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Performing group Cirque Italia aims to take Utahns back in time

The production and circus arts group will bring its show to Salt Lake City and Provo.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cirque Italia's Water Circus in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

The performance group Cirque Italia is bringing its high-energy “Water Circus Gold” show to Utah and they’re taking a trip back to the 1950s.

The group set up its big-top tent in Salt Lake City this week, on North Temple at 1200 West, across the street from the Utah State Fairpark. The show will run there through June 19.

After that, the group will strike the tent, and put it up again at Provo Towne Centre, 1200 Towne Centre Blvd., and perform from June 23 to 26. You can purchase tickets on their website, gold.cirqueitalia.com, over the phone at 941-704-8572, or at the tent the day of the show. Tickets range from $10 to $50.

The troupe is multicultural, with performers from Argentina, Brazil, Romania and other countries. The acts include juggling, wire-walking, contortionists, a “wheel of death,” and more. The show is for all ages, and has no animal acts.

The story told in the show is of a teen obsessed with the 1950s — who falls asleep and dreams of the era of hula hoops, soda fountains and street racing.

The stage, according to the company’s website, holds 35,000 gallons of water. “Inspired by the element of water, the acts express versatility and fluidity through human movement while curtains of rain and fountain jets crisscross in time to each move,” according to the website.

Cirque Italia was started in 2012 as “an Italian company that brings a performance of European style.” Founder Manuel Rebecchi is the nephew of Moira Orfei, an actress and world-renowned Italian circus performer.