Cirque Dreams rings in ‘Holidaze’

When “America’s Got Talent” producers need contestants, where do they look?

Cirque Dreams Productions. No kidding.

“We cast amazing people to do amazing things. That’s what our brand is known for,” Neil Goldberg, the organization’s artistic director, said during a phone interview from Cirque Dreams’ headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., putting the final touches on his Christmas extravaganza. “I was just on the phone with [“America’s Got Talent”] yesterday. They were asking about some of the people we’ve seen.”

The query makes sense. In Cirque Dreams’ 18 years, the brand has traveled the globe with shows like “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” “Cirque Dreams & Dinner” and “Cirque Dreams Pandemonia.” Performing mesmerizing acrobatics and awing crowds, the cast represents some of the world’s best in their craft.

“Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” Goldberg’s latest brainstorm, arrives at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Dec. 20-24.

The show centers around a 30-foot tall Christmas tree. “The show pays tribute to the holiday season the color and majesty of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.”

Unlike conventional decorations, however, “Holidaze” ornaments take on a life of their own in this high-energy production. The tree literally comes to life with gingerbread men flipping in mid-air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires, snowmen daringly balancing, icemen sculpting, penguins spinning, puppets dancing and reindeer soaring high above a landscape of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering soldiers.

There’s even an appearance by the Summerwind Skippers, one of the finalists of last season’s “America’s Got Talent.” The group can be spotted among the elves.

“And Santa makes an appearance in a very clever way,” Goldberg notes.

Like other cirque-type productions, the show features original music and feats of disbelief. For the director, the biggest challenge is creating a production audiences will enjoy that tops previous Cirque Dreams events.

“With social media, audiences are really jaded. People have seen a lot,” Goldberg explained. “It’s such a fast-paced world, it puts a little more heat on us as producers. We have to search further and further to find very unusual talent.

“Fortunately, not that many companies offer a platform for these skill sets,” he added. “We’re able to attract the best of the best.”

Discounted seats are available for military groups. And, in the spirit of the giving season, Goldberg said those who attend the show can register free to win a 7-day Caribbean cruise.

Tickets to “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” are available at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office, online at BroadwayInNewOrleans.com or by calling (800) 982-2787.