Zoppé Family Circus Brings History, Entertainment to Bolingbrook

At Bolingbrook's , workers are setting up the tent and unloading the trucks. Inside the tent, the lights are off and the ring is empty. But tonight, the will be ready to thrill the audience with its high-flying acts and unique performances.

Besides the usual entertainment found under the big top, the circus also brings something else: the heart of a close knit family.

"Our show is different from any other show," said Tosca Zoppé. "It's a very, very intimate performance. We really want to give you something from our soul."

This intimacy comes from the family history. Tosca Zoppé is a sixth generation member of the Zoppé family, which began the circus in Italy in 1842 with a French clown and a Hungarian equestrian ballerina.

Zoppé is an equestrian ballerina herself, while her brother, Giovanni, stars as Nino the clown, putting on a show that is both authentic and captivating.

"My family's been carrying on the tradition," she said. "When you leave, you really feel like you've become a part of our family. It's a great show for this year, very big show, very strong show. We're very very excited about the performers we have this year."

According to Zoppé, the circus features a new company and hired several new performers from around the world.

One of these performers is Gerard Rosales, who, along with his family, joined the Zoppé Family Circus this year. He specializes in the head-balancing trapeze and says he expects the Bolingbrook audience will find the circus a hit.

"They'll feel excited because most people haven't gone to circuses so they'll be like 'whoa,'" he said.

With long rehearsals and hours of preparation, the company promises to put on a great show for Bolingbrook residents.

Bolingbrook Park District spokesman Dan Leahy says the circus was chosen because of its unique appeal, adding that the district is always looking for events to bring the community together.

"Zoppé is just something authentic, old world," Leahy said. "I think you're going to see a lot of smiles on kids faces, I think once they see the dogs and the ponies and the acrobatics and other families having a great time, they'll get excited and we'll deliver what we want to deliver."

Tickets are being sold at the Park District for the six shows between June 30 and July 3, with a couple hundred sold already. Still, Leahy encourages more Bolingbrook residents to see the circus.

"We want to interact with Bolingbrook and its residents every chance we get," he said. "Just be sure to come out to the circus; it's where the fun is."

And that fun won't just be for the audience, but for the Zoppé family as well, who aim to keep their circus tradition alive.

"Performing - that's what makes us happy," Zoppé said. "It doesn't matter how bad your day is; when you're in the ring and you can fill the hearts of the little children all the way up to the grandparents, it's a beautiful feeling."

The Zoppé Family Circus will perform six shows before moving to Elmwood Park and Addison. The ticket prices and full schedule are as follows:

Ticket Prices
Adults (18 & up) $20
Youth (3-17) $15
Seniors $15
Ages 2 & under Free (must sit on an adults lap)

Show times/dates
June 30 – 7 p.m.
July 1 – 7 p.m.
July 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
July 3 – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information, call 630-739-0272.