Cirque du Soleil to Debut David Shiner's Banana Shpeel with Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Longoria
Cirque du Soleil will debut David Shiner’s Banana Shpeel at the Beacon Theatre. The new show, directed by the author, will begin performances on February 4, 2010 and open on February 11, 2010 at the newly refurbished Upper West Side venue. Broadway performers Annaleigh Ashford (Legally Blonde, Wicked) and Michael Longoria (Hairspray, Jersey Boys) are among the cast members.
Banana Shpeel is described as a roller-coaster mix of styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures. The show plunges the audience into the world of Schmelky, a cruel and irritable producer who dangles fame and fortune in front of Emmett (Longoria), an innocent and romantic actor who has come to audition for him. Emmett soon finds himself trapped in a flamboyant, anarchic world where Schmelky sows terror and reigns supreme. Emmett falls in love with the beautiful Katie (Ashford) and meets a bunch of absurd characters, including the strange Banana Man.
Writer/director Shiner started out as a mime in Paris. His career took off in 1984 when he was discovered at the renowned circus festival Cirque de Demain. He later teamed up with Bill Irwin to create the wordless two-man show Fool Moon, which played from 1992 to 1999, including three Broadway runs. Fool Moon picked up numerous prizes, including a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. In 2007, Shiner directed his first Cirque du Soleil production, the big top touring show KOOZA.
In addition to Shiner, Banana Shpeel’s diverse creative team includes Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Crois, who will serve as artistic guides, Serge Roy, who will serve as the director of creation, composer and musical director Jean-François Côté, choreographer Jared Grimes, costume designer Dominique Lemieux, set designer/props co-designer Patricia Ruel, props co-designer Jasmine Catudal, lighting designer Bruno Rafie, sound designer Harvey Robitaille, makeup designer Eleni Uranis and Stefan Haves, who will serve as comic act designer.
