(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- From the captivating sounds and step dancing of Cherish The Ladies, to Artrageous’ spontaneous creations of music and art, to the earth-defying spectacle of New Shanghai Circus—and more—The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg is offering a plethora of entertainment in March.
Cherish The Ladies, Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m.; $30 & $40 - One of the most engaging and successful ensembles in the history of Celtic music, Cherish The Ladies has shared timeless Irish traditions with audiences worldwide for over 30 years. Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, this Irish-American super group creates an unforgettable performance that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing. With a level of artistic, historic and purely enticing entertainment unlike any in its genre, the group has garnered a reputation and admiration from both fans and critics alike.
RVCC’s School-Time series will present a performance of The Boy Who Grew Flowers (Treehouse Shakers), Thursday, March 12, at 10 a.m. (Recommended for pre-kindergarten and older; 45 minutes). Open to the public, performances in the School-Time series offer wonderful educational opportunities for home-schooled children. Individual tickets in the series cost $10 each; $8 per ticket for groups of 100 or more. One chaperone ticket is provided free of charge for each 15 tickets purchased.
Rink Bowagon lives at the very top of Lonesome Mountain with his unusual family. The townspeople all agree that Rink’s family is quite strange, but they are unaware of Rink’s spectacular botanical secret: Whenever the moon is full, he sprouts beautiful flowers all over his body. Other children are quick to ignore the shy boy because he is different. But what will happen when Rink’s eccentric family helps one of his classmates? Incorporating shadow puppetry, original music and movement, The Boy Who Grew Flowers is a unique story about courage, difference, friendship and the importance of celebrating individualism.
Artrageous, Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.; $30 & $40 - Watch an artist create a masterpiece before your eyes. Part art studio, part rock group, part creation lab, Artrageous takes audiences on a uniquely entertaining visual journey and high-energy ride of inspiration, creativity and engagement, paying tribute to a variety of art forms, icons and musical genres. It’s a frenzy of movement and color as lines and brush strokes appear on giant canvasses, culminating in a gallery of fabulous finished paintings. All the while, you’ll be dancing in the aisles to tunes ranging from pop to country to catchy Artrageous originals. It’s art and music gone wild!
New Shanghai Circus, Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m.; $30 & $40 - Astonishing athletes defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats of incredible skill in this spellbinding show that draws upon 2,000 years of Chinese circus traditions. Across the country, the troupe awes with a repertoire of jaw-dropping circus arts that reaches (literally) breathtaking heights of skill and puts audiences’ nerves to the test. If it’s humanly possible—and even if it’s not—Shanghai’s acrobats, jugglers and contortionists do it with spectacular flair and extraordinary grace. This beautifully orchestrated performance is enhanced by fabulous choreography, enchanting scenery and powerful music.
A free, pre-show juggling workshop will be offered from 6-6:40 p.m. for New Shanghai Circus ticket holders ages 8 to adult. Participants will learn to juggle, use juggling sticks, and spin plates in a workshop conducted by volunteers from Juggling Life. Those interested in taking part in the juggling program should email lisa.melillo@raritanval.edu with their name, phone number and names/ages of participants to reserve their spots. The workshop is limited to 24 participants.
Earlier in the day, the Theatre’s School-Time series will present a performance of the New Shanghai Circus, March 27, at noon (Recommended for grades 3 and older; 60 minutes). Individual tickets in the School-Time series cost $10 each; $8 per ticket for groups of 100 or more. One chaperone ticket is provided free of charge for each 15 tickets purchased.
To purchase tickets or for more information about any Theatre at RVCC production, call the Box Office, 908-725-3420, or order online at www.rvccArts.org. Subscribers’ packages are available. Senior citizen, student and group discounts are also available for most performances.
RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ.
