Posted 9/10/2004 10:10:18 PM by Webmaster
News from Ed Limbach viewed 3472 times
Friday, September 10, 2004 - Canfield, OH
Following is an original review of the Zoppe Family Circus from their Canfield, Ohio date. The reviewer is Ed Limbach, Director of Public Relations and Media for the CFA
ZOPPE FAMILY CIRCUS
MAHONING COUNTY FAIR
CANFIELD, OHIO
SEPTEMBER 4, 2004
By
EDWARD W. LIMBACH
DIRECTOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA
CIRCUS FANS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
On September 4, 2004 my wife, Lynn, and I decided to attend the
Mahoning County Fair for the express purpose of seeing the Zoppe Family
Circus. We arrived at the fair at about 11:30 am and immediately
proceeded to the Zoppe Circus. When we arrived at the big top we saw a
sign the next show at 6pm. We thought that the sign must be in error so
we saw a clown standing near the entrance and asked if the time was
correct. He immediately introduced himself as Nino Zoppe. I told him
that we were members of the Circus Fans Association of America and we
proceeded to strike up a conversation. After about 15 minutes later, he
said, " I want you to meet my father, Alberto Zoppe." We proceeded to
the backyard and there sat Alberto with Mike and Silvius Piccolo
exchanging jackpots. We were honored to meet Alberto.
 They immediately found chairs and wanted us to join in the jackpots.
Alberto's wife, Sandy came to the door of the trailer and welcomed us.
They made us feel right at home. Alberto told us a very interesting
story about how he came to America in 1948. At the time he was running
and performing in the Zoppe Circus in Italy. He said that one day he
got a call from John Ringling North telling him that he wanted him to
perform in the Greatest Show on Earth. Alberto said I told him I can't
leave the circus. North said that he needed me and that Cecil B.
DeMille wanted him in the movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth". Alberto
explained that after the war there were no elephants in Italian
Circuses as what had been available died during the war. So he said, I
told John Ringling North that if you want me, I will come but you must
send me an elephant to replace me on the Zoppe Circus. North said that
he couldn't do that so Alberto told him that's ok forget about me
coming to America. North replied ok you got your elephant. And so
Alberto came to America to star in the Greatest Show on Earth. Now that
is a great jackpot.
 The Zoppe Family Circus big top seats about 500 and we knew that
there would be a crowd to get in to the 6pm show. We arrived at about 5
:15pm and a crowd was already assembling. We moved up to the rope line
and stood there about 10 minutes when Nino Zoppe spotted us. He came
right over and said, "You don't stand in line come with me and pick out
the seats you want. There were about 50 chairs right on the ring curb.
We were able to sit right in the center. While we were waiting for the
show to start Alberto came into the big top and wanted to know if we
didn't want a cup of coffee. We thanked him as we had just finished
dinner. It was interesting to watch Alberto, 82, go around the big top
checking things out. He even got a rake and smoothed out the sawdust
where the horses would later go around the ring curb. Another thing
that impressed me was Nino going around under the bleechers picking up
paper or discarded soda cups.
The Zoppe Family Circus is created to be reminiscent of the one-ring
European family circuses of the last century. The inside of the tent
was very colorful with stingers of lights and the Zoppe Family crest
over the performers entrance. The music was canned but very well done.
The Italian atmosphere was created with the Italian music. As patrons
began filling the big top it was interesting to note that family
members were greeting them and helping them to their seats. The show
start time was delayed almost fifteen minutes due to the large crowd
and Zoppes effort to get everyone a seat.
 Finally the show started with a dynamic grand entry. The crowd was
taken back with the energy displayed in the opening. It is clear the
show revolves around Nino and his outstanding clown performance. The
audience loved him. The lady sitting next to me said that this is the
greatest circus I have ever seen. Nino does a great job of getting the
audience involved. After Nino, a great dog act was presented by
Rudolpho Zoppe. It is fast moving and a real crowd pleaser. Nino then
does a routine on the trapeze that had the audience gasping. Another
clown performed with a violin which was received favorably by the
audience. The finale was the presentation of two beautiful horses and
equestrian ballerina, Tosca Zoppe who was sensational. Nino also
performed in this act. Alberto guided the horses during the routine.
The show ended with a skit by Nino and members of the cast.
For a midway show the running time was a little long but the
audience didn't mind. In fact, the Zoppes got a standing ovation. That
is very special for a fair crowd.
The other thing that struck me is the fact that the performers
positioned themselves outside of the tent and thanked patrons for
coming and shook hands with them. I overhead many positive compliments.
The fact is this is a very unique circus. It is very patron friendly
and it is high-energy show from start to finish.
A tip of the hat to the Zoppe Family for creating a great circus.
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