Cirque Dreams brings spectacular holiday production to Lied Dec. 3-4

            Critics have called Cirque Dreams Holidaze "so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil." On Dec. 3 and 4, the international cast of more than 30 multi-talented Cirque Dreams artists and acrobats will create the perfect way to celebrate the season at Nebraska's Home for the Arts, the Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each day.

            "The Cirque Dreams cast is made up of some of the most incredible cirque artists in the world," said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center. "I urge all Nebraska families to consider incorporating a Lied Center show into their list of holiday traditions this year. Your experience watching Cirque Dream Holidaze is sure to become a cherished memory for the entire family."

            Renowned director Neil Goldberg re-imagines the holiday season with sparkle and suspense one can only dream of in a "holidaze." The cast of costumed artists comes to life and perform astonishing feats of disbelief. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires, snowmen daringly balancing, icemen powerfully sculpting, penguins spinning, puppets dancing and reindeer soaring high above a landscape of holiday wonderment. An original music score and some seasonal favorites accompany hundreds of spectacular costumes and holiday dreams in a setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering soldiers.

            Broadway World calls Cirque Dreams Holidaze "The Perfect Holiday Gift…chock full of stupefying stunts that Cirque Dreams' competitors aren't even attempting. This is a show that everyone will enjoy, children and adults alike. It's colorful, festive, imaginative, inventive and thoroughly entertaining. While they may not be as well-known as Cirque du Soleil or Ringling Bros., Cirque Dreams is certainly just as strong, and Holidaze rivals The Rockettes' Radio City Christmas spectacular in terms of production quality and entertainment value."

            The Lied Center extends a special "thanks" to sponsors Ed and Sue Tricker, without whom these performances would not be possible.

            Tickets for Cirque Dreams Holidaze are available at http://www.liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center Box Office, 301 N. 12th St., or by phone at 402-472-4747. Tickets start at $45 for adults, $22.50 for students.

Writer: Carrie Christensen