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Can Balagan outshine Cirque du Soleil?By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLadyI am a big cirque fan. I have seen at least seven of their performances. If there was a cult of cirque-lovers, I would be one of them. On a trip to Las Vegas earlier this year, I saw Mystere, O, and Zumanity in a 26 period.
I was obviously predisposed to like it. Even the name, Balagan refers to a marketplace common in cities olden cities throughout Eastern Europe where people gathered to create, develop and demonstrate their artistic expressions. And if something relates to shopping or a marketplace, I always love it. Add some great costumes, breathtaking lighting effects and backdrops, and it adds up to a winning combination. BALAGAN, a collection of the finest aerial, acrobatic, character and discipline talents is not to be missed. Owned and produced by the guest creator of Cirque Du Soleil's production "Mystere," BALAGAN is a compilation of the finest gravity defying discipline acts and blending a classic Commedia dell' Arte style circus. Because the showroom is a little smaller than most Cirque venues, you get more of a sense of intimacy and a feeling that you are closer to the performers. This leads to lots of Oohs and Aaahs as they bend their bodies into pretzel-like shapes. My back hurt just watching them. (promptly relieved the next morning by a world class massage in The Gold Strike Spa)
BALAGAN combines unique music, choreography, athleticism and comedy to create an awe-inspiring production reminiscent of the days of traveling circuses. BALAGAN celebrates the magnificent physical movements of world-class performers, impossible flights of aerialists and acrobats, and amazing torso twists and turns of seemingly boneless contortionists. “BALAGAN is as aesthetic as it is artistic, with outlandish characters, clowns, fanciful creatures, unusual music and skilled performers offering feats of beauty,” said Misha Matorin, the show’s creator and producer. Matorin, a veteran aerialist himself, grew up in the Moscow Circus, where his father was the director and his mother was a trapeze artist. The former guest creator of Cirque Du Soleil's production "Mystere" says, “the show combines sophisticated production elements in a fully choreographed environment.” The 80-minute production features a cast of 23 artists representing five countries.
And when you call, be sure to make reservations at the world-class restaurant, Chicago Steakhouse located in the lobby of Gold Strike Casino Resort. Maybe if I exercised with the Balagan group, I could have double desserts. Gold Strike Casino Resort is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGEä, the premier entertainment hotel and gaming company in the world. Located 15 minutes south of Memphis, Tenn., The resort features 1,200 oversized luxury rooms and suites, three restaurants, a refreshing spa and salon, an 800-seat showroom 50,000 square feet of gaming space with 50 table games and more than 1,400 slot machines. For information, visit Gold Strike’s website at www.goldstrike.com. More About the AreaGREAT GUIDEBOOKS HIDDEN TENNESSEE MOON HANDBOOKS TENNESSEE Memphis MUSIC TO GET YOU IN THE MEMPHIS MOOD American Blues Mississippi Blues |
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So I was thrilled to discover a similar experience in
Balagan which opened recently at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.
Since I was lucky enough to be there for opening night,
there was a special energy and excitement about the performance, almost a sense
of an extra effort (how could they bend any more than what I saw?) to show the
results of their hours, days and years of practice.
Individual tickets are $14.95 plus tax and service fee, and
may be purchased by calling Gold Strike’s box office at (888) 24K-PLAY or
visiting