Celebrating the Holiday with Bai Xai Wonder at New Victory

Written by Carol Cain on 14 December 2011

There is a lot going on in NYC this holiday season, and fortunately those looking for something that the entire family can enjoy will find that their to-do list can be quite long. Of course, any time someone asks for something to do that is family-friendly, I like to suggest The New Victory especially this time of year. The New Victory’s holiday line-up has always been something to behold and this year is no exception.

I recently took my family to see Bai Xi, a circus spectacular from Shanghai featuring the world’s premiere company of Chinese acrobats, will run through January 1.

Everyone in my crew, from the adults to the teen to the elementary school-aged ones, were delighted with the performances. They watched in awe as a dancer balanced en pointe on a man’s head, an an acrobat climbed a three-story tower of teetering chairs, and others mastered The Wheel of Death. I even caught myself gasping a few times!

This talented group of contortionists, aerialists and gymnasts perform contemporary and traditional circus feats while bringing a feel of Chinese tradition and color to the stage. The New Victory stage has this amazing way of impressing me every time, for each time it just feels more and more majestic and grand to me.

Bai Xi is directed by Miao Miao Chen, an alumna of one of the top 10 acrobatic troupes in all of China, Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe. Ms. Chen is a gold medal recipient of the International Acrobatics Cup in Shenyang and a recipient of the Gold Lion Award at the International Acrobatics Competition in France.

The Shanghai Circus is definitely awe-inspiring and beautiful to watch. A wonderful holiday show for us to attend as a family. The performance is about 90 minutes long, with a short intermission. Smaller children might not make it all the way through, my youngest lost a little focus towards the end, but we managed to see the entire show to its grand finale. In the end we all enjoyed it and it is on my list of must-sees this holiday season.

Bai Xi tickets for members cost $36, $22, $14, $11. Full-price tickets cost $55, $33, $21, $17.

The New Victory is also presenting Untapped!, by the Australian dance troupe, Raw Metal Dance which features five dancers, a beat boxer named “Dr. Rhythm,” and — to pump up the concert-like vibe — a live rock band in. The show has toured to sell-out crowds in Australia, Asia and Europe, and now brings its urban style to the U.S. for the first time. Raw Metal Dance has performed at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Brisbane, Adelaide Fringe, the Singapore Dance Festival and Holland Dance. Untapped! tickets for Members cost $25, $18, $12 and $9. Full-price tickets cost $38, $28, $18, $14.

General Ticket Information

Theater-goers who buy tickets for three or more New Vic shows qualify for free Membership benefits, including up to 35-percent savings with tickets as low as $9. Full-price tickets for individual productions are as low as $14 each. To purchase tickets online and for performance schedule information, please visit NewVictory.org, and to purchase by phone, call 646-223-3010.

About The New Victory Theater

The New Victory Theater is New York City’s first and only full-time performing arts theater for kids, their families and classmates. Since it opened in 1995, The New Victory has quickly become an integral part of the cultural landscape in New York City, presenting a full season of adventurous multidisciplinary works from around the globe and close to home. The New Victory seeks out sophisticated, thought-provoking, professional productions that are as artistically rich as they are entertaining.

We hope you take a moment to enjoy what The New Victory has to offer this holiday season!

Images courtesy of The New Victory Theater

Disclosure: I received two complimentary tickets to view this performance. All other tickets were purchased on my own. The opinions and views expressed here are strictly my own.