THE BALLOON MAN

JYMS student runs away with the circus




Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
Budding circus performer Mercury McCarthy of Baraboo rises unharmed from a basket that moments before was pierced by four swords Tuesday evening during rehearsal of a magic show at the Baraboo Civic Center. McCarthy and her mother, Jill Luce of Baraboo, leave today with Baraboo magician Tim Tegge, visible behind her, for a two-week Midwest tour with the Jose Cole International Circus.
By Brian Bridgeford, News Republic 
Wednesday, March 14, 2012



A lifelong dream of performing in the circus will be fulfilled today as Baraboo middle school student Mercury McCarthy runs off on a two-week Midwest tour with local magician Tim Tegge.


McCarthy will serve as Tegge’s assistant during his magic show and perform her own juggling act as they join the Jose Cole International Circus.


As a newcomer to the show, Tegge has worked to teach McCarthy the keys to stage performance. While practicing their routine Tuesday, and under the watchful eye of McCarthy’s parents Jill Luce and Patrick McCarthy, Tegge called for his young assistant to focus on showmanship.


“Flirt with the audience a little bit,” Tegge said. “You need to make everyone fall in love with you.”


The 13-year-old is an eighth grader at Jack Young Middle School who said she always has been fascinated by circus acts.


“From when I was very little I would love to see all the (Milwaukee circus) parades and all the wagons being pulled,” she said. “I try to go to a circus almost every year.”


Patrick McCarthy said he remembers driving his daughter to school with her talking about her love for circus.


“She said, ‘Dad, it’s my dream,’” he said. “And it’s literally unfolding that way, to be able to seize it and do circus in a very traditional sense.”





Brian D. Bridgeford / News RepublicRookie 
?First of May? circus performer Mercury McCarthy of Baraboo performs a type of juggling act called diabolo Tuesday evening during rehearsal at the Baraboo Civic Center. McCarthy and her mother, Jill Luce of Baraboo, leave today with Baraboo magician Tim Tegge for a two-week Midwest tour with the Jose Cole International Circus. 
McCarthy said she learned some of the tricks of the trade from friends whose families were performers with a small circus. Though she hasn’t ever performed for an audience, she learned circus routines such as the flying trapeze and the diabolo juggling act.


Tegge said he used to live in the carriage house of the Ringling family mansion on Eighth Street. After he moved to a house a few doors down, McCarthy and her family moved in.


He got to know them as neighbors, and recently learned of her efforts to develop the juggling act. He later was impressed by her skills when he saw her practice the act at the Civic Center.
“I was expecting it to be some wide-eyed kid playing with the diabolo, dropping every trick, but she had a whole routine,” Tegge said. “I said, ‘Wow, I might be able to make use of your services.’”

Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
Baraboo magician Tim Tegge hypnotizes his assistant, rookie circus performer Mercury McCarthy of Baraboo, as part of a levitation illusion Tuesday evening at the Baraboo Civic Center. McCarthy and her mother, Jill Luce of Baraboo, leave today with Tegge for a two-week Midwest tour with the Jose Cole International Circus.
The day after witnessing McCarthy’s rehearsal, Tegge was asked to fill a pair of unexpected openings with the Jose Cole International Circus during the troupe’s Midwest tour. Tegge made the arrangements and the two will leave today to meet up with the rest of the performers.


“It’s a long-time dream come true,” McCarthy said. “Now I have this and can picture myself doing this in the future.”


Luce said she will travel with her daughter in an Airstream camper they borrowed from a friend. They also are working with McCarthy’s teachers to make sure she keeps up with her classes and homework while on the road.


Despite an early breakthrough in a possible circus career, McCarthy said she intends to remain focused on school as well.

 

Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
With a dramatic flourish, Baraboo magician Tim Tegge whips a support from beneath his assistant, budding circus performer Mercury McCarthy of Baraboo, during a Tuesday evening rehearsal at the Baraboo Civic Center. McCarthy and her mother, Jill Luce of Baraboo, leave today with Tegge for a two-week Midwest tour with the Jose Cole International Circus.


Tegge’s first performance will be Friday in Maquoketa, Iowa, followed by a show each day for the next 13 days. Mercury McCarthy’s final show for the tour will be at Hibbing, Minn. on March 29.