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The Midnight
Circus came about out of a collaboration of a circus clown and an actress.
Jeffrey Jenkins and Julie Greenberg combined their talents with the common goal
in mind to develop a five minute eccentric acrobatic act to be featured at
Circus Smirkus; a one ring European style circus which tours New England each
summer. While on tour with the show, they apprenticed themselves to two former
stars of The Moscow Circus. In between shows and practice, they would all sit
over a cup of tea (or a more than occasional vodka!) and share aspirations and
ideas for the future of performance. It was in that backlot that the seeds were
planted for The Midnight Circus.
After the season ended and Jeff and Julie returned
to Chicago, they worked with several theater companies that were interested in
using "circus arts" in their shows. Ultimately it never matched the
vision that they had shared with their Russian comrades. There was only one
thing to do…Create their own show. The Midnight Circus; When Circus and
Theater Collide opened at the intimate National Pastime Theater in January of
1997. After playing to sold-out houses for ten weeks, they moved the show to the
more spacious Ivanhoe Theater where it ran for the next eight months. Since that
time, The Midnight Circus has performed for many different audiences in many
different venues. They have performed under canvas in The Big Bang and Other
Amazing Adventures! On Chicago’s Museum Campus, where they were seen by
thousands of tourists and Chicagoans over their three-month run. They reached
thousands of Chicago Public School Children through their performances of
Haunted Hijinx in Daley Plaza. They have taught the ancient and honorable arts
of clowning and circus arts to Chicago youths as part of Gallery 37. And in 1999
they will branch out nationwide as New York’s Big Apple Circus has
licensed…When Circus and Theater Collide, the inaugural production from The
Midnight Circus, for a three year National Tour. The Midnight Circus opened last
year’s season of Theatre on the Lake with a remount of…When Circus and
Theater Collide. They are thrilled to be back at this terrific venue!!.
Special Thank Yous!!
Melanie Bishop, The Chicago Park District,
Gene and Toni Greenberg, Sam Barkan, Beth, David & Maddie Greenberg,
Interior Investments Incorporated, Steve Smith, Rob Mermin and Circus Smirkus,
Joey Foust, Defiant Theatre Company, Steve Greenberg, Skyline Gymnastics, Mail
Boxes, Etc. on Southport, A.L. Schultz, Susan Padveen, Robin McFarquhar, Valodia
and Zena Agustov, Chimge, Jime Morgan and Chicago Canine, Chicago Shakespeare
Theatre, David and Tonya DeDera, Jean and Anita Jenkins, Gregor Mortis, Robert
Deignan, David Denman, National Pastime Theater, The Folks at Linda Jack Talent,
Michael Joyce, Scott Gerwitz.
We’d like to extend an extra special thank you
to Michael Greenberg, our very own P.T. Barnum, whose patience, generosity, and
guidance allow us to turn our dreams into reality! Thank you, Zaaaaaaaaaa.
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