For 20 years, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts has brought the best of Broadway to South Florida and now adds to this tradition with the world premiere of Cirque Dreams Broadway, featuring Linda Eder and Marc Kudisch, directed by Neil Goldberg, Thursday, March 24 at 8 p.m. in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Cirque Dreams Broadway is a memorable Broadway journey re-imagined through awe inspiring feats, visual spectacle and songs performed by two of the brightest stars of the Great White Way. This amazing new stage spectacle comes to life for the first time ever at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
"Cirque Dreams Broadway blends theatrical innovation and breathtaking presentation into a story of some of the greatest shows on Broadway. It's a fitting celebration for the Broward Center's 20th anniversary," said Kelley Shanley, Broward Center president and CEO. "This will be a unique opportunity for South Florida to experience the newest cirque performance and at the same time join in the celebration of the Broward Center which over the past two decades has served as a creative catalyst in our community. We are delighted to partner with the talented Cirque Dreams team in a project that will bring some of South Florida's great musical theater moments to life in imaginative ways. Innovation, collaboration, and building community connections are at the heart of what we do, and Cirque Dreams Broadway is a perfect example of how this philosophy comes to life on stage."
Created by South Florida's own Cirque Dreams founder and Broadway director Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams Broadway will star Linda Eder (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel) and three time Tony-Award® nominee Marc Kudisch (Nine To Five, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). Kudisch returns to Fort Lauderdale where he grew up and received a bachelor's of fine arts degree from Florida Atlantic University.
The international cast which features world class performance artists from the Cirque Dreams phenomenon will be joined by local South Floridians engaged through a talent search for "Annie," Oliver's "The Artful Dodger" and musical theater performances that will accompany Cirque Dreams live artistry. Additionally, a South Florida marching band will be choreographed into one of the most memorable Broadway stage spectacles.
Expect to see award-winning Cirque Dreams fashion designs blended with authentic Broadway costumes from the most extensive collection of original Broadway memorabilia staged by South Florida's Costume World Broadway Collection.
Cirque Dreams Broadway will reinvent the business of show business with tributes to The Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, CATS, Hairspray, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles and over a dozen more Broadway sensations. Soar down memory lane in a theatrical experience that transcends Broadway and imagination.
Cirque Dreams Broadway creator and director Neil Goldberg explains his inspiration for the project. "Broadway first moved me as a child," he said, "and although my journey since has been filled with a variety of entertainment genres and imagination, Cirque Dreams Broadway is the embodiment of them all. What better place to premiere this dream realization for the first time, than in my hometown and on stage at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts."
Broadway Across America- Fort Lauderdale has been a partner in presenting the Broadway Series at the Broward Center since the beginning. "It has been a thrill to witness the success of the Broward Center over the past 20 years. We were fortunate to begin our partnership with the Broward Center with the spectacular production of The Phantom of the Opera as its inaugural presentation on that stormy night in February of 1991. The Broward Center has become one of the premier performing arts centers in the country, and we are proud to have a long-term partnership in place with this incredible organization," said Susie Krajsa, EVP-Presenting, Broadway Across America.
