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Cirque du Soleil Celebrates Its Broadway Debut

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Cirque du Soleil – PARAMOUR

Broadway’s Newest Box Office Smash

Opens Tonight

at Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street)

The opening of Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR, the organization’s first show created specifically for Broadway at Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street).

Cirque du Soleil began in 1984 as a group of 20 street performers and has grown to be one of the most acclaimed producers of live entertainment in the world with 4,000 employees. The organization’s 38 productions have been seen by over 160 million spectators worldwide, but never before has Cirque du Soleil had a show on Broadway.

Tonight’s opening night performance will be attended by such dignitaries as Ivanka Trump, Nate Ruess, Brooke Shields, Bethenny Frankel, Megan Hilty, Julianne (Jules) Wainstein, Gretchen Mol, Collin Donnell, Patti Murin, Clay Aiken, Julie Taymor, David Burtka, Guillermo Del Toro, Lesli Margherita, Christopher Hanke, Tony Richardson, Wesley Walker, Bruce Harper, Kate Reinders, Kenny Leon, Paul Tazewell, William & Tina Brown, David Korins, Sergio Trujillo, Neil Meron, Stephen Oremus, and Elvis Duran with a VIP celebration to follow at the McKittrick Hotel.

Scott Zeiger, President and Managing director of Cirque du Soleil Theatrical said, “Bringing PARAMOUR to the Lyric Theatre has been an undertaking unlike anything Cirque du Soleil and Broadway has ever seen. We’re ready to celebrate the hard work of hundreds of people, artists and artisans, who’ve made this show possible. I couldn’t be more humbled by the dedication and hard work everyone has put into this show and I look forward to audiences loving PARAMOUR as much as we’ve loved creating it.”

The process of creating the world of PARAMOUR began when Cirque du Soleil creative guide and creative director Jean-Francois Bouchard met with director Philippe Decouflé to discuss concepts, emotional arcs for the characters, and laying down the plans that would become Cirque du Soleil’s 39th production and first ever musical. They brought these initial concepts to life starting in November 2015, with the help of a team of collaborators from the worlds of Broadway, Cirque du Soleil, and dance.

The production features at least 15 different circus arts disciplines, many of which have never appeared on Broadway. The disciplines cover aerial strap artists, banquine, Chinese pole, contortion, cyr wheel, hand to hand, hand to trapeze, juggling, lyra, Russian bar, Spanish web, teeterboard, tumbling, trampoline, and trapeze.

The show’s hand-to-trapeze number, created by Shana Carroll, the Associate creative director and acrobatic designer & choreographer for PARAMOUR, is a thrilling mixture of two acrobatic disciplines that has never been performed previously and has become one of the most talked about moments in the show.

For rehearsals, the cast and creative team commuted daily to Grumman Studios in Bethpage, Long Island. Grumman, normally used for film and television projects, was the only facility in the tri-state area large enough to accommodate the show's large acrobatic footprint.

Since the start of previews on April 16, PARAMOUR has done remarkable business grossing over $1 million dollars for each full week of previews, a feat that is especially noteworthy given the show only did six performances each full week, compared to the traditional Broadway weekly schedule of eight performances.

The show has also had remarkable response from Cirque du Soleil and Broadway fans alike, receiving standing ovations nightly and audiences are gathering at the stage door to collect autographs from the cast.

PARAMOUR has become one of the most talked about attractions to open in New York this summer. It has been featured on NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Nightline,” CBS News, Reuters TV, a multiple story on WNYC Radio, the cover of the New York Times’ Arts & Leisure section, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Time Out New York, Newsday, New York Post, The Record, Crain’s New York Business, Out Magazine, Refinery 29, as well as every major theatrical and dance outlet.

PARAMOUR, a Cirque du Soleil musical, is a landmark production for Cirque du Soleil, blending the best of Broadway with Cirque du Soleil’s signature style. The show has many of the elements beloved on Broadway: a timeless love story, live musicians, and professional actors in lead roles; but with the Cirque du Soleil aesthetic is integrated throughout the show:  visionary production design on a grand scale, world class entertainment, and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination.

PARAMOUR features Jeremy Kushnier as A.J., the director; Ruby Lewis as Indigo, the starlet; and Ryan Vona as Joey, the composer.

The cast also include Bret Shuford, Sarah Meahl, Kat Cunning,Tom Ammirati, Chelsey Arce, Andrew Atherton, Kevin Atherton, Lee Brearley, Yanelis Brooks, Samuel William Charlton, Martin Charrat, Nate Cooper, Myriam Deraiche, Kyle Driggs, Jeremias Faganel, Amber Brooke Fulljames, Steven Trumon Gray, Tomasz Jadach, Rafal Kaszubowski, Justin Keats, Reed Kelly, Denis Kibenko, Joe McAdam, Raven McRae, Amber J. Merrick, Sheridan Mouawad, Amber Pickens, Justin Prescott, Fletcher Blair Sanchez, Matthieu Sennacherib, Blakely Slaybaugh, Sam Softich, Amiel Soicher, Amber van Wijk, Bruce Weber, Tomasz Wilkosz, Zhengqi Xia (Da Qi).

Under the artistic guidance of Jean-François Bouchard (creative guide and creative director), PARAMOUR is directed by French stage director and choreographer Philippe Decouflé. Along with Decouflé, the creative team includes West Hyler (associate creative director and scene director),Shana Carroll (associate creative director and acrobatic designer & choreographer), Pascale Henrot (associate creative director), Bob & Bill (composers), Andreas Carlsson (lyricist and co-composer), Jean Rabasse (set designer), Philippe Guillotel (costume designer), Daphné Mauger (choreographer), Verity Studios (flying machine design & choreography), Patrice Besombes (lighting designer), Olivier Simola & Christophe Waksmann (projection designers), John Shivers (sound designer), Boris Verkhovsky (acrobatic performance designer), Pierre Masse (rigging and acrobatic equipment designer), Nathalie Gagné (makeup designer), Anne‐Séguin Poirier (props designer), Josh Marquette (hair design), Cirque du Soleil (casting – Montreal), Telsey + Co (casting – New York), Seth Stachowski  (music director and band leader), and Jayna Neagle (executive producer).

For more information on PARAMOUR, visit www.ParamourOnBroadway.com.

Keep up with the latest news from PARAMOUR by becoming a Cirque Club member. CLICK HERE, and sign up today!

Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR gratefully acknowledges our presenting sponsors Visa Signature and United MileagePlus as well as official sponsor ACTIVEON Action Camera. 

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in 400 cities in sixty countries on six continents.  

As previously announced, Cirque du Soleil Theatrical’s upcoming revival of The Wiz will arrive on Broadway for the 2016-2017 season. NBC debuted a live television production of The Wiz on Thursday, December 3.

For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.

Tickets for Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. Ticket prices range from $55- $149 (all prices include a $2.50 facility fee). Lyric Theatre Box Office (213 West 42nd Street) is open Monday through Saturday from noon – 8 PM.  

  

For Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR group sales (12 or more), please call 877-686-3805 or email cirquegroups@telecharge.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

  • THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 29: Monday and Tuesday at 7:30PM; Wednesday at 6PM (opening night); Friday and Saturday at 8 PM; and Sunday at 7 PM. Matinee on Sunday at 2 PM.
  • MONDAY, MAY 30 – SUNDAY, JUNE 5: Monday through Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday at 2:30 PM and Saturday at 3 PM.
  • MONDAY, JUNE 6 – SUNDAY, JUNE 12: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 PM; Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Saturday at 3 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. The show is dark on Tuesday.
  • MONDAY, JUNE 13 – SUNDAY, JULY 3: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 7:30 PM; Friday and Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Saturday at 3 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. The show is dark on Wednesday.
  • MONDAY, JULY 4 – SUNDAY, JULY 10 (WEEK OF JULY 4 HOLIDAY): Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 2 PM; Saturday at 3 PM. The show is dark on the Monday, July 4 holiday.
  • STARTING, MONDAY, JULY 11: Monday and Thursday at 7:30 PM; Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 2 PM, Saturday at 3 PM. The show is dark on Tuesday.

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CONTACT:

For Cirque do Soleil - PARAMOUR & Cirque du Soleil Theatrical, contact: Chris Boneau/ Aaron Meier/ Amy Kass 

For Cirque du Soleil, contact Renee-Claude Ménard 

Follow Paramour on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

Follow Cirque du Soleil on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

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