NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Madison Square Garden Entertainment and Cirque du Soleil have entered into a joint partnership to present New York’s very first theatre production of Cirque du Soleil at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The yet unnamed Cirque production is being created specifically for the Theater at Madison Square Garden and will run for 10 weeks, each winter beginning in 2007 for the next four years.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Cirque," said Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil. "It’s a chance to expand our repertoire by creating a family-oriented show, and the extended run will bring us into close contact with nearly a million New Yorkers. I'm especially pleased to bring the show to this venue because Madison Square Garden is so identified with New York and is always at the center of all the action."
While creative details of the show will be announced in the new year, it will have a narrative and storyline designed to present the theme of winter. The creative team will use traditional stage techniques and the latest in theater technology to bring the audience of nearly 5,000 as close as possible to the performers. Color, music and comedy will be emphasized as well as the customary circus arts the public has come to expect from Cirque du Soleil.
"Madison Square Garden is in a growth mode, during which we are broadening our unrivaled assets and extending our brands in new and creative ways," said Hank Ratner, vice chairman of Madison Square Garden and Cablevision Systems Corporation. "Our partnership with Cirque is a great example of our growth strategy – it brings together iconic brands in live entertainment to create an entirely new event opportunity for our venues, while bringing the world’s number one market a must-see entertainment choice every winter."
"The unmatched assets of MSG and the creative genius of Cirque du Soleil create a perfect partnership that will ensure an extremely successful show next winter and beyond," said Jay Marciano, president, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. "Our goal with all of our venues is to ensure that we showcase the very best entertainment for our customers and that we have products worthy of their entertainment investment. We have long been admirers of Cirque du Soleil productions for their unmatched creativity and vision and are thrilled that the Theater at MSG and New York City will be home to a Cirque show of its own." –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
