The Peking Acrobats’ 24 performers are coming from over 6,000 miles away in China to perform in Poway on Friday night, but their show’s producer and artistic director calls Poway home.
“I grew up in Rancho Peñasquitos and moved to Poway 10 years ago,” said Steve Hai, whose father, Ken Hai, founded the group over 40 years ago in Los Angeles.
While the show has been performed at venues throughout San Diego County, including with the San Diego Symphony as part of its Summer Pops concerts, this is the first time The Peking Acrobats is coming to the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Hai said.
The two-hour show will feature Chinese acrobats performing daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, along with other awe-inspiring moves that include trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting and gymnastics while five musicians accompany them on traditional Chinese instruments.
Their performances push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control, according to a Poway OnStage press release.
“At Poway OnStage, we are committed to bringing the world’s most captivating and authentic cultural experiences to our community,” said Executive Director Sharlene O’Keefe. “The Peking Acrobats showcase the incredible artistry and tradition of Chinese performance, and we are proud to offer our audiences the chance to experience such a unique and thrilling show.”
Hai said the show has evolved over the years and features a combination of new and returning performers.
“There is no storyline,” Hai said. “It is a mix of acrobatics with traditional Chinese music and drummers, a little martial arts, kung fu and a lot of traditional stuff that you normally don’t see, with a little of the culture from China.”
Some of their moves date back 2,000 years, to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), Hai said.
“It transcends all the entertainment in its purest form” and said those of all ages are sure to enjoy the show, he said.
“What stands out to me is the reaction from the audience, especially in the age we are in now with everyone on cell phones,” Hai said. “There is a lot of joy when they see the entertainment and the response from the audience is amazing. That always gets me.”
The Peking Acrobats have traveled on tour throughout the United States and Europe, both at large venues and private events, Hai said.
In addition to their public performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, The Peking Acrobats will give two student matinee shows to more than 1,500 local students as part of Poway OnStage’s Arts in Education program.
Tickets to the public show are $59-$78 for adults; $52-$68 for students (ages 13-21), seniors (65-plus) and active military; and $34-$44 for youths (12 and under). Purchase at powayonstage.org or at the PA box office, 15498 Espola Road in Poway. For details, call 858-748-0505.
