Need new moves to impress people? The New Shanghai Circus may be able to teach you a thing or two - or at least entertain for a few hours.
It’s an production of the Incredible! Acrobats of China of the People’s Republic of China. All performers have trained from an early age in the 2,500-year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics.
“This company is introducing Chinese entertainment such as acrobats to the United States,” said Ni Lei, a translator for the company.
Lei said this is the third week performing in the United States.
“You’ll never see this kind of show within America,” Lei said. “ We are giving a unique performance with challenging moves performed.”
The tradition of Chinese acrobats is rooted in village harvest festivals. Every year at the time of the lunar New Year, people would show their skills by flipping bowls with their feet and climbing tall poles or long leather straps or spinning plates at the end of long bamboo sticks.
The highlight of the show includes participants climbing to the top of a tall stack of chairs.
New Shanghai Circus tickets range from $12 to $24. The show is 3 p.m. Sunday at Wharton Center. For ticket information call (517)432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.
