Acrobats to take library stage

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Grace. Power. Beauty.

That is how Jessie Liu, administrative director of the Golden Dragon Acrobats, describes their show – an entertaining production that will make its way to the Hoover Public Library Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The contemporary music, fashionable costumes and non-traditional acts, Liu said, will keep the audience’s eyes glued to the stage. The Library Theatre will give audiences two chances to enjoy the performance – one at 4 p.m., and one at 7:30 p.m.

“There are slow acts and fast,” Liu said. “It keeps audiences from young to old entertained.”

All ages are welcome to attend the performances, but guests will need to act fast – not many tickets are left, Library Theatre fine arts coordinator Matina Johnson said. Less than 25 tickets remain for the 4 p.m. show, and less than 10 tickets remain for the 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $25.

“It’s wonderful to be able to offer these shows to patrons,” she said. “They are a loyal group.”

Liu said the Plano, Texas-based group is 20 performers strong and that they have visited all 48 states in the continental United States and 65 countries worldwide. The troupe has been performing for over 32 years in the United States and is led by impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang. The performers all hail from the People’s Republic of China.

It was a no-brainer to add the Golden Dragon Acrobats to the Library Theatre’s twenty-fourth season, Johnson said. She considers the Golden Dragon Acrobats “a great variety act” that fits in well with their offerings this year, including many musical acts.

“It’s something different than music but as high caliber as the artists we bring in,” she said. “It adds variety and spice to the season.”

Johnson had heard about the Golden Dragon Acrobats at performing arts conferences she’s attended over the years.

“They’ve been on my radar for quite some time, and they seemed to fit perfectly in this season,” she said. “They make our 2015-2016 season very well-rounded.”

The show is an all-encompassing one, Johnson said, combining dance, opera, costuming, martial arts and sports. 

“The types of acts that they are going to be doing are exciting,” she said. “It’s not your typical Cirque show. It has an Asian influence, and it should be a really beautiful show and a technically challenging show.”

Two acts in particular have unforgettable acrobatic moments, Liu said.

“Contortion and Tower of Chairs are the most memorable,” she said.

Critics are standing up and taking notice. The Golden Dragon Acrobats have received two New York Drama desk nominations for their Broadway debut – one for Danny Chang for Unique Theatrical Experience, and one for Angela Chang for Best Choreography. The performers continue the time-honored tradition of Chinese acrobatics that has been around for over 2,500 years. It is a show that Johnson hopes serves as both entertaining and educational.

“We are here to educate, too,” she said. “We hope we have some young people come out. Our mission is to promote the arts as well as entertain. We are really excited.”

Golden Dragon Acrobats