Zoppé Family Circus • An Italian Theatrical Circus since 1842 October 24, 2008

The Circus is coming to town! Redwood City is proud to welcome, Zoppé, An Italian Family Circus from October 23rd through October 26th for spectacular two hour performances.

The Zoppé Family Circus welcomes guests into the intimate 500 seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old-World Italian tradition. Starring Nino the clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (as opposed to individual acts) that feature acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning, and plenty of audience participation. Giovanni Zoppè, the sixth-generation circus performer who plays Nino, says the show aims beyond the more typical circuses of today. "We try to touch every emotion during the show," he says. "They'll laugh, they'll cry, and they'll feel for the characters. It's more of an event than a show."

Mr. Alberto Zoppé, who is the patriarch of the Zoppé Family Circus, a traveling band of men, women, children, and animals that races between county fairs and suburbs, appeared in "The Greatest Show on Earth," Cecil DeMille's Oscar-winning film, and rose in circus lore with his signature act: the backwards, flat somersault. The Zoppé Circus evokes something from a picture book: the clown, the trapeze, the dancing dogs, the ring and the tent.

The show is frozen in a time long before the high-concept, high-dollar Cirque du Soleil. "Nobody knows what real circus is," said Mr. Zoppé's son, Giovanni. "I'm not going to say we're better than Soleil at all. It's a wonderful, wonderful thing. But it's not circus. When a kid imagines a circus, this is what they think of. It's exactly the way it's supposed to be. It's like the circus was 100 years ago." The Zoppé Family Circus is reminiscent of the one-ring European family circuses of the last century and will thrill and amaze children and adults alike with its breathtaking stunts and astonishing acrobatics. This is a one-time event not to be missed so get your tickets early!

Show Dates and Times:
Thursday, October 23: Special Benefit Performance for Disadvantaged Children
Friday, October 24: 4pm & 8pm
Saturday, October 25: 12pm, 4pm & 8pm
Sunday, October 26: 12pm & 4pm

Ticket Prices:
12pm and 4pm Matinee Shows: Child (12 & under): $10 / Adult: $15
Evening 8pm: Child (12 & under): $15 / Adult: $20

Ticket Purchase:
Online at: http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/Zoppe.html#buy
Or at: Red Morton Community Center, 1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061

More info at:
http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/zoppe.html
Interview excerpts and videos at:
http://www.zoppecircus.com and


The Zoppe Circus is sponsored by the City of Redwood City and its Civic Cultural Commission, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and Redevelopment Agency.

Official Website: http://www.redwoodcity.org/events/Zoppe.html