CIRCUS REPORT Circus Vargas Opens 2025 By Alex Smith T
he 2025 Circus Vargas opening was de- layed by 10 days as Southern California was reeling from the devastating fires
that ravaged the region in early January. The Arcadia location adjacent to the Santa Anita Racetrack is close to one of the most se- verely destroyed areas in Altadena. All first responders were allowed free entrance, and the Friday performance was a benefit per- formance for the re-building effort. In classic Vargas fashion and courtesy of Chris Berry, CHS, Show CEO/Producer Katya Arata gave a high profile interview on the top radio talk show on 640AM during the commute hour. If rattled nerves needed calming or parents just needed to get the fami- ly out of the house after being holed up for weeks, the circus provided the best ticket in town as all shows were at least 75% full. The signature Vargas flyers, the
Tabares, were performing in France at the prestigious Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione de Paris, so the cast had their work cut out for them to fill the void. Fortunately, high profile returning performers like Johnathan Lee Iverson, America’s last Ringmaster, and the tal- ented Faltyny family stepped up. This year’s theme is “Hollywood Dreams,” atribute to theHollywood Golden Years and one couldn’t ask for a bet- ter Ringmaster to guide the audience through this journey. A refined talent and, for those in LA, somewhat of a local celebrity who has appeared in commercials for Spectrum TV, the local cable station, along with the obvious international exposure for decades with Ringling, he was tasked with leading us through this forgotten era. He reviews with the audience the rich history of the circus and Hollywood: Vargas’ obvious connection with tinsel town— the most recent being the full use of the Vargas tent and lot on “Water for Elephants,” —already 15 years old, Aye; and two pro- duction numbers, one appropriately from West Side Story, and
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the other Iverson singing “When Dreams Come True.” The Faltynys from the Czech Republic return for their third season, changing up the routine of their Juggling and unicycle acts. The young and handsome troupe really are of a higher eche- lon with their precision execution of difficult routines; this year’s highlight, the unicycle act featuring unique acrobatics. They’re also the quintessential gem for circus promotions as their stellar ground acts are contained and when presented in conjunction with Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, are ideal for media plugs
on local TV straight from the studio, telegraphing to everyone, “the circus is back in town.” The camera loves them, and backed by Iverson’s presence, I believe this pro- motion in the late Cliff Vargas tradition, “gets the butts in the seats”. The Mesa’s Highwire did not perform
at this date due to difficulty with their rigging. The Marinelli’s new wheel act was debuted, both Josue and Patrick pushing the limits rivaling any wheel act out there including the most re- cent seen in LA on Cirque’s Kooza and RBBB. Best of luck to the Marinellis who at the time of this writing are preparing their departure from Circus Vargas with the long planned and an- ticipated April debut of their new show, the Marinelli Bros. Circus. Tumultuous times indeed for everyone but espe- cially for Angelenos, the crowds were plentiful and seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. The cliché, “it takes a tragedy to bring people together,”
was evident in the receptive and plentiful attendance. The partnership between all the fire departments was nostal- gic bringing back my childhood memories of the so called “badge dates,” a partnership between the local heroes that was the bread and butter of so many shows in the 80s. They were the perfect community partners benefiting all by legit circuses. History is cyclical. Let’s hope circus attendance is as well.
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