The 2013 Big Top Tour is celebrating a 26- year tradition of bringing joy and magic to towns all over the Northeast. The traveling youth circus performs almost 70 shows this summer, from the mountains of Vermont to the shores of Maine.
Unlike traditional circuses, the stars of this show are 28 talented teenagers who bring youthful exuberance and amazing skills from all parts of the country. Performances include aerials, acrobatics, high wire, juggling, trapeze, clowning and an array of dazzling costumes.
For its current tour, Circus Smirkus, Vermont’s award-winning international youth circus, reached all the way to Kansas for the inspiration for this year’s show, “Oz Incorporated.”
“What you’ll see is a nod to all of the classic storybook characters. We’ve got Dorothy. We’ve got Toto. We’ve got witches, both good and bad. We’ve got a Cowardly Lion. We’ve got the Scarecrow. We’ve got the Tin Man,” said Troy Wunderle, Big Top Tour artistic director. “I play the character of Oz.”
But in true Smirkus fashion, simply clicking their ruby slippers and heading to Oz isn’t enough. They’ve added a twist that is sure to surprise and excite all circus attendees.
With the circus arts curriculum at Merriconeag Waldorf School and the circus arts craze growing nationwide, it’s no wonder that this year’s troupe includes four “Smirkos” from Waldorf schools in the Northeast.
A ticket sponsorship program has made it possible for local children to attend for free through several social service agencies. Thanks to area businesses and individuals, children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to see the circus will attend through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Make-a-Wish Foundation and other community agencies.
Circus Smirkus will hold a special performance at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital on Sunday, Aug. 4, for those children who cannot attend a performance under The Big Top.
¦ CIRCUS SMIRKUS
Where: Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport
When: 1 and 6 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 5 and 6
Tickets: $17 for children ages 2 through 12 and 65 plus; $20 for ages 13 to 64; tickets available at Royal River Natural Foods, Route 1, Freeport, and Standard Baking Co., Commercial Street, Portland or go to www.smirkus.org, or call (877) SMIRKUS. Children younger than 2 admitted free to sit on adult’s lap.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less