Oct. 30: Cirque Mechanics brings 'Birdhouse Factory' to CLC Mainstage
Cirque Mechanics, a premiere American circus company that blends performance, inspiring storytelling and innovative mechanical staging, will perform “Birdhouse Factory” at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
This nostalgic tale is set in a 1930s Depression-era widget factory where the workers are acrobats and the machines are circus props, a place where audiences are awed as a contortionist performs on a turntable powered by unicyclists and stunned when the trampoline wall artists defy the laws of physics by virtually flying and walking on air. The show also includes comedic characters, acrobatic dancing and a story of laughter, love, flight and birdhouses.
The creative team for Cirque Mechanics' “Birdhouse Factory” includes Director Chris Lashua, assistant director/choreographer Aloysia Gavre and character actor/performer Steven Ragatz, veterans of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. After nearly a decade of professional bicycle freestyle competitions and performance, Lashua found himself at China's famed “Wu Ciao” festival in 1992, where he won a bronze medal and a place on Cirque du Soleil's Japan tour of “Fascination.” He also performed in the opening act of Cirque du Soleil's “Quidam” in 1996.
The show's inventive machines (trolleys, turntables, conveyor belts, fans, etc.) and the extraordinary talent and energy come from its cast of acrobats, dancers, contortionists and clowns, former members of Cirque du Soleil, the Pickle Family Circus and the Moscow Circus. The show was inspired by the masterful industry murals of Mexican-born artist Diego Rivera, the outrageous illustrations of cartoonist Rube Goldberg and the slap-stick style humor of Charlie Chaplin's film “Modern Times.” Learn more about the company at www.cirquemechanics.com.
Tickets: Single ticket prices: Regular $43/39/33; Senior/Staff/Alumni $42/38/32; CLC Student/Teen $16; Children $13. Prices include a $1 JLC facility fee. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To request a James Lumber Center subscription brochure or the 2013-14 CLC cultural arts calendar, which includes professional series as well as college-sponsored events such as music concerts, theatre and dance productions, films, art exhibits, literary events and much more, call (847) 543-2300 or join the mailing list at www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. Groups of six or more people are eligible for discounted ticket prices. Call group sales at (847) 543-2431 or email JLCgroupsales@clcillinois.edu for more information.