Comedy and Pets at the Columbia
Contact: Rene Abadie
01/04/06
HAMMOND - The curtain will go up with a bang not to mention a chorus of barks and meows as Southeastern Louisiana University’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts ushers in 2006 with a unique family-pleasing show, "Comedy & Pet Theatre."
The hit show, direct from Branson, Mo., is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at the historic downtown Hammond theater, 220 E. Thomas St.
"Comedy & Pet Theatre" blends the unique comedy of Gregory Popovich, master juggler and international award-winning star of Moscow Circus, and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets 15 cats and eight dogs, all rescued from animal shelters.
The performance will showcase a smorgasbord of feats, including a housecat that gives a canine friend a stroll in a baby carriage and a young pup that hides away in a picnic basket and devours every hot dog that Popovich tries to eat. Cats, dogs, birds and mice hop aboard a miniature train and even bring out the Red Cross to aid an injured traveler.
Popovich is a world-renowned circus veteran. A highly honored juggler, he was the first Russian artist to perform in the center ring with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. Popovich’s juggling skills have garnered awards in Paris, Monte Carlo and Brussels. He also received the Award of Excellence as "Greatest Technical Master of All Times" from the International Juggling Association.
"Comedy & Pet Theatre" is now a mainstay in Branson, Mo. The circus has been featured on "Latenight with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and NBC's "Extreme Variety" special.
"Comedy & Pet Theatre" was voted "Best Family Attraction" in Las Vegas, while Leno called it "The funniest circus act I have ever seen." The "New York Times" dubbed Popovich "the Baryshnikov of juggling." "Comedy & Pet Theatre' is quite an unusual show where the pets become the main players while the humans merely help out!" said Popovich. "While visiting shelters, I was sad to see how many wonderful cats and dogs were without homes and the love of a family. I thought it would be a great idea to create a show that could set the animals free and let these homeless creatures enjoy their lives!"
"Just like any animal, every pet has a special, quirky little thing they like to do to show a unique part of their personality to their owners. This is what makes them who they are," he explained. "I take advantage of this and try to develop the natural traits of each animal according to what they already like to do best. When my pets perform for you they are showing you their favorite trick!"
Tickets for "Comedy and Pet Theatre" are $30, Orchestra 1 and Loge; $23, Orchestra 2 and Balcony 1; $18, Orchestra 3; $15 Balcony 2. Tickets are available at the Columbia box office (985-543-4371, boxoffice@selu.edu), located in the theater's lobby, from noon until 5 p.m., weekdays or online through http://www.columbiatheatre.org/.
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