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Courtesy of Circus Flora
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Courtesy of Circus Flora
Circus Flora—the St. Louis-based circus that uses performances filled with charm, nuance, and old-fashioned derring-do to tell stories—opens its 30th season this weekend.
This season’s production, Pastime, focuses on something as near and dear to the hearts of St. Louisans as Circus Flora itself: baseball. The show is set in the golden era of baseball, during a time before big lights brought us night games and when radio announcers were the soundtrack to everyone’s summer. The show follows the Mound City Zephyrs, who might be just a bit longer on pluck than skill. Their biggest fan, played by clown Amanda Crockett, follows their efforts breathlessly.
“We take pride in our ability to tell stories, not just kind of have a theme," says artistic director Jack Marsh. "We’re telling a story of this baseball team and their biggest fan and what this team means to that fan. For us, that’s what really brought it to us, the ability to find a story within the game itself.”
Courtesy of Circus Flora
Clown Crockett, played by Amanda Crockett, is a newcomer to Circus Flora.
Helping to tell the story are Circus Flora’s old favorites, including The Flying Wallendas and Circus Harmony’s St. Louis Arches. Newcomers include The Cuban Connection, a group of four performers who will perform a Russian Bar act and a Chinese Pole act. During the Russian Bar act, two troupe members hold a plank on their shoulders and move the plank up and down in unison while a third member stands (and flips) on top of the plank. The last time Circus Flora had a Russian Bar act was 15 or 20 years ago, estimates Marsh.
Clown Crockett is a newcomer to Circus Flora’s big top. She brings a hat-juggling act complete with miming and juggling, as well as a comedy trapeze act. Her fandom is relatable for many who become entwined with the successes and failures of their team.
“It’s heartwarming and also kind of weird and amazing,” he says. “It’s such a part of our culture and our life.”
The Big Top in Grand Center is adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall. Showtimes are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 1 and 7 p.m., Sundays at 1 and 5:30 p.m., with abbreviated shows on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Buy tickets online at metrotix.com or by calling 314-534-1111.
