Homage

Circus Flora

I was born and have spent most of my life in St. Louis, but there are some local traditions and institutions that I never have and probably never will understand. White Castles, for example, or the business about asking where you went to high school. What's THAT all about, anyway?

On the other hand, I have no problem at all understanding the appeal of Circus Flora's annual appearance in Grand Center. It's two and one-half hours of music, comedy and great circus acts under the air-conditioned big top right next to Powell Hall. No seat is more than 42 feet away from the ring, it's fun for the whole family and the prices are even reasonable. What's not to like?

The title of this year's show, which runs through June 24th, is Homage. It's Circus Flora's twentieth anniversary production, so the story that knits together the various performances is all about the immigrant experience and the American Dream. If that sounds like it might make for heavy going, never fear. The story never gets in the way of the acts, and those acts are brilliant.

Flora favorites from earlier shows include the Flying Wallendas with their unnerving seven-person high-wire pyramid, Melinda Heywood and Flora co-founder Alexandre Sacha Pavlata in an elegant high-wire pas de deux, and Katja Schumann and her graceful trained horses. The St. Louis Arches, a troupe of local youngsters from the Circus Day Foundation, are back again with their high-energy tumbling act, this time with some bareback riding thrown in for good measure. And everybody's favorite, Giovanni Zoppe, returns as the chaotic and loveable Nino the Clown.

If you've never seen Circus Flora, by the way, be advised that Nino is not the conventional heavily made-up clown of the American circus, but rather the more Chaplinesque figure of the traditional one-ring European circus on which Flora is modeled. He's a superb physical comic and talented aerialist, which makes his screwball trapeze number a classic.

Speaking of which, The Flying Cortes family live up to their name with graceful leaps and turns high above the sawdust floor. Back on that floor, Sasha Alexandre Navidonski uses massive red silk draperies to fly around the ring, using his exceptionally well-trained horse as a moving platform. The gravity-defying illusion is remarkable. I can honestly say I've never seen anything quite like it.

But wait, there's more! Andrey Markov's impressive juggling routine uses trained dogs as assistants to great comic effect. The Zoppe Brothers provide thrills with their equestrian act. And Cecil MacKinnon, as Yo-Yo the Narrator, gets to demonstrate her juggling prowess in a comic number with Nino and members of the St. Louis Arches.

If all this leaves you with the idea that Circus Flora's Homage is a feast for the eyes and ears, then my work here is done. I need only remind you that the big red tent will be in Grand Center through June 24th, with performances Tuesdays through Sundays. Call 314-534-1111 for tickets or visit them on line at circusflora.org.

Speaking of feasts, if your stomach is hungry as well as your eyes and ears, you can grab some popcorn, cotton candy or even Italian sausage at the concession tent. If you want White Castles, though, you'll have to bring your own.

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