**** Highly Recommended New at Chicago Shakespeare this summer - Circus Abyssinia Ethiopian Dreams, created by brothers Mehari “Bibi” Tesfamariam and Binyam “Bichu” Shimellis. Instead of a three-ring extravaganza, complete with lions, tigers and elephants, we saw individual and group demonstrations of strength, balance, and agility, all done to joyful rhythmic music which seemed to require clapping in time. This is a treat for any circus lover and a great show for the family. 4 BIG Spotlights
The show led off with tumblers, who completed astounding leaps and rolls through standing rings, all with cheerful smiling faces and hand-clapping rhythm.
An aerialist thrilled the audience with his tricks done on the ribbons, usually high above the stage. I remember thinking he must have been a gymnast, he held the iron cross (usually done on the rings) with such ease.
Balancing might be difficult for you and me, but not for the next performer. Wearing a sports jacket and fedora-like hat, he snapped his fingers to the jazzy music and smiled as he made the rola bola (balance board) look easy - until he started adding more levels and more levels. Finally, making the audience gasp, he piled another rola bola, then tubes going in different directions, then even more stuff, and balanced on top of that!
After he left the stage, a young man picked up the rola bola but before he could get on, the lights went out, he yelled, the lights came on. He kept the audience laughing through a couple of repeats. Then he got a rope, laid it in a more or less straight line on the floor and walked it, then tried it blindfolded! When he chose a couple of ‘volunteers’ from the audience, things got even funnier as he had them walk the rope, then use it as a jump rope.
After a short intermission, the aerialist demonstrated his strength balancing on two posts on a table. His handstands were often two-handed, occasionally one-handed, as he did gymnastic strength moves while balancing on the posts. Adding more posts, he continued while climbing ever higher.
Using glow-in-the-dark neon pink pins, a pair of jugglers took the stage. It was really cool to watch those pins moving apparently without anyone moving them. When the lights came up, they threw pins to each other in various patterns, adding more and more pins.
Remember that guy who balanced on the rolo bolo? He came back on a ladder! That’s right, a ladder. He kept that ladder moving constantly, even while he climbed up and down and through the rungs. He was awesome!
After marching two poles on stage, the cast set them up, secured them with guy wires, and started climbing them. While on the poles, they did all kinds of stunts, including throwing themselves from pole to pole.
Circus Abyssinia runs through August 3rd in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago. Parking in CST’s designated area in the Navy Pier Garage is available at a 40% discount with validation from CST.
Running time is about 80 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm; Thursdays at 2:00 pm; Fridays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 & 5:00 pm. Tickets are $57. FYI (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com