Cecil Mack

On Tuesday, March 9, Dress Circle Publishing will release of THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. Can't wait to get your hands on it? Let BroadwayWorld hold you over with a special sneak peek from a chapter all about The Jacobs Theatre.

Just before Summer arrives each year the iconic red big top of Circus Flora pops up behind Powell Symphony Hall to provide a refreshing (it's air-conditioned inside) and entertaining show that mixes a specific theme with various performing acts. It's a unique kind of circus play that never fails to thrill and delight audiences, young and old alike. I've taken my son and wife with me every year that I've been able to attend since I started reviewing theatre in St. Louis, and I'm constantly amazed by the quality of talent that we're privy to when Circus Flora presents their annual production. This year the title is TIME FLIES, and it's a funny mix of time travel and rainmaking that features some wonderful acts we've all grown to know and to love to newcomers that bring their own flair to the proceedings. Come down and check out the frivolity running through June 25, 2017. It's truly a family-friendly, and scary clown-free, experience!

It's that time of year again! Yes, right before it's officially Summer, our own town's one-ring circus pops up the big top behind Powell Symphony Hall. Circus Flora is a local tradition, and this years' presentation, PASTIME, also touches on another St. Louis tradition; baseball. It's a delightful mix of humor and athleticism that presents us with a slate full of premium acts, all in an intimate environment, and freed from all the 'scary clown' nonsense you've seen in movies any number of times. No, Circus Flora is guaranteed fun for everyone!

There's just something about a circus that brings out the kid in all of us, and when you take along a youngster to enjoy the show, the sense of wonder and excitement that they radiate is simply contagious. That's why I've always loved this time of year, when our town's own Circus Flora erects the big top behind Powell Symphony Hall and, for 29 seasons, has presented us with feats of daring-do and humorous antics that have consistently left audiences smiling and satisfied. This year is no exception. Take your family and go, immediately!

Here in St. Louis we should never take for granted the fact that we have our very own circus. Of course, I'm talking about Circus Flora, the one ring big top that you'll find around this time every year situated just behind Powell Symphony Hall. And, this is a circus with a great deal of thought behind it. A theme is chosen, the book is written, acts are put together with an original score (composers Miriam Cutler and Janine Del'Arte), and a show is presented that combines all these elements in grand fashion. Take your family to CIRCUS FLORA'S THE PAWN (through June 22, 2014) and they will not be disappointed!

In anticipation of the New York City Premiere of CIRKOPOLIS, the critically acclaimed show by Montreal-based troupe Cirque Eloize, NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will host the panel discussion CIRCUS: FROM EGYPT TO ELOIZE, on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 6:30pm at La Maison Francaise, New York University (16 Washington Mews, New York, NY 10003).

Circus Flora tries something different by offering dinner with a show in their October presentation called: A Celtic Night Circus - TIR NA NOG. It's always a fun time seeing the circus performers do their thing, and combining it with a lovely dinner is a special treat. Although, the story this time around deals with love and adult themes, I brought my young son along and we both had a delightful time.

Lorenzo Pisoni's celebrated one-man show, Humor Abuse, returns to American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) for an exclusive limited engagement.

Lorenzo Pisoni's celebrated one-man show, Humor Abuse, returns to American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) for an exclusive limited engagement.

Every year I look forward to going to Circus Flora, which is St. Louis's own one-ring (air-conditioned) circus, with family in tow, knowing that a splendid time is guaranteed for all. And, this year's show is no exception. There are acts of equestrian artistry, magical hijinks with the much beloved Nino the Clown, The Flying Wallendas, the St. Louis Arches, and so much more to see. The theme this year is medieval in nature, loosely chronicling the life and mythology of King Arthur with their production of THE WIZARD: MERLIN AND THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR. Come one, come all to this fabulous display of acrobatic splendor that's well worth your time and attention.

Following the success of Bill Irwin's season opener, Scapin, in 2010, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) welcomes another Pickle Family Circus alumnus to its stage with Humor Abuse, Lorenzo Pisoni's celebrated one-man show cocreated with director Erica Schmidt.

Following the success of Bill Irwin's season opener, Scapin, in 2010, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) welcomes another Pickle Family Circus alumnus to its stage with Humor Abuse, Lorenzo Pisoni's celebrated one-man show cocreated with director Erica Schmidt.

June in St. Louis can mean only one thing to those of us who think young - the Circus is in town! And Circus Flora, the festival of fun we can proudly call our own here in St. Louis, continues a tradition they began some 25 years ago with their latest venture titled VAGABOND ADVENTURES. Forget about all those other three-ring spectacles that blast into town and play a vast arena or stadium for a single weekend before moving on to another town and another venue, Circus Flora is an intimate single-ring delight that delivers the goods in air conditioned comfort in our very own backyard. You'll be doing yourself a considerable disservice if you allow the opportunity to catch this highly talented and dedicated group of performers pass you by. So, take advantage of this homegrown phenomenon while you can.

In its 24th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved one-ring, European-style circus, presents an all-new show, INGENIOSO, inspired by the impossible dream of Don Quixote and presented by Edward Jones. The show premieres June 3 and runs through June 27, adding a full week of performances to the regular production schedule. The always affordable, family-friendly circus takes place under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center , St. Louis ' arts and entertainment hub, adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall.

Last year was the first time I'd taken my son to see Circus Flora, and even though he was excited to go again, he's at the stage where he's a wee bit afraid of the dark. So, when the lights went down at the beginning of this year's show, INGENIOSO, he freaked out a little. But, the charm of the performers, particularly the animal ones, quickly won him over and by the close of the night he was sporting a broad smile as we exited the tent. I think the fact that he got a great big hug from his favorite clown Nino (Giovanni Zoppe) certainly helped. And, it's that kind of warmth and good humor that you'll find on display here, along with a considerable amount of athleticism and grace.

In its 24th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved one-ring, European-style circus, presents an all-new show, INGENIOSO, inspired by the impossible dream of Don Quixote and presented by Edward Jones. The show premieres June 3 and runs through June 27, adding a full week of performances to the regular production schedule. The always affordable, family-friendly circus takes place under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center , St. Louis ' arts and entertainment hub, adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall.

In its 24th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved one-ring, European-style circus, presents an all-new show, INGENIOSO, inspired by the impossible dream of Don Quixote and presented by Edward Jones. The show premieres June 3 and runs through June 27, adding a full week of performances to the regular production schedule. The always affordable, family-friendly circus takes place under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center , St. Louis ' arts and entertainment hub, adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall.

INGENIOSO refers to the ingenious, quick-thinking of Don Quixote as he mistakes ordinary objects and people for the fantastic, and falls into misadventure after misadventure, always managing to emerge unscathed. His sidekick, Sancho Panza, however, suffers the physical assaults and vicissitudes of the escapades. Thus the beloved clown Nino (Giovanne Zoppe) plays the role of Sancho Panza as he tries to carry out the orders of his sometimes irrational master, Don Quixote, played by Carlos Svenson, animal and horse trainer.

Funny, magical, and moving, Lorenzo Pisoni's Humor Abuse is a tour-de-force journey through the photo album of his extraordinary life. A touching homage to his father, Humor Abuse opens Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2009/2010 season at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Co-written by Pisoni and Erica Schmidt, who also directs the piece, Humor Abuse runs September 25-October 25.