The much awaited Zoppé Family Circus at the Chandler Center for the Arts is here! This is our third year in a row. What made this year super special is our 5-year old daughter was really, really into it (baton, popcorn, cotton candy and all). In fact, after the show, she said the only thing that could’ve made it better for her is if she was on stage too. I wouldn’t be surprised a bit if one day she ran off and joined the circus!
Our very dear friends Orlene, her husband Carlo and their three little kids Gianluca (7), Giulia (5) and Gioia (2 1/2) are part of this authentic, intimate and fun-filled performance. I grew up with Orlene and I’m so proud to see her talent (and family) grow. She is an antipodist (foot-juggler) who appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and is most definitely a Supermom! When we visited their trailer last week she had a homemade veggie quiche waiting for me (she even made the crust from scratch). Ridiculous.
My favorite circus family – the Gentiles!
Photo: Frank Ferrante
The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into the 500-seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the old-world Italian tradition. Starring Nino the clown, the circus features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, cainine capers, clowning, foot-juggling and plenty of audience participation. Nino is not like any other clown (the opposite of scary). He is an immediate crowd favorite with his funny and heart-warming delivery. You will laugh and adore him as much as we did.
Giovanni Zoppè, the sixth-generation circus performer who plays Nino, says the show aims higher than what passes for circuses these days. “We try to touch every emotion during the show,” he says. “They’ll laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll feel for the characters. It’s more of an event than a show.”
Nino dolls
Check out their website for tour dates.