SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW Blows into Toronto in Time for the Holidays

Show One Productions and Civic Theatres Toronto present the international sensation SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, December 7 to 16, 2018 in the Bluma Appel Theatre at St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Returning to Toronto for the first time in two decades, the scruffy, disarming troupe of clowns will take audiences on a spellbinding adventure, unleashing full-throttle madness amidst enchanting, contemplative moments, before roaring to its legendary finish.

"With every performance, this production achieves the impossible: It takes an audience of adults and returns them to a state of childlike wonder," says Svetlana Dvoretsky, Show One Productions Founder and Producer. "In response to this show, I have personally witnessed audiences of all ages engage in the wild abandon of play; immersed in the rare beauty of this spectacle. I can think of no better gift to give to a loved one - or to oneself - during the Christmas season."

"The creator of SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, Slava Polunin is one of the great living minds in theatre and one of the world's most famous living clowns," offers Mark Hammond, Vice President of Programming at Civic Theatres Toronto. "SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW has enormous universal appeal. It transcends language, age, geography, and presents an experience that is joyfully, fundamentally human - and infinitely accessible."

After conquering the world's leading cities many times over, SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, a visual and musical extravaganza, offers a dream-like vision that overflows with theatrical magic and humorous antics. The production is set within an absurd and surrealistic world of 'idiots on the loose', a work of art in which each scene paints a picture: an unlikely shark swimming in a misty sea; clowns and the audience tangled up in a gigantic spider's web; heart-breaking goodbyes with a coat rack on a railway platform; audience members hypnotized by giant balloons; and an out-of-this-world snowstorm that's sure to leave audiences spellbound.

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW is the recipient of more than 20 international awards, including an Olivier award for Best Entertainment, a Drama Desk Award, and a Tony Nomination. In addition to unanimous public acclaim, the production is a darling with critics who have declared it "a thing of rare theatrical beauty not to be missed" (London Daily Telegraph) and confessed, "my heart leapt... [Snowshow] induces waves of giggles and sighs of pleasure." (New York Times)

Born in a small town in central Russia, Slava Polunin discovered the art of pantomime in high school. As he grew to adulthood in Leningrad, he developed an eccentric version of the form, which he lovingly dubbed 'Expressive Idiotism.' From 1979 on, Slava quickly became a fixture on Russian stages and TV, sharing his gifts and continuing to redefine the art of clowning with his poetic and poignant approach to comic performance. This discovery would reach its zenith with SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, which burst onto world stages at the 1996 Edinburgh Festival to universal praise and wonder. Since its debut, the work has toured constantly, introducing new audiences and generations to its world of dreams, fantasies, and childlike wonder.

Tickets at ticketmaster.ca, by calling 1.855.872.7669, or in person at any Civic Theatres Toronto box office:

• Toronto Centre for the Arts Box Office, 5040 Yonge St., Tuesday - Saturday 1pm - 6pm
• Lawrence Centre for the Arts Box Office 27 Front St. E., Monday - Friday, 12pm - 6pm

Further information at showoneproductions.ca.

About Show One Productions
Show One Productions is a full service Production Company presenting concerts with high-profile classical musicians, opera stars, and orchestras, as well as great dance and theatre companies. Formed in 2004 by Svetlana Dvoretsky, Show One has brought some of the world's greatest names before Canadian audiences, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Valery Gergiev & Mariinsky Orchestra, Dmirtri Hvorostovsky, Eifman Ballet, the Borodin Quartet, and more.

About Civic Theatres Toronto
Civic Theatres Toronto is one of the city's largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues and presenting a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events in both downtown and uptown Toronto at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

As a charitable non-profit organization, the mission of Civic Theatres Toronto is to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and International Artists, and connecting audiences - to be the nexus for new ideas, elevate artistic potential and be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto's diversity.