BELLOWS FALLS — Troy Wunderle is like that proverbial boy who ran away to join the circus. Only Wunderle wasn't so little when he left. And he's brought his circus home with him.
Wunderle is the founder, in 2006, of Wunderle's Big Top Adventures (WBTA), based in Chester. WBTA promotes safe and intriguing world-class circus programming and entertainment for all ages. Its primary programs include circus shows, big top workshops, school residencies, and strolling entertainment.
The Women's Community Club of Grafton has arranged for WBTA to present two benefit performances on May 25 at the Bellows Falls Opera House.
For these engagements, called Circus Terrificus, Wunderle will present his Circus Extravaganza, which his fans know is in the style of the Cirque du Soleil. Not a surprise, as his show features some of Soleil's former stars - and performances from the Montreal-based Les 7 doigts de la main's “Sequence 8” show.
A matinee at 2 p.m. is perfect for both children and adults. The second performance, at 7 p.m., is for adults only. Both shows feature circus acts that have performed worldwide, including a trapeze duo that starred with Cirque du Soleil, a clown from Ringling Brothers, an award-winning gymnastics duo, a gold medalist in aerial hoop, and four renowned jugglers.
Balloons, food, concessions, and circus memorabilia will fill the theater and lobby.
Tickets are $15 for the matinee for children under 12 (children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult), and for adults at either performance $25 in advance, or $30 at the door. VIP tickets are $50, and include preferred seating, an evening pre-show cocktail party, and an opportunity to meet the artists following the show.
In addition to managing WBTA, Wunderle is the artistic director of Greensboro-based Circus Smirkus, and is the director of clowning for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
A native of Bellows Falls, Wunderle attended Bellows Falls High School before moving to Maryland to study graphic arts. In the final year of his program, he discovered that the circus was the place where he “could do it all,” and was one of 33 applicants accepted out of 6,000 to study at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College at the World Circus Museum in Baraboo, Wis.
After finishing those studies, he became an international performer with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, touring the United States and Mexico, and then working freelance. His antics have been featured on the Disney Channel, “The Today Show,” “The Martha Stewart Show,” “Chronicle,” “Fox and Friends,” and “America's Funniest Home Videos.”
Wunderle says serendipity landed him an offer to work for Circus Smirkus, which let him reach his goal of returning to Vermont.
“I always wanted to remain a Vermonter,” he says. “I am grateful for living here on almost a daily basis.”
Wunderle finally moved back to the Rockingham area, where he started WBTA (www.bigtopadventures.com).
“I felt that Vermont, at that time especially, was circus-deprived. Growing up in Bellows Falls, there was virtually nothing, and it became my mission to fill the gap,” he says.
“Circus Terrificus is a really beautiful collaboration of artists and athletes,” says Wunderle of the May 25 shows. “There'll be plenty of comedy too. WBTA is happy to perform this benefit for the Grafton's Women's Club in the spirit of pride to be able to give back to this community I love.”