Despite fire losses, Cirque de Boheme opens sixth season at Cornerstone in Sonoma

Despite losing decorations and stage curtain in a warehouse fire this week, Cirque de Bohème will open its sixth season as planned in Sonoma later this month.|

If You Go

What: Cirque de Bohème

When: 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 23-25, and Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16

Where: Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Highway 121, Sonoma

Tickets: $27-$55

Information:www.cirquedeboheme.com

When crafting a story, it's important to think about the message. For Michel Michelis, 58, this is a vital component to his production, Cirque de Bohème, a French-American circus troupe entering their sixth season at the gardens of Cornerstone Sonoma.

This year's production will go on as planned, opening next week, despite a warehouse fire Tuesday in Sonoma that destroyed the production's decorations and stage curtains. Fortunately, the circus tent and heavy equipment were not in the warehouse at the time, Michelis said.

Every year, he writes a new show, with this year's “Yesterday” centered on how people often think about the past, and what they can do in the future, while forgetting to live in the present.

“I always think the present is here, so be here now,” said Michelis in a phone interview. “Let's see what's going on in the future later, but don't be focused on that all the time.”

As part of the troupe's traditional focus on old-fashioned French circus fare from the 1920s, this year's acts include magicians, rola bola and Cyr wheel acrobats, hoop and chain aerialists, hand-chair balancers, mimes and jugglers.

One of the three main characters, Gudule, is played by 29-year-old actor Colin Creveling, who met Michelis nearly five years ago. Acting since age 7, he appreciated Michelis' approach, his safe creative environment for performers to reach the best of their ability.

“It's something that's quite rare in any performance avenue,” said Creveling on the phone. “The care that he takes with stories and performances ... He treats everyone like family.”

This is one of the things that initially attracted Creveling to the circus to begin with, how Michelis really understood the true spirit of it. It's what drew him to the company, and perhaps why many artists, including Michelis' 15-year-old daughter, Luna, enjoy it too.

Despite not wanting to go into acting as a career, Luna Michelis is thankful for everything she's learned, from amazing life skills to the irreplaceable experiences. It's very special to work with her dad in the environment where he's the happiest and most passionate, Luna Michelis said in an interview.

“That's made it a lot of fun for me,” she said. “Being exposed to people like Colin and all of the other performers that act in my dad's circus has just been an amazing opportunity.”

Luna Michelis portrays the second main character, Mis Turtle, who represents the future, with actress Amelia Van Brunt playing Granny Turtle, signifying the past. Creveling's character tries to explain to the grumpy grandmother why she needs to live in the present.

As ringmaster and a returning character, Michel Michelis is the Bohemian of Paris. A traveling messenger full of mystery and cynicism, he opens the Corridor of Time by turning a big clock and asking audiences to walk through it. When it stops, the story starts.

“Our circus is not with a big computer system, it's still a real human circus,” said Michelis. “I'm happy because my goal was to create a real tradition here, as we have in France.”

Michelis' philosophy behind keeping old European circus traditions alive comes largely from his father taking him to the circus as a young boy. Nostalgia, combined with the magic of experiencing it at that age, helps Michelis maintain his passion for the circus.

Creveling feels today's world is inundated with technology, and often needs to be reminded of the human virtuosity found in the circus, that tends to get lost elsewhere. What draws him in most is the community, which ultimately becomes a second family.

“In the theater, there's a lot of that as well,” said Creveling, “but I've found, with the circus, in particular, there's this great pride that comes from the specialties that people do.”

Whether it's tightrope walking, juggling, contortion or clowning, Creveling admires families that have passed on these talents for generations since they were first introduced.

Among new artists set to perform, there's Elijah Leone, known as a juggler and being top 10 at Cyr wheel acrobatics in the world, according to Creveling, his close friend. The large aluminum or steel ring is named from Daniel Cyr, who reinvented it for circus performers.

Returning is Cola Claret, an aerialist,and hula-hooper. Newcomer Ken Garr is a mime-magician ready for some trickery, along with favorite Jeremy Vic, skilled at hand-chair balancing and rola bola, more commonly known as the balance board.

“We love to welcome everybody,” said Michelis. “If you are super rich, if you are very poor, you are welcome. The only thing we want to give people is freedom, hope and friendship."

This intimate get-together is limited to 150 guests per show, underneath an enchanting old-fashioned tent. The production is giving 100 free tickets away to those who lost their homes in the wildfires, and portions of ticket sales to Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.

Donations given at admission will also go to The Living Room Center, which aims to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk women and children. Creveling believes the message of the performance will benefit and remind people of their own inner strength.

“We want to be a nice light at the end of the year,” said Creveling, “something that's very light-hearted and fun that people can connect to and look forward to.”

If You Go

What: Cirque de Bohème

When: 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 23-25, and Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16

Where: Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Highway 121, Sonoma

Tickets: $27-$55

Information:www.cirquedeboheme.com

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