{"id":37538,"date":"2017-11-22T09:57:37","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T14:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=37538"},"modified":"2017-11-22T09:57:45","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T14:57:45","slug":"on-stage-finding-neverland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=37538","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Finding Neverland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <em>Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5826\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/neverland.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5826\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5826\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/neverland-350x247.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"247\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5826\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finding Neverland<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Casual fans of touring Broadway shows are usually very happy with a season line-up that includes standards and old favorites. Give them a roster of shows such as \u201cPhantom of the Opera,\u201d \u201cAnnie,\u201d \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d and \u201cCats\u201d and they\u2019re satisfied.<\/p>\n<p>More serious fans look for new shows each season \u2013 shows that have never toured and played the area before.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, the Kimmel Center\u2019s 2017-2018 season has options to keep both camps happy.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The line-up includes familiar shows such as \u201cKinky Boots,\u201d \u201cStomp,\u201d \u201cPhantom of the Opera,\u201d \u201cRain\u201d and \u201cLes Mis\u00e9rables.\u201d It also features for national tours of shows that have never been presented before in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p>One of the new shows has arrived this week.<\/p>\n<p>Now through November 26, the Kimmel\u2019s Broadway Series is presenting \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kimmelcenter.org\/\">www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFinding Neverland\u201d is a Broadway musical that tells the fascinating story of how Peter became Pan. Based on the Academy Award\u00ae-winning film of the same name, it has been brought to extraordinary life by the team behind \u201cShakespeare in Love,\u201d \u201cChicago\u201d and \u201cPippin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The show follows playwright J.M. Barrie, who needs a big hit to save his floundering career. He finds the inspiration he\u2019s been missing when he meets the beautiful widow Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four young sons &#8212; Jack, George, Michael and Peter.<\/p>\n<p>Delighted by the boys\u2019 hilarious escapades, Barrie conjures the magical world of Neverland and writes a play unlike any the high-society London theatergoers have ever seen. It\u2019s a tremendous risk, but as Barrie himself has discovered\u2014when you believe, you can fly.<\/p>\n<p>With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible, and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.<\/p>\n<p>Tony Award\u00ae winner Diane Paulus (\u201cPippin,\u201d \u201cHair\u201d) directs this innovative new musical featuring an original score by noted songwriter\/composer Gary Barlow and Grammy Award\u00ae winner Eliot Kennedy, with a book by celebrated playwright James Graham.<\/p>\n<p>Starring in the show are\u00a0 Lael Van Keuren as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and Billy Harrigan Tighe as J.M. Barrie.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI started off in the ensemble for this show,\u201d said Van Keuren, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Cincinnati, Ohio.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was also the understudy for the role I\u2019m playing now. I did about eight months with the tour and then went back to New York to keep auditioning. \u201cThe producers of the tour called me and asked me to audition for the role of Sylvie and now here I am.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI saw the show once on Broadway and I loved it. It was so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The production went through some changes when it went on the road.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe tour is different,\u201d said Van Keuren. \u201cThey took the first 20 minutes and reworked it \u2013 revamped it and added new songs. Still, it\u2019s equally magical to the Broadway production.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Many fans might already be familiar with \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d from the movie of the same name.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe musical is similar to the movie,\u201d said Van Keuren. \u201cIt tells the same story \u2013 how J.M. interacts with the Sylvie and her family.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s very much a show about the power of belief\u2026of imagination\u2026of never growing up\u2026.and of flying. It\u2019s childlike in that way. For adults, it takes them back to their childhood \u2013 back to more innocent times. It\u2019s also a good \u2018date show\u2019 because it\u2019s a love story.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Van Keuren was born in the far northern part of New Jersey and followed her muse when she was very young.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy mom and I moved to New York when I was in eighth grade so that I could go to a performing arts middle school,\u201d said Van Keuren. \u201cBut, she\u2019s not a stage mom \u2013 she\u2019s a real estate broker. I went to school at the Professional performing Arts School in Manhattan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I was young, my mom was a dancer and she sang at church. I was always an animated child so musical theater was a natural fit. I started acting professionally when I was still in high school and got my Equity Card a few days before I graduated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was in the original Broadway cast of \u2018Sister Act\u2019 and then went out with it on national tour. We played Philadelphia in 2012 and it\u2019s still one of the top three cities I\u2019ve visited.