Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel Shifts New York Start Date

Banana Shpeel, the latest circus-infused piece in the Cirque du Soleil portfolio, has pushed back its previously announced preview dates at the Beacon Theatre in New York. The new production, directed and written by David Shiner, was originally slated to begin performances on February 4, 2010. Banana Shpeel will now begin playing on February 25, with an official opening date to be announced shortly.

The shift in dates allows the company, currently completing an out-of-town run in Chicago, to rehearse in their new home at the Beacon for a full month.

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 new show is presented by Cirque du Soleil and MSG Entertainment, which oversaw a lavish restoration of the historic Beacon Theatre.