Southern Breeze 2008 Spring Issue

seen & heard Culture Clash Russian dancers and Chinese acrobats astound and amaze in Y at the Beau Rivage. by MARK A. NEWMAN Y Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi, MS For tickets: 888-566-7469 www.beaurivage.com he Beau Rivage continues raising the bar for its live entertainment offerings since reopening in 2006. After the production shows Imaginaya and Ephilion, the latest extravaganza, Y, features a jawdropping mix of breathless dance routines and breathtaking acrobatics. The acrobats are from China’s famed Hebei Acrobatic Troupe and among their performers are a quartet of aerialists who push the limits of gravity as well as the human body; a bouncing team of gymnasts who seemingly do the impossible with ever-spinning elastic bands; tumblers soaring through a rising stack of rings; dancing, two-person Asian dragons who perform tricks any Shitsu would envy; a mystical emperor with mad umbrella skills; and a pair of petite girls who balance a half dozen rice bowls on the soles of their feet…over their heads! Between the acrobatic feats are dance numbers from the Russian dance troupe Todes choreographed by Alla Duchova, who has been called “today’s Russian answer to Bob Fosse.” However, there are no jazz hands in these routines, which are a mélange of styles from ballet and hip hop to cutting edge popping and locking. As they did in T the two previous Beau shows, the dancers move in a style called Estrada that is at once graceful and athletic. These dancers are as buff and beautiful as they are talented and would be at home on the pages of a Victoria’s Secret or Abercrombie & Fitch catalog as well as on stage. At a running time of just 80 minutes, Y races along at a breakneck pace with the exception of a couple of clowning segments—one that begins the show and another towards the end where a clown-cum-movie director pulls four unsuspecting audience members onstage to play roles in his hopeless opus. While these bouts of buffoonery have a halting effect on the action, at least they give the performers a much-needed breather. Like many productions of this ilk, the music is a steady stream of ethereal, new age synthesizing— thanks, Cirque du Soleil!—which doesn’t detract from the action, but it won’t have you clamoring for the soundtrack. Future shows might consider using more familiar tunes, especially for the driving dance numbers. Now playing through June 15 at the 1,500-seat Beau Rivage Theater, Y is an experience well worth a trip off the gaming floor. 12 s o u t h e r n b re e z e . c o m IMAGES COURTESY OF BEAU RIVAGE http://www.beaurivage.com http://southernbreeze.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Southern Breeze 2008 Spring Issue

Editor's Letter Contributor Gumbo Seen & Heard Coastal Calendar Storefronts - Keepin' it Reel Sweet Dreams - Grand Hotel Art of Living - Marking Time Fixtures - A Fitting End Our Backyard - Reasonable Drought Make Yourself at Home - Light up Your Life The Southern Breeze Hot List Unexpected Destin-ation Visual Zydeco We're an American Band The Good Life From Halter Tops to Maternity Tops Reader Services Cheers - Lazy Libations Dish - Mississippi Yearning Chef's Table - Welcome to The Doll House Let's Eat - Sunrise Sensations Last Bite

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