Cirque du Soleil announces that the new Alegría Arena Tour will stop in Wilkes-Barre this Summer. Alegría will perform eight shows at Wachovia Arena from July 22 to 26.
 
Alegría is a Cirque du Soleil classic and an internationally acclaimed production that has entertained more than 10 million people worlwide since its world premiere in Montreal in April 1994. In May 2009, Alegría will embark on a new journey, performing in arenas throughout Canada and the United States, giving more people than ever the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.
 
The Show
Alegría is a Spanish word that means happiness, joy and jubilation. An operatic introspection of the struggle for power and the invigorating energy of youth, Alegría relates the tale of power versus weakness, the king versus his jesters, and age against youth.
 
A kingdom without a king, Alegría is a world where everyone feels imbued with power —from impish court jester Fleur to the young and vital Bronx, to the aged and aristocratic Birds. Alegría is inhabited by minstrels, rogues, beggars, nobles, children and clowns, the only characters able to adapt to the changing times and the upheaval it brings. In this enigmatic, troubling world of profound changes and uncertainty, despite all the trials and tribulations, there is only one constant: the human spirit remains implacable.
 
Alegría features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 17 countries and showcases breathtaking acrobatics. Acts include the Synchro Trapeze and the high-speed, high-energy Aerial High Bars in which daring aerialists fly to catchers swinging more than 40 feet above the stage. The vibrancy of youth is alive in Power Track, a brilliant display of synchronized choreography and tumbling on a trampoline system hidden under the stage floor. In Russian Bars, artists fly through the air and perform spectacular somersaults and mid-air turns, landing on bars perched on the sturdy shoulders of catchers.
 
The first leg of the 2009 United States tour of Alegría will perform in:
- Providence, RI at Dunkin Donuts Center from July 2 to 5, 2009
- Manchester, NH at Verizon Wireless Center from July 8 to 12, 2009
- Newark, NJ at Prudential Center from July 15 to 19, 2009
- Wilkes-Barre, PA at Wachovia Arena from July 22 to 26, 2009

Ticket information
Advance tickets are now available exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. Join now at cirqueclub.com <http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/> . Tickets to the general public will be available starting Monday, June 8, at 10am EST. Tickets for Wilkes-Barre can be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists.
 
Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and the Rose d’Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com <http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/> .
To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org <http://www.onedrop.org/> .

Alegría in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Performances July 22 to 26, 2009
At Wachovia Arena

PERFORMANCE TIMES
Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
*subject to change
TICKET PRICES
Adults from $40 to $95
Children (12 and under) from  $32 to $76
(Prices do not include service charges)


For more information about Cirque du Soleil please visit our website at cirquedusoleil.com