Circus Smirkus delights young and old A bicentennial offering

• Published in: Telegram & gazette
• Main Author: Ellis, Mark E
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Worcester, Mass GateHouse Media, Inc 26.07.2008
• Subjects: Circuses; High Schools; Secondary schools; Sullivan, Dan; WEST BOYLSTON
• ISSN: 1050-4184

The two teenagers, who are called "the twins" by their circus friends, also participated in some of the aerial performances that made up a large portion of the show. They're called the twins, they said, not only because they look so much alike - both with red hair and light complexions - but because they share the same birthday. [Dan Sullivan] turns 16 today and Aerial turns 17. Aerial said the circus is in her blood, and she hopes to make it her career. "I was around it so much, I can't help but want to be a part of it," she said. "I can't imagine not doing it." The show, while without circus animals, still featured nearly all of the usual circus fun and fare, from clowns, jugglers and acrobats, to contortionists, balancing acts and stilt walkers. A pair of musicians - drummer and sound-effects man Mike Dobson and keyboardist and songwriter Tristan Moore - served up a panoply of original songs to fit every mood, from thrilling to sentimental, as performances weaved in and out of the show's story line, "Smirkusology: A Science Extravaganza."