Cirkopolis coming to Proctor's Theatre

A Montreal based circus arts troupe is setting up shop at Proctors. YNN's Lori Chung has more on why local leaders say the deal with Cirque Eloize is not just good news for the venue, but for the entire region.

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- "For me, it's kind of like a memory," said Angelica Bongiovonni, describing her performance in Cirkopolis during a preview of the new show making Proctors it's summer home for the next five years.

"It's perfect for us in that we have started to do summer shows and summer events to bring a sense that Schenectady is a place to be in the summer,” said Philip Morris, Proctors CEO.

Cirkopolis is a mix of dance, acrobatics and theater by Cirque Éloize out of Montreal, making its North American debut here, directors say with good reason.

"You have to feel that there's a strong community involvement and that's what we felt with Phillip and with Proctors and Schenectady,” said artistic director Jeannot Painchaud.

Leaders say Cirque Éloize shows have drawn three million visitors since 1993. Those numbers bode well for Proctors, Downtown Schenectady and New York tourism. Estimates show the partnership bringing in $9 million for the theatre and troupe and $1 million for local municipalities.

"This is something that is world known," Sen. Betty Little. "I can see people coming on the Northway up and down, from Syracuse, Utica."

Both Cirque Éloize and Proctors will be watching to see how this show does over the next five years and both say they're hoping it's successful enough to be extended over the next 10 years, 15 years, maybe even longer.