The fancy circus is coming to town. Two, in fact.
Gay producer Neil Goldberg brings his “Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy” to the Cobb Energy Centre in Tuesday, while the bigger and more well-known Cirque du Soleil opens its “Kooza” in January at Atlantic Station. But the two are not related, notes Southern Voice theater critic Jim Farmer.
One common misconception is that “Cirque Dreams” is Cirque du Soleil on stage. It is not, and the two are not related to each other. Goldberg admits that there is competition between the two, laughingly calling it “David vs. Goliath.”
He says that his shows are for everyone, but he thinks gay audiences are amongst its most fervent supporters.
“There are lots of colorful costumes, great choreography and a cutting-edge quality to it,” he says. “This production does have a strong sensuality, seeing what these bodies can do.
“It was not my intention to do a show with such sensuality, but when you have contortionists wrapping themselves around each other, that’s an aspect of it,” he adds.
Two acts in the production really stand out, Goldberg says. In one, a live percussionist plays the role of a frog and plays drums while also juggling. The second finds two performers playing giraffes and balancing themselves on a step-stool on top of a rolling cylinder.
“I still can’t believe it when I see it,” Goldberg admits.
