CAL PERFORMANCES PRESENTS ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Saturday, January 23, 2010, 2pm i n c e t h e i r d e b u t in 1986, the Peking (221–207 BC), and Chinese acrobats through the Sunday, January 24, 2010, 3pm S Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions ages have continued to perfect what has become an Zellerbach Hall of Chinese . They perform daring ma- evolving folk art form. The Peking Acrobats ability neuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs. They to perform the astounding is rooted in centuries are experts at treacherous feats of daring trick cy- of this Chinese history and folk art. No doubt the cling, precision tumbling, somersaulting and gym- Chinese acrobats of the Han Dynasty would be Peking Acrobats nastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays awestruck and amazed at how their modern-day of , flexibility and control. They push counterparts have elevated their art form, and the the envelope of human possibility with astonishing fact that their tradition, begun so many ages ago, is dexterity and incredible balancing feats, still going strong in the 21st century. PROGRAM showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are Tradition demands that each generation of ac- masters of agility and grace. Accompanied by live robats add its own improvements and embellish- Opening Ceremony / Double Pole Position musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments ments. Generations of families have carried on this Magic Carpet Ride and high-tech special effects that coalesce with the highly acclaimed and popular tradition. Children music, an exuberant entertainment appears before begin training at a young age and adhere to a rig- Water Meteors your eyes, featuring all of the excitement and fes- orous training schedule which they follow for the Diving Daring Do tive pageantry of a Chinese carnival infused with rest of their lives. Today, the acrobat in is Jar Juggling explosive energy. considered an artist. Because of the unusual and Laughter in the Air Many of the magnificent acts we see today, for difficult nature of the feats involved, high honor all of their seeming modernity, were performed in is conferred upon those skilled enough to become Just Skatin’ By ancient times. The history of Chinese acrobatics is acrobats; in China, an acrobat can be considered Amazing rich in tradition and dates back over 2,000 years. the equivalent of an American opera star. It is tell- The Nose Knows It Throughout the history of China, the acrobatic ing that the Chinese acrobatic tradition continues Five-Girl Contortion arts flourished, but in varying degrees. Originally, to get stronger, due to the persistent innovation Kung-Fu Surprise court entertainments were formal and monoto- of the artists and the endless enthusiasm of their nous, quite the opposite of the lively, folk arts of adoring public. the people. But it all began with folk arts: tum- The Peking Acrobats have been featured on INTERMISSION bling, juggling ordinary household objects and numerous television shows and specials, including balancing. Common games of the people, such as The Wayne Brady Show, That’s Incredible, ABC’s Lion Dance Rang Hitting, or throwing a small wooden strip Wide World of Sports and NBC’s Ring in the New the size and shape of a shoe sole at a target, helped Year Holiday Special. They have also appeared on Let the Spinning Plates Spin to develop accuracy. Modern-day Whip Feats are Nickelodeon’s hit show Unfabulous and Ellen’s Get Strapped In traced back to this game. Myth and religion also Really Big Show, hosted by comedian and talk show Colorful Contortionists influenced the acrobatic performing arts. The Lion host, Ellen DeGeneres. They set the world record Keep It Under Your Hat Dance is Buddhist in origin. The lion was seen as for the Human Chair Stack on Fox’s Guinness Book It’s a Tight Squeeze the reincarnation of a woman, who was teased into Primetime TV show, where they astounded audi- revealing her true identity. This dance was a sym- ences with their bravery and dexterity as they bal- In the High Chair bol of spiritual renewal and was also revered for anced six people precariously atop six chairs 21 feet / Bicycle Pagoda dispelling bad luck. up in the air without safety lines. Internationally, Finale Eventually, however, the excitement of the ac- they have appeared on the Artistgalla, a benefit show robats’ amazing feats caught and held the attention that was filmed live at the Drammens Theatre in of the ruling classes. Acrobatic performers were rou- Oslo, Norway. The Peking Acrobats are also mak- The use of cameras, flash or video photography and tape recorders are strictly prohibited. tinely invited to the court to entertain and impress ing the Hollywood scene on the silver screen as for- visiting dignitaries. The varied acts of tumbling, mer company members were featured in director The Acrobats recommend that parents advise their children that what they see on stage singing, dancing and juggling became known as Stephen Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s 11, playing takes years of practice and should not be tried at home. “The Hundred Entertainments” during the Han with Hollywood’s elite such as Julia Roberts, Brad Brittany App Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Records of acrobatic Pitt and George Clooney. Qin Shaobo, an alumnus Cal Performances’ 2009–2010 season is sponsored by Wells Fargo. acts can be found as early as the Ch’in Dynasty of the Peking Acrobats, appeared in that film’s two

