On May 29, Circus Flora returns to “The Big Top” in Grand Center to open its 29th season with “One Summer on Second Street.” This season features new talent, including an act performed by domestic house cats, as well as familiar acts such as the Flying Wallendas and the St. Louis Arches from Circus Harmony.
“One Summer on Second Street” is a story that takes place during the 1920s and early 1930s in a residential building on an American city block. The building houses families from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, and the families are tasked with working together despite those differences. Ultimately, the families meet on a common ground- a love of animals- and grow to unite with one another.
Along with the acts, the show includes a live, five member band that performs urban music of the era.
“You’ll see the musicians and the performers feed off of each other,” said Jack Marsh, artistic director of Circus Flora.
Other featured acts include:
- A trampoline wall act derived from Canada, which consists of acrobats jumping in and out of windows via a trampoline
- The Daring Jones Duo, a duo trapeze act
- Helena Pigeon act, performed by pigeons
Cecil MacKinnon, theatre director and “Yo-Yo the Narrator”, said that each year since their beginning in 1987, Circus Flora aims to bring different acts every season.
“I don’t think there is anything like [Circus Flora],” MacKinnon said. “And we’re working on a form that we keep grappling with that we’re proud of, and that we want to keep improving.”
Listen to the audio to hear more about the featured acts.
Related Events
Circus Flora: "One Summer on Second Street"
- When: May 29, 2015 - June 28, 2015, Tuesday - Thursday: 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Where: The Big Top (near Powell Hall) 3511 Samuel Shepard Dr.
- More information
“Cityscape” is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.