High-wire artist Philippe Petit will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his historic, iconic walk between the World Trade Center towers with gala performances at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, August 7 and 8, 2024.
TOWERING!! will feature Philippe on the high wire, in an artistic recreation of his original World Trade Center walk on August 7, 1974.
Sting will perform a world premiere song written about Philippe along with two other of his other hits.. There will be a host of other talents: Grammy-award nominated Jazz Clarinetist Anat Cohen, Barbie whistler Molly Lewis and many others.
All of the performers have a personal connection with Philippe. On an even more personal note, the show will include Philippe debunking some of the myths that have surrounded his WTC coup for 50 years.
TOWERING!!, conceived and directed by Philippe, will unfold in a series of short scenes, many evoking what took place in 1974.
The production takes full advantage of the visual and acoustic grandeur of the setting – the largest Gothic cathedral in the world – where he has been an Artist in Residence for more than 40 years and where he has previously performed 23 times to benefit the cathedral.
This grand event will support both the programs of the Cathedral and the preservation of Philippe’s archives. In addition to safeguarding his legacy with all the information about his own hundreds of high wire performances all over the world, the archives also includes his major collections about the history of wire walking, knot tying, magic, world languages (he is fluent in 6), and various of his other fascinations, professions and passions. Philippe has offered two tickets to every member of the Cathedral staff, many of whom he has known for decades.
Both performances will have 1,500 seats. The shows will start at 8:30 pm and will last approximately 75 minutes.
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