Popovich Comedy Pet Theater celebrates the natural talents of once homeless animals
By Kyle Valentini
March 25, 2013
301
Summary: Kent States Performing Arts Center wowed audiences with an eastern European-style show that combined juggling, balancing, sketches and acrobatics that included a cast of rescue dogs, cats, birds and rats.
The Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas continues to be an asset to the community by offering entertainment for residents of all ages. The Wednesday, March 20 show was no exception when they featured Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, a vaudeville-type performance that included the talented Gregory Popovich and a cast that included skilled acrobats as well as four-legged and feathered stars of the show, an assortment of animals rescued from shelters where they might otherwise have been euthanized.
Popovichs Charlie Chaplin demeanor was enduring and oft-times amazing as he performed a dramatic sketch about a homeless clown as well as many comedic sketches, physical comedy, balancing acts and amazing juggling feats including some on a free-standing ladder.
Trained dogs performed seemingly effortlessly as they jumped rope, rode scooters and rescued other dogs and cats from a simulated structural fire. Cats jumped hurdles, walked the tightrope and even pushed a dog in a baby stroller. Popovich used a combination of treats, strokes and praise to encourage his non-human cast.
Popovich served as conductor as dogs, cats and rats, the VIP rail passengers board a train bound for Vegas. Class gets underway as dogs portray students in a classroom complete with a math and geography lesson where the canine student barked the answer to an arithmetic problem while another pointed to a specific region on the globe.
The 48 year old Russian Popovich is a fourth generation circus performer who has been impressing audiences in the States for more than 20 years. Recent television appearances have made him more visible and his Comedy Pet Theater is one of the more popular family-friendly shows in Las Vegas.
An advocate for homeless animals, Popovich utilizes the natural talents of his animals and never forces them to do anything. He described individual cats as the climber, the jumper, and the very special one that does nothing at all.
A packed house enjoyed the show that lasted more than an hour. Every generation was represented and parents and grandparents didnt seem to mind that children would be up past their bedtime on a school night in order to see a show they will remember for years to come.
As the show came to an end the easily approachable theater general manager, Mike Morelli worked the crowd and made certain guests had a great time.
Popovich and one of his more sociable cats met audience members in the lobby to promote the obligatory merchandise that included a book describing how to train your cat.
It had been a second performance for the cast as earlier in the day the theater offered local school children a condensed version of the show for just a few dollars.
