SANTA’S CIRCUS

Drop whatever you’re doing this minute, (even reading the rest of this review,) and procure your tickets to Santa’s Circus at the wonderful Montalban Theatre in Hollywood! It’s seriously the most fun I’ve had all holiday season, (and I have definitely been having fun! So this is saying something.) The show is in town for only these next two week-ends, so you have got to hurry. This is one entertainment that is truly fun for the whole family.

And let me tell you—I love circuses. In case you didn’t know, I was in a circus myself when I was just out of my teens. It was the biggest traveling Big Top back then, and I was the star of the sideshow, Little Mina from Copenhagen. (And no—I was not the Fat Lady! I was the Divided Lady.) It was a strange and wonderful experience for a young Jewish college girl from Brooklyn to have.

But even so, I do not love every circus act. I can always live without animal acts. And I’m a little done with the trapeze, (which I actually tried a time or two myself.  Don’t ask.) So I absolutely adored Santa’s Circus because it’s basically an acrobatic and amusing stage show, as opposed to the gigantic kind of circus that I was in. And just about every act is a highlight.

I did have my favorites, of course. My absolute fave is a shock, even to me. Although I do not have clown-phobia, (and the main clown in my circus came to see my act every night, and beeped his horn at me, so I liked him,) I’ve never been a fan of clown acts. I especially do not like the ones in Cirque Du Soleil. Never have. But the clown act in the second half of Santa’s Circus is the best one I’ve ever seen! No exaggeration. I was cheering, giggling, leaning forward in my seat, and downright guffawing the entire time. The scenario is the clown teaching three dads from the audience how to dance while playing instruments. It’s hilarious.

I also adored the very Christmas-y set. I felt like we were in a Hallmark movie!

I noticed that there was something happening in front of the curtain before the show started, but I was otherwise engaged at the time, so I don’t know what it is exactly. All I know is that Mrs. Clause is involved, and it looked like perhaps children could go on the stage to greet her. So if you’re going to the Montalban with young ’uns, I suggest getting there early and finding out for yourself.

The music is pre-recorded except for one striking bit, which is a glamorous female violinist who plays live every now and then throughout, including for the first spectacular act.

Santa’s Circus starts right off with a bang—a hand balancer who piles chairs up almost to the ceiling, and continues to do handstands on them. (I promise you that even if you’ve seen some of these acts on TV, you really must see them live on stage while you have the chance.)

Then comes the contortionist, who has to be seen in person to be believed. (That’s what I was billed as in the circus, but whenever I see people like this wonderful woman, I chuckle to myself about how fake my act was.)

The acrobatic acts are interspersed with singing, dancing, tumbling, clowning, and audience participation. You never know what’s coming next in Santa’s Circus! And it’s all seamless. It seems much shorter than the hour and forty-five minutes that it is.

In the first half there’s one little part with “snow.” (If you love seeing that stuff as much as I do, I suggest you choose seats on the left side near the front.) When the snow started, my visual of the kids in front of me reaching their hands up to it was just beautiful. I wish I had taken a picture of it. But I’ll always cherish the memory of that supreme innocent happiness.

Two of my other favorite acts are courtesy of the big group of acrobats. In the first half, they do amazing rope jumping, dressed as colorful Marios. It’s one of the best numbers in the show. You don’t see that every day. Shortly before the finale, the same troupe does a major tumbling act. We were all screaming watching them!

The hand balancer who opens the show then showcases his unicycle skills, and he’s great once again. Especially from my perspective–I can’t even ride a bike!

Santa shows up every now and then. He and the Mrs. do a lovely magic act. Who knew Santa is so talented?! And I believe he’s even on the Montalban’s happening rooftop after the show, greeting children and hearing their holiday wish lists.

My only one teensy-tiny problem at all is that when we saw Santa’s Circus, the music was way too loud. I’ve heard that it’s gotten better since then, but just in case, I suggest bringing some cotton to put in sensitive ears.

I was happy to see that there were lots of well-behaved kids on the day we were there. But, please parents, do not be rude to the people around you, in any way, actually, but especially if you buy your kids the lighted clear balloons at intermission. The kids need to just lie them down while the show is going on, until the finale when the waving of them is encouraged. Besides that having the souvenirs moving around in front of you is so annoying and blocks your view of the stage, (as it did for us, and we’re not short little kids!,) the flashing lights can really harm someone in the audience who might have epilepsy. I’m not kidding about that. So an announcement needs to be made before the second half to “please put your balloons down until the finale, and then go crazy with them!” That would definitely help with the enjoyment of the second half.

Santa’s Circus is produced by Cirque Factory, which was founded by Cirque du Soleil member, Francisco Santos. I understand they do other productions at different times of the year, but this was my introduction to them. I hope to see more presentations down the line, or at the very least, this show again next year. If not next week again!

So to sum up, I highly recommend Santa’s Circus to everyone, kids and grown-ups alike! It’s a great show; it’s wonderful to see children having so much fun; it’s in a lovely laid-back theater; the late, great Ricardo Montalban’s announcement before the show is charming; and the refreshments on the mezzanine before the curtain and at intermission are the most reasonably-priced snacks and drinks of all time! What’s not to love?!

Santa’s Circus running through December 27, 2023
Montalban Theatre1615 Vine Street, Hollywood
www.santascircusexperience.com