Great American Circus performs Oct. 6 in Wasilla

MAT-SU — Students at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer will get a sneak peek today at three of the 12 acts that will perform a two-hour show at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

The Great American Circus has shows scheduled at 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Preshow activities start one hour prior to the show, at 4 and 7 p.m.

Sherrod third-grader Nina Kalytiak, 8, said she’s never been to the circus before, but is excited to see the performance at her school.

She said she’s most excited about seeing the flying trapeze acrobats shown on the circus poster. “They seem really cool. Each of them has their own little talent and they practice really hard.”

Showman Tuffy Nicholas said trapeze artists will perform a triple somersault at the Wasilla show.

“I’ve done it. It’s the hardest act,” he said.

Nicholas is the son of two longtime circus performers. His father is Count Nicholas, a famous ringmaster for Ringling Brothers, and his mother was a polar bear trainer. Their son was born when the circus stopped in Sarasota, Fla. His first performance was at age 3.

“I ran away from the circus a couple of times, but I ran right back,” Nicholas said.

This isn’t the first time he’s brought a group of performers to Alaska, Nicholas said. But this is the largest group of acts he’s brought north, including 12 acts and 30 people. Great American Circus is launching its world tour with 32 shows in Alaska, Nicholas said.

“We love Alaska,” he said.

Acts include the Wheel of Death, the flying trapeze, the Flying Silks and a musical tribute to Michael Jackson by perfomer Michael Kiss.

Nicholas said the tribute artist looks, sounds, walks and talks like the King of Pop.

Doug Harris, of the holding company Nicholas Harris Entertainment, said the performance also includes classic circus acts such as clowns, but does not include animals. He said the troupe is excited to perform for Alaskan audiences.

“The cast is looking forward to it,” Harris. “Most of them have never been to Alaska.”

For tickets, visit takemetothecircus.com, of call 808-667-4540.

Contact Heather A. Resz at heather.resz@frontiersman.com or 352-2268.