The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘(Almost) Everything Goes’ at annual Children’s Circus
On Aug. 2, youth will juggle, stilt walk, clown, unicycle, dance and perform acrobatics
MIDDLETOWN — In a little over two weeks, the lawn of Macdonough Elementary School in the city’s North End will be the setting for the 31st annual Children’s Circus of Middletown.
This year’s performance, “(Almost) Anything Goes,” will take place Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Spring Street school.
“(Almost) Anything Goes” will be a production where anything can happen, according to a news release. Featuring over 160 performers ages 5 to 15, a 12piece live band, and 40 staff, it is an “outdoor spectacle beyond description.”
“This year’s show is about making a circus for the sake of making a circus, where actors and directors can create an act about anything they want. But there will be a group of agents, scientists and social media influencers who determine what, in fact, is able to go in the circus,” Circus Director Jason Leinwand said in the release.
“We are hoping that almost everything can go into the show,” he added.
This show of “wild twists and turns”
will feature kids showing off their skills such as juggling, stiltwalking, clowning, unicycling, dance, acrobatics and much more, the release said.
“The Children’s Circus of Middletown is a unique community event which delivers valued traditions like giant puppets, enthusiastic young performers and live music while featuring a new theme and vision every year,” the release continued.
The Children’s Circus of Middletown will also be a celebration of the event’s growth over the past 31 years as one of Connecticut’s most unique summer learning experiences for kids, their families and the community.
Started by Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater with 60 kids at Powder Ridge ski area in Middlefield in 1988, the Children’s Circus has been embraced by the city of Middletown and grown into a program which has become a national model as a partnership between a nonprofit arts organization and a municipality, the statement continued.
The performance is the culmination of a fiveweek day camp offered as part of the city of Middletown’s Kids Arts program. Over the five weeks, the young people are trained in circus arts. In 2018, The circus was one of two programs nationally recognized with the Excellence in Summer Learning Award by the National Summer Learning Association.
The event will begin with a short preshow performance at 5 p.m. by the “Teeny Tiny Troupe” of 5 to 7yearold performers, then Mayor Dan Drew will welcome the audience and introduce the main event. The performance annually draws over 1,000 people, so audience members are encouraged to arrive early to get a good spot, as well as bring a blanket, lawn chairs and picnic foods.
There will be popcorn, ice cream, and drinks available for purchase. In case of rain, the performance will be held Aug. 3 at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids and can be purchased with cash at the door. Macdonough School is at 66 Spring St. There is street parking available throughout the neighborhood. The school’s parking lot is reserved for elderly and handicapped only.
For wheelchair seating, contact Oddfellows Playhouse at 8603476143 for assistance.
The Children’s Circus is part of the Kids Arts Program of the City of Middletown’s Office of the Arts and is directed and produced by Oddfellows Playhouse.
Major support is provided by the United Way of Middlesex County, the Middletown Commission on the Arts and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. Oddfellows is also supported by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, The Stare Fund, the state of Connecticut Judicial Branch and individual donors.
Oddfellows Playhouse offers yearround programs in theater, circus, music, dance, technical theater, and visual arts to young people ages 3 to 20.
For information, contact info@oddfellows.org, call 8603476143 or visit oddfellows.org.