Acrobatic performers, costumed characters and singers will celebrate winter and holidays in “Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” running from Dec. 26-30 at Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale.
The national tour of “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” is celebrating its 10th anniversary show in grand style with more than 300 costumed performers that sing, dance and perform acrobatics to stunning choreography.
“It is a dream to have our performers do ‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ for a decade with the enthusiasm that still exists when the shows were first created,” said Cirque Dreams founder and director Neil Goldberg of Fort Lauderdale.
“‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ has the distinct advantage of being like no other circus spectacle. Neil Goldberg is known for his proscenium stage circuses. This is entertainment that is rooted in circus but also dips its seasonal toes into having a wide variety of performers with specific special talents,” wrote Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune in his review of the show in 2014.
A highlight of the two-hour show will be a tribute to Hanukkah with a giant menorah on stage and performers commemorating Hanukkah in a unique way.
“I don’t want to give away what the performers do, but I will say that you will come away from the tribute to Hanukkah, as with all aspects of the show, seeing a lot of stunning performances with special visual effects,” said Goldberg.
“Hanukkah is a joyful time and I wanted to share the joy of the holiday and my tradition on stage,” said Goldberg.
Along with the tribute to Hanukkah, audiences will see on stage, along with the acrobatic stunts and singers, performers who are costumed as angels, gingerbread men, penguins, reindeer, snowmen and toy soldiers, among other characters.
“The show is festive and imaginative in seeing the world through creative lens that is exciting for every member of the family,” said Goldberg.
Goldberg founded “Cirque Dreams” in 1993 and, along with creating many “Cirque” shows, produced shows for the National Football League Super Bowls, the Miss Universe beauty pageant, and Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Born in Long Island, Goldberg was raised Orthodox and by age 12, he started to take dance and music lessons as he became immersed in musical theater.
In addition, he also worked in the family business at Mendel Goldberg, the family fabric store founded by his great grandfather in 1892 that still stands today.
“It is from my work as a youth that I learned the importance of color coordination, design and manufacturing that became important skills in creating the ‘Cirque’ productions,” said Goldberg.
Goldberg shares his Orthodox upbringing with his performers by inviting them to experience a Friday night Shabbat meal.
He also founded the Neil Goldberg Dream Foundation which assists young performers through funding, performing and training opportunities.
For tickets at Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, call 954-462-0222 or go to www.browardcenter.org.
To learn more about “Cirque Dreams” founder Neil Goldberg, go to www.cirqueproductions.com.