14 CAL PERFORMANCES CAL PERFORMANCES 15 ABOUT THE ARTISTS ABOUT THE ARTISTS blockbuster sequels, Ocean’s 12 and Ocean’s 13. The again. Hollywood Bowl audiences received them Peking Acrobats were also the featured perform- so warmly that it was like a homecoming celebra- ers at the glamorous Hollywood premiere party of tion for the performers. The Peking Acrobats are Ocean’s 13 and impressed the star-studded audi- now bringing their unique artistry to a completely ence with their acrobatic feats. new audience with the symphony concerts and will The Peking Acrobats are also pleased to report continue to do so in the future. on the tremendous success of their first consum- The Peking Acrobats have also expanded their er DVD, initially released on their 2006 North reach into the European market. For the past five American tour and filmed on their 2005 North years, they have toured throughout the continent American tour as a television special for HDNet. and visited such countries as Italy, Belgium, the The DVD is available for sale to the public at the ac- Netherlands and Switzerland. They have traveled robats’ performances and at www.iaipresentations to several of these countries two and three times .com. The show, shot in high-definition format, has over, visiting such cities as Milan, Bologna, Naples, aired many times on HDNet television. The Peking Bruges, Amsterdam and The Hague. Acrobats are excited and honored to have been se- Their affinity for and popularity with lected by HDNet to participate in such technologi- European audiences does not end there, however, cal innovation, thereby putting this attraction on as in December 2009, the Peking Acrobats once the cutting edge of modern technology. again returned to Europe, this time for their fifth The Peking Acrobats continue to perform European tour. Here, again, is another triumph for for symphony concert audiences across America. the Peking Acrobats as they share their incredible Fans will recall that this milestone in their career talents, abilities and culture with ever-widening was achieved when they made their debut at the audiences, building their reputation as the finest Brittany App Hollywood Bowl. They performed as part of the Chinese acrobatic troupe in the world. On all of Hollywood Bowl’s Fireworks Season Finale, where these European tours, the performers have en- Peking Acrobats Staff the company blended their unique brand of ac- deared themselves to the audiences, and so it is Ken T. Hai Company Director robatics with the majestic sound of the 100-piece no surprise that they are asked to return there by Chu W. Jian Group Leader Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The acrobats infused popular demand. The warmth and appreciation of Zhang Ping Technical Consultant Bowl audiences with their powerful maneuvers in the European people makes the Peking Acrobats Jiang Fu Jun Stage Manager a multicultural, multimedia spectacular. Between feel right at home, and the future holds many more Fu W. Fang Orchestra Director the fireworks onstage and the fireworks in the air, such successful tours for the Peking Acrobats, Steve Kirkland Technical Director audiences experienced theatrical alchemy at its much to the delight of their growing numbers of Keenan Hansen Assistant to the Technical Director finest. Concerts such as these have led to many European fans. Mei Ying Hai Translator other performances with symphony orchestras A performance by the Peking Acrobats, there- Wu De An Assistant Translator across the United States, such as the San Francisco fore, brings with it the opportunity to view the Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Buffalo epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition, Philharmonic and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, highlighted by today’s technology melding the an- Tour Credits to name a few. cient and traditional with the modern wonders of IAI Presentations, Inc. The Peking Acrobats have returned to the the 21st century. It is with much pride and pleasure Don Hughes President Hollywood Bowl in three separate outings, most that the Peking Acrobats embark on their 22nd Cynthia A. Dike-Hughes Vice President recently performing with the Hollywood Bowl North American tour. So sit back, relax and en- Katie M. Bates, Graham P. Haworth Production Associates Orchestra in September 2008 with Maestro Tom joy, as our performers reveal to you their mastery Wilkins conducting. They were thrilled at the of a fascinating and ancient art form, thousands of International Asia, Inc. opportunity to play this prestigious venue once years in the making. Ken Hai President

Tour Direction SRO Artists www.sroartists.com

16 CAL PERFORMANCES CAL PERFORMANCES 17