The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘Another Circus History’ on Friday
Oddfellows Playhouse to present 29th annual show at Spencer School
MIDDLETOWN » Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater and Middletown Commission on the Arts will present the 29th annual Children’s Circus of Middletown: Another Circus History Of Middletown.
This one-time-only show will be performed at 5 p.m. Friday at Spencer School, 207 Westfield St., Middletown.
In the event of rain, the show will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29.
Tickets are available on the day of show at $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors, cash only at the gate.
Another Circus History Of Middletown calls back 20 years ago to Circus Director Jason Leinwand’s first circus, which told the history of Middletown through circus acts.
Artists and participants researched the history of Middletown and are creating original acts inspired by fascinating events and note-worthy figures in Middletown history and lore – including Allie Wrubel, Dave Downs, Tyondai Buxton, Henry Clay and General Alden Partridge. Giant puppets, amazing acrobatics feats, wild group unicycling and more will bring to life the history of this storied city on the banks of the Connecticut River.
The Children’s Circus is an allday, five-week program involving 135 children ages 8 to 15. Participants learn a variety of circus skills, such as acrobatics, juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, clowning, and visual arts, while they build confidence, friendships, creativity and teamwork.
The campers’ hard work culminates in the main event on July 29, which also features a live circus band of local musicians led by Chris Coffey, costumes by Marion Imbruglio, and scenic and prop design by Andrew Murdock.
The Children’s Circus is part of the Middletown Commission on the Arts Kids Arts program. Stephan Allison, Coordinator of
the City Arts Office said, “The Children’s Circus has been a mainstay of the City of Middletown Commission on the Arts programming for over a quarter century. It has proven its success through its sustainability over the years. One constant is the joy the Circus brings to the participating children and the audiences who witness the finale. The Children’s Circus gives new meaning to ‘running away to the Circus’ and it is embraced by the parents who send their children ‘away’.”
Parking for the performance is limited to street locations — carpooling is recommended. Handicapped and elderly parking is available at Spencer School – call 860-347-6143 to reserve a parking spot and/or handicapped seating. Tickets are cash only at the gate, $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
The circus is made possible by the City of Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, the Community Foundation of Middlesex Country, the Middletown Board of Education, and Oddfellows Playhouse’s many generous supporters.
For more information, email info@oddfellows.org, call Oddfellows at 860-3476143 or visit oddfellows.org.
Founded in 1975, Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown, supports youth development and advances social justice by creating opportunities for all young people, ages 3-19, to directly participate in the performing arts. Our programs are fun, challenging, and educational and led by experienced teaching artists. Oddfellows offers plays, circus and theater classes, after-school and on Saturdays. Oddfellows has a generous financial aid program and after-school bus transportation is available to the Playhouse for children from Middletown Public Schools. Donations to help the program realize its mission. Half the participants are living at or below poverty level and attend on scholarship — no interested child is ever turned away.