Venardos Circus is running its animal-free production "Far Beyond" at Point Defiance Park through Monday, Sept. 7, with tickets starting at $19.95.
The touring company brings acrobatics, aerial acts, juggling, contortion, dagger throwing and musical storytelling under a custom big top at 5501 N. Pearl St. The circus performs in a limited-capacity tent designed so every seat has a clear sightline, according to the company's website. Singing ringmaster Addison Clover leads the Tacoma run.
No animals appear in the show. Venardos Circus replaces them with human performers and theatrical staging, billing itself as a Broadway-style reinvention of the American circus.
Founder Kevin Venardos, a former Ringling Bros. ringmaster, described the company as "truly a labor of love" in an Aug. 22 News Tribune article about the Point Defiance Park engagement. He has toured the production across the country since launching the circus at the L.A. County Fair in 2014.
"Far Beyond" follows a storyline about what happens when a dream comes true and the responsibility that comes with it, according to promotional descriptions of the national tour.
Six days of shows remain on the Tacoma schedule:
- Wednesday, Sept. 2, through Friday, Sept. 4: 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 5: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day): 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturday's 11 a.m. matinee is the only morning option for families with young kids.
Tickets are available at venardoscircus.com. The final show is the 5 p.m. performance on Labor Day.
