The circus comes to town with the U.S. premiere of Tabarnak by Cirque Alfonse — a mash-up of contemporary circus, rock music, and traditional folklore.
The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University pays homage to Fairfield County’s historical connection to circus arts with the U.S. premiere of Cirque Alfonse’s Tabarnak on Sunday, September 29 at 3 p.m. Hailed as a celebration of heaven, hell, and everything in between, the production will delight the entire family.
Established in 2015, Cirque Alfonse is a brave and creative group of young trailblazers whose artistry recreates the music-filled evenings of their childhood in a small Quebec community. Comprised of a team of professional acrobats – graduates of the École Nationale de Cirque de Montréal – as well as a professional dancer, an ex-skiing champion, and three talented and versatile musicians, Cirque Alfonse members have worked with some of the most renowned “nouveau cirque” companies around the world.
Cirque Alfonse has been described as “a bellyful of cheeky humor and brazen eccentricity… a circus of exceptionally strong men and women, delivering edge-of-your-seat adult entertainment set to a rollicking soundtrack from a frenetic live band.”
In Tabarnak, Cirque Alfonse utilizes a mash-up of contemporary circus, rock music, and traditional Quebec folklore to explore the cultural role of the Church and to create a unique “unbridled High Mass.” The word “tabarnak,” originating from the word “tabernacle,” is a Canadian French expletive that was once a rebellious cry against authority and is now a common expression of pain, anger, or astonishment – the term can serve as both a rejection and a reflection of faith.
Since the legendary showman P.T. Barnum adopted Bridgeport, Conn. as his hometown in the 1850s, Fairfield County has had a special affinity for the circus. Continuing this tradition, the Quick has showcased a range of circus performances over the years, including Australia’s Gravity & Other Myths and Quebec’s Machine de Cirque.
Tickets for Cirque Alfonse’s Tabarnak are $45 and $40 and Quick Members are $30. For more information or to reserve your seat, visit www.quickcenter.com or call the box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.
