THE BALLOON MAN

Circus Flora to Mesmerize Crowds Under Big Top with 'The Wizard'

 

The Flying Wallendas perform a stunt on the high wire.

Credit Photo courtesy of Dan Donovan This year's show includes the largest unicycle act ever presented under a single tent, plus some of Circus Flora's most celebrated acts like the Flying Wallendas and the St. Louis Arches.By Sheri Gassaway
from: eureka-wildewood.patch
June 10, 2012
For those looking for a fun, family-friendly event that's sure to evoke the "wow factor," Circus Flora's "The Wizard - Merlin & the Legends of King Arthur" may be the ticket.

This year's 26th big-top production offers a delightful exploration of the Arthurian world of Merlin and Owl, Camelot and Guinevere, animals that talk, people who fly and much more. The production, which incorporates theatrical and literary elements, runs six days a week through June 24.

Two members of the Bertini Troupe (new this year) perform at Circus Flora on a unicycle. Credit Photo courtesy of Circus Flora
 New to this year's show is the Bertini Troupe, a legendary, 11-member unicycle and acrobatic group. The troupe will comprise the largest unicycle act ever presented under a single tent.
"This is Circus Flora at its multigenerational best, putting together a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see three generations of the world's best unicyclists," Artistic Director Ivor David Balding said in a news release. "We love giving St. Louis audiences something they can't see anywhere else."

Yo-Yo the Narrator plays Merlin the Wizard.
Credit Photo courtesy of Steve Truesdell
The show will reunite some of Circus Flora's most celebrated performers including Nino the Clown, Yo-Yo the Narrator, the Flying Wallendas and the St. Louis Arches. It will also include several new acts including aerialists Shayna Swanson and Laura Lippert, an Aerial Mirror act comprised of Peruvian twins and the Anastasini dog act known as Luciano's Pound Puppies.

The St. Louis Arches perform a jump rope trick.
Credit Photo courtesy of Steve Truesdell
Ticket prices (excluding service charges) run between $10 and $44. Show times are Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays at 10 a.m. there is a special one-hour show called "Little Top Wednesday" for smaller kids and the "kids at heart."

The St. Louis Arches, a youth acrobatic troupe based out of City Museum, wows the crowd.
 Credit Photo courtesy of Dan Donovan
Circus Flora, a nonprofit arts organization, presents its big-top production each summer under an air-conditioned, red-and-white big top in Grand Center at corner of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive, which is adjacent to Powell Hall. For more information or for tickets, visit its website.

 

Twins Valerie and Stephanie Koechlin of Peru perform the aerial mirror act.
 Credit Photo courtesy of Circus Flora