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Zombies, monsters & more: 'Paranormal Cirque II' is a different type of circus
Steven Copeland heard the saying, 鈥淢aybe you should join a circus,鈥� when he was growing up.
He took that to heart and did.
Copeland is one of more than a dozen performers that make up 鈥淧aranormal Cirque II.鈥�
The traveling show, put on by Cirque Italia, will make its home in Albuquerque beginning Thursday, Feb. 1, and running through Feb. 11, at Cottonwood Mall.
Copeland and Ryan Combs are the hosts of 鈥淧aranormal Cirque,鈥� which is a different type of big top.
鈥淧aranormal Cirque II鈥� is a two-hour show that mixes traditional circus, theater and cabaret with improvised comedy and a not-so-subtle horror theme that鈥檚 packed with zombies, monsters and all other sorts of talented creatures.
Copeland and Combs made their debut with the traveling show in 2022 鈥� in Albuquerque.
Zombies, monsters & more: Paranormal Cirque II is a different type of circus
鈥淎lbuquerque was our first stop with 鈥楶aranormal Cirque鈥� and that鈥檚 where we first opened the show,鈥� Copeland says. 鈥淭he show has definitely grown a lot in the two years. We try to stay current with what we do. We pay attention to what movies are popular in the horror genre. We study different haunted attractions to get ideas for things.鈥�
Copeland says there is some pressure because it鈥檚 just him and Combs for a lot of the show.
鈥淲e put pressure on ourselves because each piece is packed with talent that we have to be just as good, if not better,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 great is the show is constantly changing and that gives us an opportunity to improve what we do.鈥�
鈥淧aranormal Cirque鈥� is one of the touring entertainment shows owned by Cirque Italia.
The company was founded by Manuel Rebecchi, the nephew of Moira Orfei, a famed Italian circus performer.
The other show currently touring under the Cirque Italia banner is 鈥淲ater Circus,鈥� which features circus acts performed in an environment of thousands of gallons of water that rains from the ceiling and rises from the stage in fountains.
Copeland says the goal is to provide audiences some good entertainment.
Copeland and Combs interact with audience members and some are even taken on stage.
鈥淲e want to empower people,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for people not only to have a good time, but also have some scares as well.鈥�
Copeland says with 鈥淧aranormal Cirque II,鈥� no one under the age of 13 is permitted and minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult since there is foul language and some sexual humor.
鈥淲e have new elements to the show,鈥� Copeland says. 鈥淭here is a sword swallower who is just amazing. We also have a woman who shoots a bow and arrow with her feet. If you鈥檝e seen the show before, that鈥檚 completely different. This is a new version of the show with all new elements to it.鈥�
Copeland also says there will be a haunted house an hour before the show.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for those who really love getting scared,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely an experience.鈥�
