Pitched as “a nonstop, action-packed 2-hour adventure… the most striking visual and special effects ever on stage…from the depths of imagination right into the hearts, memories, and dreams of audiences of all ages.” this sounds like Cirque du Soleil to me. I mean for over the past 20 years the dark off-beat “Europey” Canadian Circus started by 2 former street buskers in the ‘80’s leaps to mind, especially with a title like CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY.

Well, it ain’t, by a LONG shot brudah! The company is actually based in Pompano Beach Florida at “Dream Studios”. Neil Goldberg, the producer of the tour and company, puts shows in Branson music halls, at theme parks and Casinos all over the country. Neil Goldberg is originally a scenic designer from NY who moved to FL (as many show biz types do) and started among many endeavors, an events company… “Parties by Neil,” which eventually evolved into “Dream Studios” Where he has done work on such events as 2 Super Bowls, 2 Miss Universe Pageants, Walt Disney World in addition to a laundry list of celebrities. Besides talent from all across the United States, for “JUNGLE” Neil has included performers from The Mongolian School of Contortion, The Acrobatic Training Center of Beijing China, The Sports Acrobatic Association of Poland, The Moscow Circus, The Russian State College for Variety Arts.

Yes, the program boasts cast members from all those places. And they all do some pretty amazing stuff. Credit has to be given to the circus skill set represented here. But the question for me remains… doesn’t Cirque du Soleil do this much better? And didn’t they do it first? So, doesn’t that make Cirque du Pompano Beach a sorta cheap knock off of the real thing? Yeah. You have the over-amplified techno TRACKED music that an evening at Talbot Street could yield better, the giant half body builder-half centaur (the only live musician)  prancing around sawing on an electric violin like it is a rogue limb dangling over the driveway, the lone vocalist shrieking like Helen Reddy on steroids… big voice, but come on, with the insipid lyrics, distorted droning music (except for when it is sophomoric) she had no chance… Especially in a sequin ladybug costume. And with the exception of that costume the rest were absolutely wonderful, many doing tricks, transforming from an implied animal to very cool performance gear. 

They are the true stars of the show; the costumes and the lighting. Some really first class work, BUT, this is basically a really good theme park show. CD has great lights and effects, fast paced, with the exception of many of the transitions between “scenettes”. It really would be best viewed in an altered state of reality. I can guarantee that Mr.Goldberg had to have altered his state to come up with some of this stuff. There is very little to “take with you” when you leave the theatre. My wife took a headache.

My soapbox moment:

So now we get to see his handy work as part of the “Broadway Series” here in Indianapolis . The “Broadway” series in the 12^th largest city in the US gets a CIRCUS as the opening show. Boy is that class or what. It just goes to show what the head honchos at LiveNation think about the refinement of the Indy audiences. After the circus we do have some pretty good choices… Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (looks like it could be non-union BOO!) Dec. 11-16, 2007 The Wedding Singer (definite non-union BOO!) Jan. 22-27, 2008 My Fair Lady Mar. 4-9, 2008 Twelve Angry Men Apr. 1-6, 2008. There are so many better choices out there on the LiveNation circuit, And Evening with Martin Short, Wicked, Ave. Q, Jersey Boys, White Christmas, Chorus Line… just to name a few.

Nutshell:

If you have a kid in your life (or some shrooms you’ve been dying to eat) check out this interesting solution for a Circus. If you are looking for anything more…stay away.