Chandler Center for the Arts presents Zoppé, An Italian Family Circus

Dec. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- CHANDLER, Ariz.  — Chandler Center for the Arts is bringing the Circus to Chandler Dec. 26- Jan. 3 including a special performance on New Year’s Eve at 7pm. Propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts), the circus features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation. As the Center completes $6.7 million in renovations this year, the performance will take place in an intimate 500-seat tent set up on the Center’s west lawn.

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."

The Zoppè Family Circus emerged from humble beginnings more than 160 years ago to become one of the legendary circuses in all of Europe. And like many good legends, it began with a boy and a girl falling in love.

In 1842, a young French street performer named Napoline Zoppè wandered into a plaza in Budapest, Hungary, looking for work. There, his eyes glanced upon a beautiful equestrian ballerina named Ermenegilda, who captured the hearts and minds of the crowd with her grace and showmanship. More importantly, this talented beauty captured Napoline's heart. However, since Napoline was a clown, Ermenegilda's father saw him as beneath her and disapproved of their relationship. The two ran away to Venice, Italy, and founded the circus that still bears their name. Over the generations, the circus survived wars and political upheaval in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Alberto Zoppè, Napoline's great-grandson, inherited the circus almost 100 years later. A grand equestrian in his own right, Alberto toured Europe with the circus since his youth, forging many unique friendships along the way, including one with famed actor/director Orson Welles.

Alberto would later move to America, where he produced circuses for Ringling and started his own family. Together with his wife Sandra, Alberto ushered in a new generation to continue the family tradition. Their children, Giovanni, Tosca and Carla, along with their spouses, have all been active at one time or another in the family business. Giovanni revived the Zoppè Family Circus in America three years ago, and has since been building its reputation with audiences and critics as an enchanting exhibition of traditional European circus.

For more information and to purchase tickets online visit www.ChandlerCenter.org.

CALENDAR LISTING INFO
Event: Zoppe An Italian Family Circus
Event Dates & Time: December - January 3 [Times Vary]
Event Venue: West Lawn, Chandler Center for the Arts
Address: 250 N. Arizona Avenue~ Chandler, AZ 85225
Box Office: 480-782-2680
Venue Website: www.chandlercenter.org
Tickets: $20 & $25 Children 12 and Under $15 & $20
Tickets: New Year’s Eve $25 & $35 Children 12 and Under $20 & $25
On-line Box Office: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/246755?brand=chandlerce...
On-line Press Releases: http://chandlercenter.org/press/event-pr.html
On-line Photo Gallery: http://chandlercenter.org/press/photo-gallery.html
Interview Request Form: http://chandlercenter.org/press/request.html
Venue Contact: Judi Johnson, Marketing Coordinator @ 480-782-2674

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About Chandler Center for the Arts

The Chandler Center for the Arts is jointly owned by the City of Chandler and the Chandler Unified School District. The Chandler Cultural Foundation was contracted in 1989 by the City of Chandler as a means to facilitate programming and fund development for the Chandler Center for the Arts.
As a nonprofit organization, the Center relies on a variety of funding sources to help underwrite internationally acclaimed artists, educate young audiences, create important community programs and maintain our remarkable facility. Only support from individuals, corporations, foundations and our public partners can make these programs possible.
Membership contributions sustain a spectacular array of services and programs and make Chandler a better place to live and visit. To become a member or to purchase tickets with no per-ticket fee, visit the Web site at www.chandlercenter.org