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Now, Van Keuren is back in Philly with a major role.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlaying Sylvie is an emotional role,\u201d said van Keuren. \u201cThere are a lot of highs and a lot of lows. I like her character so much. She\u2019s so courageous \u2013 raising three children by herself. Her focus in life is making her children happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Van Keuren also is pumped about bringing a new show to cities across America.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s something exciting about seeing something that\u2019s new. This show is set in 1903 but it has a contemporary feel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAudiences love it. The story of Peter Pan is so fascinating and so beloved. What child doesn\u2019t dream of flying? And, it\u2019s a really simple tale \u2013 simple but beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Video link for \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/FEc0ZIkL73E\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/FEc0ZIkL73E<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The show is running at the Academy of Music now through November 26. Ticket prices range from $25-$139.<\/p>\n<p>Another highly entertaining and whimsical show \u2013 and a show in which people fly &#8212; has touched down in Philadelphia for a run through the end of the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5827\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/varekai-act-slippery-surface.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5827\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5827\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/varekai-act-slippery-surface-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5827\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Varekai<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Now through November 26, Cirque du Soleil\u2019s \u201cVarekai\u201d will be presented at the Liacouras Center (1776 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.liacourascenter.com\/\">http:\/\/www.liacourascenter.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>In the Romany language, &#8220;Vare-&#8221; is a prefix that corresponds to the English language suffix &#8220;ever&#8221;. &#8220;Kaj&#8221; or &#8220;Kai&#8221; is the Romany word for &#8220;where&#8221;. Put them together and you have &#8220;Varekai&#8221; &#8212; which means &#8220;wherever&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>In the fantasy world of Cirque du Soleil, a land called Varekai exists at the summit of a volcano deep within a forest. From the sky, a solitary young man (Icarus) falls into the shadows of a magical forest and sets off on an adventure. In keeping with its name, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul of the Romany gypsies and to the art of the circus tradition.<\/p>\n<p>In \u201cVareki,\u201d a young man falls from the sky and the story begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world imbued with fantastical creatures, a young man takes flight in an adventure both absurd and extraordinary.<\/p>\n<p>On this day at the edge of time, in this place of pure and undiluted possibility, begins an inspired incantation to a life rediscovered and to a newly found wonder in the mysteries of the world and the mind.<\/p>\n<p>According to the show\u2019s Director Dominic Champagne, \u201c&#8217;Varekai&#8217; is a furious, flamboyant celebration inspired by those artists who, every single day, no matter where the wind carries them, risk their life to challenge the laws of gravity, to jump and dance over the volcano &#8212; to tell the old world that something else is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVarekai\u201d features an international cast of more than 50 artists representing an array of countries including Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<\/p>\n<p>One of these artists is Jamison Lindenburg, one of the show\u2019s featured singers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m the singer and I\u2019m also a character in the show,\u201d said Lindenburg, during a recent trans-Atlantic phone interview from a tour stop in Stockholm, Sweden.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI play the father \u2013 the patriarch of the forest. I sing most of the show. I\u2019m on stage for 80 per cent of the two hours.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy singing partner is Isabelle Corradi. Her sister Violaine Corradi wrote the music for the show. So, if I have a question about show, I just call her sister.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lindenburg got into music as a young boy. He used to mimic American Soul singers of the 60\u2019s and 70\u2019s. His mom heard him sing in the shower and decided to put him in theater classes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and went to Pinellas County Center for the Arts,\u201d said Lindenburg. \u201cThen. I went to New York to study voice and acting at Marymount Manhattan University. I had done Broadway and national tour. In 2008, I went to an open call for Cirque du Soleil in New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lindenburg first got in contact with Cirque du Soleil when he was a teenager in Florida.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I was 16, Cirque du Soloeil came to Tropicana Field in St. Pete,\u201d said Lindenburg. \u201cI got a job as an usher for \u2018Quidam\u2019 while it was touring in the U.S. It was my first real job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then, years later, Cirque du Soleil offered Lindenburg the leading singing position on \u201cQuidam.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI spent eight years with \u2018Quidam,\u2019\u201d said Lindenburg. \u201cIt was a full circle. Then, I jumped to \u2018Varekai\u2019 two years ago,\u201d said Lindenburg.