Banana Shpeel
Dan Bacalzo
May 21, 2010: Cirque du Soleil pours on plenty of old-fashioned razzle-dazzle in the company's latest extravaganza, Banana Shpeel, now making its long-delayed debut at the Beacon Theatre. Following a brief comedic prologue, we get a big, flashy opening number, and at various points in the proceedings, dancers come on for some energetic routines, choreographed by Jared Grimes. Dominique Lemieux's colorful costumes have appeal, and there's a slickness to the overall look of the show, which is written and directed by David Shiner. However, the evening as a whole ends up being only mildly entertaining.
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