Gingerbread men, toy soldiers and snowmen will come to life to perform daring and mesmerizing theatrical performances with holiday cheer aimed at entertaining children — and the simply young at heart.
Before ringing in the New Year, the Mainstage at Proctors will round off the holiday season with four performances from Friday, Dec. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 30, of “Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” which is created and directed by Neil Goldberg. An international cast of more than 30 performers from nine different countries brings the holidays to life by donning intricate costumes and soaring with acrobatics. The larger-than-life set holds 30-foot tall soldiers, colossal candy canes and gigantic gifts. An original score, with some holiday classics, completes the scene.
“‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ continues the spirit of our brand first established in 1993 … to present quality, accessible entertainment throughout the world integrating limitless imagination with multiple performance genres,” Goldberg said in a statement.
Jenn Sierra, company manager with Cirque Dreams, said Goldberg’s fascination with holiday ornaments inspired the production, which brings that whimsical view of the holidays to life. Over the years, he has amassed a collection of around 10,000 holiday ornaments, Sierra said.
“Ever since he was a young child he has had a fascination of holiday ornaments,” Sierra said.
The production should be something good for the whole family to attend, Sierra said, with children captivated by the holidays coming to life and adults being astonished by world-class athleticism.
“It is something you could bring your kids to or your grandparents to,” she said. “I think the little ones will really marvel at the costumes and spectacle of the show. … There are certain scenes I literally still hold my breath.”
Many people have holiday traditions, but she said seeing “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” would provide something fresh and different in addition to beloved activities.
“This is something new and original that they haven’t seen yet and I think that that is a strong appeal of the show,” she said. “It is nice to be able to escape for a couple of hours and bring your family to something they can all enjoy together. The holidays are first and foremost about spending time with family and do something that you can create a memory with.”
This is the first time the Broadway production has come to Proctors, with the company’s production “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy” previously running. The current production’s run at Proctors is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council of the Arts.
Sierra said she recently visited Proctors for the first time and was impressed with the historic theater.
“It is a really beautiful venue,” she said. “It is so charming … it is very historic Vaudeville house.”
The performances will be on Friday, Dec. 28, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets to “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” range from $20 to $50 and can be purchased at Proctors Box Office at 432 State Street, Schenectady, by calling 346-6204 and online at proctors.org.
Group discounts are available by calling 382-388 ext. 139 and military discounts are available in person at Proctors box office for all Active Duty, Reserve and Guard personnel with military ID.