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had seen \u2018Varekai\u2019 a few times before I joined. I saw the show a few times when it was being performed in a tent. But, I had never seen it in a theater \u2013 just a tent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s nice to do the show in a theater but I miss the intimacy of the tent. \u2018Varekai\u2019 retired from the tent in 2013. Since then, it\u2019s been all in arenas. The arena shows are more like rock concerts \u2013 especially for the singers. It\u2019s a huge P.A. system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In \u201cVarekai,\u201d Icarus descends into a populated forest full of curious creatures and is ensnared by a net, stripped of the wings that gave him flight, and hoisted high above the forest floor. In escaping his harsh enrapturement, Icarus flies once again across the heavens in celebration.<\/p>\n<p>But, as he touches the ground he finds himself face to face with a beautiful young creature. Unable to communicate, they begin to mime each other and then fall in love.<\/p>\n<p>Video link for Cirque du Soleil\u2019s \u201cVarekai\u201d \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/YKxyhNQkarc\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/YKxyhNQkarc<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The production will be staged at the Liacouras Center now through November 26. Ticket prices start at $46.<\/p>\n<p>On November 22, the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcafelive.com\/\">www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) will host an interesting triple-bill featuring the Chris Paterno Band, Gooch and the Motion, and Nalani &amp; Sarina.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5828\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/paterno-band-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5828\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5828\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/paterno-band-2-350x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"234\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5828\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Chris Paterno Band<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Chris Paterno Band is a rollicking Philadelphia-based eight-piece that was formed in 2015 by Chris Paterno. Gooch is Ryan \u201cGooch\u201d Nelson, a guitarist who fronts a kick-ass blues band. Nalani &amp; Sarina are dynamic twin singer-songwriter-rockers from New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>The Chris Paterno Band was formed in May 2015 by Chris Paterno (lead vocals, acoustic guitar). Two months later, nine-time Grammy-winning producer Joe Nicolo saw them play at Chaplin\u2019s in Spring City. He quickly signed them to his label, BlacBird Productions, where the band began recording its debut EP.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt all started when I was asked to play a big show at the Pavilion (Villanova University) back in 2015,\u201d said Paterno, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from his home in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first person I contacted was Doug Parsons, my high school English teacher who also played and taught drums. He was all in. So, we gathered some other people and did the show.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt worked well. The next show we did was at Chaplin\u2019s. Joe Nicolo was there to hear us play. Right after the show, he invited us to come see his place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Nicolo, \u201cI love the way Chris mixes the 70&#8217;s horn sound with rootsy folk. People will have a love\/hate relationship with his voice, and I mean that as a true compliment. You want to sound unique. Saying that you don&#8217;t sound like anyone else is probably the biggest compliment I can give an artist.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Soon, the Chris Paterno Band and Nicolo were working together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur first recording was our eponymous EP,\u201d said Paterno. \u201cIt had five originals and one cover. We recorded it at Studio 4 \u2013 Joe\u2019s studio in Conshohocken. We cut it in the fall and winter of 2015\/2016. My favorite track is \u2018Unfaithful\u2019 and \u2018Pressure\u2019 is a close second.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year, we cut a new EP at MilkBoy Studio in Philadelphia. We went in the studio with a camera crew and did five tracks live. We tracked each tune and filmed it. We\u2019ve released two singles from that EP. The first was \u2018Gorgeous.\u2019 The second was \u2018Brighter Days,\u2019 which we just released.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Chris Paterno Band has been selling out its Philly-based shows and has been performing up and down the East Coast. Paterno was recognized by both the SongDoor International Songwriting Contest (top 12 portfolio) and the USA Songwriting Competition (1st Runner Up, SXSW Showcase).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am the songwriter in the band,\u201d said Paterno, who graduated from Episcopal Academy and Boston College. \u201cI\u2019m also the band\u2019s booking agent. I do all the organizational stuff. I sing and play acoustic and electric guitar, but the songwriting is the most important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Video link for the Chris Paterno Band \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/XhZva0cpkTs\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/XhZva0cpkTs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5829\" style=\"width: 235px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/gooch.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5829\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5829\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/gooch-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5829\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ryan \u201cGooch\u201d Nelson<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Ryan \u201cGooch\u201d Nelson, is a singer\/songwriter from New Jersey \u2013 but far from your typical singer\/songwriter.