Live Chats

Circus Flora Dinner Theater

"A Celtic Night Circus" from St. Louis's favorite circus.

Handout photo from Valla-Bertini Family unicycle act. They also perform an aerial cradle act and brutal trampoline routine, among other things.

by dbasson Oct 18, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Circus Flora's inaugural dinner theater production: A Celtic Night Circus. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Clowns on Call hospital clowning outreach program.
There will only be four performances. Tickets $120 to $175. Call Metrotix at 314.534.1111 or visit metrotix.com to purchase.
As you can guess from the ticket price, it's a more adult-focused evening than Circus Flora's usual offerings, but it's not so provocative that kids won't find something to enjoy. But the very loose theme does revolve around capricious love affairs and some of the characters are street walkers and married couples who stray from their spouses.
It's an intimate circus affair, in more ways than one. It would make a better date night than family outing. The cabaret seating puts most viewers close to the action and the vibe of performers catering to a small audience, rather than an arena is palpable.
Something tells us this experiment won't be the last foray into dinner theater for the circus troupe.

Scroll on for video, pictures and comments entered in real time as the night unfolded.

Looking forward to spending the night at the circus.

by dbass 10/17/2012 5:42:43 PM
Who will perform? Some favorites will return and several new acts will debut. I love dining with entertainment. So convenient.

by dbass 10/17/2012 5:44:17 PM
And did I mention the three-course menu (prepared by chef Vito Racanelli and Michele C. Catering):

Mixed Green Salad: Mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, fire-roasted peppers and red onion, tossed in a roasted garlic and basil dressing

Entree choices (chicken or beef, but my guest asked for a vegetarian option and they said sure):
The chicken option is a sautéed Amish chicken breast with whole grain mustard and red beer sauce. My choice is the petite sirloin steak with whipped horseradish butter and sweet onion jus.
Both entrées are served with potato casserole, farm fresh vegetables and sweet Irish potato rolls with sweet butter.

Dessert: Bailey's cheesecake with mocha sauce and whipped cream. I'm not really a cheesecake fan, but tonight I'll make an exception.

by dbass 10/17/2012 5:48:55 PM
We've arrived in a transformed section of the Chesterfield Mall parking lot northwest of Dillard's department store.

by dbass via mobile 10/18/2012 11:25:00 PM
Petting area by ticket booth.

by dbass via mobile 10/18/2012 11:26:23 PM
We just met Shorty.

by dbass via mobile 10/18/2012 11:29:16 PM
The dog, Toby, is greeting people.

by dbass via mobile 10/18/2012 11:35:18 PM
The animal trainer extraordinaire keeps the animals in check outside. No animals in the show. Carlos from Sweden.

by dbass via mobile 10/18/2012 11:50:00 PM
Prince, the chipper horse, is outside hamming it up with guests.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:02:24 AM
Fire juggler, Claire "the clown" Wedemeyer. Also the chief Clown on Call for the charity group.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:04:20 AM
The enchanted crystal ball circus appetizer. House still not open yet.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:09:55 AM
Pre-show Irish band.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:15:25 AM
First course.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:16:12 AM
Gold coins for supper.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:18:13 AM
Dinner is served.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 12:51:32 AM
The show introduction from the producer and executive producer. Inaugural dinner theater production.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:06:13 AM
The show begins with the ever-present Circus Flora theater director and featured performer "Yo-Yo the Narrator" (Cecil MacKinnon).

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:10:10 AM
Shayna Swanson.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:11:54 AM
Clowning around.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:21:20 AM
Not a circus without high wire antics. The Valla-Bertini family.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:24:29 AM
16-year-old juggler Kellin Quinn.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:30:01 AM
Who knew a ladder could be such a workout and this is before the sword came out.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:38:03 AM
Alexandre Sacha Pavlata, co-founder of Circus Flora. Sorry, stopped recording early because I wanted to watch.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:39:47 AM
The sexy interlude by Adam Kuchler.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:45:43 AM
Some mishaps on the trampoline. This continued and let's just say, we're glad Roger only has to do this 4 nights. The Valla-Bertini Family.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 1:56:44 AM
Melinda Heywood Pavlata (say that 10 times fast).

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:06:47 AM
We lost count when he was up to about 18 boxes later in the performance.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:10:40 AM
A tiny star is born.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:19:41 AM
by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:25:48 AM
Closing dance party.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:31:57 AM
Dessert is served.

by dbass via mobile 10/19/2012 2:32:49 AM
The evening ends with an after dinner meet-and-greet with the show's performers, who come around to chat with guests, mingle and eat dessert.

by dbass 10/19/2012 3:55:30 AM