Francois Girard News

See enough Cirque du Soleil productions and the formula becomes clear very quickly.  It's a given that you'll be treated to a collection of world-class jugglers, balancers, acrobats and daredevils displaying skills that would make all but the most jaded widen their eyes and let out the occasional gasp.  But it's the packaging that always varies, though you can always expect a threadbare plot (more concerned with mood than story), forgettable songs and a troupe of clowns whose antics are, on occasion, genuinely amusing.

Last night, June 29, Cirque du Soleil opened its major new acrobatic spectacle, Zarkana, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Performances began Thursday, June 9, 2011 for a limited engagement through October 8, 2011. Presented by iShares, Zarkana is written and directed by acclaimed film and theatre director François Girard (The Red Violin, Silk). BroadwayWorld was on hand for opening night and brings you photo coverage below!

Cirque du Soleil's all-new acrobatic spectacle ZARKANA is currently in rehearsals for its debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The $50 million production has been created especially for the landmark theater, where it will begin previews June 9, prior to an official opening June 29. Directed by Francois Girard, ZARKANA will perform at Radio City through September 4, and return for the next several summers. Broadway Beat was on hand for the special performance preview on May 24, and brings you a first look at the production below!

Cirque du Soleil's all-new acrobatic spectacle ZARKANA is currently in rehearsals for its debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The $50 million production has been created especially for the landmark theater, where it will begin previews June 9, prior to an official opening June 29. Directed by Francois Girard, ZARKANA will perform at Radio City through September 4, and return for the next several summers.

Cirque du Soleil's all-new acrobatic spectacle ZARKANA is currently in rehearsals for its debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The $50 million production has been created especially for the landmark theater, where it will begin previews June 9, prior to an official opening June 29.

Cirque du Soleil's all-new acrobatic spectacle ZARKANA is currently in rehearsals for its debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The $50 million production has been created especially for the landmark theater, where it will begin previews June 9, prior to an official opening June 29.

As part of its 2010-11 mainstage season, HERE proudly presents Soul Leaves Her Body, by filmmaker and video artist Peter Flaherty and dance theater artist Jennie MaryTai Liu.

As part of its 2010-11 mainstage season, HERE proudly presents Soul Leaves Her Body, by filmmaker and video artist Peter Flaherty and dance theater artist Jennie MaryTai Liu.

As part of its 2010-11 mainstage season, HERE proudly presents Soul Leaves Her Body, by filmmaker and video artist Peter Flaherty and dance theater artist Jennie MaryTai Liu.

As part of its 2010-11 mainstage season, HERE proudly presents Soul Leaves Her Body, by filmmaker and video artist Peter Flaherty and dance theater artist Jennie MaryTai Liu.

As part of its 2010-11 mainstage season, HERE proudly presents Soul Leaves Her Body, by filmmaker and video artist Peter Flaherty and dance theater artist Jennie MaryTai Liu.

Soprano Lisa Delan, pianist Kristin Pankonin and cellist Matt Haimovitz, present a rich and varied collection of art songs by living American composers entitled AND IF THE SONG BE WORTH A SMILE: AN EVENING OF AMERICAN SONG, Friday, May 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. at Rose Theater in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Sinfonia Toronto's Masterpiece Series continues January 22nd at 8 pm, highlighting romantic pianism at its best, with a concert featuring Toronto piano virtuoso Yuval Fichman in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.

Sinfonia Toronto's Masterpiece Series continues January 22nd at 8 pm, highlighting romantic pianism at its best, with a concert featuring Toronto piano virtuoso Yuval Fichman in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.

Sinfonia Toronto's Masterpiece Series continues January 22nd at 8 pm, highlighting romantic pianism at its best, with a concert featuring Toronto piano virtuoso Yuval Fichman in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.

Soprano Lisa Delan, pianist Kristin Pankonin and cellist Matt Haimovitz, present a rich and varied collection of art songs by living American composers entitled AND IF THE SONG BE WORTH A SMILE: AN EVENING OF AMERICAN SONG, Friday, May 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. at Rose Theater in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Sinfonia Toronto's Masterpiece Series continues January 22nd at 8 pm, highlighting romantic pianism at its best, with a concert featuring Toronto piano virtuoso Yuval Fichman in Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor.

The show, will begin previews on April 3, 2006 and will open on May 1, 2006.