For Immediate Release: April 20, 2009

Cirque Berzerk Returns to Downtown LA
For Seven Performances per Weekend
At Los Angeles State Historic Park
June 18 – July 5, 2009
.
Parental discretion is advised.

“Equal parts trippy and sinister, Cirque Berzerk seems like the sort of phantasmagoric
spectacle Tim Burton would dream up, if he quit filmmaking to join the circus.”

Los Angeles Times, July 2008

LOS ANGELES, CA – Following the amazing success of last year’s completely sold-out and held-over engagement, Cirque Berzerk, a wild, sexy, decadent and demented alternative circus that isn’t exactly for kids makes its triumphant return to downtown Los Angeles for an exclusive engagement debuting June 18, 2009, running through 4th of July weekend.

As Los Angeles’ only established circus troupe, Cirque Berzerk promises an even more twisted big top experience than ever before, adding several new acts under an even bigger big top. The 35-artist troupe is a tight-knit “family” of professional performers and musicians. Instead of typical circus fare emphasizing live animal acts and wholesome family fun, Cirque Berzerk features jaw-dropping acrobatics, stunning male and female aerialists, sexy, fiery burlesque dancers, gothic stilt walkers, punk rock clowns, psychedelic vaudevillian tomfoolery, and one very voluptuous contortionist.

Cirque Berzerk performs cutting-edge choreography by Neal Everett set to an entirely original live musical score composed by Cirque Berzerk co-founder Kevin Bourque. “Stylistically, we’re a little grungier, darker, rougher and more theatrical than a typical circus,” says Bourque’s wife and co-founder Suzanne Bernel. Attendees from last year’s show described it as a “circus on acid,” “French burlesque meets ‘Sweeney Todd’ meets Cirque du Soliel” and “P.T. Barnum’s worst nightmare.”

To accommodate the anticipated crowds, Cirque Berzerk has commissioned and imported a massive custom-built new big top tent from Italy, which can accommodate over 1,500 spellbound guests. Cirque Berzerk’s three-weekend engagement begins Thursday, June 18, 2009 – with one performance each Thursday at 8:30pm, two shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 and 10:00pm and two shows every Sunday at 5:00pm and 8:00pm – scheduled to run through Sunday, July 5, 2009.

To get into the spirit of the evening, revelers are encouraged to arrive early before the show to dine (and drink with valid ID) picnic-style around the big top – bring your own or purchase dinner on-site – and enjoy interactive carnival-themed attractions before entering into a whole new big top ‘surreality.’ After the nightly performances, the audience is invited to party with the Cirque Berzerk circus troupe and enjoy a live performance by Vaud & The Villains at the nightly post-show party held in the “The Berzerk Lounge,” a club-like atmosphere adjacent to the big top that will enable guests to continue their Cirque Berzerk experience well into the night.

Since its debut at Burning Man in 2005, Cirque Berzerk has been entertaining audiences – large and small – with their signature spin on contemporary circus theater, blending hardcore circus choreography with the sexy and comedic undercurrents of cabaret and vaudeville. Spearheaded by husband and wife team Suzanne Bernel and Kevin Bourque, Cirque Berzerk’s astounding acrobatic feats and bawdy circus sensibility has entertained various types of events and clients including Carmen Elektra’s New Year’s Eve Bash at Paramount Studios, Best Buy, PlayStation3 Computer Entertainment System and a host of private shows at locations ranging from nightclubs to the Ritz-Carlton. Stunts include aerial performance, contortion, and various stunts involving fire.

Cirque Berzerk takes place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Formerly known as “The Cornfield,” the last vast open space in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, The Los Angeles State Historic Park spans 32 acres, sits adjacent to Chinatown and is easily accessible by bus, rail, car or bicycle. Recently, the Not a Cornfield project transformed the area from what was historically a brown patch of earth into a blooming mecca of springtime flora. The big top tent will sit in the heart of the park, providing ample space for anyone wishing to picnic.

Alternate forms of transportation are encouraged. The circus is offering a 10 percent discount for those arriving by bus or rail. Just show your Metro pass or ticket for the discount.

Significant marketing partners have joined forces with Cirque Berzerk this year to help promote the show through various media and marketing programs. Partners to date include: Clear Channel, American Express, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) and Flaunt magazine.

Online ticketing will begin the week of April 20th, with ticket prices ranging between $25 and $80. For more information please visit http://www.cirqueberzerk.com.

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For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Hasty at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.

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