Circuses conventionally take place in tents or on stages, but Cirque Mechanics’s “Pedal Punk” which receives its New York City premiere at The New Victory Theater, December 4-January 3, commandeers the wildly eccentric Gantry, a giant bicycle-like contraption and its various deconstructed parts, for the show’s non-stop crazy antics.
For the daring, witty band of eleven clowns, contortionists, trampolinists, dancers and tricksters, no part of a bicycle is sacred as they climb, cavort and fly with the greatest of ease demonstrating that simple things can be the giver of great pleasure. No technology necessary is the credo..
Weighing in at 3000 pounds (including artists aboard) the Gantry steers like a bulldozer or tank, but can be pedaled about by just two people, and has a top speed of five miles per hour. The stage is littered with theatrical gadgetry made from bicycle parts that were reconstructed, or recycled, so to speak.
The show is conceived and directed by Cirque du Soleil alum Chris Lashua who says that he spent most of his career on a BMX (bicycle motocross). His passion and fascination with all things bicycle, and by extension the synergy between man and machine, is at the heart and soul of Cirque Mechanics’ productions. The imaginative use of the Gantry bike, a self-contained pedal driven mechanical stage upon which Lashua continues to add newly designed, inventive pedal dependent devices, is another example of Lashua’s restless mechanical genius.
Please see attached for biographies of the artists and performers.
Performance Schedule: 27 performances
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 7PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2PM & 7PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 7PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2PM & 7PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 12PM & 5PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 7PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2PM & 7PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 12PM & 5PM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 7PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 7PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2PM & 7PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 12PM & 5PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2PM & 7PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2PM
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2PM & 7PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 12PM & 5PM
PEDAL PUNK has an approximate running time of 2 hours, including one intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up.
Learn more about Pedal Punk at the New Victory website!
www.newvictory.org
General Ticket Information
Tickets for “Pedal Punk” at The New Victory Theater (209 West 42nd Street) range from $13 to $36 for Members based on seat locations, with full price tickets starting at $19. Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more NEW VICTORY shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits 11/13/2015 including up to 35-percent savings on tickets all season long, invitations to special events and unlimited free ticket exchanges. Purchase tickets online or by phone at 646-223-3010.
The NEW VICTORY box office (209 West 42nd Street) is open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm. For more information, visit the NEW VICTORY website.
About Cirque Mechanics
Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2005 by Chris Lashua. Since then, the company has performed in over 40 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cirque Mechanics is comprised of performers from varied backgrounds that are experienced in many different disciplines ranging from roller-skating and BMX to gymnastics, circus and dance.
About The New Victory Theater
This year, the New Victory celebrates its 20th Anniversary season of bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids as New York City’s premier theater devoted to the highest quality performing arts for kids and families. Serving the community in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices. In addition to its public performances, the New Vic is also the largest provider of live performance to NYC school kids, serving 40,000 youth through more than 200 schools, after school programs and day camps each year. The New Victory has been recognized for its contributions to the cultural landscape of the city. Awards include a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for the NEW VICTORY Usher Corps, which provides paid employment to approximately 50 NYC teens each year, the National Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts and a Special Award from The Drama Desk for “providing enchanting, sophisticated children’s theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people.”