Trained Fleas Perform at Piccolo Spoleto

An authentic Victorian style flea circus makes its South Carolina premiere at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston SC June 2-13, 2004.

CHARLESTON, SC (PRWEB) April 24, 2004 --This summer, the stars treading the boards at Charleston's world famous Piccolo Spoleto Festival will be rather difficult to see. That's because they will be insects. Trained insects. Fleas, to be exact.

The show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea circus, features the trained fleas Midge and Madge (stars of the show) who perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned heads of Europe. Midge and Madge will perform in Charleston, SC at the Chapel Theatre at the College of Charleston June 2-13, 2004.

Details Magazine called the show "One of the top alternative circuses in the country." The New York Times said "The appeal is irresistible... Gertsacov is every bit the fantastical impresario, in his purple top hat and cash-register voice, introducing us to the wondrous insects itching (sorry) to perform" And the Los Angeles Times says that "Professor Gertsacov holds the audience (and the stars of the show) in the palm of his hand."

According to Professor A.G. Gertsacov, ringmaster and proprietor of the Acme Miniature Circus, flea circuses were popular entertainments during Victorian times, but had nearly disappeared since the advent of television. The last popular American flea circus was Professor Heckler's of Time Square, which left New York in 1957. The rumor is that Heckler thought that the nude shows were giving his fleas a bad name.

There are now only a handful of flea circuses still performing throughout the world. Gertsacov's is arguably the most famous. The Rhode Island native and his amazing insect stars have performed throughout the country, and in Canada, Chile, and Brazil. He recently spent three months performing in Times Square, less than two blocks from where Professor Heckler once had his fleas. Gertsacov has also been filmed for documentaries on the History Channel,
the Travel Channel, and numerous news programs. He's even been a question on Jeopardy!.

Gertsacov's educated insect stars pull chariots, dance on a tightwire, and perform other circus-like stunts. While he does not reveal his method of training (a proprietary secret, he explains) , he assures the curious and the civic minded that he uses only methods of positive reinforcement to teach the insects their routines. "I treat them as if they are my own flesh and blood," Gertsacov says. "And in some ways, they are."

Professor Gertsacov will bring his miniscule marvels to perform in their South Carolina premiere at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston South Carolina June 2-13, 2004. He invites all curious parties to come and see what Canadian Public Radio deemed one of the top theatre events of 2003. But he asks that you leave your dogs and cats at home. Gertsacov quips, "I don't want anyone to steal the show."

LISTING:
The Acme Miniature Circus, a Victorian style flea circus starring "Midge and Madge, Trained Fleas Performing Spectacular Circus Stunts As Seen Before (and on top of) the Crowned Heads of Europe" Piccolo Spoleto Festival June 2-13 ( June 2,4,6,8,10, 12 at 5:30 pm, June 3,5,7,9,11 at 8 pm and June 13 at 1 pm )at the Chapel Theatre , 172 Calhoun St, Charleston. Tickets are $10-12 and are available through Ticketmaster 843-554-6060. For more information, call the Piccolo Spoleto Office 843-724-7305 or visit http://www.piccolospoleto.com or http://www.trainedfleas.com. No Dogs or Cats will be admitted to the shows.

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Press Contact: Professor A.G. Gertsacov
401-351-2596
info@trainedfleas.com
http://www.trainedfleas.com

To view a pdf of this document, visit http://www.trainedfleas.com/piccolo.pdf
High Resolution Photos available online: email for details.