'Birdhouse Factory' flies to Hemmens

The Hemmens is has announced that through a special arrangement with Cirque Mechanics, its 2008-2009 season will begin a day early with Birdhouse Factory at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. Special discounts are offered for the added performance. This breathtaking, humorous and highly visual extravaganza is set in a factory where the workers are acrobats and the machines are circus props and tells a story of laughter, love, flight and birdhouses.

Cirque Mechanics Birdhouse Factory is brought to life thanks to the vision of its creative team, Director Chris Lashua, Assistant Director/Choreographer Aloysia Gavre and Character Actor/Performer Steven Ragatz, veterans of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. The inventive machines and the extraordinary talent and energy of its cast of acrobats, dancers, contortionists and clowns - former members of Cirque du Soleil, the Pickle Family Circus and the Moscow Circus transform the mundane into the magnificent.

Birdhouse Factory was originally produced and presented by the Circus Center in San Francisco in December, 2004. The show was based on an original concept and material by Chris Lashua and was directed semi-collaboratively with Chris Lashua as Creative Director. The direction was a collaboration between Chris and the co-directors: Rex Camphuis, Sandra Feusi, Aloysia Gavre, and Sam Payne. The original cast also contributed greatly to the content of the show.

Tickets for the Sept. 25 performance are $45 for Golden Circle, $35 for Main Floor and $30 for Balcony. On Friday, Sept. 26 tickets are $60 for Golden Circle, $45 for Main Floor and $40 for Balcony. Children's tickets, age 10 and younger, are $10 on the Main Floor and Balcony. Children's tickets must be purchased at the box office window.

Tickets for this and all of The Hemmens' 2008-2009 Performing Arts Season are on sale now at The Hemmens Box Office, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. To order by phone, call (847) 931-5900 or order online at www.hemmens.org.