THE BALLOON MAN

Proctors brings Zoppe Italian Circus to region

 

Zoppe Italian Circus (Rick Purdue) 
By Tresca Weinstein
from: timesunion.com
August 8, 2012
The story of Zoppe Italian Circus is so romantic you almost think the PR guys made it up.
Back in 1842, a French clown named Napoline Zoppe and a Hungarian equestrian ballerina named Ermenegilda met in a plaza in Budapest, and ran away together to Venice to start a circus.
 More than a century later, Napoline's great-grandson, Alberto, brought the circus to America — and met his wife, Sandra, when he asked for volunteers during a show and she raised her hand.
Today, their son Giovanni performs the role of Nino the clown, embodying the heart and soul of the circus amid aerial dancers, jugglers, tightrope walkers and canine performers.
The circus is in town Thursday through Sunday under a 500-seat big-top tent pitched next to Proctors.
At a glance
ZOPPE ITALIAN CIRCUS
Where: Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady
 When: 7 p.m. Thursday; 1 and 7 p.m. Friday; 1, 4, and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $25-$35; 17 and under, $15-$25
 Info: 346-6204 or http://www.proctors.org
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Proctors-brings-Zoppe-Italian-Circus-to-region-3772640.php#ixzz232yuUPMd