Cirque du Soleil Partners with MSG for Annual Winter Show

Variety reports that, beginning next year, Madison Square Garden will host an annual winter spectacular presented by Cirque du Soleil.

Premiering late next year and running 10 weeks a year through at least 2010, the winter-themed show will be presented by the popular Canadian troupe and MSG Entertainment at Madison Square Garden's 45,000-seat Theater.

The "family-oriented show marks the first semi-permanent Gotham outpost for Cirque, whose prior New York outings have been tour stops for productions performed in temporary tents (Alegria) or in arenas (Delirium)," according to the article.  The "troupe already has five permanent shows in Vegas and another in Orlando, Fla., plus six touring globally. (One, the 14-year-old Saltimbanco, will be retired at the end of the year, to be replaced by a new road show in the spring.)."

The new show will be the first Cirque du Soleil show geared specifically toward family audiences.  Although the production will center around the theme of winter and will not focus on one specific holiday, more details have yet to be announced.

The Cirque du Soleil show will replace the customary musical theatre offerings that are performed at MSG's Theater during the holiday season.  Last year, Cathy Rigby took Peter Pan to the theater, while Annie, starring Kathie Lee Gifford, is slated for the 2006 holidays.  Prior to Peter Pan, the Ahrens and Menken musical version of A Christmas Carol was presented annually for 10 years.

The MSG Cirque du Soleil may possibly set off a chain of holiday "Cirque" shows playing MSG Entertainment venues, such as the Beacon.  "We have a lot more dates and a lot more venues to fill," said Hank Ratner, vice chairman of MSG and Cablevision.

Known for its visually spectacular fusion of circus, dance and performance art, Cirque du Soleil's current production is La Nouba.

Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com or www.madisonsquaregarden.com for more information.