<\/p>\n<p>Nelson is also a quadriplegic who has been diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n<p>A horrific car accident in 2004 left him paralyzed from the neck down. Things got even worse when he was diagnosed with cancer a few years later.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMusic saved my soul\u201d may be a clich\u00e9 or a song title but for Nelson, it\u2019s a statement of fact. The versatile guitarist has used music to provide him with inspiration and optimism.<\/p>\n<p>Nelson is now playing shows in support of his debut album \u201cComin\u2019 Home,\u201d which was produced by Joe Nicolo and released on Nicolo\u2019s BlacBird label.<\/p>\n<p>Video link for Gooch and the Motion &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/lnLtq3tOtm0\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/lnLtq3tOtm0<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5830\" style=\"width: 332px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nalani-sarina-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5830\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5830\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/nalani-sarina-2-322x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"322\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5830\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nalani &amp; Sarina<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nalani &amp; Sarina have been building a huge fan base in the Mid-Atlantic region for the last five years. The duo has performed at a variety of venues around the area &#8212; including Kennett Flash, the Eagleview Concert Series in Exton, World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen, and the Ladybug Festival.<\/p>\n<p>The highly-talented twins, who are in their early 20s, have already established themselves as top-flight vocalists, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists.<\/p>\n<p>They have self-released several well-crafted albums and singles. Now, they are ready to take it to another level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been in and out of the studio,\u201d said Nalani Bolton, during a phone interview Monday from her home in central New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>\u201clately, we\u2019ve been finishing up mixing and mastering \u2013 putting the finishing touches on our latest project.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe record with our engineer Julian Herzfeld and Greg Thomas at Julian\u2019s studio in Wayne and also at Carriage House Studio in Stamford, Connecticut.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to have enough material for a full-length. We\u2019ll probably do a couple single releases and that will lead to a full-length. It\u2019s a singles-driven world and we\u2019ll be trying to build momentum through the singles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sarina Bolton said, \u201cWe\u2019ve been recording a lot. We\u2019re taking a pretty relaxed approach &#8212; doing it piece-by-piece\u2026song-by-song. There are no deadlines and that makes it a lot less stressful.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the songwriting, we had a new approach this time. The songs on our last album were based on personal experiences. This time, it\u2019s other people\u2019s stories \u2014 more of a world-wide approach. It\u2019s observational writing geared to people our age<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a combination of first person and third person. We\u2019re writing about people our age \u2013 observing other people\u2019s stories. It\u2019s like a story about kids\u2019 lives from their early to late 20s \u2013 love, first relationships, work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe songs are about what life is like for people our age. But, people of all ages can relate to these songs. We\u2019ve had older people tell us that they can identify with these songs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nalani and Sarina\u2019s fans can expect new material soon after the holidays.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have everything lined up,\u201d said Nalani. \u201cWe do have a timetable for the singles. But, there won\u2019t be any official announcement quite yet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe did just sign a distribution deal with AWAL. They\u2019re a good company for independents because you keep your rights and you keep control. AWAL is part of Kobalt, which is a label servicing company that handles publishing, licensing and a ton of services.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With roots based in rhythm-and-blues, soul, rock and especially funk, the sisters create vocal harmonies that only twins can make.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re identical twins,\u201d said Nalani. \u201cWe graduated early from Hunterdon Central High a few years ago and we\u2019ve been doing music ever since. We both started playing classical piano when were six and then studied operatic vocals when we were in sixth grade.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cClassical music and opera provided good basics for us. Our mom was a folkie so we listened to a lot of folk music when we were young \u2014 great songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. And, we\u2019ve listened to a lot of classic rock.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe always have the funk. It\u2019s impossible for us to keep the funk out. We\u2019ve always had funk in our blood. We play shows with just the two of us, it always sounds more singer-songwriter. When we do shows with our band, it gets more funky.