BENTON HARBOR — A night filled with seahorses, dragon fish, mermaids, bubbles, and a world of fantasy is coming to The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. “B – The Underwater Bubble Show” will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at The Mendel Center Mainstage for one show only.

The live stage show follows the story of Mr. B. Like many people, he is overwhelmed by today’s fast-paced, stressful lifestyle. After another long day of meetings and deadlines, Mr. B finds himself magically transported to a special, colorful place called Bubblelandia. The inhabitants of this kingdom carry Mr. B along his imaginary journey into an underwater world where fantasy becomes reality.

Inspired by the famous Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil, “B” is the first bubble show that seeks to give meaning and a new theatrical dimension to the art of soap bubbles. The drama includes mime, dance, puppetry, juggling, contortionism, sand art, and magic, combined with soap bubbles.

The show is rich in special effects, including a 380-square-foot LED screen that works in tandem with cutting-edge laser technology, snow cannons, soap bubble tornadoes, and optical illusions. Audience participation is encouraged.

“B – The Underwater Bubble Show” was produced with the help and support of the biggest authorities in the field of entertainment and theatre in Latvia. The visual impact of the show is enhanced by the original music of Valdis Zilvers, the most famous Latvian composer of soundtracks for theatre plays, and by the costumes designed by E. Patmalniece, a popular fashion designer and the main costume designer of the Latvian National Opera.

The show is produced by Brinum-X, a Latvian company with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment business in 32 countries. It is directed by Italian theatre director, actor, and bubble artist Enrico Pezzoli, one of the most experienced soap bubble performers in the world. Pezzoli has worked as a director and bubble advisor for international events including the RIGA 800 Years celebration and the 2014 Sochi Olympic games.

Tickets for “B – The Underwater Bubble Show” are on sale at www.TheMendelCenter.com, and through The Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-8700, option 1, and in person weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children, active military members, and veterans.

Groups of 10 or more receive special discounts when orders are placed through The Mendel Center box office or online. Contact the box office about reserving private pre- and post-show party areas and transform your show experience into a birthday party, a gathering of good friends, or other celebration.

The Bubble Bash pre-show dinner will take place in the Mainstage North Lobby. Those who attend can enjoy a dinner that will include a beverage, chicken tenders, fries, fresh vegetables, fruit, and dessert. Curious Kids’ Museum will bring their bubble chamber, where attendees will see what it feels like be encased in a giant soap bubble.

Bubble Bash tickets are $10 for ages 3 to 12, $15 for ages 13 and older. Tickets for the pre-show dinner and performance are sold separately.

This performance of “B – The Underwater Bubble Show” is made possible in part by the Gast Young People’s Performance Endowment, and is sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation and MailMax. This presentation is also supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Crane Group.

Arts Midwest Touring Fund seeks to engage people in meaningful experiences with the fine arts of dance, music, theater, and other performing arts forms. Inter-state touring and the engagement of professional artists is central to the work of Arts Midwest.

“Arts Midwest is proud to support The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in their upcoming engagement of “B – The Underwater Bubble Show,” said Arts Midwest Executive Director David J. Fraher. “Arts events like this not only provide uplifting experiences for audiences, they also create meaningful jobs for those employed in the arts industry – thus amplifying the effectiveness of our funding.”

About Arts Midwest: Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest is one of six nonprofit regional arts organizations in the United States. Its mission is to promote creativity, nurture cultural leadership, and engage people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Since its establishment more than 30 years ago, Arts Midwest has been serving audiences, arts organizations, and artists throughout the nine states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and beyond.

About the National Endowment for the Arts: The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

The 1,559-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre offers state-of-the-art acoustics and comfortable seating. Amenities include free parking, handicap accessibility, and an array of special services including valet parking, catering and bar service for private pre- and post-show events, booster seats for children, assistive listening devices, non-spill cups for beverages inside the theatre, and premium seats in the Stage Side section.

The Mendel Center is 30 minutes from Niles,w and 40 minutes from the Kalamazoo and South Bend areas. It is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24). Its GPS mapping address is 1100 Yore Ave., Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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