INTERNATIONAL ALL-STAR CIRCUS COMMING TO GUAM

The ultimate in balance: A performer balances on rolling metal objects while wobbling his way higher and higher -- just one of the acts of the International All-Star Circus. (Photo courtesy of Ruder Integrated Marketing Strat)

'The finest performers': International All-Star Circus promises quite a show

By Mark-Alexander Pieper • Pacific Daily News • May 7, 2010

The circus is coming to Guam and local residents should prepare to be awed, says the ringmaster of the International All-Star Circus."This is a collection of the finest performers on earth -- we have acrobats, aerialists, flying daredevils, contortionists -- all ready to deliver high-end, high-quality stage performances," says Cornell "Tuffy" Nicholas, the show's producer and ringmaster."It's going to be two hours of family fun for everyone from 6 to 60."The son of a circus ringmaster and polar bear trainer, Nicholas says has spent his life under the big top. His parents spent almost three decades working for the world-renowned Ringling Brothers shows, and Nicholas followed suit into the family business.After seeing the difficulty of working on animal-based circus shows, in 1999 Nicholas left the Sterling and Reid Bros. Circus, which he at the time managed, to start his own animal-free circus show in Florida.In the last decade, the show has grown to host productions all over the world as his assembly of clowns, trapeze artists and acrobats have wowed critics. Last year his company opened Cirque Polynesia -- Hawaii's only dedicated "cirque" production at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa's Monarchy Ballroom."This isn't your parent's circus," he says. "This is a Las Vegas-style Cirque du Soleil type of show."The International All-Star Circus will play eight shows on Guam, starting May 14, and will then head to Saipan for three more shows.

Transformation: The world famous Arestovs perform an awe-inspiring and unbelievable quick-change act. Watch closely as they amaze you with their transformation. (Photo courtesy of Ruder Integrated Marketing Strat)Community effort
As part of the fun, local promoters, Tropical Productions, held a coloring contest for local elementary school children in public, private and military schools. The five winners from each category will be announced at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Guam Premier Outlets. winners will receive a grand prize of 10 VIP ringside tickets. More than 4,000 children participated. Finalists in each category will receive tickets to the show, says Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies' Sally Malay.Finalists must be present for the grand prize announcements.The circus also will be performing at various schools on island next week. Also, $1 from every ticket sold to the 5:30 p.m. May 14 show will go to help the Guam Girl Scouts, who will have 10 scouts performing in that opening act."I love seeing the look on people's faces when they see the show for the first time, so I'm very excited to be coming to Guam and Saipan," Nicholas says.

Bow and arrow act: Imagine balancing an apple on your head while your partner takes aim with a loaded bow. That's exactly what happens each time Ross and Elisa Hartzell perform their rendition of a modern day William Tell. (Photo courtesy of Ruder Integrated Marketing Strat)