For Whom the Gong Tolls

What has power to mesmerize you quicker than the Chinese circus? Nothing, of course. Where else would you see ten people pile on a moving bicycle or steal a peek at a 90-pound man running on his hands? Expect dancing dragons, serious body contortions, flips, flops, juggling, dangling, improbable acts...

By Bill Frogameni

January 3, 2008

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

What has power to mesmerize you quicker than the Chinese circus? Nothing, of course. Where else would you see ten people pile on a moving bicycle or steal a peek at a 90-pound man running on his hands? Expect dancing dragons, serious body contortions, flips, flops, juggling, dangling, improbable acts of balance, maybe even a couple dozen Chinese clowns spilling out of a Yugo, when The New Shanghai Circus comes to the Crest Theatre (51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach).

Chinese circus arts employ enough dazzling acrobats to embarrass a ninja master – causing him to abandon his sword in shame. So how do they pull it off? “They’re amazing. I don’t know how they do what they do,” says Melissa Carter, publicity director for the Crest Theatre. “They have no spine?” she guesses. Maybe so.

The New Shanghai Circus performers bend and twist at the Crest for three nights, January 4-6. Tickets range $34 and $40. Performance times vary. Call 561-243-7922, or visit www.oldschool.org/performances.asp
Fri., Jan. 4, 2008

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.