Stranded Chinese acrobats to perform in Fort Worth tonight

by Steve Smith of of West and Clear

You know your business trip has gone really wrong when you end up living in an homeless shelter. The what happened to the Guanhua Acrobats from Shanghai, who came to Texas expecting a national tour and instead found themselves cooling their heels in the Union Gospel Mission when their tour promoter bailed out on them.

“They said the accommodations weren’t that great, but at least they fed them,” said Kurt Howard, Director of Production at the Fort Worth Opera.

Howard and the Fort Worth Opera got involved when they contracted the troupe to perform in Turandot as palace performers. They’re also co-sponsoring a benefit performance featuring the troupe tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Scott Theatre. Tickets are $25 each and available by calling 817.731.0726 or online at www.fwopera.org.

The Fort Worth Opera is providing the Scott Theatre for free in conjunction with the Fort Worth Arts Council. The Opera is also handling ticket sales, and the proceeds go to the acrobats.

“They’re not trying to raise money and get back home,” Howard said. “They’re more interested in continuing to work here in the U.S.”

These acrobats were spectacular on Saturday night during Turandot. See for yourself tonight and do a good turn for this troupe.