They know how to say it but have your children ever really dropped their jaws and gasped in disbelief? Have they seen the strength, agility, daring - and missed handholds and net-drops - that real human beings are capable of performing?

That's the promise of Circus Chimera, a theatrical-style experience without animals, coming to Utah State Fairpark on Thursday through Saturday. Some of the acts in this circus are the same ones that, in the words of Chimera's ringmaster Roy Ordaz, thrilled "ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages" 2,000 years ago.

Circuses in Europe, South America and Asia are different from American ones, says Chimera's representative, Patricia DiLucchio, in that performers train in professional circus academies and present their stunning feats in concert halls. Only in America does the circus come to you. Only in America is the venue folded up and spirited away to another town down the tracks. Chimera, then, combines the best of all worlds, presenting under one Big Top the showmanship, spectacle and illusion that we've come to know from traditional circuses.

Indeed, the word "chimera" means "an impossible or foolish fancy," hence the theme of "Alice In Wonderland" for this year's circus, the ninth season for the California-based troupe, making its second trip to Salt Lake City.

"It's a familiar story with instantly recognizable characters that can be told without words," says DiLucchio. The familiar story, however, has been embellished by this troupe of daredevils. Alice, for example, is played by a Russian Olympic contortionist who effortlessly appears to change dimensions. The Mad Hatter becomes unbalanced on a Peruvian tower called a "rolobolo." The absurd Red Queen is fittingly played by a Mexican clown, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum argue over a Chinese "diabolo" instead of a rattle.

For the past three years, Ordaz has been Circus Chimera's producer. He makes sure the show's seven semis, 14 trailers, and 40 other circus vehicles get on the road safely, that the proper permits have been obtained in each city and that the rigging is secure, among many other things.

He's also the ringmaster, the authoritative fellow in the center ring who opens and closes every show.

"I went to school to be a ringmaster - the school of hard knocks. I started with a master's degree in dairy science, then from training cows I learned to train tigers and elephants. I thought being a ringmaster would be an easier job, but it turns out to be more work. I'm responsible for organizing the show - introducing each act, overseeing the pacing, and so on."

However, when Ordaz puts on the ringmaster's red costume and top hat, he turns into pure entertainer. "I lead you into the fantasy," he says. "The every day logistics of putting the show together is always a new challenge, but when I'm standing in the middle of the Big Top seeing the smiles on the faces of children from 3 to 103, it's the best job in the world."

Although Circus Chimera has been compared to the famous Cirque du Soleil - neither has animals, both are in tents, and both feature traditional international acts - Ordaz points out significant differences. "Cirque du Soleil can be quite expensive, over $100," he says, "but you can't even go to the movies for the price of a Circus Chimera ticket. And at Chimera, the audience is up close and personal, 6 or 7 feet from the ring. It's the real thing - no fancy sound or lighting equipment, no fog machines to create the fantasy."

And like a traditional circus, there will be peanuts, popcorn and cotton candy. But sorry, no tea.

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Contact Jane Grau at jgrau@sltrib.com or 801-257-8611. Send comments to livingeditor@sltrib.com.

Stunning theatrics

Circus Chimera, a theatrical-style experience, brings its Big Top to the Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West in Salt Lake City, on Thursday through Saturday.

Performances are at the fairpark's White Ball Park. Showtimes: Thursday and Friday, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Shows are two hours long, with intermission.

Tickets to Circus Chimera can be purchased by phone at 800-663-7464 or online at http://www.circuschimera.com. Prices begin at $10 for bleacher seats, $13 for reserved seats, $16 for premium seats (first three rows), $19 for box seats; $3 discount coupons will be available at participating merchants in Salt Lake City.