Thursday, February 11, 2010

The 2010 Kelly Miller Circus.

February 11, Brownsville.
Since I'm utterly useless I can at least contribute by writing down what I know (not much, being a fish in a bottle) about the new features of the 2010 edition of the Kelly Miller Circus show and its rundown.
As every year there are new people and same-old people this year. The old wave are the McCoy Cainans and their tiger and dog acts, Armando and his elephant act (but no horse act this year,) the ubiquitous Raul and his juggling and Pinkie acts, and Fridman and his rola bola act. Courtney is with us again but with with a new, silk and hand-balancing act (and she has already been a great help with the kids, not to mention driving down.) Last but not least, Steve and Ryan are with us again too, but also with all-new gags, and Ryan is bringing along Tatiana, his new bride, who will act as show girl throughout the show.
The new guys on the block are Mike and Carolyn Rice, with a camel act and dog and pony act respectively; the Poema family, with a Risley act (upside-down juggling) and hula hoop; and a trapeze duo from Australia, who will arrive next week (they were delayed by visa problems.) In the meantime Rebecca Ostroff, who was with us for a too brief stay last year, will be doing her single trapeze act to fill in for them.
Here is the rundown, as of yesterday morning when rehearsals began:

Opening - Steve and Ryan and John Moss
Tigers - Casey
Chase - Steve and Ryan
Trapeze - Rebecca
Camels - Mike Rice with dancers Carolyn, Reyna, Courtney and Tatiana
Juggling - Raul
The Fabulous Fifties:
Hula hoops - Reyna, Rebecca, Jesse and featuring Cathy Poema
Rola bola - Fridman
Diner gag - Steve and Ryan
Dogs - Natalie
Web - Cathy, Jesse, Rebecca, Reyna and Tatiana

Intermission

Walk arounds - Steve and Ryan
Silks/Hand balancing - Courtney
Risley - the Poema family
Dogs/ponies - Carolyn Rice
Exterminator gag - Steve and Ryan
Elephants - Armando
Pinkie - Raul
Fire eating - Brian LaPalme
Finale - cast.

A reminder/disclaimer: as usual with what I write about the circus, half of it surely will be obsolete by the time it appears on the screen. Then again, circus life tends to be lightly unpredictable.

6 comments:

Harry Kingston said...

Valerie,
Sure hope you get to feeling better as being sick is a bummer.
Thanks for the show run down and notes.
Hope you do great business down there.
Eat some of those ruby red grapefruit from down there they will help you get well sooner.
Have a great season and looking for those fantastic photos of yours also.
Harry Kingston
Texas

Valérie Berta Torales said...

Thanks Harry.
Unfortunately business was nowhere near where it was last year, but hopefully it will pick up soon, if the weather cooperates too.

Bill Prickett said...

Thanks for the show line up. Wish I could be there for the opening...mud and all....Bill Prickett

Donna said...

"Camel Dancers" wings are gorgeous. Need to make some for my twn-year-old. Are there pics anywhere on the Internet? Thanks!

Jacquelyn Williams said...

I am so glad to see everyone having fun this July 4th! I look forward to seeing everyone next week.

Many spiritual warm wishes and hugs are being sent to you guys from me.

If you run into any of our students, please gently remind them to write in their journals. I look forward to hearing about their experiences this week!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see the new show. As a matter of fact I may be joining Kelly Miller this year, though that is up in the air at the moment. I'm a circus wannabe....LOL....though I"ve worked for a few in the past :) Hope all is well.