Kinetic Arts is mounting its third holiday circus show. It’s a bit smaller and less ambitious than in years past, but just as thrilling and heartwarming. Artistic Director Jaron Hollander’s show this year is called Circus Veritas (or circus of truth) and it’s a kind of a comment on current politics.
“The world is trying to convince you of truth that their version is correct,” Hollander told me one morning during rehearsals, “that that is fake, this is real. We’re just going to lie from moment one.”
Among the performers is Kinetic Arts regular Ellie Rossi, who is just 15 years old and is already a top rope artist in international competitions.
“I’ve always loved to climb on everything,” Rossisaid during the break. “But a lot of it is getting to express emotion and feeling through things other than your words, and through movement. And telling a story, and giving people an escape that’s just fun.”
One of the best routines is a knife throwing act with an audience member as blindfolded participant, where the lies are part of the fun for the rest of the audience. Of course, circus acts often defy what we assume to be the truth about gravity and the limits of human strength and agility. By the way, Jamedra’s kids — 4-year-old twins and a 6-year-old son — had a great time, so this is terrific family entertainment. It runs through Dec. 17 at Kinetic Arts; details here.
