Flying through the air on a trapeze is no longer confined to an outdoor arena. In fact, you can see it at Popejoy Hall this weekend.
Dennis Schussel, founder and producer of Cirque Le Masque, said his circus will present this and other exciting acts.
Schussel said he and his brother Bernie started an entertainment company 30 years ago and they conceived the idea for Cirque Le Masque 14 years ago.
The show tells the story of a girl who hates city life and decides to fly to Rio de Janeiro in hopes of joining the circus there. Schussel said the story is performed by a variety of talented performers, but there are no animal acts or stunts.
Senior Public Relations representative for Popejoy Hall, Terry Davis, said Cirque Le Masque was able to come to Popejoy because they have no animals and their set is designed for a stage, not an arena.
"We feel confident that the show is something that families will enjoy and there is nothing that would be inappropriate," Davis said. "This is more, 'whatever humans can do.' The things these people can accomplish with their own strength and abilities, we're always glad to see those kinds of things."
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Schussel said his performers are some of the best acts in the world because they all have a passion for performing.
"But what makes this show unique is that it appeals to audiences of all ages," Schussel said. "It doesn't go over anyone's head and I think what we accomplish that is so special is that there is so much emotion of various types in the show."
Schussel said audiences can expect a mixture of comedy and drama along with the circus acts.
"And it will have audience interaction, so you never know if you're going to be brought onto the stage," Schussel said. "There will be aerial trapeze and a duo of aerial silk artists. There will be our roller bowler act, which is a performer balancing on cylinders. There will be our traditional slack wire, which is kind of like a high-wire act, but it's built on a portable wire stand."
Davis said Popejoy has had a couple other circus acts in the past, but they are not a regular show due to the set-up required of most circuses such as straw and dirt.
Schussel said the show has traveled around the world and the performers were in Romania before they come to Albuquerque.
"There are acts coming from Cuba, Mexico, Germany and a lot of acts coming from Russia," Schussel said. "In Europe there is a tremendous amount of talent for all the arts. It's a great variety of artistry, and it's amazing how you see that camaraderie come together without conflict."
Schussel said the shows of Cirque Le Masque have been 90 to 100 percent sold out, and people should buy tickets beforehand.
"They should get there early because we have a pre-show clown who entertains and provides a lot of laughs and plays off the audience," Schussel said. "Those that are coming to this show are going to be provided with the most upscale, creative and warmest feeling they can get into a single-stage presentation."
Cirque Le Masque
Friday- 8 p.m.
Saturday- 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday- 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Popejoy Hall
Tickets are $17 - $43
