Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in the St. Louis entertainment field is Circus Harmony which performs weekly inside the City Museum. This incredible troop of acrobats, aerialists and jugglers recently gave me one of the best afternoons I've ever had.
To be honest I didn't expect much. I mean tiny acrobats are undoubtedly cute, but cute can wear thin after an hour or so. Boy, was I wrong! These kids are attractive, sure, but their talent and professionalism far outweigh childish charm. They are serious performers, disciplined and polished. They perform every week inside the "glass bigtop" on the third floor of the City Museum.
Tessitura, this year's annual show, includes a cast of thirty children. The youngest of the performers is seven years old, the oldest is nineteen. There is also a "senior" troop of performers, The St. Louis Arches. The eldest of this incredible troop is a mere 18 years old, the youngest is twelve.
Aside from animals and people whizzing out of cannons, Circus Harmony has it all: breathtaking aerial acts, unbelievable acrobats, and yes, flying children. Literally. They perform on the silk, a long silk ribbon suspended in mid air; they make human pyramids with the greatest of ease; they catch and toss one another like rag dolls; they do a saber juggling number reminiscent of the Brothers Karamazov; they hoola hoop, perform incredible acts of unbelievable flexibility both on the trapeze and on a couple of things I've never seen before. One looks like two circles inside one another and the other is a geometric puzzle. All of them are suspended from the ceiling high enough to put my heart in my mouth several times when the girl occupants dropped suddenly and hung upside down by their ankles.
And as if that isn't enough, Circus Harmony boasts a live band and lots of original music by Music Director and musician Adam Rugo. The band enhances the performances wonderfully.
The City Museum is enough of a treat in itself. Add the amazing feats of a troop of flying children and you've got just about the best ticket in town.
