Sawdust:  Fame. Fortune. Glitz. Grit. A tale of two young men chasing a dream during the golden era of traveling circuses
Tickets on sale NOW

July 29 - August 15
Circus Juventas Big Top
1270 Montreal Avenue, Saint Paul
Tickets:  All reserved seating $12.50-$25 on sale beginning Monday, July 5
Box Office:  612-343-3390 or online www.ticketworks.com or Circus Juventas 651-699-8229
More information:  651-699-8229 or www.circusjuventas.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Circus Juventas’ annual summer spectacular Sawdust steps back to the Golden Age of the Traveling Circus
July 29 through August 15, 2010
 
Saint Paul, MN - JUNE 25, 2010 -- Circus Juventas, North America’s largest youth performing arts circus, will present an all-new production this summer. Sawdust will feature performances by advanced level students who will be joined by legendary circus stars Willie Edelston (age 87) and Tony Steele (age 74). A salute to the origins of the modern-day circus, Sawdust is an action packed ride filled with comic characters and breathtaking performances that will take you back to the golden age of the Big Top. Willy and Tony narrate their heartwarming coming-of-age tale and join the students in a story that is filled with big dreams, conflict and adventure, new friends and unexpected alliances, first love and a last, lingering look back.
 
Sawdust will highlight traditional circus acts including teeterboard, acrobatics, breath-taking swinging trapeze and slapstick clowning mentored by the former Ringling icon Bello Nock the clown! The most amazing high wire act, the popular Russian swing and the most exciting and exhilarating of all—the flying trapeze-- return this summer. Plus, there are two thrilling new additions:  the heart-stopping Wheel of Steel – Circus Juventas is the only amateur circus in the world performing this exhilarating act; and an active menagerie of life-size circus animal puppets built by Circus Juventas students under the direction of Puppet Farm Arts Artistic Director Christopher Lutter-Gardella who will then teach the students how to manipulate the fully-performable life-size animal puppets which include an enormous elephant, a vicious tiger, an acrobatic bear and a long-necked giraffe. These magnificent animals will delight children of all ages!
 
The world-renowned fiddler and mandolinist Peter Ostroushko and his band are back this year with exciting new and memorable music he created for Sawdust.
 
The 16th annual summer extravaganza produced by Circus Juventas will be performed July 29 through August 15 in its award-winning, air conditioned Big Top building, 1270 Montreal Avenue in Saint Paul. Patrons will enjoy the comfortable new state of the art seating system that was installed in March.
 
All tickets for Sawdust are reserved and will go on sale Monday, July 5 through Ticketworks at www.ticketworks.com or 612-343-3390 or by calling the Circus Juventas box office: 651-699-8229. Adult tickets are $15 to $25; tickets for Children up to age 10 and Seniors over 65 are $12.50 to $25. Family 4 Pack Saturdays for the matinee performances on July 31, August 7 and 14 are $50 for two children’s and two adult tickets in the $15 zone.
 
Circus Juventas’ summer shows, featuring advanced level performers, are elaborate spectacles in the tradition of Cirque du Soleil.  Circus Juventas productions represent the best of contemporary circus arts, combining evocative music, extraordinary sets and costumes, and stunning theatricality, dance and athletic artistry with a global flair.  This year’s show is sponsored by Cirque du Soleil, Clear Channel Outdoor, Minnesota State Arts Board, Target, Norris Foundation, Star Tribune, Starbucks, Huss Foundation, McCarthy/Bjorklund Foundation, and Ruehling Associates.
 
SAWDUST PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 29 @ 1pm – (pre-sold)
Friday, July 30 @ 7pm – OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, July 31 @ 1pm & 7pm
Sunday, August 1 @ 1pm
Wednesday, August 4 @ 1pm (pre-sold)
Thursday, August 5 @ 1pm (pre-sold)
Thursday, August 5 @ 7pm
Friday, August 6 @ 1 p.m. SENIOR MATINEE
Friday, August 6 @ 7pm
Saturday, August 7 @ 1pm & 7pm
Sunday, August 8 @ 1pm
Wednesday, August 11 @ 1pm (pre-sold)
Thursday, August 12 @ 7pm
Friday, August 13 @ 7pm
Saturday, August 14 @ 1pm & 7pm
Sunday, August 15 @ 1pm & 7pm – CLOSING PERFORMANCE
 
About Circus Juventas
Circus Juventas, celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, is a non-profit youth performing arts circus based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Circus Juventas offers an array of circus arts training and performance opportunities to children and youth up to age 21. Its mission is to inspire artistry and self-confidence through a multi-cultural circus arts experience.  Students learn acrobatics, balance, aerial techniques, juggling and theatrical skills in a safe and noncompetitive environment. The focus is on discipline, hard work, and mentor and peer relationships.