Marcus Center For The Performing Arts Presents THE PEKING ACROBATS

THE PEKING ACROBATS®, a troupe of China's most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments will bring their 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics to North America for an extensive 40-city tour of North America, including many cities in Canada. Their Gala Twenty-Fifth Silver Anniversary North American Tour will begin in January 2011 and continue through April 2011. THE PEKING ACROBATS will appear at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale Tuesday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office located at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, by phone at the Marcus Center Box Office at 414-273-7206 or online at www.MarcusCenter.org.

THE PEKING ACROBATS played to sold-out houses and earned rave reviews during their twenty-four previous headline Theatre Tours from 1986 through 2010. When THE PEKING ACROBATS returned to Broadway in New York City, they made headlines. Their sold-out three-week engagement thrilled audiences of all ages. The reviews said it all, with virtually every word of these glowing articles quotable, here is a highlight:

"Amazing! Zounds! The vocabulary of exclamation seeks expression as the medium of awed and surprised reaction to the wondrous feats of THE PEKING ACROBATS! In their graceful efforts...these brightly costumed tumblers, acrobats, cyclists, jugglers and clever clowns provide 90 minutes of family fun that infuses springtime in New York with an extra measure of joy."
~ Lawrence van Gelder, New York Times

THE PEKING ACROBATS have been the featured performers on numerous television shows and celebrity-studded TV Specials including appearances on THE Wayne Brady SHOW as well as NBC's RING IN THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL, Ellen Degeneres. THE PEKING ACROBATS set the world record for the Human Chair Stack on Fox's GUINNESS BOOK PRIMETIME where they astounded television audiences with their bravery and dexterity as they balanced six people precariously atop six chairs, 21 feet up in the air, without safety lines! THE PEKING ACROBATS are also making the Hollywood scene on the silver screen as company members were featured in director Stephen Soderbergh's hit film Ocean's 11, playing with Hollywood's elite such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney. 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 star-studded Hollywood Premiere of Ocean's 13 in June 2007.

THE PEKING ACROBATS are still enjoying great success from the release of their very first DVD, recorded on their 2005 North American Tour as a television special for HDNet. Their performance, filmed in High Definition format, has aired numerous times on HDNet television. THE PEKING ACROBATS are excited and honored to have been selected by HDNet to be among the first performing ensembles of their kind to participate in such an innovative technology as high definition television, reaffirming THE PEKING ACROBATS commitment to bringing their unique and ancient art form and tradition into the 21st Century! THE PEKING ACROBATS DVD's and other souvenir items are currently available for purchase by the public at their performances and on the internet at www.iaipresentations.com or www.chineseacrobats.com. Their Web Boutique is always open for fans to browse and purchase THE PEKING ACROBATS brand items at www.iaipresentations.com.

THE PEKING ACROBATS ability to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art. Records of acrobatic acts can be found as early as the Ch'in Dynasty (221 B.C. - 207 B.C.). In fact, the name China is actually derived from the Ch'in Dynasty. According to Fu Qifeng, author of Chinese Acrobatics Through the Ages, acrobatics originated from the people's daily life, drawing from their experiences in work, war, and sacrificial rites. During the Warring States Period, acrobatics became widespread. It was believed that practicing acrobatics could steal people's will, increase their physical strength and the accuracy of their movements.

During the Han Dynasty (207 B.C. - 220 A.D.), acrobatics flourished, and this wide variety of juggling, tumbling, and magic acts came to be known as the "Hundred Entertainments." It was at this time, according to historian Fu Qifeng, that Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty presented the first grand acrobatic performance at the Imperial Court. The Emperor Wu Di invited a number of important foreign dignitaries, thus making this performance the first time in Chinese history that acrobatic art was presented for diplomatic purposes. The foreign guests were so impressed by what they saw that they agreed to enter into military and trade alliances with the Han Emperor.
Continuing the tradition of Chinese acrobatics inspiring confidence and impressing one's guests, THE PEKING ACROBATS have also been expanding their reach in the Corporate and Special Events milieu. They have performed for such prestigious clients as Johnson & Johnson Medical in Beijing, China; the Unisys Corporation in Macau, China; the Smithsonian Institute Associates in Washington, DC; the International Monetary Convention in Beijing, China; Ferrari/Maserati in Beverly Hills, California; Lucent Technologies and Pepsi-Cola in Hawaii; and at Walmart's 2010 Shareholder's Meeting in Fayetteville, AR.

In China today, professional acrobatic troupes have many outlets for displaying their talents. Some appear on Chinese television shows as the broadcast industry in China has expanded to include several television channels featuring diverse programming. Some travel throughout China bringing their own unique costumes, stage props, and acrobatic styles to factories, villages, army units, remote areas, and frontier outposts. Still others have formed joint ventures with Theme Parks as an economically thriving China has fostered the growth of its own family entertainment industry, where they perform seasonally as part of the theme park's entertainment, much like here in the U.S. As time goes by, it is telling that the Chinese Acrobatic tradition just gets stronger, due to the continued innovation of the artists and the endless enthusiasm from their adoring public.

For their Gala 2011 Twenty-Fifth Silver Anniversary North American Tour, THE PEKING ACROBATS performances will be more awesome and spectacular than ever before, featuring all new acts and new twists on old favorites, incredible costumes, and special effects. For the first time ever, THE PEKING ACROBATS welcomes THE WOMEN'S PEACE ORCHESTRA OF CHINA to share the stage with them. This incredible ladies' musical ensemble will thrill audiences as they play traditional Chinese instruments with 21st Century style and sophistication, adding yet another dimension to THE PEKING ACROBATS Silver Anniversary Tour! THE WOMEN'S PEACE ORCHESTRA OF CHINA has 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. Also in 2009, they performed for Chinese Heads of State on Chinese Independence Day at the Zhong Nan Hai building in Beijing. For this tour, THE WOMEN'S PEACE ORCHESTRA OF CHINA will blend their unique talents with the ancient artistry of THE PEKING ACROBATS to celebrate twenty-five years of awesome entertainment on THE PEKING ACROBATS Silver Anniversary North American Tour!

THE PEKING ACROBATS have performed the world over for twenty-five years to standing ovations and packed houses, including such far-reaching corners of the globe as Australia, Europe, throughout the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and numerous Asian countries. Now, 2,000 years of tradition, perfection, spectacle, and awesome entertainment comes to Milwaukee - are you ready to be amazed?

THE PEKING ACROBATS will perform at the Marcus Center on Sunday, March 27 at 3:00 p.M. Prices range from $25 - $50 and vary depending on seat location. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, February 1 at the Marcus Center Box Office, 929 N Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at (414) 273-7206, or online at MarcusCenter.org. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 414-273-7121 ext. 210.

About Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Owned and partially funded by Milwaukee County, the Marcus Center has been the premier entertainment destination for Milwaukee and Wisconsin since 1969. It provides the setting for outstanding cultural experiences, where the arts come to life for current and future generations. Located in the heart of the Downtown Theater District, the Marcus Center is a community facility that offers live performances of opera, ballet, children's theater, symphony and first-class national touring productions. For more information visit www.MarcusCenter.org.

 

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