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SMIRKUS EVER AFTER...2009 Circus Smirkus Tour, with YouTube Video  Submitted by Editor on   7/30/2009 Last Modified With Vermont's famous "Green Mountains" in the background, Circus Smirkus, America's only traveling youth circus under the big top, opens its doors to customers. The Smirkus Ever After show presented in sixteen communities for seventy performances, is one of the strongest shows in Circus Smirkus' twenty-two year history, and that's saying a lot.  The international youth circus that hit the road after three weeks of rehearsals at it's home in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has the usual Smirkus combination of high energy, youthful enthusiasm and a level of skill that would be welcome in the best adult circuses.  The fact that almost half of the Smirkos (performers) are new to the show this year in no way compromises the show's effectiveness.  Many of the newcomers are products of the Circus Smirkus Summer Camp and that, no doubt, helps.     Left: Cover of the 2009 Program Magazine.   Right: Sara Wunderle, Assistant Operations Director, sells tickets to an eager crowd. Many Circuses employ themes to unify their show's acts.  This year's Smirkus use of folk and fairy tales is one of the most effective uses of a theme I remember seeing.  The theme isn't just suggested at the begining of the acts and then abandoned as the acts do their usual things, here each act developes the theme.  The clowns sometimes wear red noses, but they are all identifiable characters.  The "Big Bad Wolf" huffs and puffs throughout the show and the "Tortoise and the Hare" race.  Each character is clearly defined, consistent and beautifully executed.  The "Tortoise" with wonderful movement and an appropriately dour face, lights up the tent with his smile when he finally wins his race.     Left: "The Tortoise" is the understander in a Smirkus pyramid. Right: More acrobatics with Emily Wunderle on top. "The Big Bad Wolf" is in the center of an acrobatic feat. The Wunderle girls on either ends of the second tier.    Left: "Goldilocks" and two of the three bears balance on a table. Right: "Goldilocks" and one "Bear" do chair handstands, the other"Bear" balances. Artistic Director, Troy Wunderle, is present throughout the show just as Rob Mermin, the Circus Smirkus founder was until his retirement.  Wunderle's unique, gangly, ingratiating personality keeps the story going and his brilliant juggling, and that of his associates, is as spectacular as ever.  Although Smirkus performers range in age from 10 - 18, Troy's daughters Emily and Ariana who are much younger than that, bring additional charm and excitement to the show.  Tiny Ariana's "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum" as the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk stops the show.  (The "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum" is recorded). "The Big Bad Wolf" being chased in some table tumbling.      Left: Partners in a spectacular strap act. Right:  Solo work on the straps. "Cinderella" at her spinning wheel.    Left: Ringmaster / Story Teller, Smirkus Artistic Director, Troy Wunderle. Right:  "Mice" on Unicycles. Once again Smirkus uses an original score, this time by Tristan Moore who plays keyboards, Ryan Gray is the drummer.  The handsome and functional costumes are by Katrin Leblond; each Smirko has a basic cosume that is worn throughout with some variations.  The choreography by Matthew Williams is sophisticated, "well realized" by the performers, and an integral part of each act.     Left: The "Tortoise" Struggles on. Right: "The Hare" takes time out for a popcorn break during the race.     Left:  Ariana Wunderle as the world's smallest giant, declaims "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum"   Right: A Smirko abandons her Goldilocks wig for aerial acrobatics. "The Big Bad Wolf" joins in the juggling. Two of the eight trainers who along with Wunderle and Creative Director Jesse Dryden prepare the show, travel with it.  Before and after performances and even during intermissions the trainers can be seen in the backyard helping Smirkos hone their skills. The unfortunate thing about Circus Smirkus is that it rehearses and performs during the Smirkos' summer vacations so the limited tour only reaches lots in Vermont, New York, Massachucets, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire.      Left: "The Big Bad Wolf" can also balance. Right: "Goldilocks" also does hoops. "Story Teller" Troy Wunderle refuses to be intimidated by his daughter Ariana, the youngest Smirko-in-Training.      Left: "The Tortoise" without his shell, supports Emily Wunderle. Right: The fast paced Smirkus Jump Rope act./ Smirkos take a bow with their jump ropes. Smirkos clap with the audience at the end of the show. For more information about Circus Smirkus, the Smirkus summer camp and Smirkus school residencies, check out the Circus Smirkus website www.smirkus.org .   WATCH a YouTube Video Clip of the 2009 Circus Smirkus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bAYb71bIfo  THE END Email This Resource   Copyright © 1999-2010 Circus Fans Association of America and Authors. For more information view our  Copyright Policy & Privacy Policy .

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