The big top is coming back to the Hestand Stadium fairgrounds in Pine Bluff.
Cirque Italia is bringing a new show to the Blake Street venue, one that illustrates the story of a young man’s tornado ride from the countryside to city lights, in an animal-free Water Circus. The show will open at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and will be performed each night through Labor Day Monday.
“We’ve been here before, and we had such a great reaction with the community here in Pine Bluff,” Cirque Italia spokesperson Marjorie Rosenthal said. Cirque Italia last performed in Pine Bluff in June 2020.
“We’re excited to showcase our new performance. We’re excited to show our city-themed Water Circus,” Rosenthal added.
Cirque Italia was founded in 2012 by Manuel Rebecchi, whose aunt Moira Orfei was considered the “world-renowned queen of the Italian circus.” Showcasing only human talent and no animals is a trademark of his.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Water Circus Silver Unit, one of six Cirque Italia tours, is the circuit stopping in Pine Bluff, and features a stage that can hold 35,000 gallons of water over which the artists from around the globe perform. The circus also features Water Circus Gold Unit, the Nitro Extreme motor stunt show, and three Cirque Paranormal tours.
The central figure in this week’s shows is Rafael the Clown. A tornado sweeps him up from the farmland to the big city, where he encounters a diverse cast of characters, including Clown No. 2 as the head of security, “nerds” performing a straps act, a gothic guy juggling and acrobats acting as graffiti artists.
“Our show is a very magical show,” Rosenthal said. “We have this amazing environmental-friendly show.
There’s something for everyone.”
Those who order tickets online at cirqueitalia.com (click on “Pine Bluff, AR” on the homepage) can receive one free child ticket with every adult ticket in levels 2 and 3 by using the code FACEFREE. For those who order tickets on site, the special is automatically applied, Rosenthal said.
The Water Circus Silver Unit will tour Louisiana in September, making stops in Bossier City, Alexandria, Lake Charles and Lafayette.
Cirque Italia Water Circus
When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.; and Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hestand Stadium parking lot, 420 N. Blake St., Pine Bluff.
Ticket prices: $15-$55.
Box office hours: Today and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday-Monday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Online tickets: cirqueitalia.com (click on “Pine Bluff, AR”).
Juggler Yovany Mendez performs in a water pod at the Cirque Italia Water Circus. (Special to The Commercial/Review Junkie)
A hand-to-hand act by Camila Murphy and Martin Escalante. (Special to The Commercial/Josh Davis)