Banana Might Turn into Ticket for Shpeel

The newly restored Beacon Theatre will roll out the red carpet Wednesday, Feb 10 for an open house to welcome the all-new Cirque du Soleil production Banana Shpeel, written and directed by David Shiner, scheduled to begin preview performances Feb. 25.

At 4:30pm, the activities begin with the unveiling of the new Banana Shpeel marquee on the Beacon Theatre with costumed performers arriving in a vintage Checker Cab accompanied by show musicians performing live. Upper West Siders and Cirque du Soleil fans will be on hand to greet the cast. To add to the fun, the first 100 guests who arrive with a banana will win two complimentary Banana Shpeel tickets. The bananas will be donated to Life Center, a local New York homeless shelter affiliated with The Garden of Dreams Foundation.

At 4:45pm, the Banana Shpeel cast will lead the public into the theatre for the open house with an exclusive sneak peek at the Banana Shpeel creative process. Guests will see rehearsals on stage, make-up demonstrations, costume displays, and take photos with costumed performers. Local restaurants and businesses will provide complimentary snacks.

The Show is a roller coaster mix of styles that blends intense choreography, crazy comedy and distinctive acrobatic acts. The action follows the brash and over-the-top character, Schmelky, as he emcees his show, a diverse spectrum of performances including tap, hip-hop and eccentric dance, slapstick comedy and Cirque du Soleil acrobatic acts – plus madcap characters spreading chaos in all directions.

For tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com or beacontheatre.com or call 1-800-745-3000.