The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - ReviewsOld
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder at Navy Pier

First Look review: Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder at Navy Pier

By TheRealChicagoOnline
June 3, 2013
396
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Acrobatic prowess and sheer athletic intensity will keep you on the edge of your seat

By Richard Ray

Playing at:  Navy Pier’s Pepsi Skyline Stage, Wednesdays at 2, 6 and 8 p.m., Thursdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Fridays at 2, 7 and 9 p.m., Saturdays at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 4 p.m. through Sept. 2

www.NavyPier.com/CirqueShanghai

600 E. Grand Avenue

Background: Cirque Shanghai: Dragon’s Thunder, is directed by Miao Miao Chen, a critically acclaimed acrobat and contortionist from China who has been dazzling audiences since the age of five. With a total of 36 troupe members, this is the largest Cirque Shanghai cast to visit the U.S.

What to expect: The stunning ability and range of skill displayed on stage is sure to entertain. From rhythmic drum compositions and vibrant costumes to cocky acrobats demanding the crowd cheer them on before executing breathtaking — not to mention potentially deadly — stunts, there is something here for everyone.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

What stood out: The Gravity Swings,consisting of two giant platforms flying back and forth while multiple acrobats flip and spin from one to the other at death-defying heights.

The Wheel of Destiny is another showstopper, as two giant hamster wheel-like contraptions connected to one another spin from suspension cables while two acrobats climb inside and out. At one point, one troupe member wears a blindfold and then jumps rope all while standing on top of one of the wheels. These two acrobats are definitely crowd favorites.

One of the less anxiety-inducing acts is the graceful Silks or Shoulder Ballet, where dancers show off a softer and more elegant side, though still captivating your attention with the mind-blowing pretzels they bend their bodies into.

Of course the finale, The Globe of Death, is a fitting one with five motorcyclists zooming around one another in a giant steel cage. There’s a good chance you won’t even blink.

Final thoughts: Cirque Shanghai is a theatrical exhibition of what amazing things can be done with the human body. The confidence of the troupe and their ability to engage the audience makes the show that much more enjoyable for any age — toddlers to adults.

The Pepsi Skyline State at Navy Pier is a great location too, outdoors but covered, with easy access to concessions and the surrounding Navy Pier attractions to explore before or after the show.  

 

 

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsCirque ShanghaiDragon's ThunderMiao Miao ChenNavy PierPepsi Skyline StageRichard Ray
Previous Article

Chicago Insider: Megan Tormey on farmer’s markets, ...

Next Article

We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with Dabble ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Relationship rejuvenation: Try these unique ideas for adding some romance and fun

    January 1, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Winter WonderFest, Sketch Comedy Festival, Chicago Theatre Week and lots of bacon

    December 21, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider John Barbaro on rooftop bars, Prime and Provisions and pouring beer at Tapster

    July 1, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Last-minute ideas to ring in the New Year with food, drink and festivities

    December 30, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Lobster Fest, Broadway in Chicago’s free summer concert, The Hampton Social opens and more

    August 14, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • We Ask, They Answer

    We ask, they answer: Q&A with Jack Green, Nick Pobutsky and Jim Rafferty from Chicago’s Green Curtain Events

    July 18, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Down-home Chicago: The search for the city’s best comfort food

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Coffee craze: Exploring the best, most unique independent coffee shops Chicago has to offer

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.