The circus comes to the Modlin Center

A fog will creep onto the stage of the Alice Jepson Theatre soon in the unlikely form of a circus.

Combining theatrics, rhythm, acrobatic skills, circus acts and poetry, Modlin Center for the Arts will host "Nebbia," which means fog in Italian. "Nebbia" is the third part of the "Sky Trilogy" written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca -- the first two portions were titled "Nomad" and "Rain."

Cirque Eloize and Teatro Sunil will present the performance at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 8:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Alice Jepson Theatre.

Pasca said the performance was inspired by her childhood.

"The fog that would float down when we visited my grandparents would swallow up the entire house," Pasca said. "The neighborhood disappeared, followed by the entire village. Standing on the living room balcony, I would spy on the void and when the sky was very low, I would see strange things."

Based on the multidisciplinary talents of its artists, Cirque Eloize combines circus arts with elements of music, dance and theater. Founded in 1993, the company has presented its six original productions in more than 30 countries.

"We had performances of their shows 'Nomad' and 'Rain' and both were outstanding, very artistically stunning and entertaining," said Kathleen Panoff, executive director of the Modlin Center. "Their performances are always sold out here."

Teatro Sunil was founded in Lugano in 1983 by Pasca and has produced more than 30 theater and dance performances in 26 countries. In addition to its collaboration with Cirque Eloize on the "Sky Trilogy," Teatro Sunil has also performed with Cirque du Soleil and at the closing ceremonies for the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.

"The company really loves to come to Richmond because we really treat touring artists well," Panoff said. "We think that when we provide first-class service to our artists, they work hard to give the best performances to our audiences."

Junior dance minor Alecia Houston saw the company's previous performance.

"They did things you wouldn't ordinarily see," she said. "They were strength builders, and they did fascinating things with their bodies."

Panoff said that the company's technical requirements were extensive. Accommodating a show that is both a theater and a circus is challenging. A performance as visually stunning as "Nebbia" requires a very high level of technical mastery, she said.

"To tell my tale of a childhood that is re-invented each time, I use geometries and the lucidity of acrobatic theatre danced on stage by an extraordinary group of performers," Pasca said.

"Many students are already planning to attend as a requirement of their theater and dance courses," Panoff said, "but I think any student would enjoy such an engaging show."

Tickets for the show are $38 for adults, $36 for seniors, $19 for children, $30 for Richmond employees and $8 for Richmond students. They are for sale online here, at the Modlin Center box office or by phone at 804-289-8980.

Contact reporter Avril Lighty at avril.lighty@richmond.edu