Italian ‘water circus’ sets Cape Coral performances
Cirque Italia, an Italian water circus, will return to Cape Coral at the end of February for three performances off of Northeast Pine Island Road.
Cirque Italia owner Manuel Rebecchi was born and raised in Milan, Italy. In an effort to preserve his family’s traditional European style circus, Moira Orfei Circus, he crafted a new brand, Cirque Italia, and brought it to North America in August 2012.
“I want to see people have fun, enjoy the show, and go out with a smile and the desire to come back,” Rebecchi said in a prepared statement.
The performances will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The white and blue tent will go up at 917 N.E. Pine Island Rd.
Cirque Italia is celebrating its third birthday with some new talents.
Chelcie Carpenter, a 23-year-old from Savannah, Ga., joined Cirque Italia four weeks ago.
“It’s fantastic,” she said of the show. “The stage is very unique and amazing. It is like no other circus around with the way that it raises to the ceiling and the water that falls from it and the lighting it has.”
The 35,000 gallon water stage, which was custom designed in Italy, is located in the center of the white and blue tent. The 40-foot Broadway, circular-style stage, is 4 feet high with a stage lid that lifts 35-feet up in the air during the show as rain descends and a fountain dances with each performance move.
Carpenter’s performance includes an aerial silks act where she hangs down from the top of the tent. During her act she climbs to the top of the tent while wrapping the silks in a series of knots around her body.
“After that I do a pose and let my body roll and drop and catch in knots at the end of the fabric,” she said.
Her interest in the aerial act took shape two years ago because of the amount of strength and grace it includes.
“It’s kind of like ballet in the air,” Carpenter said.
Although her experience with the circus began four years ago with on and off contracts, Carpenter said she really enjoys Cirque Italia.
“It’s one of the more beautiful shows around and it focuses a lot on the performers and the artistry and what the people actually do,” she said. “The owners are great people to work for. It is overall a great experience and a great place to work.”
Other acts include musical clowns, the Verticali Act that sing while performing upside down, the Laserman Act that performs optical illusions and hypnotism, the Twin Sailors performing magic in the air, the Duo Aerial Ring and a Mermaid that emerges from her shell.
For more information about the circus, visit www.cirqueitalia.com or send an email to office.cirqueitalia@gmail.com.
Tickets, which range from $10 to $50, can be purchased on its website or by calling (941) 704-8572.