September 9, 2008

Cirque Mechanics to bring theatrical circus show to Elliott Hall stage

The show, which is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its Lively Arts series, is recommended for children ages 10 and up.

"Featuring a moving story, amazing sets and, of course, jaw-dropping circus stunts, Birdhouse Factory is set in a wild and wonderful workshop, the H. Rosebud Factory, where the machines are circus props and the workers are acrobats, dancers, contortionists and clowns," said Abby Eddy, director of marketing for Purdue Convocations. "Inspired by Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals, the whimsical illustrations of Rube Goldberg and the comedic hijinks of Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times, the show tells the story of assembly line workers producing humdrum widgets until a disoriented bird creates mayhem and forever alters their lives and the factory's future."

Originally produced and presented by the Circus Center in San Francisco in 2004, Birdhouse Factory was brought to life by the creative team of Chris Lashua, Aloysia Gavre and Steven Ragatz, all veterans of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. The Cirque Mechanics troupe includes former members of Cirque do Soleil, the Pickle Family Circus and the Moscow Circus.

Tickets for the performance are $15-35 for adults and $15-25 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at (765) 496-1977.

Initiated in 1902, Purdue Convocations is among the oldest collegiate professional performing arts presenters in the United States. Each year, Convocations offers the region 30 to 40 performances of widely varying genres: Broadway-style shows, theater, dance, children's theater, world music, jazz, and chamber music, along with rock, pop, country and comedy attractions. With a vision for connecting artists and audiences in artistic dialogue and for drawing in academic discourse, Purdue Convocations aims to promote frequent exposure to and familiarity with human cultural expression in a multitude of forms and media.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Abby Eddy, (765) 494-5045, aeeddy@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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