Access Program, OnStage Performing Arts Series, The Tommy Awards, Educator Workshops, Meet the Artist, Wisconsin Writers Series and Overture After Work

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An American Girl’s Fund for Children Family Series Event

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PATRON SERVICES AND INFORMATION

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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.

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

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

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

Smoking is prohibited in Overture.

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

Food, large bags and other large items are not permitted in the theaters. Bottled water and beverages in Overture Refillable Souvenir Cups are allowed in the theaters at select shows.

In consideration of audience members with scent sensitivities and allergies, please use perfumes, aftershaves and other fragrances in moderation.

Event Staff Stagehand services in Overture are provided by members of Local 251 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Volunteer usher and other services for Overture are provided by Overture Friends.

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RESIDENT ORGANIZATIONS Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society bachdancinganddynamite.org | 608.255.9866

Information is also available at overturecenter.com/tickets/accessibility

Children’s Theater of Madison ctmtheater.org | 608.255.2080

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.

Li Chiao-Ping Dance lichiaopingdance.org | 608.835.6590

Kanopy Dance Company kanopydance.org | 608.255.2211

Madison Ballet madisonballet.org | 608.278.7990

Contacting a patron during a performance: Call 608.258.4179 with the performance the patron is attending and his/ her row and seat number.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art mmoca.org | 608.257.0158

Lost and Found: Visit the information desk in the Rotunda Lobby or call 608.258.4973.

Madison Symphony Orchestra madisonsymphony.org | 608.257.3734

Rentals: For information on renting spaces in Overture Center for weddings, performances, meetings or other events, call 608.258.4163 or email events@overturecenter.com.

Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery wisconsinacademy.org | 608.265.2500

8 Overture Center | The Peking Acrobats

Madison Opera madisonopera.org |608.238.8085

Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra wcoconcerts.org | 608.257.0638