Circus Flora Announces 25th Season Production: VAGABOND ADVENTURES 6/2-26

In celebration of its 25th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved, one-ring circus, announces its brand new show, Vagabond Adventures, June 2 through June 26 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center. Presented by Edward D. Jones, the show comes on the heels of Circus Flora's triumph with the St. Louis Symphony in January.

Vagabond Adventures is set on the Floating Palace, a real circus venue that traveled up and down the Mississippi River before the Civil War. This majestic riverboat triggers a thrilling caper, picking up where the critically acclaimed Symphony performance left off. Vagabond Adventures reunites circus stars from the last quarter century such as the Flying Wallendas, the St. Louis Arches, the Flying Pages and everyone's favorite clown, Giovanni Zoppé as Nino, along with many exciting new acts, including the Olate Dogs' amazing tricks and the Riding Donnert's spellbinding horsemanship.

Vagabond Adventures finds stowaways on board the Floating Palace, with dreams of becoming circus performers. From their lowly, discrete positions, they catch wind of a scheme that threatens the boat. Enthralled by the luscious Lottie Luppu, these unlikely heroes uncover her hidden identity - Lola Montes, a spy for a Spanish/Argentinean plot to commandeer the barge and abscond with it to Argentina. Through the stowaways' heroic efforts, the Floating Palace is saved, escapes the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Mexico and returns to delight the audiences of St Louis - the largest city west of the Mississippi.

The always affordable, family-friendly Circus Flora takes place under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts and entertainment hub, adjacent to Powell Hall (corner of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive). Tickets go on sale March 16; group tickets are now available.

Show times are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 5:30 p.m.; and "Little Top Wednesday" at 10 a.m., a special one-hour show for smaller kids or the "kids at heart." Tickets for Vagabond Adventures are $8 to $44 and go on sale March 16. Call 314-289-4040 or visit www.circusflora.org for tickets and more information. Tickets are also available at the Circus Flora Box Office in the Centene Center for the Arts & Education, 3547 Olive St. Group discounts are now available for groups of 20 or more.