Cirque Italia Aquatic Spectacular opens today in Kissimmee

By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

What might very well be the newest show on Earth is getting its start in Kissimmee this week.

Cirque Italia Aquatic Spectacular, a circus that turns the traditional circus on its head, opens today under the Big Top off of U.S. Highway 192 (200 W. Vine St.).

You won’t see any elephants, tigers or bears in Cirque Italia. The human performers often perform behind a wall of water, 35,000 gallons of it, on a circular stage.

“This is a top of the line European-produced show,” said Chante’ DeMoustes, chief operating officer and producer of Cirque Italia.

The Kissimmee show will be only the second production of the show, and the launch of a national tour. The first show, a trial run on Florida’s west coast, drew some 10,000 guests and raised $25,000 for charity, she said.

Cirque Italia will be in Kissimmee today through Feb. 3. There are two shows daily, Saturdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. shows on weekdays. There are no shows Monday or Tuesday.

Cirque Italia is the brainchild of owner Manuel Rebecchi, a native born Italian from Milan, who spent his childhood traveling across Italy and Europe with his aunt, Moira Orfei, and her famous European circus. He has been in the United States since 2003.

Rebecchi wanted to produce something new and fresh for American audiences, De Moustes said. Cirque Italia should deliver.

Featuring about a dozen acts in a 90-minute show, Cirque Italia promises thrills on the ground and in the air.

“It’s a unique show featuring performers from around the world,” she said.

Guests should arrive early to experience the full effect of the new circus. The Big Top is actually two tents in one. A pre-show tent, which opens about an hour ahead of the show, is big on atmosphere, featuring concession and souvenir sales as well as a chance to talk to the performers.

Under the main big top, easily visible when traveling on Vine Street in Kissimmee, a dazzling show awaits, featuring unique acts that include everything from a “human coat rack” to a mermaid.

“It takes four to five days just to set up the tent,” De Mousetes said, and another two days to pump in all that water.

Everything you will see is from Italy, she said, from the 1,266 “bucket” seats to the tent itself.

“And there are no bad seats,” even the seats in the back row offers a great view, she said. “It is intimate and family-friendly.”

Seating is sold on three different levels.

Cirque Italia features 22 performers and 12 acts. Many of the performers are family acts, so you might see the same performers in more than act.

Among the performers in the show:

Coco the comic clown – A fifth generation circus performer from Argentina, Coco also holds the Guinness Book record for riding the world’s smallest bicycle, measuring only five inches.

Nicolette Fornasari – It will be easy to find this young woman at the show. Just look up. Way up. The aerialist is an eighth generation performer (other members of the family are in Cirque Italia). The Fornasari Family has performed for Pope John Paul and earned several circus awards along the way. Fornasari’s “The Cloudswing” is the same act her mother became famous for.

Vladimir Kim – Kim performs with girlfriend, Nicolette, in The Cube Duo. The third generation performer from Russia has been performing since age seven. The Cube is an artistic endeavor that combines spinning and technology.

The Mermaid – Chelcie Carpenter is that rare individual at Cirque Italia, a first generation circus performer. She went to a circus school in Indiana and soon was totally immersed in all things circus.

“I just love it,” she said of Cirque Italia.

Duo AA — Adam and Anton do an amazing human balancing act behind all those waterworks.  Anton Makuhin began his training into the world of acrobatics as a child in Kiev, Ukraine. He was with Cirque du Soleil for 12 years.  Adam Vazquez is part of a performing family that dates back to the 1800’s and he also has worked with Cirque du Soleil.

Ticket pricing: Level one, adults $40, children $35; level two, adults $30, children $10 and level three, adults $20 and children $10.

You can buy tickets on line and see a map of seating and the stage at Cirqueitalia.com or call the box office at 941-704-8572.