wordplay: orangepeelmoses.com
images: Marie-Reine Mattera
Running away with the circus has
long been a popular fantasy for little people the world over, from children to
midgets and more. Russian born Boris
Verkhovsky wasn’t permitted any such fantasy, though. For all he knew, the circus was hell on
wheels. The ringmaster may has well have
been the Antichrist incarnate. His
gymnastics coach would literally lock the doors when it came to town, as the
nomadic carnies were known for luring star athletes to the “dark side”. Verkhovsky, formerly a National Acrobatics
Team coach in the former Soviet Union, chuckles when contemplating how his life
has now come full circle. Fifteen years
after migrating to Canada to teach
gymnastics at Calgary’s Mount Royal
College, he was finally successfully lured to
the dark side (Montreal, in this
case) by the circus of the sun--Cirque du Soleil. What was once thought to be hell on wheels turned
out to be more heavenly than any heaven imaginable. Verkhovsky has since helped develop
“acrobatic skeletons” for every single one of Cirque’s productions, from Alegria
to Zumanity. This summer, Corteo, one of
many credits on Boris’s extensive resume, is pitching a tent in our own Mile
High Club backyard.
June 22nd–August
5th @ Grand Chapiteau (Pepsi Center)
CirqueduSoleil.com
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