New Shanghai Theatre to open in Branson for Acrobats of China

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Acrobats of China will mark their eighth season in Branson with a new theater.

The New Shanghai Theatre is being built on Highway 165. Construction began in October, but the groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday.

Bill and Janet Dailey will own the theater, which will feature modern Chinese architecture and will seat about 900 people. Performances are scheduled from May 15 through Dec. 14.

The theater is designed for the New Shanghai Circus, which requires extra rigging and large space for backdrops, Bill Dailey said.

"Each year, over 40 Acrobats of China travel over 14,500 miles to perform in the heartland," said Lizhi Zhao, owner of New Shanghai Circus. "We're pleased to have a permanent home in Branson, Missouri."

The New Shanghai Circus performers begin training at the age of 6. They come from the same school as Chinese Olympic gymnasts.

Besides the Branson shows, the New Shanghai Circus presents shows year-round in Shanghai, China, and tours internationally and across the United States.