Children’s Theatre Company helps make the world smaller for our smallest theatergoers.
In recent seasons, the company has taken to turning its stage over to traveling troupes from other continents, usually presenting pieces that transcend language barriers through pure physicality. It opened last season with the madcap kitchen comedy, “Cookin’,” from South Korea, and has previously launched new seasons with shows from Ethiopian circus troupe Circus Abyssinia.
Now another African import is gracing the CTC stage. Hailing from the southern tip of the continent, Zip Zap Circus is a group from Cape Town, South Africa, founded upon using circus skills as an avenue off the streets for youth dealing with crime, gangs, drugs and homelessness.
You could call the Zip Zap production, “Moya,” a combination of the best aspects of Circus Abyssinia and “Cookin’,” for it features both the eye-popping, gasp-inducing aerial acrobatics of its African stylistic cousin and the kind of comical clowning the Korean troupe brought last season. The result is a very entertaining hour at the theater that should place smiles upon the faces of those of any age.
Bridgette Berning in the South African troupe Zip Zap Circus’ theatrical piece, “Moya,” a combination of comedy, acrobatics and lessons about life in South Africa that runs through Oct. 20, 2024 at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. (Glen Stubbe / Children’s Theatre Company)
At first, it seems as if “Moya” will contain a narrative, as we’re introduced to a homeless youth shivering on the street, his panhandling dismissed by passersby. But soon he falls in with some acrobats who find he has a skill for being tossed about, and any story is set aside in favor of one “wow”-producing circus act after another — and some fun dance numbers — all set to some terrific Afropop music.
That comes courtesy of composer and music director Josh Hawks and a 10-piece band, who are only present via recording, but stand out as this production’s secret weapon, from the cool, slow blues of the opening to the mesmerizing ballads that accompany solos by acrobats suspended on straps or a 20-foot scarf to the funky jazz a la Hugh Masekela that suffuses the tumbling full-cast finale with joy.
It might aid your appreciation of the aerial artistry to know that the tale of the homeless kid who becomes a company member is based upon the story of cast member Phelelani Ndakrokra. When performances were shut down by the pandemic, Zip Zap made a dramatic film about his life that’s since won awards, and it’s easy to see how Ndakrokra charmed audiences while playing himself, judging from the effervescence and approachability he brings to his routines on the straps and the Cyr wheel, which is kind of like a hula hoop that uses the entire body, not just the waist and hips.
But the character in “Moya” based upon him is that panhandler brought into the fold, and Jacobus Claassen expertly fills the role of the clown acrobat who looks hapless until it becomes clear that he isn’t. Looking a lot like a miniaturization of comic actor Richard Pryor (circa-’70s), Claassen finds an ideal straight man for the show’s funniest bits in Jason Barnard, who also serves as the production’s resident rapper.
It’s a show with plenty of variations in pace and mood, the bouncy acrobatics and comical juggling often giving way to meditative aerial feats from Bridgette Berning or astoundingly athletic handstands from Masizakhe Kovi. They help make “Moya” a very enjoyable option for a family outing.
Rob Hubbard can be reached at wordhub@yahoo.com.
Zip Zap Circus’ ‘Moya’
When: Through Oct. 20
Where: Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis
Tickets: $73-$15, available at 612-374-0400
Capsule: A very fun feast of funky flying about.
