Nazareth College Arts Center: Critics' Blog

"Crouching Acrobats, Hidden Talent" By Sofia Tokar, Nazareth Marketing Assistant

Full disclosure: I can’t touch my toes. Flexibility simply does not run in my family. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that the National Acrobats of China floored me with their performance on Sunday.

 

Blending acrobatics, contortionism, and really good timing into a jaw-dropping show, the audience more than once exclaimed, “Oooh!” and “Ahhh!” One can hardly blame them. The troupe trains six to eight hours a day and lives a disciplined lifestyle – methinks no weekly happy hours at the local pub. And all that hard work results in a seemingly effortless production.

 

But Confucius says appearances are deceiving. Or at least I think he says that. Anyway, as someone who goes to yoga classes once a month or so, trust me when I say it’s not as easy as it looks.

 

Case in point: a little number titled “Single Hand Stand.” The description? “One young woman balances on one hand atop a perch showing amazing strength.” OK, that description does not do that one young woman justice. You thought Michelle Obama’s arms were something to write home about? Check out Ye Mingzhu. Easily my favorite performance from last night, she looked like a piece of art when holding her gravity-defying poses.

 

Defying gravity is one thing; defying the laws of physics is another. The contortionist Xue Muyuan … well, I think I pulled a muscle just watching her. The things that young lady can do with her body! I won’t go into details since this is a family blog, but trust when I say, ummm wow.

And the portion of the show titled “Bicycle” also had me wondering if E really does equal mc². At one point I’m pretty sure there were more than a dozen ladies on one bicycle… but then again I lost count after 12 (numbers aren’t my thing). Needless to say, that humble village bicycle puts my Huffy to shame.

 

Overall, the show was whimsical and playful – from the Willy Wonka-inspired costumes to the charming music (ranging from traditional Asian-inspired works to what I’m thinking was a remix of the Unsolved Mysteries theme song).

 

In a word: spectacular. In another word: ouch. But I will say this: The National Acrobats of China have re-inspired me in my quest to reach my dreams of flexibility, and, by extension (hee), my toes!

"Kids, Don't Try This at Home!" By Mary Sue Dehn, freelance writer and producer

The National Acrobats of China should slap a warning label on their program: "Kids, don't try this at home!"

The talented young people who perform with the group make the impossible seem easy.  I kept thinking my kindergartner, had he seen the show, would want to attempt their stunts in the backyard, not realizing that they take years of training, incredible discipline, perfect timing and graceful precision.

The capacity crowd in the auditorium at Calkins Road Middle School warmly welcomed the performers.  Gasps of fear and admiration were interrupted by "oohs" and "aahs" as each performer pushed the limits of balance and agility.  Whether balancing an octet of plates on impossibly long poles while dancing a jig, or tossing a huge ceramic planter in the air landing it by the rim on the top of the head, the acrobats were by turns poised, disciplined, beautiful and precise.

The male acrobats focused on traditional (though no less astounding) tumbling tricks and juggling.  They landed flying somersaults through hoops no bigger than your average hula hoop and juggled floppy straw hats, passing them from head to head in moving lines.

The women performed feats of balance and unbelievable strength.  One young woman, who must be made entirely of rubber, bent herself into positions no Barbie has ever achieved.  My first thought was "Ouch!  That's gotta hurt!"  My next thought was that I had just seen the human body do something miraculous.  She ended her performance balancing several tiered ornaments on each available appendage and contorting herself to look like a human chandelier.  Another young woman, a tiny-seeming ballerina pirouetting on a pole, looked just like the one I had in my jewelry box when I was a little girl except she was upside-down, balanced on one arm and turning ever so slowly...

Over the length of the program, with dazzling costumes belying seemingly effortless acrobatic feats, the extraordinary begins to seem ordinary--until one of the male performers tosses another in the air with his feet, or until first 7-- then 12--young women mount a bicycle and create a rolling human pyramid.

The acrobats received sustained applause and a standing ovation as they waved, smiling from the stage.  On the way out of the theater, my companion remarked that a city the size of Rochester was blessed to have the opportunity to welcome such wonderful international talent.  Thank you, Nazareth Arts Center, for bringing us a unique and astonishing performance.