Cirque Eloize Newest Creation will be presented at Park City Institute Eccles Center Main Stage

The Park City Institute is pleased to present the Park City premiere of Montreal-based contemporary circus troupe Cirque Éloize 11th original touring show Saloon - A Musical Acrobatic Adventure.

Inspired by the rich legacy of the Wild West, Saloon transports audiences to a dusty gathering place. Swing open the Saloon doors and rustle up some fun for the entire family with this musical and acrobatic adventure. The stage fizzes and thrums with infectious energy and phenomenal physical feats as 11 top-level cast members perform for a music-packed theatrical thrill-ride! Prepare to be blown away by a chase worthy of the greatest Westerns.

"The show was inspired by our thriving power, the same strength that has motivated us for nearly 25 years. We borrow from the world of the Wild West, which we have so much in common with: a fundamental commitment to moving forward, toughness and the survival instinct, a tendency for irreverence and a sharing sense of community," says Jeannot Painchaud, President and Artistic Director of Cirque Éloize and Creative Director of Saloon. "The Saloon is a wonderful playground for work of artistic exploration. It's also a place of opportunity, one that made us want to try something different. It has the physical energy of acrobatics combined with the poetry of the theatrical approach, punctuated with humour and accompanied by amazing live music. Saloon is bright, funny and musical."

Returning to Park City with an all-new show gives the Park City Institute audience a chance to be enchanted all over again. "We are excited to present two nights of Cirque Éloize's classic cirque arts magic," says PCI Executive Director Teri Orr. "They've added ten-gallon hats, fiery fiddle bows and somersaulting gunslingers to their unique brand of theatrics, dance, acrobatics, live music and a little clowning. This is a show that is family-friendly, or date-night-ready. Its mixture of magic and mayhem is one the Park City Institute audience loves."

This creation also marks the first collaboration between Cirque Éloize and the show's musical director, celebrated Canadian composer Eloi Painchaud (Louis Cyr, La guerre des tuques 3D). Staying close to the musical roots of the artistic director and musical director, who happen to be cousins, Saloon mixes country extracts (Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash) with more festive, folk-inspired compositions. There are four musicians and singers on stage, and all the artists sing or play instruments.

Saloon director Emmanuel Guillaume has put together an acrobatic comedy with 11 top-level, multidisciplinary artists performing with exuberance and humor: "Saloon is an invitation to the party, a fertile ground for emotions where everything is permitted. It's also a meeting of different art forms that were already part of the rich heritage of this mythical place back then," he said.

Saloon tickets start at $29, and $5 student tickets are available through the generosity of donors to the Park City Institute. Tickets are available online at www.ecclescenter.org, by phone at (435) 655-3114, or in person at the box office at the Eccles Center 1750 Kearns Boulevard or the Mega Genius Supply Store at 425 Swede Alley. For more information, please consult www.ecclescenter.org.

Saloon will be presented at Park City Institute, Eccles Center Main Stage, on February 21 and February 22.