Banana Shpeel
Encyclopedia
Banana Spheel was a touring arena show created by Cirque du Soleil
which premiered on November, 19, 2009, at the Chicago Theater. The vaudeville
-based show was directed by David Shiner
, who so created Koozå
. The show only lasted for a very short time, only playing in Chicago
, New York City
, and Toronto
. The show was eventually cancelled in 2010, due to the many complications and poor reviews it was receiving.
actors, Michael Longoria and Annaleigh Ashford
, were written out of the production, along with original composer Lawrence O'Keefe. The show premiered to scathingly poor reviews from both amateur and professional critics, who found the show drenched in insipid humour and lacking in cohesion.
After its try-out run in Chicago during November 2009-January 2010 at the Chicago Theatre
, the show moved to the Beacon Theater in New York, originally scheduled for additional performances for March to April 2010. The show's opening was delayed as it underwent a huge revision process, delaying the show's opening in New York from February 5 up to February 29, and was subsequently delayed twice more to March 17, and finally to April 29. The show had undergone rework, adding in new acts, actors, characters, and storyline. The changes included the removal of composers Scott Price and Jean-François Côté, who were replaced by previous Cirque composer Simon Carpentier. The two lead clowns, Daniel Passer and Wayne Wilson, were fired from the production, but were hired soon after.
After much delay and misfortune, the show finally began its run in New York City on April 29, 2010. Once again, the show garnered an impressive array of bad reactions from the general public and media outlets. Neil Genzlinger of the New York Times wrote, "Should I feel guilty that, for me, the most satisfying moment of Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel came when a clown was riddled with mock machine-gun fire?". Banana Shpeel was scheduled to run at the Beacon Theater until August 29, but the company shortened the run to end on June 27.
Despite the show receiving a poor critical reception, Cirque insisted on continuing to showcase Banana Shpeel around the country, announcing that it would embark on a national tour later that year, starting in Toronto. The company’s president and chief executive, Daniel Lamarre
, insisted that Cirque received no pressure from the Beacon Theatre and had voluntarily closed the show for a re-staging. The limited engagement of Banana Shpeel ran in Toronto from September 18 to October 10. Despite one positive review, the show again received a generally poor response. Though the tour had originally been scheduled to go on to play in San Francisco and the Orange County Performing Arts Center
, the production's mediocre reception prompted Cirque to cancel its upcoming tour.
Despite any misgivings, a spokesperson from Cirque announced that the closure of the Banana Shpeel tour was done in order to "...re-evaluate the tour plan to determine the appropriate next steps", prompting an implication that the show may reappear in another form at a later date.
The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance: North America
Toronto, ON - From 14 September 2010 to 10 October 2010
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
which premiered on November, 19, 2009, at the Chicago Theater. The vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
-based show was directed by David Shiner
David Shiner
David Shiner may refer to:* David Shiner , American clown* David Shiner , Canadian politician...
, who so created Koozå
Koozå
Koozå is a touring circus production by Cirque du Soleil which premiered in Montréal, Canada, in 2007. The show was written and directed by David Shiner, who had previously worked as a clown in Cirque du Soleil's production of Nouvelle Expérience...
. The show only lasted for a very short time, only playing in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The show was eventually cancelled in 2010, due to the many complications and poor reviews it was receiving.
History
Banana Shpeel was plagued with misfortunes, including original cast members and show creators being removed from the project. Prominent BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
actors, Michael Longoria and Annaleigh Ashford
Annaleigh Ashford
Annaleigh Ashford is an American actress known for her Broadway credits in Wicked, Legally Blonde, and Hair.-Early life:Annaleigh Ashford was born Annaleigh Swanson in Denver, Colorado to Holli Swanson, a gym teacher...
, were written out of the production, along with original composer Lawrence O'Keefe. The show premiered to scathingly poor reviews from both amateur and professional critics, who found the show drenched in insipid humour and lacking in cohesion.
After its try-out run in Chicago during November 2009-January 2010 at the Chicago Theatre
Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a landmark theater located on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban and Katz group of theaters run by A. J. Balaban, his brother...
, the show moved to the Beacon Theater in New York, originally scheduled for additional performances for March to April 2010. The show's opening was delayed as it underwent a huge revision process, delaying the show's opening in New York from February 5 up to February 29, and was subsequently delayed twice more to March 17, and finally to April 29. The show had undergone rework, adding in new acts, actors, characters, and storyline. The changes included the removal of composers Scott Price and Jean-François Côté, who were replaced by previous Cirque composer Simon Carpentier. The two lead clowns, Daniel Passer and Wayne Wilson, were fired from the production, but were hired soon after.
After much delay and misfortune, the show finally began its run in New York City on April 29, 2010. Once again, the show garnered an impressive array of bad reactions from the general public and media outlets. Neil Genzlinger of the New York Times wrote, "Should I feel guilty that, for me, the most satisfying moment of Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel came when a clown was riddled with mock machine-gun fire?". Banana Shpeel was scheduled to run at the Beacon Theater until August 29, but the company shortened the run to end on June 27.
Despite the show receiving a poor critical reception, Cirque insisted on continuing to showcase Banana Shpeel around the country, announcing that it would embark on a national tour later that year, starting in Toronto. The company’s president and chief executive, Daniel Lamarre
Daniel Lamarre
Daniel Lamarre is a Canadian businessman. He is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. Born in Grand-Mère, Quebec, he graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts in communications in 1976.He served as president and CEO of TVA...
, insisted that Cirque received no pressure from the Beacon Theatre and had voluntarily closed the show for a re-staging. The limited engagement of Banana Shpeel ran in Toronto from September 18 to October 10. Despite one positive review, the show again received a generally poor response. Though the tour had originally been scheduled to go on to play in San Francisco and the Orange County Performing Arts Center
Orange County Performing Arts Center
The Orange County Performing Arts Center is a performing arts complex located in Costa Mesa, California, United States.The Center offers the world’s leading dance companies, Broadway shows, award-winning classical, jazz and cabaret artists, family entertainment, special events and year-round...
, the production's mediocre reception prompted Cirque to cancel its upcoming tour.
Despite any misgivings, a spokesperson from Cirque announced that the closure of the Banana Shpeel tour was done in order to "...re-evaluate the tour plan to determine the appropriate next steps", prompting an implication that the show may reappear in another form at a later date.
Tour
Banana Shpeel had a short tour history playing in theatres in North America.The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance: North America
2009 schedule
Chicago, IL - From 19 November 2009 to 2 January 20102010 schedule
New York, NY - From 29 April 2010 to 27 June 2010Toronto, ON - From 14 September 2010 to 10 October 2010