The cast of Circus Olympus

ESCANABA — Players de Noc is concluding its 2022-2023 season with a lesson in Greek mythology that will keep you entertained, after all it is a circus. Circus Olympus directed by Kris Hovland is a compilation of Greek mythology stories as told by the Greek Geeks in their backyard circus. The actors are all children, and their amazing talent is on display from the beginning of the show to the bows. Each child brings their character to life on stage, in their own unique and brilliant way.

From the start, you are immediately transported into a backyard circus, with all the circus sights and sounds, well except an elephant on a bicycle. After all the Greek Geeks love their Greek mythology and enthusiastically portray the heroic mythical stories of the Greek gods. The first thing you will notice is how the director’s vision was much like that of a circus, building every element on top of each other, and it starts with a well-designed set that has everything you would expect in a backyard and more. Stacking on top of the great stage and lighting design are the incredible costumes that complement the setting with vibrant colors and elaborate individuality, enhancing the entire atmosphere of the play. And just like the circus, you must go bigger, and the hair and makeup did just that by increasing the level of individuality to each character. 

The Greek Geeks, and their circus have five ringleaders played by Easton Kositzky (Merve), Cash Kenneally (Manso), Aline Norkoli (Osina), Katelyn Rexford (Vigit) and Randi Irving (Ishy), who navigate us through the various myths about Perseus and Medusa, Heracles (NOT Hercules!), King Midas, Pandora’s Box and many more. The five ringleaders do a fantastic job wrangling in the Greek Geeks, so they get through all the stories. Oh, and don’t forget the Mythapalooza Slam Jam that will surely be an audience favorite. Vigit, played by Katelyn Rexford, is a treat to watch, she is a girl who knows what she wants and really isn’t afraid to tell you how she feels, so get your popcorn ready because she might be ready for a fight! Katelyn does a brilliant job in this role, always putting extra emphasis on her statements to get her point across. Karter Springstoh, who plays Zeno (Perseus) is like a huge bag of cotton candy, giving you extra energy throughout the show. His stage presence, timing, and rhyming, like cotton candy, will leave you wanting more! When you think of the circus you think of funnel cake, with the strands of cake appearing as pure chaos, but still in one overall shape. That is what the Anabel Niswonger (Atra), Amelia Chouinard (Adnea) and Alizah Knauf (Lyra) accomplish in playing the Graeae Sisters. The ability of these three young ladies to deliver lines as though they are one person without stepping over each other is one of the hardest things to accomplish, even as an adult, and they masterfully maneuver as though they are one person, creating a beautiful funnel cake of comedy, even though they only share one eye!

Each child seems to have embraced their role, making the characters their own, like a snow cone from the circus, their individual flavors blend together to create a brilliant play. As the show progresses, you will see each actor giving every ounce of energy they have to entertain you, from humorous facial expressions and purposeful reactions to over-the-top movements and mannerisms. Their mission is to entertain you and I assure you they will. Also in the cast are Daisy Ammel, Dahlia Hartman, Abe Wessel, Zoey Kramer, Mya Kressin, Ava Dier, Braelyn Delveaux, Eleanor Kramer, Charlotte Micola, Elsie Shepeck, Lee Goodchild, Carter McDonough, Hadley Sargeant, Josh Gartland, Bo Troutman, Madelyn Knauf, Josiah Micola and Declan Wagner.

While there may not be an elephant riding a bicycle, there is much to love about this circus, and is a perfect play to make the entire family smile and laugh, and maybe learn some Greek Mythology too.  Visit the Bonifas Arts Center Theater for “Circus Olympus” running April 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online at playersdenoc.org, the Bonifas or the Chamber of Commerce.