This past weekend in Pittsburgh was jam packed with excitement, but if I had to be honest about the family friendly event that I was most looking forward to, I'd easily admit it was the EQT Bridge Theater Series performance of Cirque Mechanics in Birdhouse Factory. Having always been a fan of any Cirque performance, I was eager to see it presented in a way that appealed to my whole family.
I was not disappointed.
From the non-verbal opening scene of disgruntled workers opening the gates to their factory to the closing curtain of the new Birdhouse Factory, my children were captivated by what was unfolding on stage before their eyes.
This performance at the Byham Theater was sold as general admission which allowed my children to insist on sitting in the coveted balcony seats. Not only did this provide us with a fantastic view of the stage but also the families that ventured out this Saturday evening. With strict vaccination and masking protocols at all Cultural District events, it brought a smile to my face to see so many Pittsburgh families feeling safe to come out and enjoy the show.
I wasn't quite aware of just how many small children were in the crowd until I heard the giggles and roars of laughter during the many humorous scenes of the performance (tweet-tweet, woof-woof).
Cirque Mechanics in Birdhouse Factory is a story dated circa 1930s in a widget factory, where displeased workers struggle with the monotony of their daily tasks. After a bird was injured in their factory, you watch the workers start to break free of their rigid roles and discover their inner talents as they come together to care for the bird and ultimately build a bird house. Through simple and complex movements, the performers wowed both children and adults alike with trapeze artists flying high above the stage, a contortionist performing on a turntable powered by unicyclists, and a worker balancing on the tip-top a chair, stacked five-high above the ground. Watching the performers bring the circus to the stage with juggling, hula-hooping, dancing, magic and more, we all left the theater with feelings of delight and satisfaction.
If you didn't catch Cirque Mechanics in Birdhouse Factory when they were in Pittsburgh this past weekend, definitely mark this performance down on your list for the next time they come to town. In the meantime, with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust adding new shows each week, you're bound to find your family fun in the Cultural District. You can check out what's coming up next from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust HERE and also find updates on future family friendly shows coming to the 'Burgh when you subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