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Video link for Nalani &amp; Sarina \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/OMe0lVy6eMM\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/OMe0lVy6eMM<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live on November 22 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/p>\n<p>Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are Moonchild and Taylor Kelly on November 22; Flightschool, Denizen and mMatt Kelly on November 24; Beru Revue on November 25; Mardi Hub &amp; The Sprockets on November 25; CupcakKe, Raw Elementz, and Tron Sagas on November 28; Loudon Wainwright III and Lucy Wainwright Roche on November 29; and Intersect: The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia with Andrew Lipke on November 29.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/universoul-circus-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5831 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/universoul-circus-2-350x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"208\" \/><\/a>The UniverSoul Circus (52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, 800-345-7000, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.universoulcircus.com\/\">www.universoulcircus.com<\/a>), will run through November 26, is offering something different for circus fans. The performances, which will be held in the UniverSoul Big Top next to the Mann Music Center, blend traditional circus attractions with urban culture, hip hop tunes and world beat music.<\/p>\n<p>Celebrating its 24th anniversary in Philadelphia, UniverSoul Circus has come full circle in its influence in the international entertainment marketplace &#8212; garnering the distinction of being known as a one-of-a-kind, must see attraction. Since its first performance in 1994, UniverSoul Circus has presented more than 10,000 performances to live audiences and has been seen in more than 60 million households on both local and national television networks.<\/p>\n<p>UniverSoul Circus connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world. Celebrating more than two decades under the big top, UniverSoul Circus features music, theatrical performances and incredible circus acts.<\/p>\n<p>Returning by popular demand are the viral internet sensations The Fresh Clownsss. Hailing from Detroit, The Fresh Clownsss and their energetic and infectious dance moves have won over audiences and become a YouTube sensation with their popular dance, \u201cJuJu On That Beat,\u201d garnering millions of views.<\/p>\n<p>Also appearing at UniverSoul are the Xtreme Bikes fromChicago and the Bone Breaking Contortionists from Guinea.<\/p>\n<p>Families will witness an amazing array of international human and animal talent including Elephants (USA), Teeter Board &amp; Hand Vaulting (Gabon, Guinea, Ethiopia), Mixed Animal Act (Mexico) featuring Zebras and Camels, Horses (Gabon, Guinea, Russia), and perennial favorites Caribbean Dancers (Trinidad and Tobago).<\/p>\n<p>Leading the charge this year is Ringmaster Lucky Malatsi of South Africa, a multitalented entertainer who brings his unbridled energy to center ring. Malatsi has been with UniverSoul Circus in a wide range of capacities during his 15 years with the company \u2013 from contortionist and hip-hop dancer to trapeze artist. Joining him will be the pint-sized Ringmaster\u2019s Sidekick extraordinaire, Zeke.<\/p>\n<p>UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top two circuses along with Cirque du Soleil. UniverSoul\u2019s fresh approach to family-friendly live entertainment has garnered it a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster\u2019s top ten most requested family events, along with other shows including Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular.<\/p>\n<p>Video link for UniverSoul Circus &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ht5EsnrW9uQ\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/ht5EsnrW9uQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The circus will be in town now through November 26 at its site in Fairmount Park. Ticket prices range from $11-$35.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/PhillyThanksgiving.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5832\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/PhillyThanksgiving-350x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a>November 23 is Thanksgiving \u2013 a day known for lavish dining feasts and non-stop football games on television. It is also a holiday known for its parades and one of the best parades in the country is Philadelphia\u2019s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is celebrating its 98th anniversary this year.<\/p>\n<p>The parade, which traverses a 1.4-mile route along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the country. As always,<\/p>\n<p>Guests making special appearances this year will Mickey and Minnie, Tweety Bird, Cat in the Hat, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Curious George, The Grinch, Mr. Potato Head and more.<\/p>\n<p>This is an event that should definitely be experienced live \u2013 at least once.<\/p>\n<p>Spectators can head down to the Center City Philadelphia on Thanksgiving and watch the parade from any number of good vantage points. The parade starts at 20th and Market streets at 8:30 a.m. It then moves toward 16th Street, where it turns left before turning left again onto Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It then follows the Parkway all the way to its conclusion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Casual fans of touring Broadway shows are usually very happy with a season line-up that includes standards and old favorites. Give them a roster of shows such as \u201cPhantom of the Opera,\u201d \u201cAnnie,\u201d \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d and \u201cCats\u201d and they\u2019re satisfied. More serious fans look for new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7426,10643,10646,10645,10644],"class_list":["post-37538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-finidng-neverland","tag-ryan-gooch-nelson","tag-the-chris-paterno-band","tag-varekai"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37538"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37539,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37538\/revisions\/37539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}