Posted 4/21/2008 6:18:03 PM by Webmaster
News from Jocleyn Twist viewed 3272 times
Monday, April 21, 2008 - Grand Center, St. Louis, MO
CIRCUS FLORA TO PREMIERE “SHERWOOD FOREST” AS 22nd SEASON PRODUCTION
St. Louis’ Celebrated, One-Ring, European-Style Circus to Perform All New Show in Grand Center, June 5-22
CIRCUS FLORA TO PREMIERE “SHERWOOD FOREST” AS 22nd SEASON PRODUCTION St. Louis’ Celebrated, One-Ring, European-Style Circus to Perform All New Show in Grand Center, June 5-22 ST. LOUIS / April 21, 2008 Circus Flora – St. Louis’ own legendary one-ring circus – has announced an all new show for its 22nd season production “Sherwood Forest,” a tribute to the legend of Robin Hood and his band of merry men. The show will premiere June 5 and run through June 22, under the air-conditioned red and white big top where no audience member is further than 42 feet from the performance ring. The tent will be located in Grand Center, St. Louis’ Arts and Entertainment District, adjacent to Powell Hall (corner of Grand Blvd.and Samuel Sheppard Dr.). Tickets are on sale now. The Circus Flora ensemble will bring this classic adventure tale to life – the perfect story to showcase a myriad of acrobatics, animals, antics and music. Press opening night is Friday, June 6, at 7 p. m. Show times for the 24-performance engagement are Tuesday through Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m. Two 10 a.m. “Little Top Wednesdays,” special one-hour shows are scheduled for the young or “young at heart.” Circus Flora productions feature original, live music, animals and a story line that engages its rich performance history and world-renowned circus stars. This season’s musical theatre experience takes its performers on a journey through time to Medieval England. Complete with horses, heroes and hilarious adventures, Robin Hood fights to bring justice to Sherwood Forest. Many of the world’s most acclaimed circus performers become his merry band of outlaws, using their skills to conduct daring raids against the tyrannies of the villain, the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham! They take from the rich and give to the poor, winning the hearts of the villagers, especially the lovely Maid Marian and her ladies-in-waiting. “I’ve wanted to do the story of Robin Hood for years,” said Circus Flora’s Artistic Director and Producer, Ivor David Balding. “The tale resonates down through the ages – thanks to the legendary themes of romance, action, humor, survival in the wilderness, the triumph of right over might, and nostalgia for a bygone age of chivalry. But, most importantly, it’s fun.” By fusing the classic traditions of the circus with theater techniques, a world class ensemble cast will showcase this Sherwood Forest, with many-a-surprise. Imagine the distinguished Circus Flora performers whisking us to a magical place with their artistry through heart-stopping aerial acts, breathtaking equestrian feats and gravity defying acrobatics. Surprise new acts and returning favorites showcase this brand new 2008 Circus Flora production. Reuniting this year is: Cecil MacKinnon as Yo-Yo; the world-famous high-wire act, The Flying Wallendas; Giovanni Zoppe as Nino the Clown; The Ianna Spirit Riders; St. Louis Arches and the Circus Flora band. Returning as featured company members are: Alexandre Sacha Pavlata and Melinda Heywood, along with Sasha Alexandre Nevidonski and his wife, Katherine Nevidonski This year’s heart-stopping aerial acts will soar high above the ring and into the tent top. The award-winning Flying Cortes act will feature its thrilling triple somersault on the flying trapeze, and two new performers, who comprise the internationally acclaimed act, Duo Madrona, will be elevated above the audience, performing a vibrant and sensual duet on the trapeze. Equestrian artistry has always been a significant part of circus history and heritage. Circus Flora displays its devotion to the classic circus traditions and fuses them with a new generation of performers and horses that unite and gallop into the modern day circus ring with extraordinary skill and agility. The Ianna Spirit Riders, currently the only youth circus bareback riding act in America, display the fine art of dancing and gymnastics on horseback, while Tosca Zoppé brings her sixth-generation family circus heritage to her renowned bareback equestrian act. Especially exciting to this year’s all new show, is the addition of Lisa Dufresne, an accomplished international competitor who will perform with her world class Haute Ecole horse and her “mighty mites” liberty ponies. Two new acts join the 2008 production of “Sherwood Forest.” Family act, the Poemas, is a world-renowned Risley foot juggling act that brings its acrobatic dexterity to the ring. Adrian Poema, the father, is one of the few Risley performers in the world to perfect the difficult “one finger stand.” He will be joined by his wife and four children in a performance that brings laughs and excitement. And in a surprise small animal act, Sweden’s premier equestrian and animal trainer, Carlos Svenson, playing Prince John, will bring his entertaining and beloved goats to the performance. In addition to premiering an entirely new show, Circus Flora will introduce a brand new theater seating system as well. Gone are the days of metal bleachers without backs. Sit back and enjoy individual bucket seats as Robin Hood and his merry men whisk your imagination away to Sherwood Forest for “magical theatre in the sawdust ring.” Tickets for “Sherwood Forest” are $8 - $35 and will go on sale March 24. Look for special FANtastic Tuesday prices. Tickets will be available at allMetroTix outlets; MetroTix.com, as well as by phone through MetroTix, 314-534-1111, at the Circus Flora Box Office in the Centene Center for the Arts & Education and by calling Circus Flora, 314-289-4040. Beginning May 27, the Circus Flora box office will relocate to the front of the Circus Flora tent, behind Powell Hall (corner of Grand Blvd.and Samuel Shepard Dr.) For group discounts, call Circus Flora at 314-289-4040. For additional information, visit the website .www.circusflora.org ###
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