When Neil Goldberg was a boy, he collected leftover holiday ornaments from discarded trees in New York because he loved their design. Now, Goldberg is using that creative streak to direct a holiday spectacular that will come to the Queen City in December.
Goldberg is the mastermind behind Cirque Dreams, a production company that creates elaborate, thematic stage shows involving acrobats, dancers, musicians and other performers. The newest Cirque Dreams show is “Holidaze,” a Christmas spectacular. The national tour will make a stop at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Sunday, Dec. 14, as part of its Broadway’s Best in Bangor series.
Individual tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 10.
The Bangor Daily News spoke with Goldberg while he was taking a break from preparing for the “Holidaze” tour at Cirque headquarters in Florida.
What can show-goers expect to see at Cirque Dreams Holidaze?
Here’s a couple of things that are important to remember. This is a new show for us, and this tour is the last tour before the show goes to Broadway. There’s 30 performers and 20 acrobats and hundreds of costumes and original music and familiar holiday songs, too. It’s a Christmas spectacular, and it’s got something for everybody. It’s elaborate and lush and beautiful. And it’s one of three Cirque Holidaze shows we’re touring. I’m seeing everything in triplicate — triple the numbers — and that’s what we’re juggling. It’s just a huge undertaking.
You’ve produced countless Cirque shows, as well as designed shows for the NFL, the NBA and Disney. What keeps you going? What inspires you?
I’ve always been driven, ever since I was a kid. I’m a perfectionist. And I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by a dozen other perfectionists working by my side. When you have people with that level of passion, you can externalize what’s internal to all of us. Our studio in Florida is 30,000 square feet, where we manufacture all of our own costumes and props and rehearse the whole show. We are our own travel agency. We love what we do.
What haven’t you done that you’ve always wanted to try?
I’ve always wanted to produce the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I’ve got a few halftime shows under my belt, but I don’t know if that one’s in the cards. But it’s something that fascinates me. I thought last year was incredible. Those floating set pieces were just unbelievable. It would be a dream to have a set custom built for the venue. One of the most exciting challenges for us is that we have to have our set be adaptable to 50 different performing arts center, because they’re all a little different.
What do you love about the holiday season?
When I was 10 or 11 years old, growing up in New York, I’d walk home from the bus. And one of my most favorite times of year was right after Christmas, when people were throwing out their old trees. I’d collect every ornament I could find and tinsel and anything colorful. My mother would get annoyed with me. Why was this nice little Jewish boy collecting Christmas stuff? But I love anything sparkly or colorful or creative. I still do. I have a 15,000-piece ornament collection from all over the world, even today. I love it.
